Whether you enjoy swimming, hiking, boating, bicycling, camping, picnicking or simply relaxing, summer activities also bring unique hazards. While most accidents happen at home, having fun in the great outdoors brings a new set of potential maladies that can affect your family’s health and well-being.
Preparation is the first and most integral step in dealing with summer emergencies. It's time to be a real boy scout here – adopt their mantra, "always be prepared." You must learn to recognize what can happen to deal effectively with what does happen.
Of course, getting professional assistance is always preferable in an emergency, but there are times when location or circumstances may not allow for immediate help. Thus, it’s best to prepare to deal with certain situations on your own, particularly if camping in remote locations where cell phone reception is spotty.
The first thing to do is stay calm. It's normal to be afraid, and an emergency is no time for shyness or modesty. Don’t be afraid to make your situation known to people in the immediate area. You never know when an off-duty doctor, nurse or other emergency responder is nearby and can assist. You may encounter someone who will know exactly what to do and how to contact auxiliary authorities if the situation requires immediate outside help.
Stock Up
Most family activities don’t require bringing the equivalent of a mobile field hospital with you. But it’s advisable to have a few items on hand to treat minor injuries. Put together a small first-aid kit that can easily fit in a waterproof and sealable plastic baggie and stow it with the rest of your food and drinks.
Your pack may include such standards as bandages, first-aid cream, adhesive tape, rubbing alcohol, cotton balls, a cold pack, tweezers, small scissors, antacids and anti-inflammatory tablets like ibuprofen or just plain aspirin. Extra meds like epi pens, insulin or other items may be necessary to pack for those with unique medical needs. These will help you navigate most incidents until you can get professional help.
It’s a good idea to check and replenish items every time you plan on heading out on some outdoor adventure. There’s nothing worse than needing ointment and discovering that you used up most of it on your last excursion. It’s a five-minute check that’s more important than what kind of sandwiches to pack.
Common Summer Maladies
Here are some tips that can help you assess and take action on common outdoor occurrences.
1. Heat stroke. It’s nice to be out in the summer sun after a season spent cooped up indoors. But be aware that too much sun can cause all sorts of ailments beyond sunburn. You must be aware that mere water can’t often replace the electrolytes that are a vital part of regulating body temperature. The first signs are thirst and fatigue, but those can escalate into hallucinations and delirium in severe cases. Doctors recommend you drink a mix of water and Gatorade, which has sodium and potassium that can help rebalance the body. A good rule of thumb is to drink about a liter bottle each hour when out exercising or engaging in vigorous activity.
2. Animal bites. If you’re hiking in the woods, you may encounter snakes, rats or other creatures whose habitat you’re invading. While most will avoid you out of fear, there are times when you may startle them or step where they are hidden. That’s when they can react. While it’s best to seek professional treatment as soon as possible, don’t panic. You can flush the wound with alcohol, bind it with an improvised tourniquet, and in some cases, cauterize the wound. Keep in mind that it takes a while for venom or infection to take hold, so you have time to get to further assistance.
3. Poison Ivy. Nature is a marvelous thing, and some plants have natural defense systems. Poison ivy, poison oak and other plants can secrete fluids that can cause moderate to severe rashes on those who encounter and handle them. They are usually found amidst other shrubs and bushes, so if you’re going off a well-worn trail, it’s best to wear long pants, thick socks and hiking boots that will protect you. However, keep in mind that clothing alone can’t protect you – if you get the oil from the plants on your clothes, it can transfer to your skin when you remove them. The treatment is calamine lotion, generally available at most drug stores. If you have a severe case, you may have to visit a doctor for steroid treatments.
4. Mosquitos and other bug bites. You’re not the only one enjoying the warmth and sunshine. Mosquitos, ticks and other annoying insects are out in force in the summer. While you can fend some of them off with topical creams and sprays, there are times when they are so prevalent that you likely will be bitten. Most of bites aren’t serious, beyond an annoying red bump and the occasional itch. But mosquitos can harbor West Nile Virus, which has symptoms ranging from fever and body aches to nausea and vomiting, while ticks can carry Lyme Disease, which has serious consequences for those affected. When in doubt, see a doctor, particularly if you discover a tick on your body.
5. Blisters. Walking around the house in bare feet or comfortable slippers isn’t the same as dashing around in the great outdoors during the summer. Particularly if you’re not used to the shoes you’re wearing or are extending your normal limits of activity, you may wind up rubbing your skin raw and raising a blister. These are more annoying than life-threatening but can inhibit your ability to walk and return to your vehicle or encampment. You also may risk infection at the blister site. Your best bet is to clean around the site, sterilize a needle or knife, and then open a side to allow fluid to escape. You can then treat it with ointment and a bandage.
While that’s not an exhaustive list, it will cover most of the incidents that are likely to occur outdoors. The best advice is to be prepared, but don’t worry too much. Enjoy your family summer and the bountiful pleasures that nature brings, safe in the knowledge that you’re ready for action if an accident should occur.