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--- 199609 [2016/06/17 11:17] – [Come to Cairns] vievems
+++ 199609 [2016/06/17 12:00] – [Come to Cairns] vievems
@@ Line 246: / Line 246: @@
 As many of you know my reason for coming to Cairns is to gain experience as a tour guide and this I am certainly doing. My initiation has been pretty torrid, almost daunting but at the same time very rewarding. I am currently working for only one company, "The Adventure Company" but I am negotiating with a couple of others to fill in the gaps.
-The Adventure Company runs sea kayak trips off the coast to some beautiful coral islands, canoe trips down the Mulgrave River, mountain bile rides on the lovely Atherton Tablelands and four wheel drive safari's into The Cape region.  My main involvement to date has been with the mountain bike trips. The Tablelands are at about 1000 metres elevation up the twisting Gilles Highway. Temperatures vary by up to 10C from the coast and indeed it can get really cold of a night so at the Lake Eacham Hotel at Yungaburra we are usually greeted by a very welcoming open
+The Adventure Company runs sea kayak trips off the coast to some beautiful coral islands, canoe trips down the Mulgrave River, mountain bike rides on the lovely Atherton Tablelands and four wheel drive safari's into The Cape region.  My main involvement to date has been with the mountain bike trips. The Tablelands are at about 1000 metres elevation up the twisting Gilles Highway. Temperatures vary by up to 10°C from the coast and indeed it can get really cold of a night so at the Lake Eacham Hotel at Yungaburra we are usually greeted by a very welcoming open
 fire. I get fed so well all the time that it's a wonder I haven't put on a heap of weight.
-Cairns is growing city, there is building work going on everywhere. I understand there are more hotel rooms per capita then anywhere else in the world and I can believe it! There are masses of tourists, many of them from overseas, and most of them on a whirlwind visit. For instance many of those who come through "The Adventure
+Cairns is a growing city, there is building work going on everywhere. I understand there are more hotel rooms per capita then anywhere else in the world and I can believe it! There are masses of tourists, many of them from overseas, and most of them on a whirlwind visit. For instance many of those who come through "The Adventure
 Company" arrive on Sunday, canoe the Mulgrave on Monday, then we take them directly to The Tablelands for two days of mountain bike cycling. Next they spend two days trekking (as it is known up here) in the rainforest along the Little Mulgrave River, sleeping in string hammocks. Before they have a chance to recover from that they are off to the reef for a couple of days snorkelling and diving. Then by Monday or Tuesday they are on the plane on their way home.
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 Finally the big temptation is to go north up The Cape to "The Tip". I am currently looking for an opportunity to do just that so if you are interested please let me know and I'm sure I can work something out.
 As you may have guessed I am missing you guys a whole lot so if you feel like coming up for a visit you will be very welcome. Let me know before you book anything as I can arrange some excellent deals from this end (except airfares).
-My address in Cairns is:
+My address in Cairns is: 286 Gatton Street, Westcourt 4870. My phone number is 015 066 870.
-Gatton Street, Westcourt 4870. My phone number is 015 066 870.
 Good walking.
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 There was no general business so the meeting proceeded to the announcements and closed at 2133.
-==== Notices ====
+===== Notices =====
 === Some Enchanted Evening - Thursday October 17 ===
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-==== A Snippet From Column 8 ====
+=== A Snippet From Column 8 ===
 observer Barbara Bruce
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 "For some reason we have been told that at the AGM at the weekend of the NSW Confederation of Bushwalking Clubs, representing 70 clubs, the new president was installed - Mr Brian Walker.  Also on the management committee Mr Colin Wood and Mr Don Brooks. We cannot see how this could possibly interest us"
-====== Basic Rule in Treatment (continued from August 'first aid notes') ======
+===== First Aid (continued from August 'first aid notes') =====
+=== 2. Basic Rule in Treatment ===
 First aid courses teach **DRABC** as the basic way of treatment. This check list may only take a couple of seconds but should be followed on all occasions.
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 EAR and cardiac massage are not covered in these notes, see Additional Information below.
-=== Signs & Symptoms ===
+__Signs & Symptoms__
+Signs are the clues which the first aider observes from the patient; eg colour, temperature, pulse. Symptoms are the details that the patient tells you. Vets always work with signs! With an unconscious patient the first aider also works only with signs. Sometime with a conscious patient the symptomS may not be clear and reliable. Signs to look for: confusion, irrational thinking, slurred speech, stumbling, unconsciousness, loss of colour, clammy, cold skin, shallow and rapid breathing, slow pulse at first- becoming rapid and feeble, bleeding, limbs at odd angles.
+Symptoms are giddiness, dizziness, headache.
+=== 3. Hypothermia Exposure (too cold) ===
-Signs are the clues which the first aider observes from the patient; eg colour, temperature, pulse. Symptoms are the details that the patient tells you. Vets always work with signs! With an unconscious patient the first aider also works only with signs. Sometime with a conscious patient the symptom may not be clear and reliable. Signs to look for: confusion, irrational thinking, slurred speech, stumbling, unconsciousness, loss of colour, clammy, cold skin, shallow and rapid breathing, slow pulse at first- becoming rapid and feeble, bleeding, limbs at odd angles. Symptoms are giddiness, dizziness, headache
-Hypothermia Exposure (too cold)
 Occurs when the body core cools too much, from prolonged immersion in cold water, damp clothes on a cold, windy and rainy day (NB chill factor), coupled with physical exhaustion and hunger.
-Signs & Symptoms Irrational thinking, slurred speech, stumbling, =consciousness.
-Treatment Do not give alcohol to drink. Do not expose to excessive external heat. Immediately do what you can to prevent further heat loss and then get to a sheltered spot. For
+__Signs & Symptoms__
-mild cases wrap the casualty up and give warm, sweet drink (NB not too hot to scald, and make sure the casualty can have sugar). Give chocolate to eat. For severe cases cuddle up together in a sleeping bag with plenty of skin to skin contact. Don't be shy or embarrassed, this is a matter of life and death! Seek medical attention.
-Hyperthermia (Heat Exhaustion - too hot).
+Irrational thinking, slurred speech, stumbling, consciousness.
-Included here are severe sunburn, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. For sunburn see bums below. Heat stress is an elevated body temperature and occurs when the body can no longer control its temperature by sweating. It can occur on bushwalks when the temperature is high, the humidity is high, wearing too much clothing, strenuous walking such as climbing. Heat stroke is extreme heat exhaustion.
-Signs & Symptoms Headache,
+__Treatment__
-dizziness, feeling hot, exhausted but restless, muscular cramps, fast and shallow breathing, skin pale and clammy, pulse rapid and weak.
-Treatment Remove casualty to a cool
+Do not give alcohol to drink. Do not expose to excessive external heat. Immediately do what you can to prevent further heat loss and then get to a sheltered spot. For mild cases wrap the casualty up and give warm, sweet drink (NB not too hot to scald, and make sure the casualty can have sugar). Give chocolate to eat. For severe cases cuddle up together in a sleeping bag with plenty of skin to skin contact. Don't be shy or embarrassed, this is a matter of life and death! Seek medical attention.
-or cooler place-in the shade. remove as much clothing as possible, however there is no need to strip naked! Sponge down with cool water. Give plenty to drink; many small amounts in place of a few large amounts. Seek medical attention.
-P 14
+=== 4. Hyperthermia (Heat Exhaustion - too hot) ===
-Shock
-The body's response to an inadequate supply of oxygen to the tissues. The body reacts to shock by directing blood away from the less important tissues to the vital organs (brain, heart and
+Included here are severe sunburn, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. For sunburn, see burs below. Heat stress is an elevated body temperature and occurs when the body can no longer control its temperature by sweating. It can occur on bushwalks when the temperature is high, the humidity is high, wearing too much clothing, strenuous walking such as climbing. Heat stroke is extreme heat exhaustion.
-kidneys). Shock may result from severe bleeding, severe burns, loss of fluids by vomiting or dehydration or an accident such as a fracture. Shock, called an anaphylactic shock may also result from severe allergic reaction to insect bite.
-Signs & Symptoms Feels weak, faint,
+__Signs & Symptoms__
-giddy, may lose consciousness, may feel nauseous, may vomit, pale, cold clammy skin, rapid but weak pulse.
-Treatment If unconscious apply DRABC, turn onto the casualty's side into the recovery position. If conscious, lie the casualty down, keep the head level with the heart and raise the feet. No not raise the feet if the casualty has a head, chest or abdomen injury or has suffered a stroke or hear attack. If in doubt do not raise the feet. Loosen any restricting clothing, treat the cause of the shock, maintain the comfort of the casualty (not too hot, not too cold), and seek medical attention. Moisten lips if thirsty but generally do not give anything to eat or drink because food and drink will prevent or delay the subsequent administration of anaesthetic. if help is a long way off use common sense and give small quantities of liquids and simple foods to maintain the casualty's comfort.
+Headache, dizziness, feeling hot, exhausted but restless, muscular cramps, fast and shallow breathing, skin pale and clammy, pulse rapid and weak.
-Sprains & Fractures
-For treatment sprains and fractures are the same, however the severity of the injury may be very different. If in doubt treat a sprain or suspected fracture as a fracture. Sprains and fractures may also cause shock. For bushwalking, leg and ankle injuries are possibly the most common and considering the places we get ourselves into such injuries lead to the greatest problems. Be prepared to carry the casualty out, to get back late and/or in the dark, to stay put and to send for help, to spend the night in the bush.
+__Treatment__
-Signs & Symptoms Leg, foot or arm at
-an unusual angle, bone fracture protruding from the skin, inability to carry the full weight on the
+Remove casualty to a cool or cooler place - in the shade. Remove as much clothing as possible, however there is no need to strip naked! Sponge down with cool water. Give plenty to drink; many small amounts in place of a few large amounts. Seek medical attention.
-leg, shock, swelling of the joint, inability to move the fingers, wrist, toes, foot or great pain in doing so. Secondary injuries may be concussion, grazing, cuts and bruises from a fall.
-Treatment First DRABC, then carefully remove the casualty to an area free of danger and where treatment can be given. Surface wounds, cuts etc. may need to be attended to before treatment of the fracture. Immobilise the limb with a splint using wide bandages to spread the pressure and padding on the splint to prevent local pressure. For leg injuries, if splinting one leg with the other put padding between the bony places: knees and ankles. Watch for shock and treat accordingly. If the casualty is in pain, a pain-killer may be appropriate. (Depending of the party's supply of pain-killers and the expected delay in obtaining medical attention, rationing of pain-killers may be necessary.)
+=== 5. Shock ===
-Snake Bite
-Assume the snake is venomous. Identify the snake if possible but do not waste time trying to catch it and maybe getting bitten yourself The majority of bites are to the lower leg with the rest to the hand or forearm. Bites elsewhere are difficult to treat, but the first aid is the same. The current (1996) theory and treatment for snake bite is as follows; because the snake venom travels along the lymph system to the heart, treatment is to apply pressure to the affected part of the body in order to slow down the rate of travel of the venom. At a slow rate the body can rid itself of the venom,
+The body's response to an inadequate supply of oxygen to the tissues. The body reacts to shock by directing blood away from the less important tissues to the vital organs (brain, heart and kidneys). Shock may result from severe bleeding, severe burns, loss of fluids by vomiting or dehydration or an accident such as a fracture. Shock, called an anaphylactic shock, may also result from severe allergic reaction to insect bite.
-Signs & Symptoms Puncture marks at
-the bite site, and one or more of the following: disturbed vision, nausea and vomiting, headache, drowsiness and fainting, sweating, pain in the abdomen, difficulty in breathing, diarrhoea, shock.
+__Signs & Symptoms__
-Treatment Do not wash the bite site (at the hospital, a sample of the venom can be taken to identify the type of snake), cover the puncture with a dressing then bandage the whole limb with a crepe bandage firmly (as for a break or sprain) starting from the bite down to the extremity of the limb and then working upwards. Apply a second crepe bandage over the first. (To be continued).
+Feels weak, faint, giddy, may lose consciousness, may feel nauseous, may vomit, pale, cold clammy skin, rapid but weak pulse.
+__Treatment__
+If unconscious apply DRABC, turn onto the casualty's side into the recovery position. If conscious, lie the casualty down, keep the head level with the heart and raise the feet. Do not raise the feet if the casualty has a head, chest or abdomen injury or has suffered a stroke or heart attack. If in doubt do not raise the feet. Loosen any restricting clothing, treat the cause of the shock, maintain the comfort of the casualty (not too hot, not too cold), and seek medical attention. Moisten lips if thirsty but generally do not give anything to eat or drink because food and drink will prevent or delay the subsequent administration of anaesthetic. If help is a long way off use common sense and give small quantities of liquids and simple foods to maintain the casualty's comfort.
+=== 6. Sprains & Fractures ===
+For treatment sprains and fractures are the same, however, the severity of the injury may be very different. If in doubt treat a sprain or suspected fracture as a fracture. Sprains and fractures may also cause shock. For bushwalking, leg and ankle injuries are possibly the most common and considering the places we get ourselves into such injuries lead to the greatest problems. Be prepared to carry the casualty out, to get back late and/or in the dark, to stay put and to send for help, to spend the night in the bush.
+__Signs & Symptoms__
+Leg, foot or arm at an unusual angle, bone fracture protruding from the skin, inability to carry the full weight on the leg, shock, swelling of the joint, inability to move the fingers, wrist, toes, foot or great pain in doing so. Secondary injuries may be concussion, grazing, cuts and bruises from a fall.
+__Treatment__
+First DRABC, then carefully remove the casualty to an area free of danger and where treatment can be given. Surface wounds, cuts etc. may need to be attended to before treatment of the fracture. Immobilise the limb with a splint using wide bandages to spread the pressure and padding on the splint to prevent local pressure. For leg injuries, if splinting one leg with the other put padding between the bony places: knees and ankles. Watch for shock and treat accordingly. If the casualty is in pain, a pain-killer may be appropriate. (Depending on the party's supply of pain-killers and the expected delay in obtaining medical attention, rationing of pain-killers may be necessary.)
+=== 7. Snake Bite ===
+Assume the snake is venomous. Identify the snake if possible but do not waste time trying to catch it and maybe getting bitten yourself. The majority of bites are to the lower leg with the rest to the hand or forearm. Bites elsewhere are difficult to treat, but the first aid is the same. The current (1996) theory and treatment for snake bite is as follows; because the snake venom travels along the lymph system to the heart, treatment is to apply pressure to the affected part of the body in order to slow down the rate of travel of the venom. At a slow rate the body can rid itself of the venom.
+__Signs & Symptoms__
+Puncture marks at the bite site, and one or more of the following: disturbed vision, nausea and vomiting, headache, drowsiness and fainting, sweating, pain in the abdomen, difficulty in breathing, diarrhoea, shock.
+__Treatment__
+Do not wash the bite site (at the hospital, a sample of the venom can be taken to identify the type of snake), cover the puncture with a dressing then bandage the whole limb with a crepe bandage firmly (as for a break or sprain) starting from the bite down to the extremity of the limb and then working upwards. Apply a second crepe bandage over the first.
+(To be continued)