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Grind Mishap Sparks First Aid Dispute

Posted on20. Aug, 2010 by TrekBC.

An incident last week in which a hiker on the Grouse Grind waited close to 40 minutes for medical help has sparked a dispute over who should provide first aid on the popular trail.

The blame game flared up when a North Vancouver hiker told media he’s upset that Grouse Mountain Resort doesn’t do more to help people who get into trouble on the publicly-owned trail.

Richard Kinar said he came across a woman last week who was in medical distress on the trail, and waited for almost an hour while a team from North Vancouver District Fire and Rescue made its way up the Grind. Kinar said he was surprised and outraged that nobody from Grouse Mountain came to help the woman — despite a call to the resort.

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Article: How To Remove a Tick

Posted on09. Aug, 2010 by TrekBC.

Ticks can attach themselves to animals or humans. Once they do, they begin drawing blood. When a tick is found, it should be removed immediately. The longer it is allowed to stay and draw blood, the higher the person’s chances are of contracting a tick-borne illness. It is important to remove the tick correctly so that it doesn’t have a chance to regurgitate its saliva.

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Article: Personal Protective Equipment

Posted on22. May, 2010 by TrekBC.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is used by first aiders to protect themselves from injury or infection. There is personal protective equipment to keep you safe from physical injuries, from chemical hazards, and from infection. First aiders should follow their professional counterparts by practicing universal precautions and using PPE to provide protection from infection when assisting victims in an emergency.

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Article: Universal First Aid Precautions

Posted on22. May, 2010 by TrekBC.

The most common hazard faced by a person performing first aid is the threat of communicable disease. Professional rescuers follow standard practices and use personal protective equipment (PPE) when providing medical care to victims. The same should go for you and I. These practices are commonly referred to as universal precautions or body substance isolation.

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Article: How to Perform CPR

Posted on21. May, 2010 by TrekBC.

Everyone should know how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). It can prove vital in the field and when you’re out hiking help from others isn’t always close at hand. The tips on this page give you a basic outline of how to perform the correct cpr procedures but are by no means a replacement for a full and in depth first aid course. We recommend signing up for a course in your local area to further extend your lifesaving knowledge.

For now though, here’s what you’ll need to do if your help is required…

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Article: Burn Treatment

Posted on21. May, 2010 by TrekBC.

It’s unlikely you will receive a burn while out hiking but the chances increase greatly if you are camping. Fire places and stoves hold all kinds of dangers and if you do get burnt it’s important you know what to do, especially since professional medical help is not likely to be close at hand.

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Article: How to Use an EpiPen

Posted on21. May, 2010 by TrekBC.

An EpiPen is used to give yourself a shot during an emergency allergic reaction. The pen is disposable and has a hidden needle, which is activated by a spring inside the pen. EpiPen makes giving yourself a shot easy. It also makes it easy for someone else to give you a shot if you are unable to do it yourself.

This video from EpiPen shows you how to use the device in much more detail. Don’t forget, this important information isn’t just for people who suffer life threatening alleric reactions. You should know how to use an EpiPen in case the victim is unable to either do it themselves or tell you what to do. Pay attention, it could save a life!

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Article: Bee Stings & Insect Bites

Posted on20. May, 2010 by TrekBC.

If you’ve ever been stung by a bee you know it’s a painful event and the irritation can last for a few days! For most of us, an irritation is as far as it goes. For others though, the situation can be much more serious.

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Article: Muscle Soreness

Posted on20. May, 2010 by TrekBC.

As a hiker you are likely to experience 2 types of muscle soreness on a regular basis. The first is that burning, painful sensation you feel when climbing up a steep trail. Your legs are screaming at you to stop and you have to battle through the pain barrier and keep on trekking. This pain is the result of lactic acid building up in your muscles. If your body is in good shape it will quickly purge this waste product and your muscles will be back to normal, usually within an hour.

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