First Aid for Rafting & other Outdoor Activities

• Dehydration
  Dehydration, or excessive loss of water from the body, is a health condition which is common during warm weather. Keep yourself well-hydrated all throughout the trip by drinking lots of water.


• Hypothermia
  Hypothermia is a medical condition which usually occurs when the body is exposed extreme cold for a certain period of time. It can be really dangerous when the body temperature drops very quickly. In Rafting, exposure to cold water even for just a short period of time can lower the body’s core temperature. Initial symptoms include shivering and paleness. Lethargy, dull eyes, and slurred speech are some of the signs of worse cases of Hypothermia.
  
  Hypothermia can be fatal if not prevented so precautions must be made to avoid getting this health risk. Before running the rapids, make sure you are wearing appropriate pieces of Rafting Clothing. You can follow the Three Layer System, wherein you wear two to three layers of clothes that will keep you warm, dry, and protected during the trip.
  
  When a rafter gets Hypothermia, warm the victim up as soon as possible and seek medical assistance. Seat the victim next to a campfire. You can also create a warm and sheltered environment by sharing body warmth with the victim.


• Heat Exhaustion
  If the heat continues to build up inside the body a person can suffer from heat exhaustion. Symptoms include dehydration, fatigue, weakness, headaches, nausea, vomiting and hyperventilation. Heat Exhaustion can get very serious. Seek medical help as quickly as possible. Bring the victim in a cool environment. Drink cool beverages. If seriously overheated, remove all clothes and bathe in cool, not cold, water. You can also apply wet compresses to the skin of the victim.


• Heat Stroke
  If the situation becomes worse, a person might suffer from heat stroke. The body is no longer able to control the body's temperature which can rise to dangerous levels. Signs of a heat stroke are: hot and dry skin, severe headaches, dizziness, weakness, disorientation, fatigue, seizure, loss of consciousness. It is essential to get the body temperature down as quickly as possible to avoid brain damage or even death. Take off all the victim's clothes and if possible, submerge the conscious victim in cool water or cover him or her with cold compresses. Keeping the victim hydrated will be helpful in cooling him or her.