Firefighter Health First Aid

What would happen to you if you were taken immediately to the summit of Mt. Everest? The answer is you would pass out, and likely die within minutes. So how then can people summit Everest without oxygen? The answer to this lies in the understanding of oxygen, pressure, and your body’s ability to acclimate over time. In general, the percent of oxygen in the air stays the same with altitude; however, the partial pressure of the oxygen in the air mixture decreases.

When using OTC medications:

• Take them only as indicated on the package label and only for the conditions listed.
• Stop use and see a medical professional if your symptoms get worse or don’t improve.
• Carry your own OTC medications and keep them in the original packaging.
• Many OTC medications may cause drowsiness for prolonged periods of time.

Snakes are usually shy creatures that avoid human contact. Unfortunately, wildland firefighters are at risk of coming across snakes due to their work environment. It should be noted that most snakes in the United States do not have venom. However, bites from non-venomous snakes can still cause significant infections and injury. Thus, it is best to avoid all snakes and bites when possible.

The power of lightning is immense. For every ten feet of ascent through the air, there is a 300-volt potential difference in electricity. This amounts to approximately 380,000 volts at the top of the atmosphere. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the United States averages 51 lightning strike fatalities annually. About 90 percent of people struck by lightning are estimated to survive, but often suffer long-lasting neurological damage.

Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac – these plants all belong to a plant genus called Toxicodendron. They contain a toxic resin called urushiol that causes pathological effects in humans. Interestingly, the urushiol compound is not a defensive measure for the plant, but instead helps it to retain water.

Rhabdomyolysis (sometimes called “Rhabdo”) is a medical condition resulting from the breakdown of damaged skeletal muscle tissue, which leads to the production of protein by-products. Breakdown of muscle tissue occurs regularly in the body from physical exertion; however, kidney damage can occur when the amount of breakdown exceeds our body’s ability to effectively eliminate by-products.

Living with others in a camp environment significantly increases the risk of spreading contagious diseases. One of the most significant impacts of modern medicine is recognizing how viral and bacterial organisms spread from human to human and limiting these pathways. Not long ago, the concept of sewer systems, clean water, and hand washing did not exist. As we learned from COVID-19, preventative measures, early detection, and isolation are key to decreasing the spread of any contagious disease.

Good practices for coping with an active shooter situation:

1. Be aware of your surroundings.
2. Take note of the two nearest exits in any facility you visit.
3. If you are in an office, stay in the office and secure the door.
4. If you are in a ha