7?

Bear
Grylls
SURVIVAL SKILLS HANDBOOK

FIRST AID
4 Bear
Grylls
This survival skills handbook has been specially
put together to help young explorers just like
you to stay safe in the wild, and to be able to
cope when things go wrong. There is always a
risk of accidents happening in the wild, and it’s
important to know how to act in an emergency.
This book will show you how to deal with the most
common first aid situations, (although it’s a good
idea to go on a first aid training course
too). Good knowledge, regularly ia
practiced saves lives. | have seen Dey
this first hand many times.
 A Bear
(eTavi

CONTENTS

Introduction to first aid 4 Choking

Prevention Eye injuries 32
Cuts and bruises Seizures 55
Bites and stings
Emergency
Drowning medicines from
Falls nature 34
Electrocution Hypothermia,
Diarrhoea and frostbite, and snow
vomiting blindness 38

Recovery position Head and neck

Dr’s ABC and CPR 20 injuries 4O
Shock Poisoning and intoxication
42
Allergic reactions
Heart attacks
Splinters
and strokes 44
Burns, heatstroke,
dehydration, and
sunburn 26
INTRODUCTION TO
FIRST AID
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888

Unfortunately it is very common for people to become unwell or

get involved in an accident. If you are keen to go outdoors and
explore, it is important to understand some basic first aid. You
should make sure an adult is nearby or knows your location at all
times, but these handy tips can help keep you safe.

Getting training
If an accident occurs, somebody needs to take
charge and decide what to do. You will feel
safer and more confident if at least one person
in your group has had some first aid training.
There are lots of courses available in most
towns, and these are often extremely enjoyable
as well as teaching a really important life skill.

first aid kit

After training
You may decide that a simple
understanding of first aid is volunteer first
enough for you, or you may find aider
that you want to carry on learning
after the basics and join a first
aid organisiation.
 A Bear
Grylls

First aid kit

BEAR
It is useful to have at least a basic first aid
kit for any outdoor situation. You will need to
decide what to bring according to the acitvities
you are planning, the time of year, the length of
The most effective way to
time you are out, and the needs of the people learn first aid is by practising
going with you. with others. Ask at your
school or library, or look at
beargryllssurvivalacademy.com,
to find out where you can
do a course.

auto-injector pen asthma inhaler

(if prescribed by
eye bath a doctor)

aspirin (not
for children)

thermo-
\\ LL meter

\ triangular ee
Ser
bandages ? :
scissors disposable gloves

Zo eye drops

crépe rolled
se = bandages
small, medium, [= =
and large sterile eye
antiseptic sterile gauze eee dressing
cream dressings repellent
PREVENTION
If you are planning a trip, it is very important to make a first aid
plan so that everyone is clear what to do if there is a problem. If
there are any doubts, it is best to postpone the trip until you feel
confident that you can deal with any issues.

Preparation
Preventing first aid situations is far better than
dealing with them. Make sure you wear the right
footwear and take clothing appropriate for the
weather conditions. Bring enough food and water
for the time you will be out, and carry a mobile
phone tn order to call for help if you need it.
Make sure you plan your route carefully, and that
someone at home knows where you are going and
when you expect to return.

Signs of life
It’s often quite tricky to tell how serious a situation may be. Doctors spend years
training and still sometimes find it difficult, so always call for help — it’s better to
be overly cautious than delay vital emergency services if someone is hurt.
e Shout loudly if they are unconscious. Use their name and ask if they can hear you.
e Gently shake their shoulders; If they are actually asleep this should wake them up.
e Tell the injured person you are about to call an ambulance if they are conscious.
e If someone else is with you, ask them to call the ambulance. Get them to tell you
when they have done it or, if possible, do it near you.
e Check if the injured person is breathing. Their chest should go up and down. If you
hold a mirror or metal spoon under their nose, their breath will steam it up. Wait at
least 10 seconds.
e Check for a pulse on their wrist or the side of their neck — this is tricky and you
really need to know what you are looking for. Try practising on yourself.

eshis
How to get help
You cannot help someone else if you put
yourself in danger. It is important to check
that the situation is safe for you and the
injured person. If you can safely take steps
to make it safe for them, then do so. If not,
wait for help to arrive, but keep reassuring
the injured person. Call 999 if the situation
is a medical emergency. This is when
someone is seriously ill or injured or their
life is at risk.

Calling 999
Once you have made the decision to call the
emergency services, it will help if you can tell the
operator the following information:
e Your location, including the area or postcode.
e@ The phone number you are calling from.
e Exactly what has happened. As soon as they
know where you are they will start arranging
for help to come to you — they may ask for
some extra information (this does not delay
the ambulance).

Make sure you note down:

e The patient’s age, gender (male or female), and any medical history.
e Whether the patient is conscious, breathing, and if there is any serious bleeding
or chest pain.
e Details of the injury and how it happened. This will help the operator to give you
important first aid advice while the emergency staff are on their way.
e If you are in the street, stay with the patient until help arrives.
e Call back if the patient’s condition changes or if your location changes.
@ If you are calling from a building, ask someone to open the doors and signal
where the ambulance staff are needed.
e Lock away any pets or animals if possible.
e If you can, write down the patient’s doctor details and collect any medication
that they are taking.
e Tell the paramedics when they arrive if the patient has any allergies.
CUTS AND BRUISES
The most common injuries on any trip are cuts and bruises. These
can be quite minor and can be treated using supplies from a
standard first aid kit. More serious cuts and bruises may need
medical attention.

Hand washing
Before dealing with any first aid situation,
make sure you have washed your hands if
there is time and clean water available, and
wear gloves to prevent contact with any
bodily fluids such as blood, vomit, urine, etc.

Cuts
1. Wash and dry your hands and wear sterile gloves if possible.
Talk to the injured person, tell them what you are doing, and
reassure them as you stop the bleeding. Press on the area witha
clean, dry, and absorbant material for a few minutes. If something
is embedded in the cut, leave it there until you have got some
medical advice. You might need to press either side of it.
 A Bear
Grylls

2. If the cut is on a hand or arm, raise it above

the patient’s head as this helps to reduce the
flow of blood. If the leg is affected, get them to
lie down and raise the leg above the level of the
heart — you could put their foot on a chair.

3. When the cut has stopped bleeding, prevent

infection by cleaning and drying it and covering
it with a dressing. This may be as simple as
washing the cut under the tap and popping
on a plaster, or it may need cleaned with an
alcohol-free wipe and covered with a sterile
pad with a bandage on top. You can secure the
bandage with a safety pin or sticky tape. elevated leg

black eye

Bruises
A bruise is a bleed that happens under the skin when
tiny blood vessels are damaged — usually as a result of a
collision. Sometimes a bump also appears — this Is just
fluid gathering under the skin. As bruises heal, they usually
change colour. A black eye is a bruise to the eye area.

1. Hold an ice pack on the bruise as soon as it

happens for up to 10 minutes. A bag of frozen
peas in a tea towel will work if you don’t have
an ice pack. If you don’t have anything frozen, a
clean, damp cloth is better than nothing. If the
bruise is extremely swollen, painful, or doesn’t
go away on its own, medical advice is needed.

2. Someone who has a black eye always needs

to be checked by someone with medical
expertise, as it is often caused by a bump to
the head.
Broken arm or wrist
If you think someone has broken their arm or
wrist, look out for the following symptoms:
e Severe pain. They may not want you to touch
their arm.
e Their arm may be in a strange position.
e Asnap noise at the time of injury.
e Bruising and swelling.
e Tingling or numbness.
e Difficulty moving their arm.
How to identify a break
e In the case of a very serious break, the bone
It is difficult to tell the difference
may poke through the skin.
between a sprain and a minor
break. Always treat the injury asa
fracture until the person has been
checked by a medical professional.
The patient may also feel dizzy and
sick because of the shock.

sling

Action
e If it’s a bad break call for an ambulance. Otherwise, go to the nearest accident
and emergency department.
e Make a sling that goes around the neck and under the arm. Keep the armas still
as possible.
e Stop any bleeding by pressing on the wound with a clean pad.
e Press an ice pack on the injured area.
e Don't let the patient eat or drink in case they need an operation to fix the
broken bone.
e Stay with the injured person. Ideally, one adult will drive and another person will
sit next to them in the car.
If someone breaks a limb and their bones are out of place, do not try to straighten
them. Call for an ambulance. Broken legs are treated in a similar way to broken
arms. Always call for medical assistance.
 A Bear
Grylls

Sprains and strains

A sprain is the name for an injury toa
ligament or tendon. It might have been
stretched, twisted, or torn. Ligaments are
found in the joints so the injury might be toa
knee, ankle, wrist, or even a thumb.

Strains occur in the muscles and are common

in the legs and back. Treatment for sprains
and strains is similar.

elevated leg

PRICE stands for...

Protection — use a bandage or support to stop
further injury.
Rest — rest the affected joint or muscle. Ask your doctor
when you can start moving it again.
Ice — wrap a damp tea towel around some ice and put in on
the area for around 15 minutes every two hours for a couple
of days. Don’t let the ice touch your skin and don’t sleep cold
with the ice in place. pan
Sah od
Compression — use an elasticated tubular bandage to stop
the swelling, but make sure it isn’t too tight as you don’t
want to stop the blood flowing. Take the bandage off when
you go to bed.
Elevation — keep the limb raised as much as possible.

Avoid HARM for three days following a sprain or strain:

Heat — don’t have a hot bath or go in a sauna.
Alcohol — if alcohol is consumed the swelling may increase.
Running — don’t do any exercise.
Massage — this may slow down the healing.
BITES AND STINGS
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Most people who get stung will get better in a few hours or days.
However, always treat bites and stings with caution as some
people can have a bad allergic reaction.

Survival tips
e Never disturb bees, wasps, or hornets.
e@ Don’t wear perfume, bright colours, or eat and drink sugary foods if you are in an
area with lots of bees, wasps, or hornets.
Don’t swat them or wave your arms around — stand still.
Wear shoes and avoid loose clothing.
Keep vehicle windows closed.
If the sting is left in your skin, scrape it out with a bank card or similar using a
sideways motion.
Wash the area, elevate, and apply acold compress.
@ Painkillers may help. Avoid home remedies.
e Get medical help if you vomit, feel unwell, have been stung on the mouth, throat
or near the eyes, or if there is any swelling or breathing difficulties.

bees, wasps, and

hornets have a little
sac of venom that
they will inject using
their stinger
Jellyfish sting survival guide
Most jellyfish stings are mild and require simple treatment.
First, get the person out of the water.
Remove any remaining tentacles using tweezers and wear gloves if possible.
Apply a heat pack or put the affected area in hot water.
Painkillers may help.
If they have difficulty breathing, or have been stung in the face or the
genitals, call for medical help.
e Vinegar has been shown to stop the boxjellyfish from continuing to
discharge its stingers. Despite common myths, urinating on the sting is
unlikely to help.

BEAR SAYS >

Always tell an adult if you’ve
i
been stung, as some people can
have a life threatening allergic
reaction.

use vinegar on
a jellyfish sting

Oo
 DROWNING
SOSSHSHSSHSSHSSHSHSHSHSHSEHSHHHSHHHSHHHSSEHSHSSHESHSHSHOSSHESSESEHESEEEEEEEE

If someone is at risk of drowning, you need to stay calm and act

quickly. Get them out of the water before you try to perform first aid.
Never put yourself in danger to try and help someone in the water.

check pulse
Survival guide
Do not put yourself in danger. If the person does not
respond to you, do the following:
© Get someone else to call for an ambulance.
e Check their airway and look for signs
of breathing.
e If they are breathing but unconscious put them in
the recovery position (p.18-19).
e If they are not breathing, give CPR and rescue
breaths (p.21). tilt head
e Keep going until they respond to you or help back to clee
arrives. ar way
If they start breathing, keep them warm, put them
in the recovery postion with their head lower than
their body, keep checking their breathing and
pulse, and make sure they keep talking to you
until help arrives.

“BERR sAYS
Rescue breaths and CPR are
best learnt by going ona first
aid course and refreshing
your knowledge every year, as
techniques sometimes p

change.
 A Bear
Grylls

FALLS
Falls are extremely common, particularly with toddlers and older
people at home. Even just falling over from standing can cause
a fatal injury, so care is essential even if the fall does not appear
serious. It is always worth estimating how far a person has fallen
as this can help the emergency services.

Minor trips
lf the person has no obvious injuries and can get up, help them to slowly move onto a
chair. If you are worried or they have bumped their head, call for medical assistance.
Some symptoms may appear in the hours and days after a fall, so don’t leave them
alone and always get them checked by a medical professional if there are any concerns.
It is important to find out why the person fell over so it can be prevented in future, or
they can get medical treatment if they have condition that may come back and cause
them to fall again.

paramedics
treating a
victim of a
major fall

Major falls
e Do not put yourself in danger.
e Be extremely careful not to move them if
at all possible, as they may have a head or
neck injury.
e Follow emergency first aid procedures.
e Ask someone to call the emergency services.
e If they aren’t responsive or breathing, give
rescue breaths and CPR.
e Try to stop any bleeding.

CPR can be
performed
anywhere
ELECTROCUTION
If an electric shock occurs in a building, there should be a place
to switch off the mains supply (usually on a fuse board). It is
always worth asking an adult to show you where this Is located.
They can look different to the one in the picture depending upon
how old it is.

Survival guide
e Get an adult to switch off the mains.
e Don’t go near the person or touch them until the mains tha rod cwackes
supply is off. ona fuse box will
e Follow Dr’ s ABC (p.20). turn it off

Lightning strike
Being struck by lightning is extremely rare. You
can calculate how close a storm Is by counting
the time between a flash of lightning and a clap of
thunder. If it is less than 30 seconds, you need to
get to solid shelter. Get inside a building or a car.
Avoid touching metal or anything that conducts
electricity, and stay away from water. Golf clubs,
trees, and umbrellas should also be avoided.

If you can’t get indoors, crouch down, making

yourself into a small ball with your feet together.
Tuck your head in towards your chest and don’t lie
flat on the ground. Wait until around half an hour
after the last flash of lightning before you come
out of any shelter, as strikes are common after
the storm has passed.

A person who has been struck by lightning may

have very minor injuries, or they could be much
more severely injured, including the possibility of
cardiac arrest.

If the person isn’t breathing, begin Dr’s ABC and

deal with any burns or bleeding.
 AK Bear
Grylls

DIARRHOEA AND VOMITING

Diarrhoea usually clears up on its own ina few days if it’s caused
by an infection. Make the person drink small sips of water as often
as possible, particularly if they are also being sick. Avoid fruit juice
or fizzy drinks, as they can can make things worse. Take care to
watch out for sign of dehydration, particularly in young children and
elderly people.

Dehydration ginger
Ideally, adults should have enough biscuits
water, salt, and sugar. A bag of
crisps and some diluted squash
may help. Ginger is ahome remedy
that some people find helps with
nausea. Women in early preganancy
can suffer from sickness and may
find that eating ginger biscuits helps
them feel better.

water
\
RECOVERY POSITION
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This is used when someone is unconscious but breathing, and

showing no sign of any other life threatening condition. If you
suspect someone has a spine or neck injury, do not move them into
the recovery position — wait for the emergency services to arrive.

Why is this helpful?

rolling someone onto the
The recovery position helps to
side will help prevent the
stop the patient’s tongue from airway becoming blocke:
blocking their airway, and allows
blood or vomit to drain away from
their airway safely. It is the safest
position to put someone in if you
have to leave them.

check the

BEAR SAYS
airway is
clear

It is useful to practise putting

someone into the recovery
postion. You can find video
guides online to learn how
to do this.
 A Bear
Grylls

Moving someone into the recovery position

e If they are lying on the floor on their back, kneel beside them.
e Take the arm nearest to you and place it at a right angle to their body,
with their hand pointing up towards their head (step 1).
e Cross the other arm over their chest and place their hand under the
side of their head closest to you, with the back of their hand under.
their cheek (step 2). .
e Bend the knee furthest away from you. e
e Roll them carefully onto their side by pulling the bent knee towards |
you (step 3).
e Make sure their airway is open. : 7
e Stay with them until help arrives (step 4). ‘ .

Step1 Step 2
Place the arm nearest to you at Place the other hand next to their
aright angle, with their hand head, with the back of their hand
pointing up. under the opposite cheek.

Step 3 Step 4
Raise the knee furthest from you Make sure their airway is open and
and use it to pull them towards stay with them until help arrives.
you onto their side.
DR’S ABC
The Dr’s ABC is a good way of remembering the steps you need to
take when checking a casualty. talk toe
shout at the
Survival guide person to try,
for a response
Danger.
You must keep yourself safe — you cannot help if you are
injured too.

Response.
Ask the person their name or tell them to open their eyes
to see if they are conscious. It’s ok to shout. check tha
airway is!
Shout for help. clear
Get someone else to call the emergency services while
you carry out the first aid.

Airway.
Make sure their airway isn’t blocked and is open. If they
are unconscious, tilt their head back and lift their chin.

Breathing.
Look, listen, and feel for signs of breathing for 10 seconds.
If the person is unconscious but breathing normally, they
should be placed in the recovery position. If the casualty
is unconscious and not breathing, call for an ambulance
and start CPR.
check for
; signs of
Circulation. breathing
Check for a pulse on their wrist or the side of their neck
for 10 seconds. Look for signs of bleeding — don’t worry
about minor cuts. Press down on any bad cuts witha
clean pad and raise them above the heart if possible.
Keep watching the injured person and look out for signs
of shock.

apply pressure
to any cuts
 A Bear
Grylls

CPR
CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) is carried out when
somebody falls unconscious and stops breathing completely,
or if their breathing is not normal.

Why is it important?
It is important to carry out CPR in order to help

SAYS
prevent brain damage. It is unlikely to restart
someone's heart, but it will give the patient a better
chance of recovery if the heart can be restarted with
a defilbrillator.
CPR is really hard work and gets
tiring fast. It is best if several
If you are in a situation where CPR is needed, you
people can take turns so that
will get help over the telephone when you call for an
the CPR doesn’t stop.
ambulance while the emergency services are arriving.
If you are confident you can carry out CPR with rescue
breaths, but otherwise you can just do hands-only
CPR which is also known as chest compressions.

sternum
Hands only (breastbone)

1. Put the heel of your hand on

the breastbone at the centre of
the patient’s chest. Person with
breastbone labelled Put your other
hand on top and lock your fingers
together.
2. Make sure your shoulders are above
your arms.
3. Use your body weight to press straight
down on their chest by about 5cm.
4. Keep your hands on their chest but
relieve the pressure, allowing your
hands to come back to their original
position.
5. Repeat this about twice per second
until the ambulance arrives.
 Rescue breaths
For an adult:
e Give two rescue breaths after 30 chest
compressions.

e Tilt the head and lift the chin. Seal your ZK

BEAR SAYS
mouth over their mouth and blow steadily
and firmly into their mouth for about a
second. Make sure their chest rises.
| cannot stress enough the value
Do this twice.
of going on a first aid course to

e Continue this cycle of rescue breaths and learn this, or making suse cal
are supervised by an adult with
chest compressions until they recover or
first aid training.
emergency help arrives.

The instructions are slightly different for children,

and different again for infants under one year old.
You can learn this in specialised first aid courses.
 A Bear
Grylls

SHOCK
Shock is a life threatening condition that happens when the
body experiences less blood flow than it should. Itis a competely
different thing to an emotional shock.

Symptoms of shock

not responding (in

extreme cases)

confusion

cold, clammy
skin
pale face

fast, shallow
' breathing
yawning or
sighing
fast, weak pulse

Treatment
e Lie them down with their legs raised if possible.
e Call for an ambulance.
e Loosen any tight clothing.
e Keep them warm and calm.
e@ Keep checking their breathing, pulse, and level of
response.
e If they become unresponsive, move onto Dr’s ABC.
ALLERGIC REACTIONS
Always ask people you are travelling with if they are allergic to
anything. Make sure they have enough medication for the trip, and
that everyone knows where it is and how to deal with any problems.

Food allergies
Nuts, fruit, shellfish, eggs, and cows’ milk are commonly associated with food
allergies. Allergic reactions can be life threatening but are often mild. A food allergy
could cause an itchy mouth, throat, or ears, swelling, a rash, or vomiting. Anaphylaxis
is life threatening and the symptoms are swelling of the mouth, difficulty breathing,
light headedness, and loss of consciousness. Some people with food allergies have
an auto-injector pen (EpiPen®) that contains a hormone called adrenaline that can
be used in emergencies.

Food allergies
e A person with a food allergy should try and prevent
a reaction by avoiding any food they know they are
allergic to. YP
¥
e Call for an adult and/or medical help even if the :
symptoms are mild or have stopped. QS
e Dial 999 and explain that you think someone
is having a severe allergic reaction and tell the peanuts
operator what you think has caused it.
If the person has medication such as an auto-
injector adrenaline pen (EpiPen®) help them to
use it.
auto-injector
e Place them into a comfortable sitting position,
leaning slightly forward to help their breathing.
e If they become unresponsive, open their airway
and check their breathing.
If they aren't breathing, CPR will need to be
performed until medical help arrives.
 A Bear
Grylls

SPLINTERS
A splinter is when a small fragment of something, normally wood,
gets stuck under your skin. It is normally quite a minor injury, but
can become infected if not treated properly.

Small splinters
Make sure you have clean hands, then
clean the wound with water. If it doesn’t
hurt, the splinter will work its own way
out if it is left alone. If it hurts, you can
gently touch the area with sticky tape and
see if that pulls it out.

Larger splinters
Clean some tweezers with alcohol. If
you can see the end ofthe splinter, grip
it with the tweezers and pull it out in
a straight line. Squeeze the wound to
make it bleed slightly as this will help
remove dirt. Wash and dry the wound
and pop adressing on if it is needed.
BURNS, HEATSTROKE,
DEHYDRATION, AND SUNBURN
Burns can be very serious, and must be treated as soon as
possible. The effects of the sun can also be serious, and it is
important to take precautions when outside for long periods of
time to avoid heatstroke or sunburn.

Burns
1. Keep yourself safe.
2. Stop the burning by removing the person
from the area, putting water on the flames, or
smothering the flames with a blanket.
3. Remove any clothing or jewellery that is close to
the burnt area, but don’t try to take off anything ; iP
that is stuck to the skin. . (
4. Run the burn under lukewarm or cool water. 9
: lukewarm
Never use ice or any greasy substances.
water
5. Keep the person warm.
6. Cover the burn with cling film or a clear
plastic bag.
7.Get an adult to provide a suitable painkiller.
8. Sit them upright if the face or eyes are burnt.

BEAR SAYS
Even minor burns should be
checked by a doctor or nurse, cover a burn
Sadieadee
especially if the patient is under
five or over 60.
Heatstroke and heat exhaustion
Heatstroke is very serious, but not as common as heat exhaustion. It occurs when
a person’s temperature becomes very high and their body cannot lower it without
help. It can be fatal, so if you think someone may have heatstroke you need to call
an ambulance. Heat exhaustion occurs when a person becomes too hot and starts
to lose water or salt. They may develop heatstroke if they don’t get treatment
fast enough. The symptoms of heat exhaustion include tiredness and weakness,
dizziness, low blood pressure, headaches, sickness, muscle cramps, heavy
sweating, and extreme thirst.

Treatment for heat exhaustion

use a fan
elevate feet

wet the body and

clothes - use a spray
bottle of water

Treatment
Someone with heat exhaustion needs to lie down in the shade.
Remove as much clothing as possible, cool their skin with water
(you could wrap them in a wet sheet), fan their wet skin, and give
them plenty of water, diluted squash, or a sports drink. If they
don’t start to get better within 30 minutes call for medical help.
Dehydration
Dehydration happens when someone loses more fluid through
sweating, vomiting, diarrhoea, or urinating than they can take in
from drinking. It is important for everyone to drink plenty of water,
but especially if they are exercising more than normal, are in a hot
place, have a fever, have diarrhoea or vomiting, or are elderly or
very young.

Treatment
Drink plenty of water, take a suitable oral
rehydration solution (you can buy this in
sachets from a chemist), rest, and massage
cramped muscles. If the person doesn’t get
better fast, get them to a doctor.

oral rehydration
solution

Recipe for homemade

rehydration solution
You will need: 1 litre of clean water,
6 level teaspoons of sugar, % level
teaspoon of salt.
1. Add sugar and salt to the water.
2. Be careful not to add too much sugar,
which can made diarrhoea worse, or
too much salt, which is harmful for
children. If in doubt, add some extra
water.
 A Bear
Grylls

hat

sunglasses

Sunburn
If a person shows any signs of sunburn, move
them to the shade, or preferably indoors. They
should take a cool bath or shower, and then
apply aftersun lotion. Ask an adult to give
them a suitable painkiller if they need it.
They need to drink plenty of water, and keep
an eye out for signs of heat exhaustion
or heatstroke.

UY clothing

sunscreen
CHOKING
Choking occurs when an object, often food, gets stuck in
someone’s throat, making it difficult to breathe. Choking can be
very serious and must be treated as soon as possible.

Mild choking
For adults and children over the age of one, encourage them to
keep coughing. Then tell them to spit out whatever is causing the
problem. Don’t put your fingers in their mouth.

Treatment for children under one is different, and it is best to go

on a first aid course with an expert to learn how to respond to
this situation.
 A Bear
Grylls

Severe choking
This is when the person cannot speak, cry, cough, or
breathe. This information is for dealing with adults
who aren't pregnant or children over the age of one.
More care needs to be taken with younger children.
e Stand behind the person and slightly to one side. Use
one hand to support their chest. Lean the person
forward.
e Give up to five sharp blows between the person’s
shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.
@ Check if the blockage has cleared.
e If not, give up to five abdominal thrusts — also called
Heimlich manouvre (see below).
e If the person’s airway is still blocked after trying back
blows and abdominal thrusts, call 999 and ask for an
ambulance.
e Continue with the cycles of five back blows and five
abdominal thrusts until help arrives.
e |f the person becomes unconscious and isn’t
breathing carry out CPR.

wrist

Heimlich
manouyre
EYE INJURIES
CHOSSHSSHSOHSOSSSSHSHSSHSHSHSHSHSHHSHSHHHHSHSHSHHSHHEHEHHHHHEHEHEHHEEHHEHEEE

Any injuries to the eye must be taken very seriously and treated
with caution, otherwise you may risk permanent damage to the
eye and loss of sight. Even a minor injury should be checked by a
doctor or nurse.

Eye wound
e Lie them down and hold their head steady.
e Tell them to keep both eyes still — either look ata
fixed point or close them.
e Place aclean pad over the injured eye, then use a
bandage to hold it in place. ;
e Get medical advice. oO
eye washing

Small foreign body in eye

e Avoid rubbing the eye.
e Sit them down facing a light. clean pad
e Make sure your hands are clean, then gently open their
eyelids with your thumbs and get them to look left, right,
up, and down.
e If you can see something, ask them to blink a couple of
times to see if that dislodges it (but don’t keep blinking
for too long, as it may scratch the eye).
e If it still hasn’t gone, wash it out with clean water — pour
it over the inner corner of the eye (the side nearest their
nose).
e |f the foreign body doesn’t wash out, or it still hurts, get
medical advice.

Chemicals in eye
e Flush the eye with large amounts of water, and keep
going until medical help arrives if necessary. This
depends upon the chemical, but if in doubt, keep
going.
e Call for medical assistance and tell the operator what
the chemical was if possible.
e Keep the patient warm and reassure them — eye
flushing can be uncomfortable.
 A Bear
Grylls

SEIZURES
Seizures can take several forms —a person may go stiff, lose
consciousness, fall to the floor, and jerk about. They may just
appear to be daydreaming. There are lots of behaviours that could
be a type of seizure, and some are more major than others. They
might lose control of their bladder or bowels, or they might bite
their tongue or the inside of their mouth.

Treatment
e Protect them from injury. If possible, move time how
furniture and harmful objects away, but long the
seizure lasts
don’t move the patient unless they are in
danger.
Cushion their head, but don’t hold them
down. Don’t put anything in their mouth.
e Many people with epilepsy wear jewellery
or carry a card that will tell you what to do.
@ Time how long the seizure lasts.
Put them in the recovery position once any
jerking has stopped.
Keep them calm, and don’t let them eat or
drink until they have fully recovered.
Call for an ambulance if you know it is their
first seizure, if it lasts longer than five
minutes, if they are injured, or if you feel
they need medical help.

epilepsy
jewellery
 EMERGENCY MEDICINES
FROM NATURE
It’s always a good idea to carry a basic first aid kit even on very
short trips, but sometimes a medical situation occurs when you
have nothing to hand. Nature can sometimes provide a temporary
remedy, but should be used with extreme caution as there is a risk
of making things worse.

Sphagnum moss - bleeding

Sphagnum moss was collected
and cleaned on a large scale to
be used as a dressing for wounds
during World War I. It can absorb
20 times its own volume in blood,
and helps prevent infection (as
long as it is clean in the first
place).

sphagnum moss

re aloe vera
Aloe vera - minor burns
After the burn has been cooled and
cleaned, the sap from an aloe vera plant
can be used to soothe pain and help the
skin heal. It cannot be used on anything
other than a very minor burn or sunburn,
and all burns should still be checked by
a medical professional. You can also buy
aloe vera in a tube.

a
 A Bear
Grylls

Sweet basil - insect repellent

Early Greeks and Romans thought basil
would only grow if you shouted and cursed
while you planted the seeds. It was used asa
remedy for snakebites and scorpion stings. It
is thought to repel insects, and some people
keep it in their wardrobes to keep moths
away from their clothes.

basil

Making a stretcher
You need: a blanket, two long poles, and a reel of duct tape.
1. Lay the blanket flat on the floor.
2. Place the first pole in the middle of the blanket and fold the blanket over.
3. Place the second pole on top of the blanket, about 60 cm away from the
first pole.
4. Fold the blanket over the poles, making sure it overlaps. Bigger blankets
work
better because there will be more overlap.
5. Wind the duct tape around to keep everything secure (carefully made stretchers
can work even without the tape).
6. When lifting a person on the stretcher, raise the head end first, then the feet.
7.When lowering, put the feet end down gently first.
HYPOTHERMIA, FROSTBITE,
AND SNOW BLINDNESS HHHHSHHHEHSHHEHEHEHHEEES
COCSSSSSHOSSSSSHSHSHOHHHHSHSHSHHSHHHHHHSHSHHS

There are many injuries and problems that can be caused by cold
weather, and it’s important to be aware of the best way to treat
them to prevent serious injury or shock.
snow goggles

Snow blindness
This is a painful eye condition
caused by too much exposure to
the sun’s rays. Symptoms may
include watery or bloodshot eyes,
twitching, headache, pain, and
fuzzy vision. Most commonly, eyes
can feel gritty.

Treatment
If you experience snow blindness, go
inside and sit ina dark room. Keep your
eyes closed, and put something over
them to prevent all light from entering
the eyes. Then get medical advice.
Snow blindness is easy to prevent
by wearing suitable sunglasses or
goggles. If you have lost your goggles,
you could make some by cutting slits in
cardboard to limit the amount of light
pettingto your eyes.
 A Bear
Grylls

Frostbite
Frostbite occurs when parts of the body
freeze due to low temperatures. It is
most common in fingers and toes. It can
cause permanent loss of feeling in that
part of the body, or the tissue can die
and become gangrenous.

What to look out for

paleness and ($)

skin changes
numbness | =
a colour from
white, to blotchy,
then blue
\\

pins and
needles

hard and
stiff skin
on recovery, skin
becomes red,
hot, painful, and
blistered or black
First aid
e Get them to put their hands in their
armpits.
Move somewhere warm.
Don’t rub the affected area.
e Place the affected area in warm but
not hot water (about 40°C).
Dry the area carefully and apply a
light dressing.
Raise the area above their heart to
keep swelling to a minimum.
Ask an adult to give them some
suitable painkillers.
Get them to a hospital or call for
medical help.
 A Bear
Grylls

Hypothermia
This occurs when the body
temperature drops below 35°C,
and is avery serious medical
condition.
igns of hypothermia

; confusion
tiredness

shivering

cold, pale skin

shortness of
breath

Treatment
_@ Move the person indoors or somewhere
warm.
e Remove any wet clothing and dry the
person.
_e@ Wrap them in blankets, towels,
- orcoats.
e Call 999.
e If they are unconscious or stop
breathing, perform CPR.
HEAD AND NECK INJURIES
CHOOSHSSESHSSHSHSHSSHSHSSHSHSSHSHSHSHSHSHSHHHSHSHHSHSHSHSHSSHHSHSSHSHHEHSHSHHEHEHHEEE

All head injuries should be treated as serious, as the brain is

easily damaged. You should also assume that someone with a
head injury also has a neck (spine) injury.

Things to look out for do they have dilated pupil

a headache?

were they
unconscious? If
so, for how long?
can they
remember
tea; everything?
is their
sight normal?
are their pupils
the same size as
each other?
do they have
a wound?
is there any blood
or fluid coming
from their nose
or ear?
are they feeling
dizzy or sick? are they
responding
normally?

First aid
e Sit down.
e Hold something cold on the injury.
e Treat any wounds by pressing to stop the
bleeding.
e Perform DR’s ABC, CPR, and rescue breaths if
needed.
e Call for medical help — all head injuries need
to be checked, even if they don’t appear
serious.
 A Bear
Grylls

Neck injury
A person with a neck injury might
have numbness, weakness, pain,
or tingling in their arms or legs.
They may have a sore neck, back,
or head. Their neck or back may
be at a strange angle, and they
may also have a head injury.

First aid
e Keep them calm and make sure they don’t move.
e Kneel behind their head, rest your elbows on something to keep your arms
steady, and grip either side of their head. Keep their head, neck, and spineina
straight line, but don’t cover their ears.
e Keep this support until the emergency services arrive.
e You could use rolled up towels either side of their head if there is someone who
can help you.

“BEAR SAYS
Log roll
A log rollis a technique that
is sometimes carried out by
several people on someone with Be very careful not to move
a spinal injury to prevent them a person with a neck or spine
from choking if they are sick. It injury, as this can cause
should only be done if absolutely paralysis.
necessary and you need to be
trained before attempting it.
POISONING AND
INTOXICATION
@eeeoeeveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeseeeeeeeeee2e20202028008028080808688080

Poisons can occur in nature, but can also come from different
chemicals you may find in your house. If you think someone has
swallowed a poisonous substance, get medical help immediately.

First aid
e Get them to sit still and stay with them.
e Get them to spit out anything still in their mouth.
e Take off contaminated clothing and wash their skin with water, taking care not
to get the poison on you.
e |f they are unconscious, try and wake them up to spit.
e If you can’t wake them up, put them in the recovery position.
e Wipe any vomit from their mouth, and keep their head pointing down.
e Don’t let them eat or drink anything, don’t put your hand in their mouth, and
don’t make them sick.
e Perform DR’s ABC, CPR, and rescue breaths if needed.
e Tell the emergency services as much as you can. For example, what they
swallowed, when they swallowed it, how much they swallowed, and whether it
was an accident or on purpose.
 AK Bear
Grylls

Alcohol poisoning
If someone has drunk too much
alcohol, stay with them, as
they are more likely to have an
accident or injury because their
thinking is impaired. If they lose
consciousness or are being sick,
get medical help, as they may be
suffering from alcohol poisoning.

i First aid
_ @ Keep them sitting up and awake, and stay with
them.
-_ e Give them some water and help them drink in
small sips.
_ @ Put them in the recovery position if they are
unconscious.
_ @ Keep them warm.
_ e Always get an adult to help, as intoxicated
people can be unpredicable and sometimes
violent.
e Don’t give them coffee or put them in acold
shower. Keep them still.
. e If you are worried, call for medical help.
HEART ATTACKS
AND STROKES
A heart attack is a medical emergency that happens when the
blood supply to the heart muscle is suddenly blocked. Call for an
ambulance immediately, as a heart attack can be fatal. A person
having a heart attack may have lots of different symptoms,
including a sharp pain in their chest, or pain travelling out from
the chest into the jaw, arms, tummy, neck, or back. Symptoms are
different for everyone, so if in doubt always call for medical help.

First aid aspirin

@ Sit them down and make them comfortable.
e Ask an adult to decide if they should slowly
chew a 300 mg aspirin tablet (children
shouldn’t take aspirin, and some people are
allergic to it, so be careful).
e Some people have a condition called angina,
and they may have a spray or tablets for this.
Get it for them and give it to them if they ask.
e Check their breathing until help arrives.
e Perform DR’s ABC, CPR, and rescue breaths if
needed.
 AKA Bear
Grylls

Stroke
A stroke happens when the blood
the brain -
supply to part of the brain is side view cerebral
cut off. A person having a stroke
arteries
needs an ambulance as fast
as possible, as they will make
a better recovery if they get
hospital treatment fast.
external arotid
artery
cerebral
arteries
1 circle of Willis

internal carotid
artery

basilar artery
\2
pe IN
common carotid
vertebral artery

the brain -
bottom view
blood supply
from the heart
Signs of a stroke
1. Face: Look at their face — is it lopsided? Can
they smile? Has one eye or one side of their
mouth dropped?
2. Arms: Can they lift both of their arms and keep
them up? Is one weaker than the other?
3. Speech: Can they talk normally? Is their
speech garbled or slurred? Can they talk at all?
_ 4.Time: It is time to call an ambulance if you
notice any of these symptoms. Tell the
operator that you suspect the person Is having
a stroke.
GLOSSARY
Abdominal - around the tummy area.

Angina - chest pain that happens when the blood supply to the muscles of
the heart is lower than it should be.

Cardiac arrest - when the heart stops pumping blood around the body.

Conscious - a conscious person is awake and responding to their

surroundings.

Contaminated - making something unclean by contact with a poison or

other unwanted substance.

Defibrillator - a machine that can give a high energy electric shock to

somebody to try and restart their heart.

Dehydration - a condition that is caused by the body losing more fluid than
it can take in.

Epilepsy - a condition that affects the brain and can cause seizures.

Exposure - having no protection from something harmful.

Gangrenous - a part of the body is gangrenous if it is dying because doesn't

have enough blood travelling to it. Often turns black.

Ligament - connective tissue that connects a bone to another bone, often

found in a joint.
 A Bear
Grylls

Muscle - soft tissue that contracts (pulls) and relaxes to help us move our
bones.

Nausea - feeling sick.

Poisonous - something that causes sickness or death by touching or

entering the body.

Seizure - a sudden attack, spasm, or convulsion (used to be known

as a fit).

Sterile - free from bacteria and other living micro-organisms (totally

clean).

Symptoms - a physical or mental feature that gives doctors a clue that

you might have a particular disease.

Tendon - tissue that connects muscles to bones.

Unconscious - an unconscious person is not awake and responding to

their environment.

Urine - yellow fluid stored in the bladder (also known as wee).

Vomit - being sick.

 Discover more amazing books in
the Bear Grylls series:
Perfect for young adventurers, the
Survival Skills series accompanies an
exciting range of colouring and activity
books. Curious kids can also learn
tips and tricks for almost any extreme
situation in Survival Camp, and explore
Earth in Extreme Planet.

Conceived by Weldon Owen, an imprint of Kings Road Publishing,

in partnership with Bear Grylls Ventures

Produced by Weldon Owen, an imprint of Kings Road Publishing

Suite 3.08 The Plaza, 535 Kings Road,
London SW10 0SZ, UK

Copyright © 2017 Weldon Owen, an imprint of Kings Road Publishing

WELDON OWEN, AN IMPRINT OF KINGS ROAD PUBLISHING

Publisher Donna Gregory
Designer Shahid Mahmood
Editorial Susie Rae, Claire Philip, Lydia Halliday
Contributor Anne Farthing
Illustrator Julian Baker

Cover photograph copyright © by Ben Simms 2017

10987654321
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system
or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or
otherwise, except brief extracts for the purpose of review, without the prior
written permission of the publisher.

Disclaimer
Weldon Owen and Bear Grylls take pride in doing our best to get the facts right in putting together
the information in this book, but occasionally something slips past our beady eyes. Therefore we
make no warranties about the accuracy or completeness of the information in the book and to the
maximum extent permitted, we disclaim all liability. Wherever possible, we will endeavour to correct
any errors of fact at reprint.

Kids — if you want to try any ofthe activities in this book, please ask your parents first! Parents — all
outdoor activities carry some degree of risk and we recommend that anyone participating in these
activities be aware of the risks involved and seek professional instruction and guidance. None of the
health/medical information in this book is intended as a substitute for professional medical advice;
always seek the advice of a qualified practitioner.

A WELDON OWEN PRODUCTION. AN IMPRINT OF KINGS ROAD PUBLISHING

PART OF THE BONNIER PUBLISHING GROUP.
 A Bear
A Grylls
SURVIVAL SKILLS HANDBOOK

FIRST AID
Embark on an exciting adventure with Bear Grylls
8
Learn how to perform first aid in emergency
situations including cuts, burns, and falls
@
Includes step-by-step instructions and tips from Bear