Survival Skills: Manage A "Delayed Help" Situation

Stranded and hurt - far from help? This is not a situation that anyone would envy. But it may be a situation that you’d have to endure. Let’s say that you and your buddy were out on a long backpacking trip and he was seriously wounded. It may be days or even a week before rescue arrives. You’ve got medical supplies and some experience, but how else can you help him? These three things could make all the difference.

Infection Prevention  Before the advent of strong antibiotics, small dirty wounds probably killed more people than major traumatic injuries. And without a supply of antibiotics in your medical gear, you’ll be at risk just the same in modern times. Clean all wounds, great and small with disinfectant. Irrigate wounds with clean (disinfected) water to remove dirt and debris. Cover all open injuries with sterile dressings, and keep your patient well fed to maintain their immune system at its peak.

Pain Management  That bottle of OTC pain reliever in your med kit will only go so far when managing the pain of a major injury. Help out your patient by improvising hurt relieving items for them. For throbbing sprains and strains, you can put ice or snow in a water bottle and wrap it with cloth to create a cold compress to place against the affected area. You can also experiment with elevation of the injury to find a more comfortable arrangement. Generally, the patient will find the most comfortable position on their own, but try to help them through the process. Then treat them as best you can with pain relievers.

Emotional Support  This may be one of the most under rated elements in medical care. Your “bedside manner” and the way to make your patient feel can bring them great comfort during painful and frightening situations. Talk kindly and calmly to your patient. Joke around a bit, even when the situation is grim. Show empathy to the person in your care, and do whatever you can to keep their mind off the pain and the situation. Also keep in mind that their worst pain and fear will come in the middle of the night. Hormone levels naturally drop at this time, and around 2 or 3 am, physical pain and negative feelings are usually at their worst. Help them to hang on, and assure them that things will look different in the light of day. They almost always do.