Illustrated First Aid Guide - Marcia Wendorf [23]
• Lack of appetite, nausea, or vomiting
• Fatigue or weakness
• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Insomnia
• Shortness of breath upon exertion
• Persistent rapid pulse
• Drowsiness and general malaise
• Swelling of the hands, feet, or face
In High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE), fluid collects in the lungs, and its symptoms include:
• Persistent dry cough
• Fever
• Shortness of breath even when resting
High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE), is a swelling of the brain, and its symptoms include:
• Headache that does not respond to pain relievers
• Unsteady walking
• Increasing vomiting
• Gradual loss of consciousness
Mountain climbers typically acclimatize by spending weeks at ever high camps, usually not exceeding 1,000 feet (300 meters) in a day. This allows the body to produce additional red blood cells to carry oxygen. Breathing bottled oxygen can also counteract the effects of altitude sickness, as can drinking plenty of water. The water replaces fluids lost through heavier breathing in the thin, dry air found at altitude.
Treatment:
1. In all cases of altitude sickness, bring the victim down as quickly as possible.
2. In suspected cases of HACE, until the victim can be brought down from altitude, administer dexamethasone to relieve symptoms.
3. If HAPE is suspected, bring the victim down as quickly as possible.
Asthma
Asthma is a chronic, inflammatory disease in which the lining of a person’s airways becomes swollen and inflamed, the muscles surrounding the airways tighten and mucus production is increased, leading to mucus plugs. Asthma symptoms resemble other respiratory problems such as emphysema, bronchitis, and lower respiratory infections. Symptoms include:
• A chronic cough, especially at night
• Coughing and wheezing that occurs with exercise
• Difficulty or painful breathing
• A wheezing or whistling sound
An asthma attack can be triggered by:
• Pollens
• Mold
• Animal protein such as dander, urine, oil from skin
• House dust or dust mites
• Cockroaches
• Certain foods
• Tobacco smoke
• Exercise
• Strong odors such as perfumes, household cleaners, cooking fumes, paints, and varnishes
• Chemicals such as coal, chalk dust, or talcum powder
• Air pollutants
• Wood smoike from heating stoves and fireplaces
• Changing weather such as changes in temperature, barometric pressure, humidity, or strong winds
• Exposure to vapors, dust, gases, or fumes
• Medications such as aspirin, other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen, indomethacin, naproxen
• Sulfites used as preservatives in food and beverages
Treatment:
1. Sit the victim upright.
2. Shake an asthma inhaler, place the mouthpiece in the victim’s mouth and give one puff.
3. Have the person inhale slowly and steadily.
4. Have the victim hold that breath for four seconds, then take four nomrla breaths.
5. Repeat until four puffs from the inhaler have been given.
6. Wait four minutes, if there is no improvement, give another 4 puffs.
7. If there is still no improvement, seek medical assistance immediately.
8. Continue giving 4 puffs every 4 minutes until the ambulance arrives, you can give adults up to 6 - 8 puffs every five minutes.
CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a lifesaving technique used when someone’s breathing or heartbeat has stopped. A combination of chest compression and mouth-to-mouth breathing keeps oxygenated blood flowing to the brain and other vital organs until additional medical treatment can restore a normal heart rhythm.
Time is critical when the heart or breathing stops. The absence of oxygenated blood can cause irreparable brain damage in only a few minutes, and death will occur within eight to 10 minutes. To determine whether a person is breathing, look for chest motion, listen for breath sounds, and feel for the person’s breath on your cheek and ear. Gasping is not considered to be normal breathing.
If the person isn’t breathing normally and you are trained in CPR, begin mouth-to-mouth breathing. If you