Today, we are wrapping up this series. We’ve already discussed the importance of prayer and are looking at what we need to take with us, most recently discussing first aid and medical supplies. We’ll continue with a few health care notes and move on with other items that need to be prepared and ready to go when it’s time to head to your retreat.
Preventive Measures Against The Triad of Death
The “triad of death” is the condition were your patient has hypothermia, excessive blood loss, and acidosis, which is a condition where the body is unable to clot. This triad of death is a vicious cycle where one condition causes the other, with death as the final result. Yet two of these are easily preventable for those skilled in standard first aid. A properly applied tourniquet applied two inches above the wound will suffice for extremity wounds. Turn until it hurts for tourniquet application, then turn two more times. A tourniquet can also be left on for two days without risk of permanent injury to the limb.
Remember to record the time the tourniquet was placed. Your emergency blankets and sleeping bags can also be used to prevent hypothermia in your patient. Direct pressure must be used to prevent excessive bleeding in the torso, neck, and head. If that doesn’t work, then direct pressure above the wound applied to the area where there are major arterial pathways should suffice. The SAS Survival Manual has detailed pictures of these pathways. As mentioned, acidosis is a nasty condition where the blood becomes acidic, which will prevent blood clotting. This will result in excessive blood loss, hypothermia, and further acidosis.
Continue reading“Getting Ready For the Long Walk- Part 3, by Lone Wolf and Cub”
