Quick Answer
Determine the severity of a wilderness injury by looking for signs such as difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, or altered mental status. Other key signs include pale or cool skin, shallow breathing, and decreased responsiveness. These signs indicate a potential life-threatening emergency.
Recognizing Life-Threatening Injuries
When assessing the severity of a wilderness injury, it’s essential to recognize the signs of potential life-threatening conditions. These include difficulty breathing (more than 20 breaths per minute), severe bleeding (more than 1 liter of blood loss), and altered mental status (such as disorientation, agitation, or loss of consciousness). If you suspect any of these conditions, prioritize evacuation to a medical facility.
Assessing the Severity of Trauma
To determine the severity of a traumatic injury, use the Revised Trauma Score (RTS). This involves assessing the patient’s respiratory rate, systolic blood pressure, and level of consciousness. A score of 12-14 indicates a mild injury, while a score of 7-11 indicates a moderate injury, and a score of 6 or less indicates a severe injury. If the patient’s RTS is 7 or less, prioritize evacuation to a medical facility.
Managing Severe Injuries in the Field
In the event of a severe injury, stabilize the patient’s airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs). This may involve applying a tourniquet to control bleeding, using a splint to immobilize a broken limb, or administering pain medication to control pain and anxiety. Use the MARCH acronym to prioritize treatment: Massive bleeding (M), Airway (A), Respiratory (R), Circulation (C), and Hypothermia (H). Once the patient is stable, prioritize evacuation to a medical facility.
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