ABSTRACT
Serious accidents and injuries on expeditions are rare. However, minor injuries of one kind or another are encountered on most expeditions. In some cases injured expedition members need to be evacuated to medical care, but most injuries can be managed adequately in the field. First aid books are of limited use to expeditions going overseas as they place great emphasis on getting medical help which in many parts of the world may be many days’ travel away. This chapter covers the following topics:
Approach to the injured casualty
Resuscitation
Disorders of consciousness
Wound care
Wound infections
Burns
Bone and joint problems
Pain management.