| Climbing is a sport that is exhilarating and exciting. | | | | sickness. It's also beneficial to know basic first aid |
| When you're climbing, professional medical aid is usually | | | | which is usually covered in climbing classes. These |
| too far away. It's important to be aware of how to | | | | classes will cover various topics; everything from the |
| treat minor injuries and ailments so they do not | | | | Heimlich maneuver to how to make a sling and carry a |
| become serious. First off, make sure you pack a first | | | | fellow climber with an injured ankle. They will even |
| aid kit that is lightweight but still contains the essentials. | | | | show you more complicated first aid such as how to |
| Antibiotic ointment and gauze is lightweight and can | | | | tell a fracture from a compound fracture and what to |
| prevent minor scrapes and cuts from becoming | | | | do in each case. Knowing Cardiopulmonary |
| infected. An anti-inflammatory such as aspirin or | | | | Resuscitation or CPR can be the difference between |
| ibuprofen is not only good for inflammation but also | | | | life and death. The procedure is simple and short |
| headaches. It's important to carry a small amount of | | | | classes are offered in most areas and are many |
| sterile water with you so you can clean scrapes and | | | | times free. They may be available through a YMCA, |
| cuts. Many climbers drink sport drinks to keep hydrated | | | | an employer, or a community center. Treating common |
| but these can not be used to clean wounds. Natural | | | | climbing ailments such as heat stroke, AMS (Acute |
| water sources may not be in close proximity and | | | | Mountain Sickness) and frostbite is also important. It |
| many of them contain bacteria that may cause more | | | | doesn't require a great deal of medical knowledge but |
| problems; water from these sources should only be | | | | learning some simple prevention and treatment |
| used as a last resort. Sunburn is not only painful but | | | | methods will go a long way. For example, frostbite can |
| since your skin blocks against invasive organisms, it's | | | | be treated by simply covering the exposed tissue and |
| imports to use sunscreen. A sunburn can also make | | | | heating it with warm water. Knowing basic first aid and |
| movement painful and dehydrate you. Remember that | | | | how to treat and prevent climbing related injuries and |
| you can burn just as easy in cool climates or cold | | | | ailments is important. It will ensure you enjoy this |
| weather and if there is snow then your chances are | | | | exhilarating sport. |
| even greater. AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) occurs | | | | Concentrating recent findings in Calpe, Eric Slarkowski |
| when you ascend too quickly in high altitudes where | | | | writes almost entirely for . His publications on average |
| there is less oxygen. It's important to know the signs | | | | temperatures benidorm are found on . |
| and how to treat it. It can lead to more serious altitude | | | | |