First Aid For Climbers

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 usuallywhich is usually covered in climbing classes. These
too far away. It's important to be aware of how toclasses will cover various topics; everything from the
treat minor injuries and ailments so they do notHeimlich maneuver to how to make a sling and carry a
become serious. First off, make sure you pack a firstfellow 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 cantell a fracture from a compound fracture and what to
prevent minor scrapes and cuts from becomingdo in each case. Knowing Cardiopulmonary
infected. An anti-inflammatory such as aspirin orResuscitation or CPR can be the difference between
ibuprofen is not only good for inflammation but alsolife and death. The procedure is simple and short
headaches. It's important to carry a small amount ofclasses are offered in most areas and are many
sterile water with you so you can clean scrapes andtimes free. They may be available through a YMCA,
cuts. Many climbers drink sport drinks to keep hydratedan employer, or a community center. Treating common
but these can not be used to clean wounds. Naturalclimbing ailments such as heat stroke, AMS (Acute
water sources may not be in close proximity andMountain Sickness) and frostbite is also important. It
many of them contain bacteria that may cause moredoesn't require a great deal of medical knowledge but
problems; water from these sources should only belearning some simple prevention and treatment
used as a last resort. Sunburn is not only painful butmethods will go a long way. For example, frostbite can
since your skin blocks against invasive organisms, it'sbe treated by simply covering the exposed tissue and
imports to use sunscreen. A sunburn can also makeheating it with warm water. Knowing basic first aid and
movement painful and dehydrate you. Remember thathow to treat and prevent climbing related injuries and
you can burn just as easy in cool climates or coldailments is important. It will ensure you enjoy this
weather and if there is snow then your chances areexhilarating sport.
even greater. AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) occursConcentrating recent findings in Calpe, Eric Slarkowski
when you ascend too quickly in high altitudes wherewrites almost entirely for . His publications on average
there is less oxygen. It's important to know the signstemperatures benidorm are found on .
and how to treat it. It can lead to more serious altitude