Re: RC: re: Ride "bring-alongs"

[DreamWeaver <karen@chaton.gardnerville.nv.us>]

At 11:48 AM 2/2/00 -0600, tina hicks wrote:
>So, painkillers that come in a paste and sanitary napkins/gauze to stop
>the blood are the top things on the list. Another important item is to
>know how/where to apply a tourniquet (sp?).

Eeeeek, I hope everybody knows that it is okay to apply pressure to stop 
the bleeding, but DO NOT tie a tourniquet.  If the choice is the person is 
going to bleed to death then it might be an option, but otherwise you are 
risking them losing that limb.  Pressure is one thing, but there still 
needs to be circulation or you will kill off whatever it is (arm, leg) that 
you are trying to save!!  (apply pressure, hold or secure a bandage over 
the wound, elevate, etc.)

>  I admit I lack a little
>knowledge in that area. You can use a rein or even part of your shirt to
>apply one if you don't have anything specifically in your pack for it.

How about a roll of vetwrap?

If somebody has suffered a head injury or any type of internal injury 
(which you might not be aware of in either case), don't give them any pain 
killers.  If a horse steps on their foot, then you can give them some 
aspirin <G>, but seriously......if somebody is really hurt then 'pain 
relievers' are really not going to be an issue.  If you do give somebody 
something, are you darn sure first that they aren't dehydrated?  Or that by 
giving them (whatever it is) something you couldn't make it worse?  Use 
common sense. There is a reason why EMT's aren't allowed to administer 
these kinds of things.

Karen
in NV
(EMT)