Emergency Preparedness When Lost and in Need of Medical Assistance

 

In a medical emergency away from help, whether you're lost in the wilderness or stranded after a disaster, your actions in the first few minutes can determine the outcome. Preparation, calm thinking, and foundational first aid knowledge can mean the difference between survival and tragedy.

 ⛰️ Stay Calm, Stay Put

 Panic leads to poor decisions. Unless you're in immediate danger (e.g. fire, flooding, unstable terrain), remain where you are. Rescuers search based on your last known location. Moving without a plan can make it harder for them to find you.

 

🧭 First Steps That Save Lives

- Assess the Situation: Are you injured? Is anyone with you hurt? Identify life-threatening problems first—severe bleeding, lack of consciousness, or inability to breathe.

- Signal for Help:

  - Use a whistle (three blasts = distress).

  - Display bright clothing or gear in an open area.

  - Use mirrors or flashlights during the day or night.

  - Turn on your phone’s location sharing and try to send a text, which often goes through when calls don’t.

 

🩹 Administer Basic First Aid

Knowing what to do with limited supplies can be critical:

- Bleeding: Apply direct pressure with cloth or clothing. Elevate the wound above the heart if possible. Secure with makeshift bandages.

- Fractures: Immobilize the limb using sticks or rolled materials and tie in place. Do not try to realign.

- Burns: Rinse with clean, cool water if available. Do not apply creams or break blisters.

- Allergic Reactions: If you carry an epinephrine auto-injector, use it. Without it, reduce exposure and monitor for breathing difficulty.

- Shock: Lay the person down, elevate legs, keep them warm and still.

 

🧰 Build and Know Your Emergency Kit

If you spend time outdoors, pack a small, waterproof pouch that includes:

- Gauze, tape, disinfecting wipes, tweezers, pain relievers

- Blood-clotting bandage or powder

- Space blanket and compact rain poncho

- A charged power bank for your phone

- Emergency contact list

- A small laminated first aid cheat sheet

 

 If You’re Alone and Injured

- Stay Visible: Position yourself in a clearing if possible. Avoid dense underbrush.

- Keep Warm and Dry: Hypothermia can be a serious threat even in moderate temperatures, especially when injured. Use emergency blankets, dry clothing, or natural insulation (leaves, pine needles).

- Ration Supplies: If you have water and food, consume small amounts steadily. Don't eat if you can’t drink—digestion without fluids worsens dehydration.

 

🗺️ Prevention: What to Do Before You Go

- Always share your travel or hiking plan with someone you trust.

- Keep an ID with medical info on you.

- Learn CPR and basic first aid from certified instructors.

- Carry a GPS or location beacon in unfamiliar territory.