Pocket First Aid and Wilderness Medicine

This guide describes basic first aid techniques for those travelling in wilderness areas. Deals with fundamentals such as preparation, prevention, first aid kits and the use of medications and painkillers; and provides details on how to deal with a variety of accidents and illnesses.

Useful contacts

---

Medical information

Travel medicine
Immunization information (UK)
www.immunisation.nhs.uk

Health Advice for Travellers (UK)
www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/HealthAdviceForTravellers/fs/en

National Travel Health Network and Centre (UK)
www.nathnac.org

WHO – World Health Organization (USA)
www.who.int

Medical Advisory Service for Travellers Abroad – MASTA (UK)
www.masta.org
 
TMVC – Travellers’ Medical and Vaccination Center (Australia)
www.tmvc.com.au

Travelhealth.co.uk (UK)
www.travelhealth.co.uk

CIWEC Clinic Travel Medicine (Nepal)
www.ciwec-clinic.com

Nepal International Clinic – NIC (Nepal)
www.nepalinternationalclinic.com

Himalayan Rescue Association – HRA (Nepal)
www.himalayanrescue.org

Altitude, frostbite

Frostbite advice is available from (UK)
www.christopherimray.co.uk
(in an emergency, you can contact Dr Chris Imray, Surgeon,
+44 2476 602020 Ext 8944, chrisimray@aol.com)

High Altitude Medicine (USA)
www.high-altitude-medicine.com
 
UIAA Mountain Medicine Centre (UK)
www.thebmc.co.uk/world.htm
(if you need advice on a serious case of altitude illness on an expedition try: raao7@dial.pipex.com)  

Poison centres

National Poisons Information Centre (UK)
www.npis.org
or ring ph +44 (0)845 46 47

Queensland Poisons Information (Australia) www.health.qld.gov.au/PoisonsInformationCentre
ph +61 131126 (useful for jellyfish and other marine stings/ poisoning – open 24 hours)

National Capital Poison Centre
www.poison.org
(USA) ph 1-800-222-1222

Various

MEDEX (Medical Expeditions UK)
www.medex.org.uk
(lists UK diploma of Mountain Medicine holders)

IPPG (International Porter Protection Group)
www.ippg.net
(information on porter care)

Treksafe (Australia)
www.treksafe.com.au
(information on the PAC (Portable Altitude Chamber), medical information on altitude illness, and on preparing for wilderness travel with pre-existing conditions)

Methoxyflurane (Penthrox™)
www.medicaldev.com/Pharmaceutical
ph +61 39547 18880. At the time of printing, methoxyflurane is not available in the EU or USA but can be obtained from Australia on prescription for ‘off label use’