First Aid

Survival Guide : Bleeding

Cuts, small puncture wounds and other minor injuries are a common occurrence in the bush and often tend to look a lot more alarming than they actually are. Bleeding can often be slowed down or stopped by simply pressing down on the wound, this allows the flow of blood to ease up and gives your body's blood clotting process a change to work. Laying the victim on the ground and raising the wound above the level of the heart can control heavier bleeding. (Do not try to move the afflicted area if you suspect a fracture or broken bone.)

Again one should put pressure on the wound using some sort of absorbent material or even your bare hands unless there is still an object in the wound.

Warning!

Do not try to remove an object from the wound - you may cause more damage to the area. Control the bleeding by adding pressure to the sides of the wound but keep the pressure off the object.

Warning!

One should not apply pressure to a wound around the head, rather put the casualty into a half sitting position with the head tilting backwards or to the side away from the side where the blood is coming from, and gently cover the bleeding point with a wad of clean material. If the bleeding does not stop quickly find medical help

Written by Neil Heron


Survival Guide : Bites & Stings

South Africa has its fair share of snakes, spiders, scorpions and sundry stinging insects, but surprisingly few travelers, even those on safari, suffer serious attack or even discomfort.

However, those holidaying in the bush, or on walking trails, should obviously be more wary, and follow the advice of their ranger or group leader.

For protection against ticks (the small red, hard-backed one can transmit tick-bite fever), wear long pants on walks through long grass; apply insect repellant to bare legs, arms and clothing.


Survival Guide : Snake Bite

Southern Africa is home to many snakes, some extremely venomous and dangerous to man, others not as venomous, some are not dangerous at all but because of the inherent fear we have of snakes and snakebite, we tend to react very badly in the event of a snakebite and immediately jump to the conclusion that the victim is in mortal danger. Often this kind of alarm and panic does more harm than good, fear induced by the bite sometimes causes more harm to the victim than the bite itself.

When a snake bites a person a few things should be remembered. Firstly try to keep the victim still and if possible, keep the area of the bite below the level of the heart. Any movement will increase blood circulation and speed up the rate at which the venom is absorbed. Try to identify what type of snake caused the bite by looking at its size, colouring and skin pattern, remember these details as they will become important when the doctor decides whether or not to give anti venom serum. If you are able to kill the snake, take it with you.

Cutting the area around the snakebite and sucking at the wound, and/or trying to stop the flow of blood by using a tourniquet are definitely no no's, that kind of help is likely to cause a lot of unnecessary problems!

Assisting a victim when bitten by a snake is a simple procedure. Firstly set the victim down in a comfortable position and reassure him/her that there is no danger.

Try and get rid of the venom from around the bite by using a small, clean cloth and wiping the afflicted area outwards from the wound. Try to keep the area around the wound still, gently place a pad or dressing on the wound and then bandage it up firmly. Get the victim to medical help as soon as possible and do not leave the victim alone. Shock and fear often cause more problems than the actual bite! Try always to reassure the victim that everything is going to be all right.

Written by Neil Heron


Survival Guide : Malaria

Welcome to the Bearded Heron Safaris Information guide.

PROPHYLACTIC MEASURES TO PREVENT MALARIA

It is most important to note that no preventative measures are 100% safe. Should flu-like symptoms and signs of malaria like body pain, headache and fever develop 7 to 20 days or longer after visiting a malaria area, daily testing for malaria should be performed until you are better or another definite diagnosis is made.

It is a well-known fact that malaria is one of the most serious and common tropical diseases in the world. However, there is no reason why this disease should deter you from coming to the Kruger National Park if the necessary precautions are taken. Please note that if precautions are not taken and/or if the disease is not diagnosed and treated early, malaria is potentially fatal.

1. MALARIA CAN BE PREVENTED IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS

The most important and most effective way of preventing malaria is firstly to prevent mosquito bites. The following preventative measures can be taken:

• Remain indoors from dusk to dawn if possible as malaria mosquitoes usually feed in the early evenings and mornings.
• Cover your arms and legs towards evenings with light coloured clothing to cover exposed skin areas and especially the ankles. Wear long sleeved shirts, long trousers, socks and closed shoes.
• Apply insect repellents to exposed skin areas every 4-6 hours.
• Burn insecticide coils or electrically heated insecticide tablets in the bedroom at night.
• Spray knock-down insecticide for flying insects inside the bedroom in the early evening with windows/doors closed if there are no window screens.
• Screened mosquito proof windows and doors and mosquito nets guard against mosquito bites.
• Clothes and nets impregnated with Pyrethroid could be used.
• Another way of preventing malaria is to take additional preventative drugs when visiting an endemic malaria area, especially in the warm and rainy months from October to May.
• The preventative medication of choice for visitors to the Kruger National Park and surrounding areas is a combination of CHLOROQUIN and PALUDRINE.

Chloroquin is taken on a weekly basis and Paludrine daily.

The first dose of Chloroquine should be taken a week before entering a malaria area to see if there are no serious side effects. Paludrine can be taken 2 days before entering the malaria area. It is important to continue to take the medication during your stay AND FOR FOUR WEEKS after leaving the malaria area. It is advisable to take the medication at night with food to reduce side effects like nausea.

MEFLOQUIN is an alternative to the Chloroquin / Paludrine combination and it is the drug of choice when visiting other areas such as Zimbabwe and Mozambique if there are no contraindications for using Mefloquin. If the Chloroquine/Paludrine combination or Mefloquin cannot be used, DOXYCYCLINE on a once daily basis can be taken after meals as a preventative drug.

Please contact your general practitioner or chemist for the correct dosage according to age and weight. Discuss if any of the medications are contraindicated (i.e., in infants, young children, pregnancy, patients with psoriasis, porphyria or epilepsy).

2. MALARIA IN PREGNANCY, INFANTS, SMALL CHILDREN AND OTHER SPECIAL CASES.

Despite the fact that the South African National Department of Health recommends that pregnant women should preferably not visit a malaria area, many pregnant women do visit a malaria area and even live in the Kruger National Park. Extra care for preventing mosquito bites should be taken as malaria in pregnancy holds an increase in risk for both mother and child.

It is safe to use Chloroquin and Paludrine in pregnancy, even in the first three months of pregnancy.

Mefloquin and Doxycycline must not be used in pregnancy.
Because malaria has a faster and harsher effect in infants and small children, extra care should be taken to prevent mosquito bites.

Take chloroquin syrup weekly and paludrine tablets daily in dosages according to age and weight - the appropriate dosage can be obtained from your general practitioner or chemist. Drug transfer in breast milk is insignificant and infants require full preventative medication.

It is important to take the medication during and for four weeks after leaving the malaria area.

The following people should, if possible avoid visiting malaria areas - or take extra care in preventing mosquito bites.

• Cancer patients on chemotherapy
• Persons on long term steroid therapy
• Persons whose spleen have been removed
• Persons with full blown aids - it is not contraindicated for an HIV positive person to visit a malaria area.
• People suffering from porphyria must not use Doxycycline. In this case, the combination of Chloroquin and Paludrine is probably safe to use. The safety of Mefloquine in porphyria has not been established. People with epilepsy should take care when using Chloroquin. Mefloquin is contraindicated in epilepsy. Pilots and mountaineers should not take Mefloquin as it could impair balance.

3. MALARIA SYMPTOMS

If you develop influenza-like symptoms, such as body pains, headache and fever, 7 to 20 days after visiting a malaria area, you must have your doctor test you for malaria immediately.

Ensure a safe and care-free stay in the endemic Malaria area CALL THE 24 HOUR PHONE-IN LINE 082-234-1800 for information about the current Malaria status, prevention, prophylaxis, symptoms and signs.