AQUATIC

HAZARDS
AND
DROWNING
The underwater is such a wonderful
place to explore. However it can be
home also to some aquatic creatures
that may pose some hazards to
people. Some aquatic hazards are as
follows:
 1.Jellyfish /Portuguese Man-of-War
/Fire Corals
The Portuguese man-of-war (also called
a bluebottle) is a jellyfish-like marine
animal found in tropical oceans and
bays. Man-of-war tentacles have coiled
stingers that have a very powerful and
painful venom. 
 When stung, one must:
 Get the person first out of the water
 To stop the stinging:
a. Wash the area with seawater (not fresh water) to deactivate
stinging cells.
b. Rinse the area with vinegar for at least 30 seconds. If vinegar is
not available, a solution of baking soda can be used. This will
deactivate the stinging cells.
c. Next, soak the area in hot water for at least 20 minutes if
possible. Cold packs can be used instead if the area cannot be
soaked in hot water.
d. To relieve itching and swelling, use mild hydrocortisone cream or
Bring to the nearest medical facility if the person
exhibits severe allergic reaction or if the sting
covers more than half an arm or leg. If the sting
also came from a box jellyfish, then the person
needs to be brought to the hospital immediately.
The victim may suffer from intense pain and
experience swelling. Box jellyfish sting can be
fatal.
2. Sea Urchin/Weever Fish
Sea urchin stings can be
painful and can lead to
infection. They are not
usually dangerous, but a
few species have a toxin
that can have fatal
consequences
 When stung, one must :

Sea urchin puncture and weever fish stings are

treated in a similar way.
Remove large spines carefully with tweezers.
Scrub wound with soap and rinse with fresh
water.
Do not close the wound with tape.
Call for urgent medical attention
 STINGRAY
Stingrays are a group of sea
rays, which are 
cartilaginous fish related to 
sharks. 
 You should immediately call a lifeguard and seek speedy
medical help as there is no antidote for stingray venom.
While waiting for ambulance, do the following first aid:
 To control pain, immerse the affected area in hot water (as
hot as can be tolerated without burning skin) for 30-90
minutes.
 Any large spines should be carefully removed from wound
using tweezers (avoid touching the spine with bare hands).
Spines embedded in or near joints or tendons must be
assessed and spines may need to be surgically removed.
 Clean wound using soap and fresh water, do not cover
ENVIRONMENTAL
HAZARDS
The mountains and wilderness have so
much to offer to people to enjoy and these
include some animals and plants which
might impose some hazards to people. It is
important to know how to deal with the
injuries they cause to people as this may
save lives.
1.Poison Ivy/Poison Oak/Poison Sumac/Wood Nettle
Poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac are plants than can
cause an itchy rash upon contact. These plants have a
substance called the urushiol which causes the rash. The rash
usually disappears in one to three weeks. The following are
what should be done when one gets in contact with this wash-
causing substance:
 If the plants left some stinging hairs, they have to be removed
fast as this is how the poison enters the body. Various methods
are used in removing them such as duct tape (placing it on the
area and logically the hairs will stick to the tape) or tweezers.
The important thing to remember is not to rub them, as this will
further spread the substance.
 Wash exposed area with soap and warm water. Washing it
within 10 minutes upon contact can significantly reduce chances
of allergic reaction.
 
 Remove contaminated clothing, as the oil of the plant
can continue to spread from clothing.
 Ease the itching discomfort by applying cool compress
for 15-30 minutes.
 Avoid topical antihistamine, anesthetics, and antibiotic
ointment – they can make skin more sensitive.
 Put calamine lotion to alleviate itching.
If itchiness makes it difficult to sleep, give oral
antihistamine
1.Leeches
Leeches or locally called “limatik” are common sights in
the Philippines forest. Hikers usually come across a leech
already clinging and sucking blood on their skin. Pulling it
out is not advisable as it regurgitates (or “vomit back”) the
blood it has ingested or may worsen the wound. It is
important to note that leeches when full just leave or fall-off
on their own. Usually applying alcohol-based solution or
flame (through lighter or match stick) is a faster way for
leech to fall off. Washing the wound it has left is the only
thing to do.
However, when leech enters the mouth, throat, or nose it
will be difficult to just remove it. Local mountaineers
suggest gargling with alcohol-based drink and it will usually
do the trick. The most difficult part is when the leech enters
the eyes. Some hikers say they were able to remove leech by
using tweezers. Others just leave it until leech leaves on its
own. The safest way is to let medical personnel remove it.
It can be an emergency case if there
is a generalized itching in the whole
body for a person bitten by leech. If
rashes, sweating, dizziness, fever and
difficulty of breathing happen, this
means that the person has an
allergic reaction to the leech and
medical attention must be sought
immediately. Antihistamine may
serve as a first aid.
1.Snake Bites
The mere sight of snake would likely scare
people and make them panic. Snakes are
part of the natural environment and we
have to learn ways of respecting them.
However, snakes, just like other animals,
attack as part of their defensive instinct
DROWNING
Drowning is the process of
experiencing respiratory impairment
from submersion or immersion in
liquid. Not all drownings are fatal.
Fatal drowning happens when the
drowning results in death
How is first aid
administered to a
drowning victim?
 Outdoor activity in the water also has the risk
of drowning. What first aid administration must
be done?
 Call for help before beginning these important
first aid emergency measures.
 Turn the drowning person’s head to the side to
allow any water to drain from his or her mouth
and nose. Turn the head back to the center.
 Check for breathing and pulse. If both are not
present, perform CPR.
 If there is pulse bit no breathing, begin mouth-
to-mouth resuscitation
 Give two rescue breathe in the mouth of the
person as you pinch his or her nose. This
helps air get past any water that is clogging
the breathing passageways and the lungs.
After four strong breathes, put your ears
near the mouth to listen and watch the chest
for signs of breathing.
 Check pulse and repeat cycle if there is no
pulse until emergency personnel arrive.
 It is important to bring victim to a hospital
even if he/she has started breathing, there
might be complications resulting from the
water exposure such as pneumonia,
infection, etc.
What should we do with victims of a lightning
strike?
To save the life of a lightning strike victim, do the following:
 Call for help.
 While waiting:
 Assess situation. If necessary, move the victim to a safer and covered location. It is not a
usual case for victims to have major broken bones unless they fell or have been thrown
over long distance. In such case of suspected fracture, do not move the patient if there is
no risk of aggravating the injury while waiting for help.
 A lightning strike may cause a heart attack so check if the victim is breathing or has
pulse. If both are not present, then do CPR. If with pulse but the victim is not breathing,
then do rescue breathing until help arrives.
 If the place is cold and wet, put protective layer on the ground to avoid risk of
hypothermia.
 Lightning also causes injuries such as burns, shock, and trauma. Treat each of the injuries
with first aid until help arrives.
 What are the basic things that we must
carry in our first aid kit?
After learning about the things you should be doing
during emergency, you would have understood by now
the importance of the first aid kit. You also would have
realized that the kit will play an important role in
administering first aid. So, what are the basic things
that we should carry in a first aid kit?
What are the emergency numbers in the
Philippines?

The national emergency number of the Philippines used to

be 117 or sometimes called PATROL 117 which was
managed by the Department of the Interior and Local
Government and calls will be answered by Philippine
National Police. However, effective August 1, 2016, 117
was changed to 911. Each region and local government
also has specific emergency numbers and each one should
search, write and save the numbers.
  Pain-relievers (paracetamol, ibuprofen,
• Assorted adhesive bandages etc.)
• Butterfly bandages/adhesive  Insect-sting relief (e.g., calamine lotion)
 Antihistamine
• Wound-closure strips
 Antiseptic solution and towolette
• Gauze pads (various sizes)  Antibacterial ointment
• Nonstick sterile pads  Calamine lotion
• Medical adhesive tape  Compound tincture of benzoin
• Athletic tape  Aloe vera gel
• Blister treatment  Anti-diarrhea and laxative
• Splinter (fine- point) tweezers  Antacids
•  Hydrocortisone cream
Safety pins
 Cough and cold medications
• Cotton  Personal medications not needing
• Disposable gloves refrigeration
• Plastic bags (different sizes)  Anti-malarial medication
• Multipurpose utility tool  Insect repellant
• Clinical thermometer  Emollient (eye drops)
• Ear plugs  Sunscreen
•  Salt tablets and rehydration tablets
Whistle
 
 First aid manual and information cards
 Calamine lotion