The cutting edge in medical training for wilderness rescue and self care Wilderness First Responder is a comprehensive text for the recognition, treatment, and prevention of backcountry emergencies. It's essential reading for wilderness educators, trip leaders, guides, search and rescue groups, and anyone who works or plays far from definitive medical care. This invaluable resource includes expert, step-by-step instructions, clear illustrations, and "Signs and Symptoms" sidebars designed to help anyone provide immediate care in the wilderness-whenever they are more than an hour away from an ambulance or a hospital. It shows how to conduct a patient assessment, improvise when ideal materials are not handy, and decide whether or not to evacuate a patient. Readers will learn how to assess and treat: Airway obstructions Cardiac arrest External and internal bleeding Shock Spine injuries Head injuries Chest injuries Abdominal injuries Fractures and dislocations Athletic injuries Soft-tissue injuries Cold- or heat-induced injuries Altitude sickness Insect bites & stings Diabetic emergencies Poisoning emergenciesAllergic reactions and anaphylaxisAnd much, much more