A properly equipped first aid kit should contain the following items:
*Ace bandage
*Gauze pad
*Roll of gauze bandage
*First Aid tape
*Assortment of bandages
*First aid cream
*Aloe vera gel
*Ibuprofen or aspirin
*Thermometer
*Tweezers
*Petroleum jelly
*Calamine lotion
Stings frequently occur from wasps, hornets and bees. Reactions to insect stings range from mild to severe and vary from person to person. Usually such stings are of little concern. Mild reactions may include the sting site itching, swelling, some redness and a warming sensation. Sometimes, though, a sting can result in a serious allergic reaction. This may include increased pulse rate, breathing difficulties or difficulty swallowing because of swelling in the throat and face area. A severe reaction can also lead to shock.
Hornets and wasps can sting multiple times, but bees usually cannot. After stinging, a bee will leave its stinger imbedded in the skin with a venom pack attached (the bee goes off and dies). Conventional wisdom has held that the stinger should be scraped off with a fingernail or credit card to avoid pinching the stinger and squeezing more venom into the skin. However, a 1996 study concluded that pulling out a stinger with finger and thumb resulted in no larger welts than scraping it out. What did matter was the amount of time a stinger was imbedded in the skin, as each passing second produced a larger welt. Accordingly, it is recommended that a stinger be removed as quickly as possible using any method.
Once removed, wash the area with an antiseptic soap and rinse with cool water. Apply a solution of one part meat tenderizer to 4 parts water � this will ease the pain and itching. Apply ice to dull the allergic response. An oral antihistamine will provide further relief and reduce the spread of the venom. A cooling cream like calamine or hydrocortisone will help relieve the itch and reduce the heat, and an oral analgesic like ibuprofen will relieve general pain. Cover the sting with a bandage and, if an allergic reaction is expected, seek medical attention.
Another stinging creature to watch out for is the scorpion. Stinging scorpions all have venom, but the venom generally poses no threat to humans. An exception in North America is the bark scorpion, Centruroides exilicauda. This species is found in Arizona and along the extreme southern border. The bark scorpion is yellow-brown and 1 � inches long. Symptoms of a sting are localized pain, numbness, tingling, and sensitivity to touch, heat and cold. The victim may experience weakness and abdominal cramps. Small children may die of the sting. Treatment should include washing with soap and water, application of ice, an oral analgesic like ibuprofen and a loose, constricting band between the sting and the heart. The victim should be transported to a medical facility for treatment.
All it takes is one solid cast, a quick jerk of the wrist, and guess what� you just hooked your canoe partner. If the hook is in a non-vital area (finger, hand, etc.) and the barb has not been fully embedded, the hook can be easily removed, cleaned and bandaged. If the hook is deeply embedded, and in a non-vital area (away from eyes, arteries, etc.) the hook can be pushed through so that the barb completely protrudes. The barb is then clipped off and the hook pushed back out the way it went in. Thoroughly clean the wound and bandage. See a doctor as soon as possible. If the hook is embedded in any vital area, or the location is questionable, clip off the lure leaving only the hook, and seek medical assistance immediately. Clean the area to avoid infection.
