Page Topics: General Surviving Tips Survival Psycology Priorities in a Tough Situation 4 Primary Survival Skills Signaling First Aid This page is very valuable. There is a lot of information here. It may be wise to print out this page and carry it along in your gear. Please note the navigation links above.  Page Search Enter text in the blank below and click "Search This Page". Once you click search you may hold down the [alt] key and press [S] to continue searching the same word throughout the page. General Tips for Surviving (Top) If you spend much time outdoors there will become a time when you will need to be quick on your feet and able to think through a situation. There are many situations that can arise where emergency first aid may also be required. Here are some practical, concise, general aids that will help improve your odds on a trip: Plan and Prepare Well - There is no better aid in a bad situation than good planning and preparedness ahead of time. Take the time to get all the details worked out. Use quality, functioning equipment - A pocket knife becomes worthless if it breaks. A sleeping bag is only dead weight if it does not keep out the cold. Use quality equipment and test it before you leave your home.  Travel with someone - The chances of two surviving in a sticky situation is much higher than just one person. You become aids in almost every aspect.  Gear up for bad situations - Pack a first aid kit. Pack extra batteries for the flashlight. Take equipment necessary to aid if something goes wrong. NO ALCOHOL - In a serious situation alcohol impairs the ability of one to think. It also does the opposite of what one would hope when thirsty - it dehydrates as the body breaks down the alcohol. Know area weather patterns - A Montana storm can form in a matter of a couple of hours. Flash floods can occur in Las Vegas. Know what you are up against in a particular area when dealing with weather so that you may prepare correctly. Spread the word - tell someone who is not going with you where you are going and when you will return. Survival Psychology (Top) Don't panic. Survival is a frame of mind. As you start to recognize the seriousness of your situation, concern for the unfamiliar and unknown can weaken you ability to think and plan. A knowledge that nature is neither for you or against you is basic in setting aside this initial fear. Keep in mind that while you can not control you circumstances, you CAN control how you operate and live within them. Perhaps the most important requirement for survival is to accept immediately the reality of the situation and act accordingly. Knowledge of survival information will contribute to a feeling of confidence which is important in handling fear and panic. Factors Affecting Survival Being aware of the following conditions or threats can aid you in recognizing them in a survival situation and in turn will allow you to determine the degree of threat, and to develop a plan to either overcome or, at least, successfully deal with the problem. Fear - Fear is normal but it can affect your ability to survive. You must recognize your fears and, using common sense, channel the energy that fear generates into becoming more alert, aware, and motivated. Pain - Pain is nature's way of making you pay attention to something wrong with you. But nature also has a way of buffering pain if you are too busy to pay immediate attention to the injury. The point is to remember a special effort must, and can be made to keep hopes up, remain positive, and keep working for survival. Cold - Cold can be an especially insidious enemy because it will reduce your ability to think and can tend to lower your will to do anything. For these reasons maintaining or getting warm is the first priority to in survival situations. Thirst - Even when thirst isn't extreme it can dull your mind. For this reason it is important to start planning activities to forage for water even though you can survive in most situations for several days without. If water is available, don't deprive yourself of it. As with pain and hunger, you can will yourself not to thirst - but such deprivations can lead to confusion which can in turn lead to dehydration. Hunger - Hunger is fourth on the list of priorities because in most situations you can survive several weeks without eating. However, like thirst, the more immediate danger is the effect it can have on the mind - lessening your ability for rational thought. Both thirst and hunger increase your susceptibility to the effects of cold, pain, and fear. Fatigue - When you are tired you don't think clearly and can become careless. Over exertion is the usual  cause of fatigue but you should also recognize other factors which can contribute to fatigue such as feelings of hopelessness, dissatisfaction, lack of goal orientation, frustration, and boredom. Extreme fatigue can destroy the desire to survive. One must deal with the fatigue (rest) and the cause where one of the above factors may be involved. Boredom and Loneliness - When nothing happens and rescue isn't imminent, feelings of boredom and loneliness can creep up on you. Your reaction can often be more of a problem to your survival than any physical factors such as pain, cold, thirst, or hunger. Boredom and loneliness can be overcome by: avoiding panic and staying calm/patient; keeping busy - mentally and physically. Make decisions and act on them. Plan solutions to your problems. STAY PUT Perhaps the number one rule of surviving in the wilderness is to stay put. Unless you are absolutely certain of your directions and have ample daylight hours, you will be far better off spending the time preparing for an overnight or extended stay where you are. And your chance of being found - faster - is much improved compared to your being on the move. Incidentally, rule number 2 and 3 are stay put and stay put! Priorities in a Tough situation (Top) Survival is typically a matter of common sense - perhaps the most important thing you can carry with you. When you are outdoors and your situation gets tough certain things will improve your odds at remaining safe while others will make hinder you greatly. Here are some do's and don'ts to be used outdoors if the time ever comes. Do: Stay Calm - Keep your wits about you. The wilderness is not out to get you. You can survive if you will be resourceful and if you have prepared ahead of time. Assess Situation - Take the necessary time to determine what your needs are. Ask:  Where are you?  What do you have with you?  Who is with you and what is there wellness status?  What threats or issues are there? immediate? long term? Deal with immediate threats or issues Aid an injured party - Take first aid measures as needed - see below. Stay warm - see below. Find shelter - see below. Find water - see below. Find food - see below. Ensure physical safety - see below. Find ways to communicate - see below. Write a course of action - If possible keep notes of plans and accomplishments Don't: Panic - Stay calm - no matter what. Keep others calm if needed. Fight - If you are with someone else and there is a tough decision to be made do not fight about it. Come to a mutual conclusion and then carry out the action. Leave clothing/supplies behind - Regardless of how warm you are in the day you we certainly be cold in the night. Also, clothing and supplies can be used for first aid and gathering food. Do not leave essential clothing or supplies behind unless you absolutely must. Get wet - Stay as dry as possible. Avoid getting wet or sweaty especially in the evening or when it is cold. Get dry as soon as possible if you are wet. Give up hope - You must stay hopeful. The odds are great you will be found if you make sure to take care of business and if you have prepared correctly ahead of time. 4 Primary Survival Concerns (Top) It is essential that you look out for 4 basic needs while planning and acting on your survival plan. Warmth - As soon as you realize you will be in the wilderness for some time in survival mode you will want to put your self in a position to stay warm. Nights and stormy weather can be threats. Location is important. Make sure you or your signal can can be seen from overhead. Keep as many warm clothes as possible.  Fire is the best resource for heat. Choose a great location where smoke and flame can be seen. Dig a pit if you can and stay away from overhanging trees so you don't have to compete with a forest fire. Find dry (covered or hanging; not on the ground) twigs, grass, pine needles, etc. Make sure you have plenty of dry fire wood at hand for when the fire gets going.  Place a large chunk or two of wood on the back of your pit or against a rock. Lean smaller broken branches against it so there is a protective roof over your fire. Inside, place your twigs, grass, or needles and place small sticks on top of those. Be careful to not smother the fire. You will want to add wood only as needed and only the smaller pieces initially until there is enough to keep it going strong. Don't create a bon fire. Keep it only large enough to keep you warm so you don't have to waste energy on packing a lot of wood. Remember: Once the fire is going, keep it going. Don't let it burn out. A fire requires about an armload of wood per hour and you will want to get it when it is light out. Also Remember: Fire requires 3 things: Oxygen, Fuel, Heat (flame). If you can not get the fire started then one of those is not working properly. You may be smothering the fire with its own smoke and need to make it easier for the fire to breath by moving some of the tinder. You may have wood that is too green or wet and need to find dryer wood. You may need to take care of how you are lighting your matches. If you don't have matches or a lighter you can create flame by creating tools. You need heat. Heat is created with friction. If you are able to create a small bow and wrap a string once around a straight stick you can create enough friction with the tip of the straight stick to get a fire started. Take a piece of twine or rope or whatever would substitute and tie it to each end of a bow shaped, sturdy stick. Twist the twine once around another sturdy stick. Place one end of the straight stick in the crevice of a piece of would covered in tinder. On the other end of the straight stick hold a rock, shell, another small piece of wood. Use a violin type motion with the bow causing the straight stick to spin in place on the wood below while pressing down on it with the rock, etc from above. Do not substitute your hands for the bow and rub them back and forth. The fire will not start and your hands will get damaged. Recommended: Go out soon and try to start a fire in the wilderness under survival circumstances. You will appreciate the fact you can do it if you get it going. Shelter - Once the fire is going, look for shelter. The key here is to find something that will keep you dry and warm (i.e. out of the wind). You may find a fallen tree or rock and build up branches, etc. around it. You may find some crevice to use. You will want to stay high up and not go into places that may be moist or have insects. When building a lean-to, try to keep the branches and boughs as tightly woven as possible. The thicker the wall and more insulated the whole shelter between you and the wind, rain, etc the warmer and more comfortable you will be. Spend much time building your shelter during the daylight. You will likely under build it so think about making it sturdy and insulated.  If you build a snow cave you will want to be very careful. Burrow into the snow so that the floor is horizontal. Ensure that there is enough air circulation by making other breathing holes. Make it large enough to lay comfortably. Make the roof arched such that if water runs along the ceiling from a little melting snow the water can drip into a place so you won't get wet. Bring in boughs and needles as a bed. If you are not dressed for digging in the snow and may get wet you are better off looking for different shelter.  You can build a bed out of pine boughs, fallen leaves and pine needles. It is important to stay off of the cold ground or rock. Look for insulating materials. Keep in mind that DRY pine needles are good insulators as well as DRY leaves.  If you get wet rectify the situation as soon as possible. Wet clothes drain energy and strength. With a fire you can dry your clothes but do not put the clothes in the fire. Hold them as far away as your hands can take.  Water - Most rescues occur in the first 48 hours. The average person can survive that long without water. However, there is a psychological factor with being thirsty. Staying in the shade may be key depending on the outside temperature.  Shade temperature 50 F/10 C 90 F/33 C 120 F/49 C Resting in shade  12 days 8.5 days 2.5 days Walking at night 9 days 6 days 1 day Drink when thirsty. Rationing water won't necessarily lengthen survival rate.  Do not gulp it down. Swish water around in the mouth and swallow slowly. Avoid unnecessary activity and rest in a shady area. Don't eat if water isn't available. Water is more important than food. Anything salty can be a detriment. It absorbs valuable water from the system. Find water by preparing for rain or snow storms.  Line a hole in the ground with some plastic.  Dig where there are signs of underground water (i.e. gullies, dry stream beds, green vegetation, animal diggings). Some plants contain water. Strain water from mud. Melt snow or ice. Make sure to melt it and not immediately consume it. You will actually become more dehydrated and waste valuable body heat. Anything that collects dew at night can be used. Place or create some type of container below something that collects dew (something shiny and smooth) so the water will run off. Center of cacti can be squeezed for water. Don't use runoff from glaciers because of the silt content.  Boil the water before drinking if possible or use purification tablets if handy.  Food - Food is not nearly as critical of a factor accept for the psychological factor. The average person can go weeks without food depending on the circumstances. However, hope is gained with the success of obtaining food. Most anything that flies, crawls, swims, or walks is edible. Many plants are poisonous so don't eat it unless you know it is safe. Instead, look to snare, trap, fish whatever may be at your disposal. Don't waste too much energy on it initially. Take care of the other priorities first. Signaling (Top) It is essential that you look out for 4 basic needs while planning and acting on your survival plan. Once you have taken care of the top priorities for you safety you can begin trying to communicate. Signal Fires - Once your fire is burning strong you may add small amounts of wet or green foliage to create smoke in the day. At night you want a bright fire. Mirror - If you carry something shiny you may signal someone who is flying or someone you know may be available on ground at some distance. Use the sun to flash light at the person you are trying to signal. Lights - International distress signal with a light of some sort is 3 flashes, one minute pause, then 3 flashes. Flags - A flag with a ball above or below shows distress. The key is to become visible. Sound - Do not use the voice unless necessary. It requires considerable energy. Use a whistle instead if available. Its sound travels farther and it requires less energy. Whistles are very effective. Ground Markings - Use rocks, logs, etc. to draw an "X" or "SOS" or "Help" on the ground. Make sure the symbol contrasts in color to the ground. Make it large, up to 4 or 5 body lengths if possible. Waving - Use anything bright that might capture the gaze of a potential rescuer. Wave it if possible. First Aid (Top) Times may arise when someone becomes injured or ill. It is key to treat them as soon as possible and as well as possible. Hypothermia Bleeding Broken Bones Dehydration  Heat Stroke Bitten Burnt Not Breathing CPR Hypothermia - Under most conditions your body maintains a healthy temperature. However, when exposed to cold temperatures or a cool, damp environment for prolonged periods, your body's control mechanisms may fail to keep your body temperature normal. When more heat is lost than your body can generate, hypothermia can result. Wet or damp clothing can increase your chances of hypothermia, as can falling into cold water. An uncovered head and inadequate clothing during winter are other possible causes. The key sign of hypothermia is an internal body temperature that drops to less than 95 F. Signs and symptoms include: Shivering Slurred speech Abnormally slow breathing Cold, pale skin Loss of coordination Fatigue, lethargy or apathy Symptoms usually develop slowly. Someone with hypothermia typically experiences gradual loss of mental acuity and physical ability and so may be unaware of the need for emergency medical treatment. Older adults, infants and young children, and people who are very lean are at particular risk. Other people at higher risk for hypothermia than the general public include those whose judgment may be impaired by mental illness or Alzheimer's disease and people who are intoxicated, homeless or caught in cold weather because their vehicles have broken down. Other conditions that may predispose people to hypothermia are malnutrition, cardiovascular disease and an underactive thyroid. To care for someone with hypothermia: Move the person out of the cold. If going indoors isn't possible, protect the person from the wind, cover his or her head and insulate his or her body from the cold ground. Remove wet clothing. Replace wet things with a warm, dry covering. Don't apply direct heat. Don't use hot water, a heating pad or a heating lamp to warm the victim. Instead, apply warm compresses to the neck, chest wall and groin. Don't attempt to warm the arms and legs. Heat applied to the arms and legs forces cold blood back toward the heart, lungs and brain causing the core body temperature to actually drop. This can be fatal. Don't give the person alcohol. Offer warm nonalcoholic drinks unless he or she is vomiting. Don't massage or rub the person. Handle people with hypothermia gently because they're at risk of cardiac arrest. Bleeding - Cuts, scrapes, and punctures can all result in bleeding. Cuts slice the skin open. Close a cut so it won't get infected. Scrapes hurt only the top part of your skin. They can hurt more than cuts, but they heal quicker. Punctures stab deep. Leave punctures open so they won't get infected. Blood gets thicker after bleeding for a few minutes. This is called clotting. Clotting slows down bleeding. Press on the cut to help slow down the bleeding. You may have to apply pressure for 10 minutes or more for a bad cut. Sometimes a cut needs stitches. Stitches help the cut heal. If absolutely critical and you have the materials you may attempt stitches with a sterile needle. However, it is usually better to keep the cut covered and await help. Leave the bandage on for 24 hours. Change the bandage every day or two or more often if you need to. Be careful when you take the bandage off. You don't want to make the cut bleed again. If you have used gauze, wet it before you pull it off. Take aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen sodium for pain if it is available. Don't take aspirin every day unless your doctor has told you to, because taking it too much can keep the blood from clotting. [Note: Do not give aspirin or any medication containing salicylates to anyone 19 years of age or younger, unless previously directed by a physician, due to its association with Reye's Syndrome, a potentially fatal condition.] Call your doctor or local health department if you have not had a tetanus shot in the last 10 years. (5 years for a deep puncture.) For punctures that cause minor bleeding: Let the wound bleed some to clean itself out. Remove the object that caused the puncture. Use clean tweezers. Hold a lit match to the ends of the tweezers to sterilize them. (Note: Don't pull anything out of a puncture wound if blood may gush from it, or if it has been bleeding badly.) Wash the wound with warm water and soap, or take a bath or shower to clean it. Leave the wound open. Cover it with a bandage if it is big or still bleeds a little. Soak the wound in warm, soapy water 2 to 3 times a day. Broken Bone - A fracture is a broken bone.  Take these precautions immediately while waiting for medical help: Stop the bleeding. If there's bleeding, press directly on the wound with a sterile bandage, a clean cloth or a piece of clothing. Apply pressure until the bleeding stops. Immobilize the area. Keep the joints above and below the fracture immobilized, but don't try to align the bone back into position. A splint stabilizes the damaged parts and prevents unwanted movement, which could aggravate tissue damage. Proper splinting may reduce pain. The less movement of the affected area, the better. To design a splint, use a rigid material such as wood, plastic or metal. The splint should be longer than the bone it is splinting and extend above and below the injury. Pad the splint with gauze wherever possible. Pads make the splint more comfortable and help keep the bone straight. Fasten the splint to the limb with gauze, strips of cloth or string, or even a belt. Start wrapping from the extremity and work toward the body. Splint the limb firmly to prevent motion but not tight enough to stop blood flow. To splint the lower portion of an arm (forearm): Tie rolled magazines or newspapers around the forearm. Wrap a sling over the shoulder and a band around the sling to help keep the elbow immobilized. To splint the lower portion of a leg (shinbone): Place the entire leg between two splints. If no splints are available, use the healthy leg as a splint to impede movement of the broken one. If the thighbone is broken, immobilize the hip joint by gently moving the person onto a rigid surface such as a tabletop or door. Treat for shock. If the person becomes faint or is breathing in short breaths, he or she may be in shock. Lay the person down with the head slightly lower than the trunk and elevate the legs. Dehydrated - Dehydration can be a serious heat-related disease, as well as being a dangerous side-effect of diarrhea, vomiting and fever. Children and persons over the age of 60 are particularly susceptible to dehydration. What causes dehydration? Under normal conditions, we all lose body water daily through sweat, tears, urine and stool. In a healthy person, this water is replaced by drinking fluids and eating foods that contain water. When a person becomes so sick with fever, diarrhea, or vomiting or if an individual is overexposed to the sun, dehydration occurs. This is caused when the body loses water content and essential body salts such as sodium, potassium, calcium bicarbonate and phosphate. Occasionally, dehydration can be caused by drugs, such as diuretics, which deplete body fluids and electrolytes. Whatever the cause, dehydration should be treated as soon as possible. What are the symptoms of dehydration? The following are the most common symptoms of dehydration, although each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include: thirst less-frequent urination dry skin fatigue light-headedness dizziness confusion dry mouth and mucous membranes increased heart rate and breathing In children, additional symptoms may include: dry mouth and tongue no tears when crying no wet diapers for more than 3 hours sunken abdomen, eyes or cheeks high fever listlessness irritability skin that does not flatten when pinched and released Treatment for dehydration: If caught early, dehydration can often be treated at home under a physician's guidance. In children, directions for giving food and fluids will differ according to the cause of the dehydration, so it is important to consult your pediatrician. In cases of mild dehydration, simple rehydration is recommended by drinking fluids. Many sports drinks on the market effectively restore body fluids, electrolytes, and salt balance. For moderate dehydration, intravenous fluids may be required, although if caught early enough, simple rehydration may be effective. Cases of serious dehydration should be treated as a medical emergency, and hospitalization, along with intravenous fluids, is necessary. Immediate action should be taken. How can dehydration be prevented? Take precautionary measures to avoid the harmful effects of dehydration, including: Drink plenty of fluids, especially when working or playing in the sun. Make sure you are taking in more fluid than you are losing. Try to schedule physical outdoor activities for the cooler parts of the day. Drink appropriate sports drinks to help maintain electrolyte balance. For infants and young children, solutions like Pedialyte will help maintain electrolyte balance during illness or heat exposure. Do not try to make fluid and salt solutions at home for children. Heat Stroke - Heat stroke is the most severe form of heat illness and is a life-threatening emergency. It is the result of long, extreme exposure to the sun, in which a person does not sweat enough to lower body temperature. The elderly, infants, persons who work outdoors and those on certain types of medications are most susceptible to heat stroke. It is a condition that develops rapidly and requires immediate medical treatment. What causes heat stroke? Our bodies produce a tremendous amount of internal heat and we normally cool ourselves by sweating and radiating heat through the skin. However, in certain circumstances, such as extreme heat, high humidity or vigorous activity in the hot sun, this cooling system may begin to fail, allowing heat to build up to dangerous levels. If a person becomes dehydrated and can not sweat enough to cool their body, their internal temperature may rise to dangerously high levels, causing heat stroke. What are the symptoms of heat stroke? The following are the most common symptoms of heat stroke, although each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include: headache dizziness disorientation, agitation or confusion sluggishness or fatigue seizure hot, dry skin that is flushed but not sweaty a high body temperature loss of consciousness rapid heart beat hallucinations How is heat stroke treated? It is important for the person to be treated immediately as heat stroke can cause permanent damage or death. There are some immediate first aid measures you can take while waiting for help to arrive. Get the person indoors. Remove clothing and gently apply cool water to the skin followed by fanning to stimulate sweating. Apply ice packs to the groin and armpits. Have the person lie down in a cool area with their feet slightly elevated Intravenous fluids are often necessary to compensate for fluid or electrolyte loss. Bed rest is generally advised and body temperature may fluctuate abnormally for weeks after heat stroke. How can heat stroke be prevented? There are precautions that can help protect you against the adverse effects of heat stroke. These include: Drink plenty of fluids during outdoor activities, especially on hot days. Water and sports drinks are the drinks of choice; avoid tea, coffee, soda and alcohol as these can lead to dehydration. Wear lightweight, tightly woven, loose-fitting clothing in light colors. Schedule vigorous activity and sports for cooler times of the day. Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a hat, sunglasses and using an umbrella. Increase time spent outdoors gradually to get your body used to the heat. During outdoor activities, take frequent drink breaks and mist yourself with a spray bottle to avoid becoming overheated. Try to spend as much time indoors as possible on very hot and humid days. If you live in a hot climate and have a chronic condition, talk to your physician about extra precautions you can take to protect yourself against heat stroke. Bitten - Bites can be particularly dangerous because you don't know the history of the biter.  For Animal Bites: Wash the bite area immediately with soap and warm water (if available) for 5 minutes to remove any saliva and other debris. If the bite is deep, flush the wound with water for ten minutes to protect against infection. Dry the wound with a clean cloth (again, if available). If the wound is swollen, apply ice, snow, anything cold wrapped in cloth for ten minutes. If the bite hurts, take acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen to relieve the pain. (Note: Do not give aspirin or any medication with salicylates to anyone 19 years of age or younger unless a doctor tells you to.) Observe the wound over time, checking it for infection.  For Non-Poisonous Snake Bites: Gently wash the site with soap and water. Treat the bite as a minor wound. (See "bleeding") Poisonous Snake Bites: Most snakes aren't poisonous. A few exceptions include the rattlesnake, coral snake, water moccasin and copperhead. Most poisonous snakes have slit-like eyes. Their heads are triangular, with a depression or pit midway between the eyes and nostrils. Other characteristics unique to certain poisonous snakes: Rattlesnakes make a rattling sound by shaking the rings at the end of their tail. Water moccasins have a white, cottony lining in their mouth. Coral snakes have red, yellow and black rings along the length of their bodies. To reduce your risk of snakebites, avoid picking up or playing with any snake unless you're properly trained. Most snakes usually avoid people if possible and bite only when threatened or surprised. If you're bitten by a snake: Remain calm. Don't try to capture the snake. Immobilize the bitten arm or leg and try to stay as quiet as possible. Remove jewelry, as swelling tends to progress rapidly. Don't cut the wound or attempt to remove the venom. Don't use a tourniquet or apply ice. Seek medical attention as soon as possible, especially if the bitten area changes color, begins to swell or is painful. For Deer Tick Bites: Remove any ticks found on the skin. Use tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Pull gently and carefully in a steady upward motion at the point where the tick's mouthpart enters the skin. Try not to crush the tick because the secretions released may spread disease. Wash the wound area and your hands after removing ticks. Save the tick in a closed container. It could help in diagnosing Lyme Disease. Burnt - Burns can result from dry heat (fire), moist heat (steam, hot liquids), electricity, chemicals, and radiation (i.e., sunlight). Treatment for burns depends on: The depth of the burn (whether it is first, second, or third degree). How much area of the body is affected. The location of the burn. First degree burns affect only the outer skin layer. The area appears dry, red, and mildly swollen. A first degree burn is painful and sensitive to touch. Mild sunburn and brief contact with a heat source such as a hot iron are examples of first degree burns. First degree burns should feel better within a day or two. They should heal in about a week if there are no other problems.  Second degree burns affect the skin's lower layers as well as the outer skin. They are painful, swollen, and show redness and blisters. The skin also develops a weepy, watery surface. Examples of second degree burns are severe sunburn, burns caused by hot liquids and a flash from gasoline. First aid procedures can be used to treat many second degree burns depending on their location and how much area is affected.  Third degree burns affect the outer and deeper skin layers as well as any underlying tissue and organs. They appear black and white and charred. The skin is swollen and underlying tissue is often exposed. The pain felt with third degree burns may be less than with first or second degree burns. There can also be no pain at all when nerve endings are destroyed. Pain may be felt around the margin of the affected area, however. Third degree burns usually result from electric shocks, burning clothes, severe gasoline fires and the like. They always require emergency treatment. They may result in hospitalization and sometimes require skin grafts. First Degree Burns: Cool the area right away. Place the affected area in a container or body of cold water or under cold running water. Do this for at least 5 - 10 minutes or until the pain is relieved. This will also reduce the amount of skin damage. (If the affected area is dirty, gently wash it with water first.) Do not apply ice or cold water for too long a time. This may result in complete numbness leading to frostbite. Keep the area uncovered and elevated, if possible. Apply a dry dressing, if necessary. Do not use butter or other ointments (Example: Vaseline). Avoid using local anesthetic sprays and creams. They can slow healing and may lead to allergic reactions in some people. Take aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen, or naproxen sodium to relieve pain. (Note: Do not give aspirin or any medication containing salicylates to anyone 19 years of age or younger, unless a doctor tells you to.) Second Degree Burns (that are not extensive and less than 3" in diameter): Immerse the affected area in cold (not ice) water until the pain subsides. Dip clean cloth in cold water, wring them out and apply them over and over again to the burned area for as long as an hour. Blot the area dry. Do not rub. Do not break any blisters that have formed. Avoid applying antiseptic sprays, ointments, and creams. Once dried, dress the area with a single layer of loose gauze that does not stick to the skin. Hold in place with bandage tape that is placed well away from the burned area. Change the dressing the next day and every two days after that. Prop the burnt area higher than the rest of the body, if possible. Not Breathing - see CPR below CPR - Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) involves a combination of mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing and chest compression. CPR keeps oxygenated blood flowing to the brain and other vital organs until appropriate medical treatment can restore a normal heart rhythm. Breathing. Mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing is the quickest way to get oxygen into a person's lungs. However, if you're not trained in emergency procedures, doctors recommend skipping mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing and proceeding directly to chest compression. The reason is that if you're distracted by trying to perform unfamiliar breathing techniques, valuable lifesaving minutes might be lost for the person who needs help. The most important thing you can do is to proceed directly to chest compression to move blood to vital organs, particularly the brain and heart. If you're trained in emergency procedures, it's important to do both mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing and chest compression. Chest compression. Chest compressions replace the heartbeat when it has stopped. Compressions help maintain some blood flow to the brain, lungs and heart. You must perform rescue breathing anytime you perform chest compressions. Before starting CPR, assess the situation: Is the person conscious or unconscious? If the person appears unconscious, tap or shake his or her shoulder and ask loudly, "Are you OK?" If the person doesn't respond, follow the steps below and get help by dialing 911 or calling for emergency medical assistance. If you can't leave the scene, have someone else call. To perform CPR: Position the person so you can check for signs of life by laying the person flat on their back on a firm surface and extending the neck. Open the person's mouth and airway by lifting the chin forward. Determine whether the person is breathing by simultaneously listening for breath sounds, feeling for air motion on your cheek and ear, and looking for chest motion. If the person is not breathing, pinch his or her nostrils closed, make a seal around the mouth and breathe into his or her mouth twice. Give one breath every five seconds - 12 breaths each minute - and completely refill your lungs after each breath. If there are no signs of life - no response, movement or breathing - begin chest compressions. Place your hands over the lower part of the breastbone, keep your elbows straight and position your shoulders directly above your hands to make the best use of your weight. Push down 1 1/2 to 2 inches at a rate of 80 to 100 times a minute. The pushing down and letting up phase of each cycle should be equal in duration. Don't jab down and relax. After 15 compressions, breathe into the person's mouth twice. After every four cycles of 15 compressions and two breaths, recheck for signs of life. Continue the rescue maneuvers as long as there are no signs of life. To perform CPR on a baby: Cover the mouth and nose with your mouth. Give one breath for every five chest compressions. Compress the chest 1/2 to 1 inch at least 100 times a minute, using only two fingers. The above is just a brief description of CPR. To learn CPR, take a first-aid training course. Many organizations, such as the Red Cross and the American Heart Association, sponsor such courses.