Medical: Insect and Bee Stings

Insect & Bee Stings - Prevention & Treatment: While most people are actually more afraid about animal attacks by larger animals, it is actually insects that are to be feared more. Bees, wasps, and hornet stings are more responsible for fatalities than snakes, spiders, and scorpions combined. In this section, we will give guidelines on what to do if you are allergic to Bee Stings, how to avoid Bee Stings, and what to do if you get stung.

If you are Allergic to Bee Stings

Some people are hyper sensitive to bee stings. For them, a single sting could already be seriously life-threatening. If you know that you are hypersensitive for bee and perhaps other insect stings, check with your doctor and make sure to bring an emergency insect sting allergy kit. Your doctor will be able to cater to your exact needs. Make sure to check the expiration date of the medications on your kit since most antihistamine medicines need to be replaced after a few years.

Avoiding Bee & Other Insect Stings

Use insect repellent sprays. Most of these sprays use DEET as their active ingredient and they do a great job at repelling mosquitoes. Citronella is less aggressive for the skin but generally does not have the same repelling effect as DEET.

Do not wear any sweet smelling fragrances often found in after shaves and perfume. These often attract flies, bees, and other insects.

Insect nets are a very fine netting that keeps insects from entering while still letting air through. Insect nets are mostly used for tents but can be found in an alternate form inside the ventilation vents of pants and other clothing.

Bees will mostly attack when either trapped or agitated. Close any opening in your clothes that could trap bees between your skin and your clothing. Should you stumble on a beehive, do not be stupid and try to collect honey or disturb it in any other way.

Treating Bee & Other Insect Stings

Bees will often leave their stings in your skin when you get stung. Remove them in a scraping motion with a needle or knife and avoid handling them with your hands as this will probably squeeze more venom into your skin.

The irritation and pain from an insect sting can often be neutralized by using an insect sting ointment. So make sure to bring some if you expect to go to insect - infested areas.

People who receive multiple bee stings or are either allergic to bee stings can go into anaphylactic shock which could cause swelling, obstructing the airways. Remove the stings and use antihistamine medication immediately. Apply CPR if needed and make sure the airways are cleared.

These are the basic things you need to know about Insect and Bee Stings. Take note that it is essential to have adequate First Aid knowledge and training if you are engaged in Outdoor Activities such as Hiking so you will know what to do in case you need to administer First Aid.

Food: Arctic Willow

Arctic willow
Salix arctica

Description: The arctic willow is a shrub that never exceeds more than 60 centimeters in height and grows in clumps that form dense mats on the tundra.

Habitat and Distribution: The arctic willow is common on tundras in North America. Europe, and Asia. You can also find it in some mountainous areas in temperate regions.

Edible Parts: You can collect the succulent, tender young shoots of the arctic willow in early spring. Strip off the outer bark of the new shoots and eat the inner portion raw. You can also peel and eat raw the young underground shoots of any of the various kinds of arctic willow. Young willow leaves are one of the richest sources of vitamin C, containing 7 to 10 times more than an orange.

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Animals: Tracks

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Survival: Makeshift Shelters

Makeshift Tents & Outdoor Natural Shelters

Outdoor Natural Shelter Real Tents are of course the best protection against rough weather conditions but at times, you might find yourself outdoors without a real tent with you. You will have to be resourceful and create a shelter out of possible other equipment that you might be carrying with you should the need arise to find some protection.

Possible Shelter Building Equipment

In general, it is always a smart idea to have some basic multifunctional equipment with you that can serve as possible shelter building equipment:

Covers

You will need something preferably wind- and waterproof to function as your makeshift tent sheet. Without any such cover, you are better off just moving on until you can find some natural shelter. Possible cover sheets may include:

o Fly Sheets: Fly sheets of tents are great for makeshift shelters. They are waterproof and they already have grommets for connecting rope.

o Poncho: Many ponchos have small grommets that enable connection of a line.

o Ground Sheets/Plastic Sheets: These could be any kind of camping or other fabric and generally have no grommets. Read our next paragraph for methods of connecting rope to sheets.

Ropes / Lines

Unless you just plan to sit or lie under the sheet it will not be enough to only have a sheet. You will need some rope and something to tie the rope down to create a stand alone shelter. It is always a good idea to have a good length of strong rope/line/wire with you.

Poles / Supports

The combination of a sheet, rope, poles, and fixed natural objects will enable you to create a good makeshift shelter. Here are some common things that can be used as poles or supports:

o Walking Sticks / Hiking Poles. Have the great advantages of a smooth top grip surface which prevents the top from puncturing the sheet. Hiking Poles are extendable, giving you more flexibility in your shelter building. The tips of Hiking Poles will keep your makeshift tent poles on their place.

o Trees/Bushes. Trees offer branches and trunks that are great for tying down your lines.

o Loose Branches, Rocks, Sticks, etc. These offer some way of anchoring a line or providing weight to keep down a sheet corner. See the next paragraph on shelter building techniques for more details.

Shelter Building Techniques

Your own resourcefulness will often determine if you are able to build a shelter with the materials at your disposal and how good those shelters are. However, it helps to have some Outdoor Shelter Building tips:

Connecting a Rope to a Sheet

Without grommets, holes in a sheet will likely tear, thereby destroying your shelter. So you are better off leaving the sheet whole. Use this technique to secure a line to a sheet: Find a smooth and solid object such as a smooth rock and place them on the sheet. Wrap the object with the sheet and tie your line around the sheet underneath the object, thereby trapping the object in the sheet. The object will now act as an anchor securing the line.

Makeshift Line Anchors

In the absence of trees, bushes, rocks, or other fixed natural features, you will have to use branches or rocks as anchors. Here are some methods:

o Find a Y-shaped branch and dig in both ends into the ground to form a looped anchor.

o Tie the line to the center of a stick, dig a hole, anchor the stick to the wall of the hole, and cover up the hole.

o Tie the line to the center of a stick, and anchor the stick down with a large rock or tree trunk.

o In general, use any combination of digging in, weight anchoring, and resistance building to create a solid anchor. Try to find a location with trees or other solid natural anchor points to increase your shelter's strength and to minimize the time you have to spend to create makeshift anchor points.

Natural Shelters

Nature provides enough natural shelters. The only problem could be finding one. Especially if conditions are bad and you need to find shelter as quickly as possible, you are probably better off using mother nature's shelter building aids in your direct vicinity instead of looking for the perfect shelter. Here are some quick guidelines on Natural Shelters:

Trees: Bigger trees with a large diameter trunk will offer good protection from wind and rain. Do not stay near the trunk in case of a lightning storm. For more information, read our section on Lightning.

Caves & Rock Faces: These offer great shelter. Again, make sure not to stay at the bottom of a rock face in case of lightning and make certain that you do not venture too far inside unknown caves. For more information, read our section on Cave Survival.

These are the pointers on how to create a shelter during your Hiking trip. Resourcefulness and knowledge on the different techniques and skills in building shelter are essential so you are prepared to create some protection should the need arises.

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Medical: Good Samaritan Law vs. Duty of Care

Good Samaritan Law a legal principle that prevents a rescuer who has voluntarily helped a victim in distress from being successfully sued for 'wrongdoing.' Its purpose is to keep people from being so reluctant to help a stranger in need for fear of legal repercussions if they made some mistake in treatment.

In Alberta it is the Emergency Medical Aid Act.

EMERGENCY MEDICAL AID ACT

Chapter E‑7

HER MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, enacts as follows:

Definitions

1 In this Act,

(a) “physician” means a person who is a regulated member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta who is a physician, surgeon or osteopath;

(b) “registered health discipline member” means a person who is registered under the Health Disciplines Act or a regulated member under Schedule 1, 10, 13, 18 or 25 to the Health Professions Act;

(c) “registered nurse” means a person who is a registered nurse within the meaning of the Health Professions Act.

RSA 2000 cE‑7 s1;RSA 2000 cH‑7 ss146,147,155

Protection from action

2 If, in respect of a person who is ill, injured or unconscious as the result of an accident or other emergency,

(a) a physician, registered health discipline member, or registered nurse voluntarily and without expectation of compensation or reward renders emergency medical services or first aid assistance and the services or assistance are not rendered at a hospital or other place having adequate medical facilities and equipment, or

(b) a person other than a person mentioned in clause (a) voluntarily renders emergency first aid assistance and that assistance is rendered at the immediate scene of the accident or emergency,

the physician, registered health discipline member, registered nurse or other person is not liable for damages for injuries to or the death of that person alleged to have been caused by an act or omission on his or her part in rendering the medical services or first aid assistance, unless it is established that the injuries or death were caused by gross negligence on his or her part.

RSA 1980 cE‑9 s2;RSA 1980 cH‑5.1 s34;1984 c53 s27

Laws enacted in other provinces of Canada:

Quebec: is unique in Canada in imposing a duty on everyone to help a person in peril. The duty to take action stems from the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms enacted in 1975, and the Civil Code.

Ontario: Good Samaritan Act, 2001.

BC: Good Samaritan Act

Nova Scotia: Volunteer Services Act

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Duty of Care

In tort law, a duty of care (or delict in Scots law) is a legal obligation imposed on an individual requiring that they adhere to a standard of reasonable care while performing any acts that could foreseeably harm others. It is the first element that must be established to proceed with an action in negligence. The plaintiff (pursuer in Scotland) must be able to show a duty of care imposed by law which the defendant (or defender) has breached. In turn, breaching a duty may subject an individual to liability in tort or delict. The duty of care may be imposed by operation of law between individuals with no current direct relationship (familial or contractual or otherwise), but eventually become related in some manner, as defined by common law (meaning case law).

Duty of care may be considered a formalization of the social contract, the implicit responsibilities held by individuals towards others within society. It is not a requirement that a duty of care be defined by law, though it will often develop through the jurisprudence of common law.

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Food: The Edible Bearberry

Bearberry or kinnikinnick
Arctostaphylos uvaursi

Description: This plant is a common evergreen shrub with reddish, scaly bark and thick, leathery leaves 4 centimeters long and 1 centimeter wide. It has white flowers and bright red fruits.

Habitat and Distribution: This plant is found in arctic, subarctic, and temperate regions, most often in sandy or rocky soil.

Edible Parts: Its berries are edible raw or cooked. You can make a refreshing tea from its young leaves.



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Health Benefits and Warnings of eating Fruit

Medicinal Uses

Antiseptic; Astringent; Birthing aid; Diuretic; Hypnotic; Kidney; Lithontripic; Poultice; Skin; Tonic; Women's complaints.

Bearberry was commonly used by many native North American Indian tribes to treat a wide range of complaints and has also been used in conventional herbal medicine for hundreds of years, it is one of the best natural urinary antiseptics. The leaves contain hydroquinones and are strongly antibacterial, especially against certain organisms associated with urinary infections. The plant should be used with caution, however, because hydroquinones are also toxic. The leaves are antiseptic, astringent, diuretic, lithontripic, hypnotic and tonic. The dried leaves are used in the treatment of a variety of complaints. These leaves should be harvested in early autumn, only green leaves being selected, and then dried in gentle heat[4]. A tea made from the dried leaves is much used for kidney and bladder complaints and inflammations of the urinary tract such as acute and chronic cystitis and urethritis, but it should be used with caution and preferably only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. The tea is more effective if the urine is alkaline, thus it is best used in combination with a vegetable-based diet. Externally, a poultice of the infused leaves with oil has been used as a salve to treat rashes, skin sores etc, and as a wash for a baby's head. An infusion of the leaves has been used as an eyewash, a mouthwash for cankers and sore gums and as a poultice for back pains, rheumatism, burns etc. The dried leaves have been used for smoking as an alternative to tobacco. One report says that it is unclear whether this was for medicinal purposes or for the intoxicated state it could produce, whilst another says that the leaves were smoked to treat headaches and also as a narcotic. The herb should not be prescribed to children, pregnant women or patients with kidney disease. Another report says that some native North American Indian tribes used an infusion of the stems, combined with blueberry stems (Vaccinium spp) to prevent miscarriage without causing harm to the baby, and to speed a woman's recovery after the birth.

Other Uses

Beads; Dye; Ground cover; Pioneer; Soil stabilization; Tannin; Waterproofing.
A yellowish-brown dye is obtained from the leaves, it does not require a mordant. A grey-brown dye is obtained from the fruit. The dried fruits are used in rattles and as beads on necklaces etc. The leaves are a good source of tannin. The mashed berries can be rubbed on the insides of coiled cedar root baskets in order to waterproof them. A good ground-cover for steep sandy banks in a sunny position or in light shade. A carpeting plant, growing fairly fast and carpeting as it spreads. It is valuable for checking soil erosion on watersheds. This is also a pioneer plant in the wild, often being the first plant to colonize burnt-over areas, especially on poor soils.

Classification

There are four subspecies:
• Arctostaphylos uva-ursi subsp. uva-ursi. Common Bearberry; circumpolar arctic and subarctic, and in mountains further south.
• Arctostaphylos uva-ursi subsp. adenotricha. Central high Sierra Nevada.
• Arctostaphylos uva-ursi subsp. coactilis. North coastal California, central coast California, San Francisco Bay Area.
• Arctostaphylos uva-ursi subsp. cratericola (J. D. Smith) P. V. Wells. Guatemala Bearberry, endemic to Guatemala at very high altitudes (3000-4000 m).
There are also several varieties that are propagated for use as ornamentals. It is an attractive evergreen plant and it is also useful for controlling erosion.
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Recipes

Bearberry Jelly

Ingredients
2 quarts berries
1 cup sugar per cup of juice
1 tbsp lemon juice
3 oz liquid pectin

Berries should be fully ripe. Wash and stem berries. Place in saucepan and cook till the fruit pops and the juice flows freely. Remove from heat and squeeze through jelly bag. Measure juice and place into a deep saucepan. Add 1 cup of sugar per cup of juice measured. Add 1 tbsp of lemon juice and mix thoroughly. Place mixture over high heat and boil till sugar dissolves while stirring constantly. Add 3 oz of liquid pectin and keep mixture at a hard boil for 1 full minute. Skim off foam and pour into hot, sterile jelly jars and seal.

Bearberry Jam

Ingredients
2 quarts berries
1 cup sugar per cup of sauce
3 oz pectin

Place washed, ripe berries in a deep saucepan and cook over a medium heat for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and mash fruit with potato masher. Force through a strainer or food mill to remove seeds. Retain as much juice and pulp as possible. Measure juice and pulp into saucepan and add 1 cup of sugar per cup of the sauce. Mix well and bring to a boil for 1 minute while stirring constantly. Add 3 oz of liquid pectin and mix well. Boil for 1 minute then pour into hot, sterile jelly jars and seal.


Bearberry Paste

Wash and stem 2 quarts of fresh bearberries. Place into a deep saucepan and add a little water. Cook till the berries pop and the juice flows. Remove and pour through a sieve or food mill to remove the seeds. Place the pulp into a large bowl and cover and allow mixture to set for 24 hours. Measure the juicy pulp and place in a deep saucepan. Add 1 cup of sugar per each cup of pulp. Mix well and boil for 10 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour into hot sterile jars and seal.

Variation: For a spicy paste add 1 crushed stick of cinnamon, 1 tbsp whole cloves and 1 tsp allspice to the pulp when it is placed in the bowl to set for 24 hours. Be sure to combine the spices well before leaving it to sit. After 24 hours strain the mixture, removing the whole spice particles and then follow the rest of the recipe.

Recipe Source

Animals: Watching Out for Animals

BEARS
When in bear country, bears should be your NUMBER 1 wildlife safety concern! They are DANGEROUS and UNPREDICTABLE - NEVER (EVER) approach a bear. Yes, its true that your chances of being attacked by a bear are less than being hit by lightning; but would you hike on a mountain-top during an electrical storm?

Food, garbage and their odors attract bears. Always use bearproof facilities and techniques. DON'T hike or cycle alone - BE ALERT and make NOISE. If you encounter a bear DO NOT run or cry out. Stay calm, retreat slowly and avoid eye contact.

Remember:

All bears are dangerous - NEVER approach or feed a bear.

Keep children nearby and in sight at ALL TIMES.

Know what to do if you encounter a bear

Read Safety in Bear Country !

ELK
Elk can be aggressive and attack without warning. During the fall mating season (Aug - Sept) males are particularly belligerent. During the spring calving season (May - June) female elk aggressively defend their young. DO NOT approach elk in any season as they are DANGEROUS.

DEER
Deer may aggresively seek food from campers and picnickers. DO NOT feed or approach them! They may lash outwith their hooves when they feel either threatened or frustrated. Dogs seem to incite the wrath of female deer, and many attacks on pets and people have occurred. Dogs are best left at home or in vehicles.

BISON (Buffalo)
Bison are DANGEROUS and UNPREDICTABLE. They may charge without warning. Keep at least 150 feet (50 metres) away at all times. Never come between two animals, particularly a female and her calf. Bison can weigh 2,000 pounds and sprint at 50 km per hour, three times faster than you can run.

COUGAR (Mountain Lion)
Mountain lion sightings and encounters have increased throughout the western U.S. over the past several years. The lions are an important part of the our ecosystem, helping to keep deer and other prey populations in check. Although lion attacks are rare, they are possible, as is injury from any wild animal. We offer the following recommendations to increase your safety:

* Do not leave pets or pet food outside and unattended, especially at dawn and dusk. Pets can attract mountain lions into developed areas.
* Avoid walking alone. Watch children closely and never let them run ahead or lag behind on the trail. Talk to children about lions and teach them what to do if they meet one.
* Store food using wildlife-proof methods.Check out these links for information on proven food storage methods for campers in bear country.

Yosemite's "Wilderness Food Storage" site.

US Forest Service's "Low-Impact Food Hoists" site.

What should you do if you meet a mountain lion?

* Never approach a mountain lion, especially one that is feeding or with kittens. Most mountain lions will try to avoid confrontation. Always give them a way to escape.
* Don't run. Stay calm. Hold your ground, or back away slowly. Face the lion and stand upright. Do all you can to appear larger. Grab a stick. Raise your arms. If you have small children with you, pick them up.
* If the lion behaves aggressively, wave your arms, shout and throw objects at it. The goal is to convince it that you are not prey and may be dangerous yourself.
* If attacked, fight back!

Generally, mountain lions are calm, quiet, and elusive. The chance of being attacked by a mountain lion is quite low compared to may other natural hazards. There is, for example, a far greater risk of being struck by lightning than being attacked by a mountain lion.

OTHER ANIMALS
Generally speaking, all North American mammals are unpredictable if they preceive a threat... especially from humans. Any action that interupts an animal's natural instincts or activities can be interpreted by them as such. This includes:

* Human interventions between a parent and young animal
* Human intervention in animal's mating cycles
* Human interventions between animals and their food
* Humans being preceived as prey
* Human's startling or surprising animals
* Humans blocking animal's escape routes

Also, some mammals carry diseases that can be transmitted by physical contact with the animal. Of note are:

* Coyotes, skunks, and foxes carry rabies
* Armadillo's (are the only animals besides humans that) carry leprosy

Finally it should also be noted that :

* Chipmunks, squirrels, gophers, etc. will bite and / or scratch you!
* Skunks will spray you!
* Bobcats HAVE attacked humans!
* Mooses HAVE killed humans!
* Badgers can be really, really mean!