MANAGEMENT OF OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES Grade 12

Quarter 1-Week 10

MELCS: discusses environmental and aquatic creatures that may pose some hazards to people
Learning Objectives:
a. identify various environmental and aquatic hazards,
b. enumerate the basic first aid kit ; and
c. determine the emergency numbers in the Philippines

Reference: Physical Education and Health, Author:Conrado R. Aparato, PE: Chapter 10 Lesson 1 pages 191-195

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

People stung by jellyfish, Portuguese man-of-war, or fire corals will experience swelling, burning, and severe pain. 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 oral antihistamine.

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.
Some 20 to 40 people die from stings by box jellyfish annually in the Philippines alone, according to the US National Science Foundation.

2. Sea Urchin/Weever Fish

 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 if severe allergic reactions are observed.

3.Stingray

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 wound.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
The mountains and the 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, and 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 rash-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 thi ng 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.

2.Leeches
Leeches or locally called "limatik" are common sights in the Philippine 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 the 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.

3.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. Not all snake are venomous, in fact,
according to World Health Organization ("Venomous snakes." 2010) of the 3000 species of snake, only 600 are venomous. As a general rule,
venomous snakes have a triangular shaped heads and elliptical eyes (like the cat's eye), instead of the rounded heads of most non-venomous
snakes and round eyes. Most venomous snakes also have a color pattern while non-venomous have one solid color. Of course, there is always an
exception to this general description. The first important thing to notice when one is bitten by a snake is to remember how the snake looked like. This
information will be helpful. The Department of Health released important advisory containing basic information on first aid in case of snake bites.

4. Drowning
According to a report presented in the 2011 World Conference on Drowning Prevention, eight people die every day in the Philippines due
to drowning. UNICEF survey also showed that drowning has been ranked as the fourth leading cause of death in the Philippines (Sebellino, 2011).

The first aid administered to a drowning victim

Outdoor activity in the waters also has the risk of drowning. The following are the first aid administration that 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 but 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.

The things 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 injuries with first aid until help arrives.

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.
MUST BE IN A WATERPROOF BAG
For Emergency: For medication:
Assorted adhesive bandages Pain relievers
Butterfly bandages/adhesive Insect-sting relief
Wound-closure strips Antihistamine
Gauze pads Antiseptic solution and towelette
Non-stick sterile pads Antibacterial ointment
Medical adhesive tape Calamine lotion
Athletic tape Compound tincture of benzoin
Blister treatment Aloe vera gel
Splinter tweezers Anti-diarrhea and laxative
Safety pins Antacids
Cotton Hydrocortisone cream
Disposable gloves Cough and cold medication
Plastic bags Personal medications not needing refrigeration
Mutipurpose utility tool Anti-malarial medication
Clinical thermometer Insect repellant
Ear plugs Emollient
Whistle Sunscreen
Salt tablets and rehydration tablets
First aid manual and information cards
Calamine lotion

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. You can find
the other emergency hotlines on the government website http://www.gov.ph/emergency-hotlines/.

ACTIVITY 1. First Aid Skills

If you will be administering first aid, what skills should you possess? Think of three important skills and expound your answer.
1. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________