Medicine for the Outdoors: The Essential Guide to Emergency Medical Procedures and First Aid

Medicine for the Outdoors: The Essential Guide to Emergency Medical Procedures and First Aid

Since 1986, Medicine for the Outdoors has been acknowledged as the most comprehensive and accessible treatment guide available for just about every problem you are likely to encounter in the outdoors. Now, filled with more than 250 illustrations, and completely updated and expanded, this book continues to be the bible for anyone heading into the wilderness. (6 X 9, 512 pages, illustrations, diagrams, charts) YA-Designed to be taken along on outdoor excursions, this authoritative and informative book is nevertheless an excellent reference source for medical conditions, procedures, definitions, and treatments. Along with a section on general medical information, the first part of the book has excellent suggestions as to how to prepare for outdoor living and travel. Next comes a section on "Major Medical Problems," complete with clear illustrations and concise but thorough instructions as to what must be done. Some of the topics covered include poisoning, fractures, chest injuries, bleeding, amputations, childbirth, burns, and infectious diseases. "Minor Medical Problems" includes treatment for conditions that more commonly occur during outdoor excursions, such as fever, chills, dizziness, foreign bodies in the eyes or ears, nosebleeds, toothaches, and diarrhea. Another section includes illustrated, step-by-step instructions on how to stitch a wound. Shark bites, jellyfish stings, and various other aquatic injuries are addressed, as are insect and animal bites, lightening strikes, and even psychologically related disorders such as a panic attack. Whether used as reference tool in school or as a portable handbook, Medicine for the Outdoors is a well-done service. Carol DeAngelo, Kings Park Library, Burke, VA Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. Auerbach, former editor of Journal of Wilderness Medicine and author of several outdoor medicine books, has updated his classic text, first published in 1986, with instructions for handling almost any medical problem likely to arise. Divided into five sections, this book covers basic first aid, major medical emergencies, minor problems, those specific to particular environments such as high altitude or underwater settings, and miscellaneous topics like transporting the injured and performing procedures. Appendixes include medication dosages and conversion tables. Weiss, an emergency medicine physician and medical editor for Backpacker magazine, has written a compact guide for remote situations where professional medical care is not readily available, diagnosis must be rapid, and treatment may have to be improvised using whatever materials are at hand. Part 1 covers basic techniques such as CPR; Part 2, specific injuries or illnesses. For each problem Weiss lists signs and symptoms, general treatment guidelines, "when to worry" icons recommending prompt evacuation, and "backcountry tips" showing how to use what you have as makeshift medical supplies. Appendixes cover medications, evacuation of the injured, and what to include in a wilderness first-aid kit. Both physicians emphasize the need for preparation and prevention before embarking on any outdoor travel. Auerbach includes topics not covered in the shorter Weiss book, but in general they include much the same material. Both are well illustrated with excellent line drawings demonstrating techniques. (Indexes not seen.)AAnne C. Tomlin, Auburn Memorial Hosp. Lib., NY Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. By far the best book on the subject. -- Field & Stream I treasure my copy, and can recommend it to backpackers, mountaineers, backcountry skiers, ski patrollers, rafters, cavers, members of search and rescue groups, and all others who visit the wild places of the world. -- Warren D. Bowman, Jr., M.D., National Medical Adviser, National Ski Patrol; Chairman, Emergency Medical Committee, National Association for Search and Rescue If a doctor isn't with you on your wilderness wanderings, this splendid book should be in your pack. -- Nelson Bryant, New York Times Since 1986, Medicine for the Outdoors has been acknowledged as the most comprehensive and accessible treatment guide available for just about every problem you are likely to encounter in the outdoors. Now, filled with more than 250 illustrations, and completely updated and expanded, this book continues to be the bible for anyone heading into the wilderness. (6 X 9, 512 pages, illustrations, diagrams, charts) Paul Auerbach is one of the foremost authorities on emergency medicine in the United States. Clinical Professor of Surgery in the Emergency Medicine division at Stanford University Hospital, Chief Operating Officer of Med America, and former editor of Journal of Wilderness Medicine, Auerbach is also the author of four other books. He lives in Los Altos, California. Used Book in Good Condition