1. Cold Medications: Cold granules, VC Yinqiao Tablets
2. Fever Reducers: Paracetamol, Fever-reducing patches
3. Diarrhea: Smecta, Zhengchangsheng
4. Stomach Discomfort: Baoji Pills, Huoxiang Zhengqi Water
5. Motion Sickness: Fengyoujing (Essential Balm), Shangshi Zhitong Plaster (Bruise & Pain Relief Plaster)
6. Mosquito Repellent: Flower Water, Mosquito Repellent Spray
7. Injuries: Waterproof Band-Aids, Bruise Liniment, Baiyao Spray, Pain-relief Patches, Hemostatic Patches
8. Snakebite Treatment: Nantong Snake Medicine (Jide Sheng Snake Medicine)
9. Basic Supplies: Gauze, Medical Adhesive Tape, Small Scissors
10. Energy Boost: Plastic-sealed 20ml Glucose Injection
II. Wilderness First Aid Measures
1. Hello, in cases of joint sprains or skin abrasions caused by running or falling—if the wound is not severely contaminated or painful—rinse the area with cool boiled water or tap water. For minor abrasions, apply alcohol or liquor; red medicine solution can also be used. If there is localized bruising and swelling, apply swelling-reducing ointments such as safflower oil to the injury until the swelling subsides. Under no circumstances use needles to release blood. Joint sprains must not be forcefully massaged or twisted. Heat compresses should also not be used in the early stage. If the wound is deep and large, do not apply soot or dirt, as this may lead to tetanus—it should be treated at a hospital. If a joint is sprained, or there is muscle damage, and hands or feet cannot move accompanied by severe pain, do not move or touch the injured area. Immobilize the area with an object and send the patient to a hospital for treatment.
The principles of wilderness first aid are: in the event of an accident, stay calm and bold, be meticulous and responsible, prioritize urgency, and decisively implement first aid methods; attend to critical patients first, then those with milder conditions. For the same patient, save life first, then treat localized injuries; observe the environment to ensure the safety of yourself and the injured person; make full use of available human and material resources on-site to assist in first aid.
Observation Before Handling
Before performing specific treatment, observe the patient’s overall condition and understand the surrounding environment. Determine the cause of injury or illness, the location and severity of pain, or listen closely to breathing sounds. Pay special attention to the color of the face, lips, and skin, or confirm the presence of external injuries, bleeding, consciousness level, and breathing status. Carefully observe any fractures, wounds, or signs of vomiting.
Subsequently, choose the specific treatment method. Especially for cases involving respiratory arrest, unconsciousness, major bleeding, or poisoning—regardless of consciousness—the discoverer should quickly perform emergency treatment; otherwise, the patient’s life may be endangered. While observing changes in symptoms, provide emergency measures if symptoms worsen.
On-site efforts to organize rescue and escape for the injured should be well-coordinated, with rescuers both dividing tasks and cooperating.
Handling After Observation
There are many types of external injuries or sudden illnesses that may occur during outdoor activities, so various appropriate first aid methods must be applied accordingly.
When administering first aid, move the patient in the most comfortable way possible. If the patient is unconscious, ensure the airway remains clear to prevent choking due to vomit. To secure an open airway, lay the patient flat. If the head has been impacted, they should also lie horizontally. If the face is pale, elevate the legs; if the face is flushed, slightly elevate the head. For those feeling nauseous, a lateral or prone position is preferable.
After Handling
Before handing the patient over to a physician after emergency treatment, keep the patient warm to avoid expending energy, which could worsen symptoms. Then contact a physician, ambulance, or the patient’s family.
In principle, patient transport should be carried out calmly only after sufficient treatment. The transport method depends on the patient’s condition and surroundings. During transport, if the patient is tired, allow moderate and regular rest periods, and continuously monitor their condition.
Emergency response time is limited. When treating critically ill patients, two things are essential: adhere to first aid principles, and focus on key steps—quickly assess the patient using the following procedures.
First Aid Position
The patient’s position should be “lying supine on a hard, flat surface.” If the patient is lying prone or on their side, turn them to a supine position on a hard surface—such as a wooden bed, floor, or back supported with a wooden board—so that chest compressions are effective. Do not lay the patient on soft surfaces such as sofas or spring beds, as this will directly affect the effectiveness of external cardiac compressions. Protect the head and neck.
First Aid Position
The patient should be placed in a “supine position on a hard, flat surface.” If the patient is lying face down or on their side, they should be turned onto their back and placed on a hard surface—such as a wooden board bed, the floor, or with a wooden board placed under the back—whenever possible. This ensures that external chest compressions can be performed effectively. Do not place the patient on a soft surface such as a sofa or spring mattress, as this can directly affect the efficacy of chest compressions. Take care to protect the head and neck.
How to turn the patient over: The rescuer should first kneel beside the patient’s shoulder and neck on one side, straighten both of the patient’s upper limbs toward the head, then place the lower leg farthest from the rescuer on top of the nearer one, crossing the legs. Next, use one hand to support the back of the patient’s head and neck, and the other hand to support the far-side armpit, so that the head, neck, shoulders, and torso are turned as one unit into a supine position. Finally, return both arms to their original positions at the sides of the body.
Open the airway
The rescuer should untie the patient’s collar, tie, scarf, etc., and quickly clear mud, dirt, phlegm, vomit, or any other obstructions from the mouth and nose to ensure the airway remains unobstructed.
The respiratory tract is the essential passage for air entering and exiting the lungs. In unconscious patients, the relaxation of the tongue muscles causes the tongue root to fall back, the epiglottis to drop, and the forward tilt of the head may obstruct the airway in the throat. The head-tilt chin-lift maneuver lifts the jawbone, moves the posterior wall of the throat backward, and widens the airway to facilitate breathing. The rescuer should place one hand on the patient’s forehead and press down to tilt the head back, while using the index and middle fingers of the other hand to lift the chin from below, helping tilt the head back. The correct head tilt is achieved when the line between the angle of the jaw and the earlobe is vertical to the ground; for infants, a gentle tilt is sufficient.
Note that clearing the oral cavity of foreign objects must not take too much time—the entire process of opening the airway should be completed within 3–5 seconds, and the airway must remain unobstructed throughout the entire cardiopulmonary resuscitation process.
Check for breathing by looking, listening, and feeling
After ensuring the airway is open, the rescuer should check for spontaneous breathing for 3–5 seconds using the look, listen, and feel method. The steps are: 1) Look for chest (or upper abdominal) movement; 2) Listen for breath sounds from the mouth or nose; 3) Feel for airflow against the cheek.
Artificial respiration
If the patient is not breathing spontaneously, the rescuer should immediately administer artificial respiration—delivering two breaths mouth-to-mouth (or mouth-to-nose). Each breath should last 1–1.5 seconds, with a volume of about 800 milliliters per breath.
Check the pulse to determine heartbeat
The rescuer should check for a pulse by feeling the carotid or brachial artery for 5–10 seconds to determine if the heart is beating. The check should be done with a gentle touch—do not apply pressure. To ensure accuracy, you may check both carotid arteries one after the other, but never both at the same time, as this could block blood supply to the brain.
If no pulse is detected, perform external chest compressions—15 compressions at a rate of 60–80 compressions per minute.
The compression-to-breath ratio is 15:2. Repeat this cycle four times or continue for one minute, then reassess by checking the pulse, respiratory recovery, and any changes in pupil size.
Emergency bleeding control
For patients with severe trauma, the rescuer should also check for serious bleeding wounds. If present, emergency bleeding control measures must be taken to prevent death caused by hemorrhagic shock.
Protect the spine
In cases of severe trauma caused by accidents or emergencies, care must be taken to protect the spine during on-site treatment and transport under medical supervision. This helps avoid spinal cord injuries or further damage, which could result in paralysis or even death.
1. Homemade snake repellent:
Materials: Two ounces of realgar (toxic—do not burn), one clove of garlic, and a piece of gauze.
Preparation: Crush the garlic, grind the realgar into powder, mix them thoroughly, then wrap the mixture in gauze and tie it into a small ball that does not leak liquid.
Usage: Hang the realgar-garlic ball around your waist. For added protection, make two balls and tie one to each ankle. This will keep snakes away wherever you go.
Features: Highly effective, long-lasting; one batch can be used for a month.
2. Snakes dislike essential oil (e.g., Tiger Balm or similar products)
3. If bitten by a snake in the wild, take snakebite tablets and apply antivenom powder around the wound. Different regions have various snakebite medications—follow the instructions provided.
4. Antivenom serum: If possible, prepare the corresponding serum based on local wildlife guides, refrigerate it, and bring it to the area. Store it at the hospital.
1. Identify the snake—if it’s a five-step snake, you must act fast—within 15 minutes—or it becomes very dangerous. The same applies to the banded krait and green tree vipers, triangle-headed snakes, and other common venomous species—all require quick treatment.
2. The venom of these snakes varies greatly—some can take effect in just over 10 minutes, while others may show no immediate reaction, with symptoms only appearing after half an hour, by which time it may be too late. Ideally, kill the snake to identify it, so doctors can administer the correct antivenom.
3. If snake venom is not fully removed, the effects depend on the type of snake. For example, banded krait venom is neurotoxic and shows no immediate reaction, but can become life-threatening once symptoms appear. If there are no issues after two days, the snake likely wasn’t venomous—as long as the wound doesn’t get infected. However, with cobras, symptoms may include convulsions or severe pain, so extra caution is required.
4. Before going to the hospital after a bite, try to identify the snake so doctors can administer the appropriate treatment. In daily life, avoid spicy food, alcohol, or any irritants for about a week—thereafter, there should be no further issues.