Action: Splint the limb using materials on hand. Or, slip her arm inside her shirt next to her body and then button the shirt to help hold the arm still and walk back to your parked vehicle. Go to the nearest hospital.
Don't: Ride a bike while you have an injured arm.
15. Your son has a leech on his leg.
Action: With one hand, pull the skin surrounding the leech tight and flat, advises Crowtz. With the other hand, use a fingernail to gently but firmly catch the edge of the leech and scrape it off. Stop the bleeding with direct pressure and cover with a bandage.
Don't: Pull the leech off quickly, burn it with a flame or use salt. These methods are not as effective and could be harmful, resulting in toxins being left behind by the leech, says Crowtz.
16. Your kids stayed in the water too long and are so cold, you think they may be hypothermic.
Action: Get them out of the water, remove wet bathing suits and dress them in warm layers of dry clothing. Get them moving (jumping jacks on the spot, for example) and give them a warm drink or something sugary like a chocolate bar. Both strategies help boost metabolism. Once they've warmed up, give your kids something more substantial to eat (such as crackers and peanut butter) and be sure they drink water. Keep them warm.
Don't: Allow kids to stay in the water too long.
17. You tried to keep out of the sun but still got a bad sunburn.
Action: Apply cool-water-soaked cloths for about 20 minutes. Take an over-the-counter painkiller such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen or acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). (Caution: Children under 18 years of age should not take ASA because of the risk of Reye’s syndrome.) Keep yourself well hydrated and apply aloe to the burn.
Don't: Use topical anesthetic sprays or antihistamines; they could cause a skin reaction.
18. You get stung by a bee while gardening.
Action: If you have a history of severe allergic reactions, use your EpiPen or other autoinjector and call 911 or get to a hospital quickly. If not, try removing the venom-filled stinger (it looks like a black dot) by gently scraping the area with the edge of a credit card. Clean the area with soap and water and apply ice or a cold pack to reduce swelling. An antihistamine, such as Benadryl, or a paste made with baking soda and water may help.
Don't: Use tweezers to remove the stinger; that may squeeze more poison into your body.
19. The man at the next campsite is struck by lightning.
Action: Make sure he's breathing and check for burns and other injuries. Start CPR if it's required and you're qualified. Call 911 and, if necessary and safe, move the man to a safer location. Even if he seems fine, it's important that he see a doctor.
Don't: Avoid touching the man; there's no longer any risk of an electrical charge.
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