Action: Besides water, try oral hydration liquids containing sugar and salts (such as Gastrolyte or Pedialyte) available at the drugstore. If the diarrhea persists, take her to a doctor.
Don't: Let her get dehydrated; be sure she drinks a lot of liquids.
21. Your son's friend has an asthma attack while at your place, and he doesn't have his puffer.
Action: Remain calm. Make sure he's sitting up. Have someone get his "reliever" medication (a bronchodilator puffer) if it is nearby. If he has increased difficulty breathing or speaking, call 911.
Don't: Panic. Reassure and calm him, since fear and anxiety will only worsen his condition.
22. Your hubby develops a bad summer cough at the cottage.
Action: Make him a cup of tea or warm water with honey and lemon. Raise his head with extra pillows. Remove or avoid possible irritants. See a doctor if the cough persists or he experiences shortness of breath.
Don't: Let him smoke or go near smoky campfires.
23. You and your family are sprayed by a skunk in the woods.
Action: Flush your eyes with clean water if necessary. Get home and bathe in tomato juice, lemon juice or a mixture of 1/4 cup of baking soda, one litre white vinegar and one teaspoon dish detergent.
Don't: Worry; skunk spray may be obnoxious, but it can't harm you.
24. A neighbour is barbecuing inside his cottage, exposing his guests to carbon monoxide.
Action: Turn off the barbecue, open the windows and get everyone outside, says Johnson. If dizziness and other symptoms don't go away, or if there was loss of consciousness, see a doctor.
Don't: Start a barbecue in an enclosed space.
25. You and a friend encounter a grizzly bear on a trail.
Action: Remain calm, says Crowtz, keep your gaze down and stay together as you slowly back away from the bear. Always leave the bear an escape route. If hiking in bear country, be sure to carry bear spray.
Don't: Run away or climb a tree. Staying calm and quiet and not startling the bear can help avoid an attack.
26. Your hiking companion is cut by wild rosebush thorns.
Action: Remove the thorn with tweezers. Stop any bleeding with direct pressure and apply an antibiotic cream such as Polysporin.
Don't: Forget to carry a small first-aid kit when hiking.
27. Your whole family develops food poisoning – likely from the egg salad – while on a picnic.
Action: Keep well hydrated. Warning signs such as fever, blood in stool and prolonged vomiting indicate that medical attention is needed. However, symptoms typically resolve by themselves.
Don't: Forget the rule of thumb for packing picnic foods: Keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot.
28. Dad burns his hand trying to put out the campfire.
Action: Dunk his hand in cool water or gently pour water over the burned area, says Chute. Cover the burn with a clean, damp towel or T-shirt. If there are any breaks in the skin, or if the burn is severe, go to the nearest hospital.
Don't: Use salve, butter or anything other than water, as covering the burn can trap the heat and make things worse.
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