Not medical advice. This site is general information only. In an emergency call your local emergency number. For advice about your own health, speak to a doctor, pharmacist or other qualified health professional.
Environmental
16 guides
Heat Stroke
Heat stroke is a medical emergency: call emergency services. Signs: confusion, agitation, slurred speech, hot skin that may be dry...
Hypothermia
Call emergency services for anyone with signs of moderate or severe hypothermia: confusion, slurred speech, drowsiness, slow breat...
Frostbite
Move the person to a warm place and seek medical care. Remove wet clothing and any jewelry from the affected area. Do not rewarm i...
Snake Bite
Call emergency services. Move away from the snake and keep the person calm and as still as possible. Remove rings, watches, and ti...
Spider Bite
Most spider bites cause only local pain and redness. Wash the area with soap and water and apply a cold compress for pain and swel...
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Symptoms: headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, weakness, breathlessness, chest pain, and loss of consciousness, often affecting...
Electric Shock
Do not touch the person while they are still in contact with the electrical source. Switch off the power at the mains or fuse box ...
Lightning Strike
Call emergency services. A person struck by lightning does not carry an electrical charge and is safe to touch, but move to safer ...
Heat Exhaustion
Signs: heavy sweating, pale clammy skin, headache, dizziness, nausea, cramps, weakness, fast pulse, and feeling very thirsty. Move...
Tick Bite
Remove the tick as soon as possible with fine tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool: grip it as close to the skin as possible and...
Jellyfish Sting
First aid varies by species and region, so follow local lifeguard and health service guidance. Get out of the water and rinse the ...
Heat Cramps
Heat cramps are painful spasms, usually in the legs, arms, or abdomen, that strike during or after heavy exercise in heat, as salt...
Altitude Sickness
Above about 2500 meters, altitude itself can cause illness. Acute mountain sickness feels like a bad hangover: headache, nausea, t...
Cold Water Immersion
Falling into cold water triggers cold shock: gasping and rapid breathing that can drown a person in the first minute. Fight the in...
Scorpion Sting
Most scorpion stings cause intense local pain, swelling, and tingling without being dangerous. Wash the site, apply a cold compres...
Stingray Injury
Stingray injuries usually happen when a ray is stepped on in shallow water, and its barbed tail strikes the foot or ankle. The wou...