Quote:
I have encountered the following medical conditions in the field (wilderness setting):
Dehydration
Fractures/sprains/strains due to falls or trip hazards
Hypothermia
Hyperthermia
Asthma attacks
Chest pain/possible MI


That about sums it up; I've also dealt with or seen:

Thermal burns
Frostnip and limited frostbite
Psych. event (patient on psych. meds unknown to trip leaders and not stated on medical history sheet filled out pre-trip wasn't taking them and got a bit unmanageable and belligerent)
Mild HAPE (patient had a more serious episode at higher altitude in the past)

I guess the point is that a big kit really isn't so important. Knowledge is more so, and so is getting patients with serious issues stabilized and evacuated and up the treatment chain.

- Steve (WFR)