FIRST AID

First Aid
USAP Continental Field Manual 121
 Basic Field First Aid Manual
This First Aid Manual describes some of the medical issues that
may be encountered in an Antarctic field environment. This is not
an exhaustive manual, but it will serve as a guide to those with lim-
ited medical background to help treat their companions. It should
be read in advance to help field team members recognize danger-
ous situations and help prevent injuries from occurring or becoming
more serious if they do occur.
Antarctica is an inherently risky environment. Participants are often
dehydrated, mildly hypothermic, and sleep deprived. This can lead
to an increase in accidents. It is essential that all team members
slow down, assess each task, and ensure the safety of the team.
There are a variety of medical kits provided to teams depending on
their activities, locations and needs. Team members should famil-
iarize themselves with the contents of the the kit – before there is a
need to use it.

Hygiene
Occasionally, people deploying to the deep field use the remote en-
vironment as an excuse to abstain from normal hygiene and sanita-
tion. Extreme cold temperatures, lack of running water, and commu-
nal living make bathing, brushing teeth, and basic hygiene a chore.
People must continue with a normal hygiene routine to avoid painful
and distracting issues that can occur in the absence of cleanliness,
such as dental abscesses, gum pain, yeast infections, skin rashes,
cracked skin, and trench foot.
Wet-wipe and sponge baths are the norm. If wet wipes are pre-
ferred, personnel should bring enough for the anticipated time in
the field. Blanket partitions can be set up in large tents to create a
semi-private space.

Sprains and Strains

Sprains and strains are the most common injuries in Antarctica.
People must work carefully, thoughtfully, and deliberately to avoid
them. A sprain is an injury that involves tearing the ligaments that
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help keep joints intact. A strain involves overstretching a muscle.

122 USAP Continental Field Manual

Sprain and Strain Signs and Symptoms
Sprains and strains will manifest as pain at the site of the injury that
may radiate outward. There will also be swelling and discoloration.

Sprain and Strain Treatment

R Rest: Stop activity, make the patient comfortable, and set up
shelter if necessary.
I Ice: Cool down the affected area with water, snow, or ice for ap-
proximately 15 minutes. Don’t apply directly to the skin.
C Compression: Wrap the affected area with an elastic bandage.
E Elevation: Keep the affected limb raised to reduce swelling.
Immobilize the Joint
Fingers: Wrap them together.
Wrist: Splint it if it is very swollen. If not swollen, or when the swell-
ing subsides, bandage it from the palm to the elbow, including the
thumb, with an elastic (ACE™) bandage. The patient should exer-
cise the fingers, elbow and shoulder regularly.
Knee: If it is very swollen, suspect a more serious injury. With
the knee as straight as possible, wrap a thick layer of cotton wool
around the leg from mid-calf to mid-thigh and then apply an elastic
bandage.
Ankle: The foot must be kept at a right angle to the leg. Remove the
boot. Using an elastic or tape bandage, bandage the foot from the
toes to just below the knee, keeping the foot up and covering all the
skin. If the ankle is very swollen, especially on both sides, then a
more severe injury should be suspected.
Caution: Do not wrap bandages too tightly. Toes must remain warm
and pink and have feeling.

Bleeding and Wounds

Treatment of External Bleeding
Check the wound for foreign bodies, while being careful not to dis-
turb any clots. If no foreign object is seen, apply direct pressure over
the wound with your fingers, palm, or whatever is necessary to cover
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the wound, attempting to hold the edges of the wound together. This
may be maintained by using Steri-strips® or tape. Place a sterile-
dressing pad over the wound, ensuring that the edges of the pad
USAP Continental Field Manual 123
 extend well beyond the edges of the wound. Secure the pad with a
bandage.
If bleeding is not controlled by the first dressing, then apply another
dressing on top. Do not remove the previous dressing before apply-
ing the second, as this might destroy any clotting that has occurred.
If the bleeding is from a limb and no fracture is suspected, the limb
should be elevated and supported.

Foreign Bodies
If foreign bodies are present on the surface of the wound, carefully
remove them if they can be wiped off easily with a swab. If a large
foreign body is embedded, never attempt to remove it. It may be
plugging the wound and restricting bleeding. Moreover, the sur-
rounding tissues may be injured further if it is pulled out. If the em-
bedded foreign object is too tall to cover, place rolled up dressings
on either side of it. Secure the dressing(s) with a bandage.

Treatment of Wounds
Clean all wounds with Betadine® antiseptic liquid and apply a sterile
dressing. Small wounds can be taped together with Steri-strips® or
Band-Aids®. Dry the edges of the wound, squeeze together, and
stick the Band-Aid® across the wound. Several may be needed to
hold the cut together. Apply a sterile dressing over the top and ban-
dage it. If a serious infection is indicated, advise medical personnel
as soon as possible. Infection may be present if there is increasing
pain, swelling, redness, and/or fever.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide (CO) can be produced by burning anything con-
taining carbon, including fuel in open flames, gas cookers, or en-
gines. CO poisons by attaching itself to the hemoglobin in the blood.
It does so about 200 times more readily than oxygen, easily displac-
ing inhaled oxygen. When enough hemoglobin is compromised, the
remainder cannot carry sufficient oxygen to the rest of the body.
Oxygen starvation of the brain will cause permanent damage, even
if the patient is revived. Furthermore, the toxicity of CO increases
with altitude.
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Carbon Monoxide Signs and Symptoms

Often there are none. However, the following may occur:

124 USAP Continental Field Manual

 • Slight headache
• Shortness of breath
• Panting
• Confusion
• Nausea
• Chest pains
• Dimming of vision
• Feelings of exhilaration or lassitude
• Dizziness
• Excessive yawning
• Ringing in the ears
In latter stages, the patient’s skin color becomes pink to cherry red,
though the red and yellow polar tents will make it difficult to notice
any skin color change. Unconsciousness and death is often rapid.

Carbon Monoxide Treatment

If carbon monoxide poisoning is suspected:
• Immediately move the patient to fresh air or to an uncon-
taminated tent.
• Provide the patient with 100% oxygen, if available.
• Contact Medical and describe the incident and symptoms.
• Keep the patient quiet and resting for at least eight hours.
Early exertion may cause cardiac arrest.
• If breathing stops, commence cardio-pulmonary resuscita-
tion (CPR).
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention
Field parties must utilize the issued carbon monoxide detector.
Team members must ensure there is adequate ventilation at all
times in all buildings, shelters, and vehicles. Tents or other shelters
must be thoroughly ventilated during cooking and before personnel
bed down each night.

Hypothermia
Hypothermia occurs when a person’s core temperature is reduced
to a level where normal brain and body functions are impaired. Hy-
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pothermia progressively affects a person’s judgment, perception,

and coordination.
Wind greatly increases the chilling effect of cold. The faster the air
USAP Continental Field Manual 125
 moves, the more heat it can drag away. This is wind chill. The cool-
ing effects of air can be seen by referring to the wind chill chart in
the reference section.
Wet clothes, from sweating, marine dampness, or precipitation also
cause chilling. Finally, fatigue reduces a person’s ability to protect
himself or herself, and it diminishes the physiological capacity to
thermoregulate and maintain a proper core temperature.

Hypothermia Prevention
Hypothermia is prevented by wearing the proper clothing and by
supporting and regulating the body’s heat production. Proper nu-
trition and hydration help prevent hypothermia, and adequate rest
is critical. Exhaustion promotes the onset of hypothermia and pre-
cedes its development in almost all cases. The tendency to “press
on” has led to many unnecessary deaths.
A layered clothing system should be employed, where layers can be
added or removed as needed. Field team members should not allow
themselves to get either cold or hot and sweaty.

Hypothermia Signs and Symptoms

Hypothermia manifests in three stages:
• Mild: This stage includes shivering and personality
changes. A person may become withdrawn, apathetic, or
irritable. There is a loss of fine motor control. Field party
members should always be on the alert for a team mem-
ber displaying the “umbles”: stumbles, mumbles, fumbles,
and grumbles.
• Moderate: At this stage, hypothermia progresses to violent
shivering, altered mental states, and disorientation. Mod-
erate hypothermia also manifests as a loss of gross motor
skills, such as balance and coordination (ataxia).
• Severe: In this stage, shivering stops and the level of
responsiveness drops. A person becomes unresponsive
and may appear dead, with very slow and weak pulse and
respiration rates. An individual will appear cold and blue,
and he or she may have associated frostbite. Cardiac ar-
rest is possible.
Hypothermia Treatment
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The essential and immediate treatment for hypothermia is to prevent

further heat loss by insulating the body. If any member of a field
party shows signs of developing hypothermia, the individual must be

126 USAP Continental Field Manual

moved into shelter immediately.
Mild hypothermia may be turned around quickly. A person with this
condition should be:
• Helped into additional clothing layers and fed quick-en-
ergy carbohydrates and warm, sweet drinks, such as hot
chocolate or warm electrolyte beverages.
• Encouraged to run in place or perform another exercise.
• Provided dry clothes, if necessary, and external heat
sources, such as hot pads or water bottles filled with warm
fluid.
If moderate to severe hypothermia is suspected, contact Medical
immediately. The patient should be placed in a hypothermia wrap,
which is a bundle made of sleeping bags and reflective sheeting,
with warm heat sources on the patient’s neck, armpits and groin.
(Body-to-body rewarming in a sleeping bag is of limited usefulness
and may result in two cold people.)

Frostbite
Frostbite is freezing of body tissue. Areas most at risk are the ex-
tremities and exposed skin (ears, nose, face). Factors that lead to
frostbite are:
• Previous frostbite injury
• Cold temperatures and wind
• High altitude
• Overexertion (fatigue and dehydration)
• Touching metal or super-cooled liquid fuel
• Poor circulation
• Constrictive clothing or footwear
• Underlying medical problems
• Hypothermia
Frostbite Prevention
Frostbite is almost always avoidable. A buddy system should
be established to observe any whitening on the face or ears of a
companion. If any whitening or tingling of the face, ears, feet, or
hands occurs, these areas should be warmed immediately. Socks
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and bootsshould fit snugly, with no points of tightness. Liner gloves

should be worn so that skin is never exposed when performing work
that can’t be done in heavy gloves.

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 Strenuous exercise should be avoided in extreme cold, particularly
at high altitudes. Very cold air brought too rapidly into the lungs will
chill the body’s core. Perspiration under conditions of extreme cold
should be avoided. Perspiration evaporates, chilling the body.
Plenty of food should be consumed to produce maximum output of
body heat. Food items in cold weather should tend toward quick
energy first, such as fats and carbohydrates, and then proteins. In
addition, personnel should drink two to three liters of water per day
to stay hydrated.
Avoid the following, which can promote the occurrence of frostbite:
• Smoking
• Alcohol
• Excessive coffee and tea drinking
• Excessive fatigue
• Improper or inadequate eating habits
• Unnecessary medication
• Exposure to fuel, especially on bare skin
Mild Frostbite Signs and Symptoms (pre-thaw)
There is an uncomfortable sensation of coldness, followed by numb-
ness and skin anesthesia. In superficial frostbite (frost nip), the skin
turns red, then pale or waxy-white. In partial thickness frostbite, the
skin becomes cold and frozen on the surface, but remains soft and
pliable when gently pressed.

Full-Thickness Frostbite Signs and Symptoms (pre-thaw)

The skin is waxy-white. Toes and fingers become solid (like a piece
of chicken taken from the freezer). They feel wooden, and the skin
cannot be rolled over the bone.

Full-Thickness Frostbite Signs and Symptoms (post-thaw)

The entire hand or foot swells, which limits the mobility of the in-
jured toes or fingers. Blue, violet, or grey (the worst) discoloration
appears. After two days, the patient suffers severe throbbing and
shooting pains. Huge blisters form, usually between the third and
seventh day. These usually dry up, blacken, and slough off, leaving
an exceptionally sensitive thin, red layer of new skin.
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Frostbite Treatment
Frostbite should not be rubbed, as this will cause additional tissue
damage from the ice crystals within. Treatment in the field for any-
128 USAP Continental Field Manual
thing beyond superficial frostbite is full of challenges and additional
risk for the patient. Prevention is paramount!

Superficial Frostbite Treatment (Frost Nip)

Superficial frostbite can be treated effectively in the field. If noticed
promptly, it can usually be treated by the firm, steady (no rubbing)
pressure of a warm hand or by blowing onto it with warm breath. Su-
perficially frostbitten feet are best treated by removing the patient’s
footwear the moment there is any suspicion of danger and rewarm-
ing the feet immediately. After warming is complete, the affected
feet should be covered with dry socks. If footwear is replaced, it
should be done loosely to ensure adequate circulation and warmth
is maintained.
Partial-Thickness Frostbite Treatment
Partial-thickness frostbite of a small body area should be reheated
in water that is between 42°C and 43°C (107°F and 109°F). Water
at higher temperatures can burn the skin. The injury should then
be treated to prevent infection, bandaged for protection, and kept
warm. Refreezing must be prevented, as this will cause major addi-
tional damage. Medical personnel should be consulted if necessary.

Full-Thickness Frostbite Treatment

Because of limited resources in the field, full-thickness frostbite is a
major medical emergency. Medical personnel should be contacted
immediately for consultation and to discuss evacuation plans. Re-
warming should not be attempted in the field if there is any possibil-
ity that the affected part may become refrozen. In such cases, the
affected part must be kept frozen until it can be re-warmed rapidly
under controlled conditions.
If rewarming is recommended, remove jewelry (especially rings) if
possible. Immerse the injured part in 42°C to 43°C (107°F to 109°F)
water, continually adding water and stirring it to maintain a constant
temperature, until the digital tips (ends of fingers or toes) turn pink
or burgundy red. This takes approximately 20 minutes to one hour.
When adding water, take care that the water is not more than 44°C
and is not poured directly over the injured body part.
Significant pain, swelling, and blistering will develop after re-warm-
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ing. Do not puncture the blisters, and do not allow the injury to re-
freeze.
Protect the thawed injury with sterile, soft, fluffy dressings. Separate
toes and fingers with cotton wool. Wrap the whole part lightly with
USAP Continental Field Manual 129
 gauze bandages. Do not change dressings unless they get dirty,
and never rub the skin. Keep the patient and the injured body part
warm. Pain medication will be needed, and medical personnel will
advise on specific type and dose. In addition:
• Elevate the injured limb(s)
• Commence antibiotic treatment, per medical personnel
instruction
• Keep the patient absolutely still, lying down
• Evacuate to a medical facility as quickly as possible

Immersion Foot
Immersion foot, or trench foot, is a medical condition caused by pro-
longed exposure to cold, damp, and unsanitary conditions.

Immersion Foot Prevention

Feet should be kept warm and dry by wearing protective footwear,
and they should be checked frequently during wet and cold condi-
tions. Footwear should not be constrictive, and it should be cleaned
and dried at every opportunity. In the field, extra pairs of dry socks
should be carried next to the abdomen under the shirt. Wet socks
can be dried by placing them next to the abdomen, either inside or
outside the shirt.
If feet get wet, they should be dried as soon as possible. They can
be warmed by the hands. Foot powder should be applied and dry
socks put on. If it is necessary to wear wet socks and footwear for
any length of time, then the feet should be exercised at regular inter-
vals by wriggling the toes and bending the ankles.

Immersion Foot Signs and Symptoms

The area becomes cold, swollen, waxy-white and mottled with bur-
gundy-to-blue splotches. The skin becomes numb, deep sensation
is lost, and movement of the affected area becomes difficult.
If allowed to continue untreated, the area becomes red, hot, and
swollen, and blisters appear. The victim experiences constant throb-
bing and a burning sensation. Skin numbness is aggravated by
heatand relieved by cold.
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Immersion Foot Treatment

Remove wet footwear. Gently and rapidly rewarm the affected
foot by immersing it in warm water (about 40˚C). Once the foot is
130 USAP Continental Field Manual
warmed, dry it completely and elevate it in a warm room. Swaddle it
with clean bandages or cloth to keep it warm and clean.
The injury must not be rubbed or massaged. Blisters should be kept
clean and dry. Do not apply ointments. Two 200 mg ibuprofen tablets
every four hours may be administered for pain, if required. Evacuate
the victim to a medical facility.

Altitude Sickness
Altitude sickness (also called acute mountain sickness, or AMS)
is caused by the body not adapting to the reduced availability of
oxygen at altitude (as elevation increases, barometric pressure de-
creases). The higher the altitude, the more common AMS becomes.
Symptoms may range from minor lethargy to a coma, and death
may result, so any symptom must be treated with caution. Anyone
can be affected by altitude sickness, regardless of age, fitness level,
or previous experience at altitude. Healthy individuals may experi-
ence symptoms as low as 2,500 meters (8,200 feet). Beyond 3,000
meters (9,840 feet), 75% of people will experience some level of
AMS. The symptoms usually start 12 to 24 hours after arrival at al-
titude and begin to decrease in severity around the third day. Mild
AMS does not interfere with normal activity, but anyone experienc-
ing symptoms should communicate this to others so the person can
be monitored.
Many work sites in Antarctica, such as Amundsen-Scott South Pole
Station and Mount Erebus, are at high altitude. The Fang Glacier ac-
climatization camp on Mount Erebus is at 2,900 meters (9,500 feet),
with South Pole Station only slightly lower. Since the polar atmo-
spheric effect raises the pressure altitude 10% to 15% above actual
elevation, both of those locations will feel like 3,200 meters (10,500
feet) or more, increasing the risk of AMS.
AMS risk is also increased by rapid ascent to altitude (e.g., by air-
craft), so team members must factor sufficient time for acclimatiza-
tion into their schedule when flying to a high-altitude site. Minimum
work should be planned for the first few days.

Altitude Sickness Prevention

It is common to fly to altitude in Antarctica, thus increasing the risk
FIRST AID

of altitude sickness. For those traveling to Mount Erebus (3,794 me-

ters, 12,450 feet), spending at least two nights acclimatizing on the
Fang Glacier seems to reduce altitude-related problems. Unfortu-
USAP Continental Field Manual 131
 nately, it is usually not possible to have acclimatization camps for
polar plateau work. For those traveling to the plateau, bring altitude
medicine (if medical personnel advise doing so), and pack Gamow
bags and oxygen, if possible. In addition, taking these steps can
reduce the incidence of AMS:
• Do not overexert upon arrival at altitude (take it easy for
the first three days)
• Avoid depressant drugs like sleeping pills and narcotics
• Avoid alcohol and tobacco
• Get plenty of sleep
• Stay hydrated
• Consider taking Diamox® (discuss this with Medical be-
forehand)
Above all, adjust expectations of how much work can be completed
in the first few days at altitude. Team members should check in on
each other constantly and let each other know how they are doing.
Stoically withholding information could be dangerous and is poor
expedition behavior. If a team member is still not feeling better after
72 hours, follow up with Medical.

Altitude Sickness Signs and Symptoms

Mild/Moderate AMS - Most people arriving at altitude will see their
breathing rate increase immediately. Other mild symptoms include
headache, nausea, fatigue, and lack of appetite. The average time
to recover from mild AMS is approximately three days. Full accli-
matization may take two months. Yet, a small number of individuals
are unable to acclimatize at all. Prior experience at altitude does
not exclude a person from contracting altitude-related illnesses, nor
does a high level of fitness.
Moderate AMS - Moderate AMS will manifest as a more severe
headache (which is not relieved by medication), increased nausea
and vomiting, increased lethargy, loss of appetite, light-headedness,
disturbed sleep, shortness of breath (even while resting), and de-
creased coordination. Normal activity becomes difficult. Though
these symptoms may be due to other causes, it is wise to assu-
methey are due to AMS until proven otherwise. The only treatments
for moderate AMS are advanced medication or immediate descent
to a lower altitude, with the latter being the preferable option. With-
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out treatment, moderate AMS could become more severe.

Severe AMS - Severe AMS may manifest as High Altitude Cere-
bral Edema (HACE) or High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE), or
132 USAP Continental Field Manual
both. Signs and symptoms of severe HACE are loss of muscular
coordination (ataxia), decreased mental status (confusion, coma),
severe headache, weakness, and vomiting. It appears that persons
who have had HACE in the past are more susceptible to developing
it again.
HACE is a potentially fatal condition. Altered consciousness and
loss of coordination are the base markers for HACE. The individual
will be unable to take care of basic needs (eating and dressing).
Within a day of losing coordination, HACE victims slip into a coma.
Without proper medical care, death will result.
HAPE, however, is the most common altitude-related cause of
death. Earliest signs are decreased exercise performance and in-
creased recovery time. Specific HAPE signs and symptoms are dry
cough, shortness of breath at rest, a gurgling/crackling noise heard
in chest during breathing, and pale or blue color to skin and nail beds
(cyanosis). In the late stages, a wet, productive cough will be pres-
ent. As with HACE, people who have had HAPE in the past have a
high likelihood of developing it again. Both the Lower Hut on Mount
Erebus and South Pole Station have seen more than a few cases of
HAPE over the decades.

Altitude Sickness Treatment

Acetazolamide (Diamox®) is used as a preventive measure before
going to altitude. It is a diuretic and respiratory stimulant that ac-
celerates the body’s acclimatization. With the consent of medical
personnel, team members should begin taking it several days before
ascent.
Dexamethasone (Decadron®) is another preventive pharmaceutical
that reduces swelling of the brain. It also used as a treatment. In the
latter case, medical personnel can authorize its administration.
Mild to moderate AMS requires rest, medication for headaches and
nausea, hydration, proper nutrition, and supplemental oxygen, if
available. If AMS occurs, the best treatment is rapid descent. Con-
tact medical personnel to discuss the severity of the case and rec-
ommendations for evacuation. Supplemental oxygen is helpful, in
addition to using Diamox® and/or Decadron®.
A Gamow bag is a portable hyperbaric chamber that simulates rapid
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descent. It has saved hundreds of lives at altitude worldwide since

its introduction in 1990. If descent isn’t possible because of flight
delays or because team members cannot take the victim down

USAP Continental Field Manual 133

 themselves, a Gamow bag is the best asset to have. The elevation
at which teams will be working will determine if the members need
to be trained in Gamow bag operation and issued one for the field.

HACE Treatment
Early, simple tests (similar to roadside sobriety tests) can be con-
ducted to look for the loss of coordination that is the hallmark of
HACE. Individuals may be asked to stand with eyes closed and arms
extended to the side, then asked to touch their nose. Also with eyes
closed, they may be asked to walk forward, heel to toe. Be sure that
someone is ready to catch them if they stumble. However, differen-
tiating between moderate AMS and the initial stages of HACE may
be difficult. Assume the worst and treat for HACE.
Severe AMS/HACE requires an urgent call to Medical. Evacuation
is likely. If immediate descent is not possible, the patient should be
placed in a Gamow bag. Provide the patient with oxygen. Medical
personnel may also prescribe Diamox® and Decadron®.

HAPE Treatment-URGENT
If HAPE is suspected, contact Medical immediately to request an
evacuation. Immediately descend 600 to 1,200 meters (2,000 to
4,000 feet), if possible. Use a Gamow bag while waiting for evacua-
tion, and provide the patient with oxygen. Nifedipine may be helpful.
Medical can authorize administration of this medication.

Eye Injuries
Tent Eye
Antarctica’s extreme low humidity may cause the film of tears pro-
tecting the eye to dry up, making the cornea susceptible to damage
from stove fumes in the tent. The condition can be treated by ap-
plying Chlorsig® ointment to the eye when it occurs and/or before
going to sleep.

Snow Blindness
Snow blindness is caused by ultraviolet (UV) light burning the eyes.
The danger of snow blindness is greatest not on clear, bright days
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but on dull, cloudy (whiteout) days, when crystalline snow mist is

present. There is no warning that damage has been done until the
symptoms begin to appear two to twelve hours after exposure.

134 USAP Continental Field Manual

Snow Blindness Signs and Symptoms
Snow blindness manifests as intensely painful, red, watering eyes
that are sensitive to light. The victim will also feel as though there is
grit in the eyes.

Snow Blindness Treatment

A single episode of snow blindness may last up to five days, even
while being treated. The eyes should be rested for at least 24 hours.
That means closing them and covering them with a non-fluffy pad. If
the temperature is above freezing, a cold compress may be placed
over the affected eyes to relieve pain. Medical should be contacted
for treatment recommendations and possible medications. Medical
personnel may recommend providing the victim two tablets of ibu-
profen (400 mg) every four hours, as required, or putting Chlorsig
ointment on the eyes every three hours.

Snow Blindness Prevention

This condition must be avoided, as it is a crippling injury that may
seriously delay a field party. Team members should wear dark, UV-
protective glasses or goggles with the appropriate lenses (not yel-
low) at all times when in the field, especially on overcast days.

Skin Injuries
Sunburn and Windburn
Direct exposure to the sun, especially when it is very windy or the
body is wet with sweat, can result in a sunburn and chaffed skin.
Because the Antarctic air is cleaner and thinner, there is greater
ultra-violet penetration, so sunburn can occur even on overcast
days. If sunburn occurs, apply aloe vera gel to the burn and provide
the victim 400 mg of ibuprofen every four hours, as necessary, to
relieve pain.

Sunburn and Windburn Prevention

Prevent sunburn by applying sunscreen ChapStick® to the lips and
regular sunscreen to other areas of exposed skin. Covering the face
with a balaclava will prevent both sunburn and windburn to this fre-
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quently exposed area.

USAP Continental Field Manual 135

 Dental Health
Oral Hygiene
Oral hygiene can be inconvenient in the field, but it is just as impor-
tant as bodily hygiene. Failure to maintain good oral hygiene may re-
sult in increased tooth decay (especially around the edges of fillings)
and gingivitis. Ideally, teeth must be brushed after every meal, with
snow if no water is available. Use toothpicks or waxed dental floss to
clean gaps between the teeth that are hard to clean with the brush.

Controlled Medications
Issue of Restricted Drugs
The McMurdo clinic issues a field medication kit containing over-
the-counter, prescription, and controlled medications (restricted
drugs) to each designated field party medical lead. The field medica-
tion kit is the responsibility of this person. The medical lead (or any
USAP participant) must contact a station doctor for consultation and
authorization before administering any medication. Always check
for any known allergies before administering drugs.

Chain of Custody
McMurdo clinic personnel will fill out a controlled drug Chain of Cus-
tody form and provide it to the field medical lead. The lead must
account for all controlled substances when the kit is checked out,
weekly, and when the kit is returned. If the lead departs before the
end of the season, he or she must complete a new Chain of Custody
form and count the medications before transferring the kit to another
person. At the end of the season, the medical kit must be returned
to the clinic.
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136 USAP Continental Field Manual

USAP Continental Field Manual