A — AIRWAY

• Is the airway clear and open?
• If unconscious: head tilt, chin lift
• Clear any obstructions (vomit, blood, debris)

B — BREATHING

• Look, listen, feel for breathing
• If not breathing: begin rescue breaths
• Count respiratory rate (normal: 12–20/min)

C — CIRCULATION

• Check for pulse (carotid or radial)
• Look for severe bleeding—control immediately
• Check skin colour, temperature, capillary refill

EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY for:

• Severe bleeding that won't stop
• Difficulty breathing / airway compromise
• Chest pain or signs of heart attack
• Stroke symptoms (face droop, arm weakness, speech)
• Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
• Suspected spinal injury
• Altered consciousness / severe head injury
• Snake bite from neurotoxic species
• Signs of appendicitis

CAN TREAT IN FIELD:

• Minor cuts and abrasions
• Mild dehydration (if water available)
• Minor sprains and strains
• Mild heat exhaustion (if shade/water available)
• Insect stings (no allergic reaction)

1. Move vehicle off road if possible (coast if engine dead)
2. Activate hazard lights immediately
3. Apply handbrake, place in gear (manual) or Park
4. Exit vehicle safely—away from traffic
5. Place warning triangle 50m+ behind vehicle
6. Assess the situation: smoke, fluids, damage?
7. Do not open bonnet if smoke is present (fire risk)

Check for:

• Fluid leaks (fuel, oil, coolant, brake fluid)
• Smoke or unusual smells
• Warning lights that were on before failure
• Any unusual sounds (knocking, grinding, hissing)
• Damage from impact or terrain

Document:

• Exact GPS coordinates
• Time of breakdown
• Symptoms before failure
• Photos of any visible damage

Attempt field repair if:

• Problem is simple and you have parts/tools
• You have relevant knowledge/experience
• Conditions are safe (weather, security, light)
• Repair won't make things worse

Wait for help if:

• Major mechanical failure (engine, gearbox)
• You lack knowledge or tools
• Conditions are dangerous
• Repair could worsen the situation
• Help is accessible and within reasonable time

1. Turn off ignition immediately
2. Disconnect battery if safe to do so
3. Exit vehicle with all occupants
4. Use ABC dry chemical extinguisher if available
5. Do not use water on electrical fire
6. If fire spreads: evacuate and wait

Signs of electrical fire:

• Burning plastic smell
• Melting wire insulation
• Dashboard warning lights flickering
• Smoke from dashboard or under seats

Signs of fracture:

• Pain and tenderness at site
• Swelling and bruising
• Deformity or unnatural angle
• Inability to move or bear weight
• Grinding sensation (crepitus)

Treatment:

• Immobilize the limb in position found
• Splint above and below the break
• Use SAM splint, sticks, or padding
• Check circulation beyond splint (pulse, colour, sensation)
• Pain relief if available (paracetamol, ibuprofen)
• Evacuate for X-ray and proper treatment

Signs requiring evacuation:

• Loss of consciousness (any duration)
• Confusion or memory loss
• Unequal pupil size
• Clear fluid from nose or ears
• Worsening headache
• Repeated vomiting
• Seizures
• Weakness on one side of body

Care while awaiting evacuation:

• Keep person still and calm
• Assume spinal injury—immobilize neck
• Monitor consciousness level frequently
• Do not give food or drink

1. Remove from heat source / stop the burning
2. Cool burn with clean, cool water for 20 minutes
3. Remove clothing/jewelry near burn (unless stuck)
4. Cover with clean, non-stick dressing
5. Do NOT apply ice, butter, or creams
6. Do NOT burst blisters

Evacuate for:

• Burns larger than palm size
• Burns to face, hands, feet, genitals, joints
• Burns encircling a limb
• Chemical or electrical burns
• Burns with smoke inhalation

Signs of shock:

• Pale, cold, clammy skin
• Rapid, weak pulse
• Rapid, shallow breathing
• Confusion, anxiety, restlessness
• Thirst
• Nausea or vomiting

Treatment:

• Lay person down, elevate legs (if no spinal injury)
• Control any external bleeding
• Keep warm with blanket—prevent heat loss
• Reassure and keep calm
• Do NOT give food or drink
• Evacuate urgently

Signs and symptoms:

• Pain starting around navel, moving to lower right
• Pain worsens with movement, coughing
• Rebound tenderness (pain when pressure released)
• Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting
• Low-grade fever
• Inability to pass gas

1. Rinse eye immediately with large amounts of water
2. Continue rinsing for 15–20 minutes
3. Any bland liquid works: water, milk, saline
4. Hold eyelids open—victim will resist
5. Apply antibiotic eye drops if available
6. Cover with eye pad
7. Transport to hospital for examination

Treatment:

• Clean the sting site
• Apply cold pack for pain relief
• Pain relief medication (paracetamol, ibuprofen)
• Monitor for allergic reaction
• Most stings resolve in 24–48 hours

Seek medical help if:

• Difficulty breathing
• Muscle spasms or twitching
• Drooling or difficulty swallowing
• Sting in child under 10 years

Signs of dehydration:

• Thirst (late sign—don't wait for this)
• Dark urine, reduced urine output
• Dry mouth and lips
• Headache, dizziness
• Fatigue, weakness
• Rapid heartbeat

Treatment:

• Oral rehydration solution (ORS) is ideal
• Or water with salt and sugar (1L water + ½ tsp salt + 6 tsp sugar)
• Sip slowly—don't gulp
• Rest in shade
• Monitor urine colour (should become lighter)

Symptoms (appear 7–30 days after bite):

• Fever (often cyclic: chills → fever → sweating)
• Severe headache
• Muscle and joint pain
• Fatigue and weakness
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

Action:

• If fever develops in malaria area: assume malaria until proven otherwise
• Begin treatment dose of antimalarials if available
• Get to medical facility for blood test
• Malaria can progress rapidly—do not delay

General rules:

• Never get between hippo and water
• Never approach elephant with ears out, trunk up
• Buffalo: most unpredictable—keep extreme distance
• Stay in vehicle—it's your protection
• Keep windows up if animal approaches
• Do NOT rev engine or make sudden movements

If charged:

• In vehicle: reverse slowly, don't turn your back
• On foot (worst case): find cover, climb if possible
• Elephant mock charges are common—stand still, back away slowly
• If contact: play dead (curl up, protect head)

Immediately after crossing:

• Test brakes gently—apply several times to dry
• Listen for unusual sounds
• Check for water ingress in cabin

At next stop:

• Check diff oils for water contamination (milky colour)
• Check gearbox oil
• Inspect air filter for moisture
• Check fuel filter water trap
• Drain water from anywhere it collected

If caught in rising water:

1. Do NOT drive through flooded roads
2. If water rises around vehicle: get out immediately
3. Move to high ground on foot
4. Never cross flowing water on foot if above knee height
5. Abandon vehicle if necessary—your life matters more

Format for rescue services:

-24.123456, 31.654321

(Decimal degrees, negative for South/West)

When calling for help, provide:

• Exact GPS coordinates
• Nature of emergency
• Number of persons, any injuries
• Vehicle description and registration
• What assistance you need
• Communication method (phone number, radio freq)

Requirements:

• Flat area minimum 30m × 30m
• Clear of obstacles (trees, wires, vehicles)
• Firm surface (not loose sand)
• Mark centre with X using clothing/material
• Indicate wind direction (smoke, flag, dust)

When helicopter approaches:

• Secure all loose items (will blow away)
• Keep all persons away from LZ
• Shield eyes from rotor wash
• Approach only when signalled by crew
• Approach from front, in pilot's view
• Stay low—never approach from uphill side

Essential items:

• Pressure bandage (crepe, 10cm wide) ×2
• "Smart bandage" with pressure indicator (ideal)
• Splint material
• Marker pen (to mark bite site, track swelling)
• Notepad (time of bite, symptoms)

• Store in accessible location (not buried under gear)
• Waterproof container or bag
• All persons should know where it is
• Consider two kits: vehicle + day pack
• Include contents list for inventory
• Restock after any use

Legitimate checkpoints:

• Stop completely, turn off engine
• Keep hands visible on steering wheel
• Be polite and respectful
• Have documents ready (license, passport, vehicle papers)
• Answer questions calmly and briefly
• Do not offer bribes unprompted

Suspicious checkpoints:

• Trust your instincts
• If possible, do not stop (drive through carefully)
• If you must stop: stay in vehicle, windows up, doors locked
• Be ready to drive away if threatened

Potential safe zones:

• Police stations
• Hospitals / clinics
• Embassies / consulates
• Established lodges and hotels
• Fuel stations (staffed, busy ones)
• Churches / missions

Pre-trip preparation:

• Research security situation for route
• Register with embassy
• Share itinerary with contacts at home
• Know locations of safe zones on route

Using the vehicle:

• Vehicle provides shade, wind break, rain protection
• Park to maximize shade (consider sun movement)
• Open windows for ventilation in heat
• Close up at night (animals, insects)

If leaving vehicle area:

• Leave note in vehicle with destination, time, number of persons
• Create shade using tarp, space blanket
• Conserve energy—avoid mid-day sun
• Stay visible for searchers

Visual signals:

• Mirror/reflective surface (signal aircraft)
• Bright clothing laid out on ground
• Fire with green vegetation (smoke)
• SOS ground marker (rocks, branches)
• Vehicle headlights at night

Ground-to-air symbols:

• V = Require assistance
• X = Require medical help
• I = Proceeding in this direction
• → = Proceed in this direction

• Stay positive—help will come
• Keep busy—assign tasks
• Maintain routine (meals, sleep schedule)
• Take care of each other
• Celebrate small wins
• Focus on what you can control
• Do NOT panic—it wastes energy and impairs judgment