Wilderness medical emergencies

In physiology, dehydration is a lack of total body water that disrupts metabolic processes. It occurs when free water loss exceeds intake, often resulting from excessive sweating, health conditions, or inadequate consumption of water. Mild dehydration can also be caused by immersion diuresis, which may increase risk of decompression sickness in divers.

Frostbite is an injury to skin or other living tissue that is allowed to freeze, especially affecting the fingers, toes, nose, ears, cheeks and chin. Most often, frostbite occurs in the hands and feet, often preceded by frostnip, a paling or reddening of a body part as its blood vessels constrict that tingles, feels very cold, or simply feels numb. This may be followed by the clumsiness and white or bluish, waxy-looking skin that evidence full-blown frostbite. Swelling or blistering may occur following treatment. Complications may include hypothermia or compartment syndrome.

Drowning is a type of suffocation induced by the submersion of the mouth and nose in a liquid. Submersion injury refers to both drowning and near-miss incidents. Most instances of fatal drowning occur alone or in situations where others present are either unaware of the victim's situation or unable to offer assistance. After successful resuscitation, drowning victims may experience breathing problems, confusion, or unconsciousness. Occasionally, victims may not begin experiencing these symptoms until several hours after they are rescued. An incident of drowning can also cause further complicat

solutions or mixtures of toxic and nontoxic substances elaborated by snake salivary glands

physiological response to sudden exposure to cold

caused by the loss of water and electrolytes through sweating