Summer first aid

Summer First Aid on the Plains: Burns, Bites, and Heat Illness

Summer adventures are better with a small skill set and a steady hand. For minor burns from grills or campfires, cool the area with clean, cool running water for several minutes and skip butter or heavy ointments that trap heat. Cover lightly with a sterile dressing and watch for blistering. Sunburn is a burn too; shade, hydration, and gentle cooling matter more than fancy lotions.

Good first aid keeps small problems small.

Bites and stings are part of outdoor life. Remove the stinger from bees by scraping, not pinching. Wash the area, apply a cold pack, and elevate if there’s swelling. Ticks deserve attention on the Plains—use fine tweezers, grasp close to the skin, and pull straight out. Note the date and site of the bite and watch for symptoms if you can’t get testing quickly.

Heat illness demands early action. When someone gets woozy, nauseated, or stops sweating, move them to shade and start active cooling with water, a breeze, and damp cloths at the neck, armpits, and groin. Small sips beat big gulps, and if mental status changes or vomiting continues, it’s time for medical help.

A pocket kit rides with you everywhere: bandages, gauze, tape, a triangular sling, tweezers, a small bottle of soap or wipes, pain reliever, antihistamine, and electrolyte packets. Add a note card with allergies and important phone numbers. Confidence grows when your kit is familiar and your steps are simple.

Good first aid keeps small problems small so the day can go on. Practice once, and you’ll remember it when it counts.