Backpacking Merit Badge Part I

Backpacking merit badge is one of the harder merit badges to earn, requiring planning and participating in 4 backpacking trips lasting a total of 14 days and covering at least 75 miles. Like Hiking and Cycling merit badges, it takes a lot of physical stamina and a considerable amount of time to earn. Despite these challenges, backpacking teaches skills that revolutionize how a scout looks at camping and other outdoor experiences. The world of high adventure suddenly becomes a feasible reality.

Backpacking involves a certain amount of risk and reducing the chances of getting hurt are the first things that need to be considered when planning a trip. Always remember you're further from medical care facilities, have limited materials to draw upon if an emergency occurs, and are more exposed to physical dangers. Knowledge, common sense and careful planning are essential to avoiding problems and having a successful trip.

Requirement 1: Discuss the prevention of and treatment for the health concerns that could occur while backpacking, including hypothermia, heat reactions, frostbite, dehydration, insect stings, tick bites, snakebite, and blisters.

a) Insect stings - see http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/first-aid-insect-bites/FA00046

b) Tick bites - see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wotB38WrRY&feature=related

c) Blisters - see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0WG4ZXODS4

d) Snakebites- first avoid getting bitten by a snake in the first place http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vT9SX2nDW4k
and if somebody is bitten
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNspMzeJVYY&feature=endscreen&NR=1

We only have three venomous snakes in our area: the Eastern Massasauga, the Timber Rattlesnake and the Copperhead (Cottonmouths live more to the east and south of Kansas, and the Prairie Rattlesnake lives in western Kansas).

Remember the most important things: stay calm, don't apply a tourniquet, get the victim medical attention.

e) dehydration- see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ua9LWgh4tPo

f) heat exhaustion- see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isHIQsqCSic

g) heat stroke- see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AACwAleDkN0

g) frostbite- see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p17NmmARxEI&feature=related

h) hypothermia- see http://www.backpacker.com/survival_skills_how_to_prevent_hypothermia/videos/50