The following is a list of symptoms and conditions that signal or constitute a possible wilderness medical emergency.
Injury and illnesses Arthropod bites and stings Appendicitis (leading to peritonitis) Ballistic trauma (gunshot wound when hunting) Eye injuries (such as from branches) Flail chest associated with ice climbing and snowclimbing falls Hyperthermia (heat stroke or sunstroke) Malignant hyperthermia Hypothermia Frostbite Poisoning Food poisoning associated with warm weather expeditions Venomous animal bite Botanical from mushrooms or "wild greens"" Severe burn (forest fire) Spreading wound infection Suspected spinal injury from falls, falling rock, ice Traumatic brain injury from falls, falling rock, ice
Infections Lyme disease Malaria Necrotizing fasciitis Rabies Salmonella
Neurologic Subdural hematoma, associated with rockfall, icefall, falls while climbing, glissade crashes with rocks, mountain bike crashes
Respiratory Altitude sickness Asphyxia Drowning Smoke inhalation (related to Forest fire) Pneumothorax Pulmonary edema associated with high altitude (HAPE) Respiratory Arrest associated with neurotoxic bites
Shock Anaphylaxis associated with stings Hypovolemic shock (due to hemorrhage) associated with climbing falls, kayak crashes, etc. Septic shock
References