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How to become a Second Class Scout (part two)

© Nicholas Bittner

Hello again! I'm back, and ready to get to work on helping you advance. Well, you might want to consider reading my previous article.

Alright, the next requirement I can help you on is this one: On one campout, demonstrate proper care, sharpening, and use of the knife, saw, and ax, and describe when they should be used. Well, the proper way to care for them is if they have a sheath, or can fold into their handle, keep them there when you're not using them. Also, don't leave them lying around. For things like pocket knives, put them in your pack, or a pocket. For saw's, do not leave them where someone can get injured on them. The same goes for axes. If there's a stump that's used to chop wood, put the blade in the wood, so that the handle is sticking up. That way, people will realize that there's a sharp object.

Now onto the next one. Discuss when it is appropriate to use a cooking fire and a light-weight stove. Discuss the safety procedures for using both. For the cooking fire, you always want to make sure you're allowed to start fires there. Also, you can use a lightweight stove when you need to use things like pots, or skillets, but you don't have the right equipment to do it on a fire.

Show what to do for "hurry" cases of stopped breathing, serious bleeding, and internal poisoning. That is the next requirement. When someone has stopped breathing, you want to see if anyone knows CPR. If there's no one certified nearby, do it yourself. (Just a little FYI. Always check to see if there's someone certified in CPR, before you try yourself, especially if you aren't absolutely positive about your abilities.) Because the way I was taught might not be completely up-to-date, ask someone that is still up to date on their certification. For serious bleeding, check to see where it's bleeding. If at all possible, elevate it so that it's above the heart. Also, if you have something like an elastic bandage, tie it several inches above the cut (Assuming that it's an arm or leg) to help stop the bleeding. I'm actually not sure what the latest things to treat poisoning are, but I do know that you're supposed to call the poison control center.

I'm afraid it's getting late, so I'll continue this another time. Until later, Happy trails!

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