First Aid (Chirurgeon's Point)

Chirurgeon Stewards

Chirurgeon for GWW: chirurgeon@caid-gww.org.

What is a Chirurgeon? What is Chirurgeon's Point?

Chirurgeon's Point is one of the important places that you should locate on the site map in the Great Western War Gate book, because that's where you go if you need first aid during the event. Chirurgeon's Point is staffed by first-aid volunteers (called "Chirurgeons" in the SCA) who have been designated (or "warranted") by the SCA to provide first aid at SCA events. First aid performed in the SCA is Good Samaritan in nature, and is provided to anyone who asks at no cost to the recipient.

The SCA uses the medieval term "Chirurgeon" [most commonly pronounced "ki-er-jun"] instead of first-aider, first responder, or medic as part of an effort to maintain a medieval atmosphere at SCA events. The Medieval blood-letting device called the "fleam" is used as the badge or symbol of the Chirurgeon (instead of the more modern red short-armed cross), and identifies the people who are warranted by the SCA to administer first aid.

Chirurgeon's Point will be located in a tent marked with a Chirurgeon banner.

How Can I Prepare for Great Western War?

The weather at war could change without notice, so you will need to plan and pack your clothing, supplies, and encampment accordingly.

• Plan to hydrate with water or other replenishing fluids, regardless of the weather. The desert air is very dry, and dangerous dehydration happens very quickly! Be sure everyone in your party brings a bag or basket to carry personal water when they leave camp. Our bodies give off excessive moisture in the dry desert climate no matter what the weather is like. This is especially important for children, and during periods of physical exertion (like putting up/taking down your camp or working or fighting on the battlefield). Remember also that adult beverages and caffeine dehydrate the body, so drink plenty of water.
• The sun is very strong and shade is at a premium at the site, so you must protect your skin! Bring sunscreen, a hat or head covering, a parasol, and remember to stand in the shade when you can. Remember also to bring shade and watering supplies for pets, medications for sunburn, and moisturizers/hand lotion. Bring clothing that adapts to weather changes during the day. Dress in layers that can easily be removed as the morning heats up, and replaced as the evening cools down. Cover your head at night to avoid excess heat loss.
• Bring all of your prescriptions and over-the counter medications, including seasonal allergy medications, and take them!
• Plan for rain! Put at least one change of clothing, shoes, socks, and bedding into plastic trash bags to ensure you have something dry to wear, an umbrella, and something dry to cover yourself with, when the rain subsides.
• Setup your camp so it is prepared for wind gusts, cold weather, and rain! Use sufficient stakes and ropes, and drive tent stakes at an angle to give a better foothold to your tent (straight up and down pull right out in heavy winds). Sleep off of the ground if at all possible, and make your bed in layers.

Chirurgeons

If you are a warranted chirurgeon and would like to volunteer some time at the war, please check in at Chirurgeon's point. We welcome Chirurgeons from all Kingdoms, and are thrilled to have your assistance. We will need to see a copy of your current certifications, SCA membership card, and your Kingdom's Chirurgeon Warrant if your Kingdom issues Warrant cards. We will gladly help get you settled into your favorite shift and/or out on a battlefield as soon as possible. But please, check in first.

If you are a Chirurgeon in Training (CIT), please check in with Chirurgeon's Point as well and we will partner you with a warranted chirurgeon. Don't forget copies of your certifications and your CIT form so you get credit for the war. If you are interested in becoming a Chirurgeon, please stop by Chirurgeon's Point and speak with the Kingdom Chirurgeon.

If You Need Medical Assistance at War

If you need any type of medical assistance at Great Western War, you can do any of the following.

• Go to Chirurgeon's Point.
• Stop someone with an FRS radio, and ask that they contact Chirurgeon's Point for you.
• Drive yourself or have someone drive you to an offsite medical facility.

If you go to Chirurgeon’s Point for Help

Please bring all of your medications including prescriptions and over-the counter medications with you.

Children must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian. THE SCA CANNOT TREAT MINORS WITHOUT A PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN'S CONSENT. If the parent cannot be found, treatment cannot be started until they are located, unless it is a life-threatening emergency.

Bring completed copies of both the TEMPORARY GUARDIANSHIP FORM and the MEDICAL AUTHORIZATION FOR MINORS FORM with you if you are serving as a temporary guardian for someone else's child, and that child needs medical help. The child cannot be treated at Chirurgeon's Point without this paperwork.

General Health Concerns

Your rights: You have a right to refuse any medical treatment, and to provide guidance on what treatment you will accept.

The Lake: Swimming is at your own risk; there will be no lifeguards on duty at anytime.

The Sun: Please apply sunscreen regularly throughout the day. Chirurgeon’s Point will have sunscreen available until our supplies run out.

Dehydration: Despite the temperate weather the site usually enjoys, one may still easily become dehydrated. Remember to drink plenty of fluids. Both alcohol and caffeine dehydrate the body. Be moderate in your consumption of both and drink at least an equal amount of water to counter the dehydrating effects.

Black Widow Spiders: The Park has black widow spiders. These spiders are the most common poisonous spiders in California. They can be identified by the red or orange hourglass spot on its abdomen. Should you find yourself bitten by one, please seek help immediately.

Mosquitoes: Please be aware that mosquitoes like to be around water. Use of bug repellant is highly recommended.

Bedbugs: Bed bugs are on the rise in Kern County. Bedbugs are flat, reddish-brown insects about the size of an apple seed. Please check all bedding for the little blood droplets and fecal matter they leave on sheets.

Point Amenities: Chirurgeon's Point may not have electrical charging facilities this year. Point does have a freezer for ice, and medications which are safe to freeze may be left in the freezer at your own risk. Any medications left must be marked with the patient's name, phone number, campsite and SCA name. Please check in with Point to either leave medications or retrieve them from the freezer.

A small amount of over the counter medications, such as Benadryl and ibuprophen will be available at Chirurgeon's Point. These medications are first come, first served, however we cannot offer any medical advice on taking any of these.

While Chirurgeon's Point has room to evaluate and assist a number of people, any needing extended treatment will be either transported by EMS to the nearest medical facility or recommended to get transport with friends or relatives to the local facilities. Please understand that we can only provide first aid and CPR services, and any treatment beyond that will be referred to proper medical facilities.

Minors: A very big concern at war is the medical treatment of minors. Chirurgeons cannot treat a minor without a parent or legal guardian's consent. Any child needing treatment must be accompanied by parent or legal guardian. If the parent or legal guardian cannot be found, we cannot render treatment until they are located.

Fluid Needs at War: Daily water needs for the average man is 13 (8 ounce) cups, and for the average woman it is 9 cups. Athletes (fighters) need even more water to maintain the body’s ability to regulate internal temperature and to keep cool. Heat production in contracting muscles can rise 15 to 20 times above that of resting muscles. Unless this heat is quickly dissipated, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and deadly heat stroke may result. In the modern world year 2001, several college, and one professional football player died of heat stroke.

Heat Cramps: Heat Cramps are a frequent complication of heat exhaustion but may appear without other symptoms of dehydration. These cramps usually occur in people who have been exposed to several hours of heat, experienced significant sweating, and have consumed a large volume of water without replacing sodium losses. The University of Massachusetts School of Medicine recommends: Please note that salt pills are not recommended as they may cause stomach problems and severe hypernatremia (sodium overdose) which is a whole problem in itself. Instead, use something that will help you replace both fluid and sodium at the same time; for example, pickles, olives, Gatorade (not red please, it makes the chirurgeons nervous). Heat cramps occur in skeletal muscles, including those of the abdomen, and extremities. They consist of a contraction (cramp) lasting 1 to 3 minutes at a time which moves down the muscle and causes severe pain. Rest and gentle massage will help relieve these cramps.

Heat Exhaustion: This occurs when heat stress causes loss of body fluid followed by depletion of blood volume. When environmental temperatures (external or inside a suit of armor) rise, virtually all body heat and sodium loss is through the evaporation of sweat from the skin. Sweat rates during prolonged exercise (fighting) range from 3 to 8 cups per hour. However, as humidity rises, and/or skin is completely covered, evaporation slows and sweating becomes an ineffective way of cooling the body. What follows is rapid fatigue, increased work for your heart, and dehydration. The most common symptoms of heat exhaustion include profuse sweating, headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, visual disturbances, and flushing of the skin. Not all of these symptoms need to be present at the same time. Any person exhibiting heat exhaustion should be taken to a cool area immediately. Excess clothing (armor) should be removed. The body should be sponged with cool (not iced) water. Oral fluid replacement should be given, slowly, as tolerated.

Heat Stroke: This can occur when the internal (core) body temperature reaches 104 degrees Fahrenheit or more. Heat stroke is a cause for immediate medical attention. Fainting is not unusual with heat stroke. Symptoms include nausea, confusion, irritability, and poor coordination, a cease of sweating, skin hot and dry, seizures and coma. If left untreated circulatory collapse, nervous system damage and even death may occur. Heat stroke is not something to be toyed with. This is a medical emergency. Immediate action is necessary. The first and biggest objective is to lower the core temperature, and do it by any means available. Move the person out of the hot environment. Set air conditioning, if available, to maximum. Remove the person’s clothing. Put cold packs on neck, armpits, groin. Cover the person with wet sheets or towels, or spray a mist of water on him/her. Aggressively fan the person, even if you can’t dampen the skin. Obtain EMS services for transport to hospital. Do not to put the person into hypothermia. If shivering starts, body temperature will go back up again.

Recommendations: Freely drink water, diluted fruit juices, and sports drinks during the 24-hour period prior to exercise (fighting), even if not particularly thirsty. Drink one-and-a-half to two-and-a-half cups of fluid 2 to 3 hours prior to exercise (fighting). This allows time for both hydration and excretion of excess fluid. During exercise (fighting) lasting more than 30 minutes, consume at least half to one-and-a-half cups of fluid every 15 to 20 minutes beginning at the start of the event. On hot days, cold drinks are preferable to help keep the body cool. Caffeine and alcohol both have diuretic effects which lead to dehydration. Therefore, neither caffeinated nor alcoholic beverages should be part of any hydration plan immediately before, during, or after exercise (fighting) Watch your urine! Dehydration causes a decrease in how often you urinate. In a well hydrated person, urine will be no darker than lemonade. Thirst is a late sign of dehydration and should not be relied upon to indicate the need for fluid replacement. If you drink only when thirsty it may take up to 48 hours to fully replace lost fluids. Keep an eye on your family members and friends as they may not recognize the symptoms in themselves.