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Preparation and Equipment 11

thermometer ; gauze dressing; scalpel blades (at least two); antiseptic swabs (at least five for cleaning smaller wounds and blisters); large safety pins; scissors; three green hypodermic needles (for removing splinters and draining blisters); fluid-replacement packet (helps replace fluids for conditions like diarrhea and burns; alternatively, mix eight teaspoons of salt with half a pint of water); puritabs (release chlorine to clean water; if the water is cloudy, troops will try and filter it first, then add an extra tablet; boiling water is also effective); painkillers; antacid tablets (for those suffering from indigestion); antidiarrhea tablets; bandages and wound dressings; sunblock; and lip balm. Often it is essential to travel fast. Packs must not be heavy and troops sometimes cannot take much medical equipment. A basic Navy SEALs medical kit is not heavy and takes up little space, but it still includes treatments for breathing and circulation difficulties, bleeding, breaks and fractures , burns, infections, and pain. It contains: blood volume expander, infusion fluid, dressings, artery forceps, suture kit, fracture straps, burns dressing, antibiotic tablets, antibiotic in injectible form, painkillers, anti-inflammatory cream, and creams for fungal infections. Text-Dependent Questions 1. Why shouldn’t a soldier take part in an expedition if he is not feeling well? 2. List five of the questions that each soldier should ask himself before setting off on a mission. 3. Why wouldn’t a soldier be able to bring a heavy pack of first aid items?