Head Over Heels for You Mystery Cache

CAUTION: Cache is NOT at the listed coordinates. Answer the questions below to determine the actual coordinates of the cache.

NOTE: NO stream crossings are required to get to this cache!!!

Geocaching Purple Heart

This cache was placed in honor of Coach Jack’s recovery from surgery following an accident while out caching.

The cache container is a lock-tight container wrapped in camouflage duct tape. And say, for instance, your arm was in a sling, this cache container can be opened one-handed. To open it, you just need to lift up the flaps on the four sides of the lid to unlock it. The contents are various first aid supplies one MIGHT find useful while out geocaching (especially if you’re with Coach Jack).

In order to help our fellow cachers deal with similar situations to the one Flydad encountered when he found Coach Jack injured and laying in a stream, we wanted to give you a quick quiz on basic first aid in the field.

The cache is in very easy terrain, not far off a paved path, so please watch out for muggles.

The actual cache coordinates are:

N 39-AA.BCD

W 077-EE.FGH

A. When geocaching alone in the wilderness, you should:

- Leave your cell phone in the car so it doesn’t get wet or dirty. (AA = 27)

- Not tell anyone where you’re going, because then they might race ahead of you to get the FTF. (AA = 36)

- Make sure someone knows where you are going, when you plan to be back, and take your cell phone with you. (AA = 02)

B. When geocaching alone in the wilderness, you find you need to cross a small stream. What should you do?

- If there’s a FTF involved, time is of the essence, so you better try walking across the nearest log, regardless how unstable the log might be. (B = 9)

- Go back to your car and get your waders (I know Coach Jack has some). (B = 4)

- Wait 30 minutes for the next geocacher looking for the FTF to come along so that you have a buddy to help each other across. (B = 4)

- Say to yourself, “Self, this is too risky. I will come back another day when I have the proper gear and a buddy with me.” (B = 4)

C. After finding someone in the woods with a broken arm and calling for an ambulance, what immediate actions should you take while waiting for medical help to arrive? ( www.mayoclinic.com first-aid for fractures)

- Race ahead of the injured person to go get the FTF. (C = 6)

- Berate the person for his/her clumsiness. (C = 4)

- Take bets on how long it takes the EMS to arrive. (C = 3)

- Stop any bleeding, immobilize the injured area, apply ice packs to limit swelling and help relieve pain until emergency personnel arrive, and treat for shock. (C = 1)

D. What should you do to stop bleeding?

- Nothing, it’ll stop on its own. You should race ahead to get the FTF. (D = 3)

- EMS will take care of that, you really should race ahead to get the FTF. (D = 4)

- Blow on it until it dries into a scab, then go get the FTF. (D = 5)

- Apply pressure to the wound with a sterile bandage, a clean cloth, or a clean piece of clothing. (D = 8)

E. What are symptoms of an injured person going into shock? ( www.mayoclinic.com First-Aid for Shock)

- The skin is cool and clammy. It may appear pale or gray. (EE = 29)

- The pulse is weak and rapid. Breathing may be slow and shallow, or hyperventilation (rapid or deep breathing) may occur. Blood pressure is below normal. (EE = 31)

- The eyes lack luster and may seem to stare. Sometimes the pupils are dilated. (EE = 29)

- The person may be conscious or unconscious. If conscious, the person may feel faint or be very weak or confused. Shock sometimes causes a person to become overly excited and anxious. (EE = 31)

- ANY of the above are symptoms of a person experiencing shock. (EE = 30)

F. How should you treat for shock? ( www.mayoclinic.com First-Aid for Shock)

- Assure the person that although they missed this FTF, there will be others in their caching future. (F = 6)

- Slap the person in the face until they snap out of it. (F = 8)

- In conjunction with calling 911, lay the person down with the head slightly lower than the trunk, and if possible, elevate the legs. Keep the person warm and comfortable. Loosen belt(s) and tight clothing and cover the person with a blanket. Even if the person complains of thirst, give nothing by mouth. (F = 3)

G. Hypothermia is defined as body temperature less than 95 degrees F, and the symptoms usually develop slowly. What are symptoms of hypothermia? ( www.mayoclinic.com First-Aid for Hypothermia)

- Shivering (G = 5)

- Slurred Speech (G = 5)

- Abnormally slow breathing (G = 5)

- Cold, pale skin (G = 5)

- Loss of coordination (G = 5)

- Fatigue, lethargy or apathy (G = 5)

H. What first-aid treatment would you provide to someone you suspect is suffering from hypothermia? ( www.mayoclinic.com First-Aid for Hypothermia)

- Tell the victim to imagine they are sitting on a warm, sunny beach in the tropics. (H = 7)

- Tell the victim they need to do some physical activity to warm up, so they should run as fast as they can to the cache and log that FTF. (H = 7)

- If you’ve got a flask of whiskey or any other hard liquor, give them a swig to “warm them up.” (H = 7)

- Call 911. Move the person out of the cold (indoors, protected from the wind, head covered, insulated from the ground). Remove wet clothing and replace with warm, dry covering. Do NOT apply direct heat (such as hot water or a heating pad) or attempt to warm the arms and legs (this can be fatal). Do NOT give the person alcohol. Do NOT massage or rub the victim – treat them very gently since they are at risk of going into cardiac arrest. (H = 2)

If you are a Geocacher in the state of Virginia, please join the Northern Virginia Geocaching Organization. This is a great way to get the most out of Geocaching in our region. Simply go to www.novago.org for details!