Accidents happen. While these unexpected events are surely unwanted, knowing more about how to handle these situations will help you be better prepared. Peter Terrio, a freshman in aerospace engineering and a former lifeguard certified in first aid by the Red Cross, offered first aid techniques for water-related emergencies. Shane Reilly, a graduate assistant athletic trainer in the University’s Sports Medicine Department, offered first aid information on fractures, an injury that he sees in several sports. Mark Taylor, an outdoor emergency care instructor, certified patroller at Appalachian Ski Mountain, member of the National Ski Patrol and alumnus of the University, added first aid procedures for injuries that commonly occur outdoors.  * Cuts and abrasions: “We see lots of cuts and abrasions in lifeguarding,” Terrio said. If someone is cut, apply pressure and elevate the wound to stop bleeding. After the bleeding has ceased, clean the wound, apply an antibiotic and cover the wound with a clean bandage. If the wound is deep and bleeding persists, seek professional medical help. Otherwise, watch for signs of infection and change the bandages every day or more as necessary.  * Heat exhaustion: Symptoms of heat exhaustion include nausea, excessive sweating, redness of the skin, dizziness, headache, fatigue, dark-colored urine and weak heartbeat. Symptoms often occur suddenly and after excessive exercise in hot conditions with poor hydration. If a person is displaying symptoms of heat exhaustion, get him into a shaded area. Give him a reasonable amount of water, elevate the legs slightly and continue to monitor the situation. Seek professional medical help if the condition worsens.  * Hypothermia: Hypothermia is the cooling of the body’s core temperature, which restricts blood flow to extremities. Symptoms include shivering, slurred speech, cold skin, teeth chattering, fatigue and memory loss. If someone is showing symptoms of hypothermia, call 911 immediately for emergency medical assistance. Move the person out of the cold and remove wet clothing. Warm them slowly; people experiencing hypothermia are in danger of cardiac arrest. Be sure not to apply direct heat.  * Snakebite: “Basically, your goal is to get the victim to the hospital,” Taylor said. The first thing you want to do is have the victim lie down. This calms him, which slows the spread of the venom. If possible, call an ambulance. Otherwise, transport the victim to the hospital in a way that does not cause him to exert himself. Do not apply ice or attempt to suck out the venom. If the snake has been killed, take it to the hospital so physicians can identify it and administer the proper antivenin. * Sprain: “Typically [the sprain] is an ankle, although shoulders, knees and wrists are frequently sprained,” Taylor said. Sometimes it can be difficult to tell if an injury is a sprain or a mild fracture (broken bone). Sprains are characterized by pain, swelling and instability of the joint. A splint or very tight bandage should be applied to the sprain to prevent the joint from moving. Elevating the extremity slightly above the level of the heart helps to reduce pain and swelling. Placing ice on the sprain can also help reduce swelling.  * Frostbite: Taylor distinguishes that there are two conditions here. One is frostbite and the other is frostnip. Frostbite is the freezing of soft tissue. Frostnip is a milder form of frostbite that appears as numbness, lack of mobility and grayness of the skin. The treatment of frostnip is to apply direct body heat, such as placing affected hands in your armpits. Frostbite is much more serious and often results in the amputation of affected parts. While severe frostbite should be treated by medical professionals, the procedure for mild frostbite is known as rapid rewarming. Rapid rewarming is conducted in a water bath, with the water temperature between 102 and 108 degrees Fahrenheit. The victim should keep his whole body in the hot water for about 30 minutes, until the frostbit area regains color. Taylor warns that rapid rewarming is excruciatingly painful, but necessary for the affected areas to heal.    * Fractures: Also known as broken bones, fractures must be dealt with by medical professionals. If someone is suspected of having a fracture, call 911 immediately. Stay away from the victim and watch for signs of shock, which include drop in body temperature, a loss of consciousness and loss of coherence. Bystanders should talk to the victim to take his mind off the injury until medical help arrives.