#ring splints is the next priority

[lil-blurry-stars]

yaaaaaah i finally got ankle braces!

however my legs are now killing me because they’re working in a completely different way

[the-punforgiven]

thoughts on Half Armor? Like Characters who only wear a breast plate and a few other pieces of armor here and there, if that makes sense?

I actually really like it tbh! I think that if done right in a character design it can showcase a lot about the character other elements in character design fail to, mostly in what they choose to armour the most and how that can reflect on their character

See, the thing with armor, especially plate, is that it's really expensive. And like, while in a medieval setting beset by war or demons or whatever it'd probably be a good thing to invest in on a financial level similar to like, a car or something, not everybody can afford that, it was actually pretty common to see imperfect armor worn by people who just didn't have the cash to maintain a whole armor set trying to protect what they can

(Also a little side tangent I think is interesting is that painted armor became somewhat popular among poorer fighters, since paint could prevent rust on a similar but slightly lower level to oiling it, but didn't need to be applied NEARLY as often, and tbh I just love armored characters who like to express themselves artistically and think that's a cool avenue to explore)

But sometimes you have a character who's just like, poor or just isn't used to the weight of armor and doesn't want to wear full plate, I feel like there's a lot of cool ways to do that

For example, presumably people who wear armor want to stay alive during a fight, so in theory the place you'd want to protect the most would be your torso and head, since hits to there can kill you pretty quickly if not instantly. Shoutout to the Witcher game and D&D for having a level of armor that's just like, a breastplate and that's it, since protecting your heart, stomach, back, etc. should be really high priority when armoring up, and if you've only got enough cash for one piece of plate armor a breastplate is a very solid choice

However if you're going a little more Fantasy about it, you could have a character who chooses to armor their left arm primarily, since they're confident in their swordsmanship or have developed a style based on blocking/parrying with their off hand, or makes heavy use of a shield and want to tank up the bits that are right next to it that they might not be able keep safe behind it, like their shoulder or something (Shoutout Elite Knight Set from Dark Souls for that exactly) while putting less of a focus on protecting their torso since they've got a shield for that

I feel like helmets should also be more common in partial-plate armored characters in fantasy since taking a blow to the brain from any weapon can often be dangerous to say the least, but I also understand the Character Designer Need To Show The Character's Face At All Times thing

Another thought on the matter is that between gambeson, chainmail, scale mail, a splint armor/coat of plates sort of thing, leather to a lesser extent?, or whatever else there's a lot of decent protective options that you can use to suppliment a lack of plate, especially gambeson (a padded textile armor, made by basically just making a really dense quilt of linens in the shape of a coat, almost always worn underneath plate since it is good at cushioning blunt impacts, though it is a more resistant to slashes and stabs than people tend to think), being the cheapest option by far, and relatively easy to repair compared to the others and especially compared to plate, but in 100% honesty it's your character design, you don't have to stick to one specific armor style if you don't want to, personally I love mixing plate and scale armor, I think it makes for really cool designs personally, even if they are difficult to draw most of the time

Actually fun fact I got super excited seeing the gambeson coat sticking out in the Vagabond Set from Elden Ring, I know that's probably the dumbest Nerd Shit to get really excited over but Gambeson is cool (I would attach a picture but apparently Tumblr doesn't like me at the moment)

TL;DR I think it's really neat and opens up a lot of very fun avenues in character design! However I also think sometimes it's used in really weird ways that I'm not super fond of, specifically in Dante's Inferno The Video Game, Why Is His Armor Like That

[dakotafinely]

Okay yay! How about Splinter finding out about savage Raph and finally revealing the trauma that caused it? (Captured by hunter and escaped in savage mode after biting the man’s hand off...alligator snapper CHOMP)

Wow, immediate angst. Not that I’m against it or anything. Also, I like how you add that little () note. It’s a nice touch (and totally helps me start writing so-) anyways! Let’s get into it!

Side note: WOW this gets super long. So I put a little keep reading for those who don’t actually care about the story.

Raph never intentionally kept it from Splinter. It was something he didn’t like thinking about. And his brother’s never really thought to ask about it. One could suppose everyone thought the old rat knew and just didn’t want to explain it. Or that maybe it was something he just couldn’t explain away. Either way, that had all changed today.

The trio of little brother’s had made the mistake of leaving Raph alone down deep in the sewers. It wasn’t intentional, as the trio often forgot their older brother would break the longer he was alone. Since they usually didn’t really leave each other’s sides. And didn’t have the same issue as Raph had.

It was a chase. It was always a chase.

On the rare occasion that Raph did become savage. It was usually him chasing them, or something he was going to kill. The instinct to survive his main priority and the trio being seen as potential threats in the lenses of savage mode. But something was different.

Mikey had noticed it when the group returned to Raph’s location. Instead of the enraged attacks of Savage Raph, or the whines/scolds of Raph telling them they shouldn’t have been gone for so long. Raph sat in a corner, pressed against the wall furthest from the brothers. He was growling, a threat of course. But it seemed empty as with each step they took towards him. He simply wiggled, as if trying to get further away.

“Hold on guys, I think we need to approach one at a time,” Leo finally spoke up, he’d been slowly assessing the situation at hand. Deciding that if only one of them went in, it was less likely for Savage Raph to attack.

That statement of course, made it a unanimous vote for Leo to be the sacrifice.

“Well, go on then. We need to calm him down before April comes down,” Donnie spoke, checking his phone. April had already sent a text that she was on her way. They had to get wrap this up quickly. Leo looked to his twin and huffed. Before taking slow steps toward Raph.

Raph’s growl and squirming continued. But he still made no move as Leo’s empty hands held themselves up as non-threateningly as possible. It wasn’t until Leo tried to touch Raph that it finally broke the tense silence.

Raph roared, knocking Leo back as the other two pulled out their weapons. Ready for an attack from the blindly raging brute. But instead he ran off. Making the two look at each other confused. Before checking on Leo.

“You alright bro?” Mikey asked, pulling Leo up from the floor. Leo rubbed his shell and took a shake. Before nodding.

“Yeah, it’s more the surprise then the pain...” Leo trailed and looked around “where’d he go?” he asks, having expected the Snapper to fight them like the other two did. Donnie shrugged, looking off the direction Raph had fled to.

“Don’t know, he just... ran off,” Donnie spoke putting his Bo-staff away.

“Well, what are we doing just standing here? We gotta find him!” Leo immediately ran off the direction Donnie had been staring. Mikey not to far off his heels. Donnie sighed, taking a speed walk to still keep the two in his sites.

April had joined them about ten minutes later. Donnie sending her their location as they traveled through the maze of sewers in New York. Their efforts still fruitless as they’d completely lost the Snapper. 

What had been nothing more then ten minutes quickly turned into a few hours.

“Guys,” April spoke as the group had taken a moment’s rest. Having been on their feet for so long they’d chosen to take a pause. Just in case they’d have to fight the Snapper down when they found him again. The group looked to her as she spoke up “did you hear that?” she asked with concentration on her face.

No one spoke. All trying to hear what she’d just heard.

“What did-” Mikey was cut off by a noise. A much louder then the one April had previously heard. It was a whimper, a pained and tired whimper. If it weren’t for the fact that the voice was so recognizable. The group would’ve believed it was a small child lost in sewers with them.

“Raph!” They spoke in unison, chasing after the voice. And the heavy footsteps that ran from them.

It was a chase, but not a chase they had ever been use to.

Splinter was sitting comfortably in his recliner. Another uneventfully evening as he’d began to slowly fall asleep in the chair. The cake and warm milk filling his stomach in a comfortable and lulling way. Eyelids heavy as he no longer tried to focus on what was happening on the screen before him.

Until he was startled by his phone ringing. Immediately waking to “panicked parent mode” he began looking for his phone. Unable to find it despite it ringing next to him. Shuffling and shoving hands down the sides of the recliner until he let out a small, victorious, cry at his discovery. Only to disappointed at finding the remote instead.

A few more rings and a few more minutes of aggressive searching. He’d found his phone and felt his stomach drop at April’s name on his screen.

Not that he wouldn’t have panicked if it was one of his sons. But April was a whole knew level. He quickly answered and tried to not to yank the phone away from his head as April yelled on the other end. Most of it unintelligible through the phone aside from “Raph” and “we need help!”. He took a breath, trying to calm himself, knowing it wouldn’t help if both he and her panicked.

“April, slow down, I can’t hear what you’re saying.”

“Raph! He’s gone into this- like -savage mode! He keeps running from us and throwing the guys if they get to close! Please! You have to come here quick! We just got him cornered but he won’t let us near him!” April spoke as quickly and clearly as she could. Trying to leave little room for more conversation as she watched Raph throw an aimless hit toward Mikey. The box turtle barely dodging out the way of the blow.

Splinter, of course, had already begun moving out of the lair.

“Okay, stay calm. Tell the boys to keep him their but don’t make any movements toward him. Tell me which part of the sewers your in,” Splinter began, keeping a calm demeanor. April took a hum before finding an indication of which sewer pipe they got him stuck in. Quickly giving the location to Splinter.

“Good, I’ll be there soon.”

When Splinter had arrived onto the scene. He was relieved to find the group sitting a few feet from Raph. Leo, Donnie, and Mikey all singing parts of the lullabies they could remember from their younger days. Back when they still asked Splinter to sing for them. It seemed to put the Savage Raph in a trance. Having calmed down. It was April who noticed him and backed off from the group to talk to him.

“Leo said he noticed something was attached to Raph’s tail. He can’t take a good look at it ‘cause Raph won’t let him come close.” She explained, looking back to the sight before her. She’d seen Raph go savage once, but it had been on the tale end of the savage episode. Splinter simply nodded and walked toward his sons.

He’d hummed the tune and the trio backed off. Quieting down, Raph started to growl at Splinter, before seeming to recognize him. And calming down, a soft and cautious churr came from him. But he didn’t flinch when Splinter passed the invisible line.

He did, however, flinch when Splinter raised his hand. Before relaxing as Splinter took a light touch to his forehead, sliding it down to his cheek. Still humming the lullaby. Raph had fully relaxed now, his body visibly easing as he let himself sit like a cat. Letting Splinters hands trail down his shell as he went to assess the damage.

It was a small, basic rat trap. Pinching his tail in a way uncomfortable for the mutant. Splinter grimaced at the memory that came with the realization of why his son had acted out this way. And had, with as much gentleness as he could manage, pulled the trap off his son. Raph let out a yelp and ran from reach of his father. Before noticing the lack of pain on his tail. A happy churr came from him as he slowly eased out of Savage mode.

Donnie, using the help of his enhanced limbs, began carrying the large mutant. Who had barely been awake enough to realize he was beginning carried to begin with.

The way back to the lair was mostly silent. Most of the group begin tired, energy spent on the chase. But April couldn’t help but speak up, having several questions.

“So... does anyone know why Raph does that?” She asked, looking to anyone for an answer. The brothers simply shrugged, having no answer. But Splinter looked surprised.

“Wait, this isn’t the first time he’s done this?”

“Well, he usually fights us,” Leo spoke up with a shrug “but this is the first time he’s run away instead.” Leo said with the wave of his hand. A partial dismissal of it.

“... You didn’t know?” Mikey asked walking next to his father. Who quickly shook his head, partially in disbelief.

“No! Why didn’t you boy’s tell me!?” Splinter asked with some exasperation evident in his tone.

“Well, you didn’t tell us you were Lou Jitsu for most of our lives,” Leo pokes, as if this was some sort of competition. Donnie rolled his eyes.

“It just never came up, we always thought you knew,” Donnie deadpanned, adjusting a bit to keep Raph steady. The snapper mumbled something incoherent but it didn’t seem all to important to the conversation.

“So, do you know why he does it Splints?” April asks trying to get back to her questions. They needed answer darn it! Especially after this most recent episode.

Splinter, nodded slowly. A part of him unsure, before nodding quickly. It was the only explanation.

“You all were only tot’s when it happened...” Splinter began.

--

Splinter knew that an enriching environment was important. Whether it was for kids or pets. So he did his best to take his sons down to a stream. One with no hiking trails nearby and not deep enough for fishers to use. But still enough that it was basically a naturally made kiddie pool.

He’d been tending to the box turtle, dubbed Orange for his little spots ‘til Splinter could find better names for them. Orange was the only one who couldn’t really seem to swim. Nor did he seem to want to engage with the water at all. So Splinter had been helping him make little piles of dirt, and rocks. Nothing fancy or necessarily pretty. But it brought utter delight onto Orange’s face every time one was completed. So how could he stop him?

Splinter had been keeping weary eyes on the other three. Wanting to make sure the shallow tide hadn’t swept them away. However, the other three seemed to mature faster then the box turtle to a degree. So he gave them trust to make some sort of noise to capture his attention if they needed it.

The only problem with that was, they would have to know they needed it.

Splinter would notice in 30 minutes that Red was missing. Dubbed Red because he, just like the color, was bold and brash. And Splinter had already used his other two favorite colors on the soft-shell and slider.

In 30 minutes Splinter would realize that his little snapper had decided to wander the forest. And he would panic because what if someone found him? What if someone took his son away from him? What if they hurt him?

It would be a few hours before Orange gets fussy. And Splinter realizes just how long he’d been searching for his eldest son.

It would be another hour before Splinter had to retire back into the sewers. Feeding and putting the other three to rest before he ran back out.

It would be three days of searching and failing to find Red. Splinter in a desperate state of trying to keep it together while in a constant state of worry for his boy.

It would be day number four. When Splinter would find a group of hunters. Cages set around them like trophies. And it would take everything Splinter had not rush down and attack them when he saw his son in one of them.

Locked in cage like some sort of savage animal. Curled in a corner, clearly afraid and confused. Whimpering like he was hungry. And Splinter could only soften in a pained way as he watched his son suffer.

“Aww, what’s the matter little guy? Ya hungry?” A hunter spit at Red. Tossing a small piece of beef jerky just outside of Red’s reach. Still, the naive snapper would go after it. Starved for days. And he would be mocked, and laughed at as the hunters around him would do nothing but watch him be helpless.

Splinter had to retreat. Wanting to go stealth with retrieving his son. Despite the rage inside of him telling him he could fight every single hunter in the group head on and come out unscathed.

Splinter didn’t see the one hunter that snuck Red some jerky. Watching with a small smile as he ate up. Before dumping the whole bag into his cage. Walking off as though they hadn’t done anything.

Splinter came back that night. A fire now lifeless as most of the hunters slept. Splinter had begun creeping toward the camp before freezing at the sound of a voice.

“Your not like the others are you little guy?” It cooed, soft and gentle. Splinter could barely see it. But he saw a woman crouching down in front of Red’s cage. And cursed himself for not taking the brash approach earlier.

Red churred a bit in response. Still unable to really form words. But his churr was curious and cautious.

“Yeah, I didn’t think so. I’ve seen snappers before and you don’t really look it,” she said, before letting out an awkward chuckle “I mean, you do kinda, but not really if you get what I mean.”

Another churr, confused.

“Yeah... sorry,” she said, Splinter heard the light click of a cage opening. And with the moon finally deciding to show itself from the thick clouds.

A tall, black woman stood up, thick curly hairs draped down her shoulders. Red in her arms with a gentle care of a mother. She’d turned, facing Splinter with eyes grown wide, mouth agape in shock. And that’s when he realized he should’ve moved to an actually hiding spot. The moon didn’t hide away as they stared at each other. Before Red began chirping happily, arms outstretched to his father.

Splinter held his arms out, staring a hole into his son. He didn’t want to speak, he wasn’t sure if he could. This was the first human that’d seen him in... well he wasn’t even sure how many years at this point.

Slowly, but surely, with eyes still wide and mouth agape. She handed Red to Splinter. The two sharing a tight, hopeful and relieved hug. Splinter couldn’t hold back the little sobs that came from his body. He had his son back, his son was safe. His son was here.

“Go,” the woman’s voice was a hoarse whisper, still recovering from the shocking sight. Splinter looked to her, startled at the interruption of his blessed reunion. She looked to him with concern, before glancing to the other sleeping hunters “if you want to get out of here with him now. You need to go,” she whispered. Splinter nodded, rushing off with a flurry. Leaves rustling, and with no cation in his rushed movements. A branch broke.

“O’Neil? Is that you making that racket?”

“Yeah, yeah, just go back to sleep, thought I saw something but I was wrong.”

--

Annnnnnnd I’m ending it there! Mostly because this is getting longer then I planned it to be. However, I’m extremely happy with how it came out. The idea’s just came like BOOM! BOW! POP! and I had to do ‘em. I hope you like it! This was fun! I loved the concept, I’ve seen many takes on it so I wanted to change it up a bit!

[wolfmandon-blog1]

After the job

The company had just finished up a job on a run down farm in Duskwood, having dealt with a group of Honor Guards and a few feral Worgen as well. They made their way to the Twilight Grove to tend to their wounded and recuperate. They came to stop at a small fountain that resided not too far from the large portal to the Emerald Dream nearby.

Eli stepped down onto his good leg, hopped to the structure and slumped down, laying his shotgun across his lap and removing his outer trenchcoat to check for any deep wounds. His light cloth shirt underneath was sogged down with sweat and moisture from the air, clinging to his bulky gnomish physique. A few chest hairs poked out from the low neck of the shirt.

Aera, still asking over the mental messaging, kneels. She goes quiet, staff in hand, at least seeming to pray. "Give me a moment to find myself here. Does anyone need any serious healing? Still can't hear?"

Eli replied, "I think I'm all right, just a little scratched up."

Don shook his head as he sat Gal down. "Still ringin', it's not quite as loud but a real pain the ass." He arched his brow curiously as he looked Aera over. "Gal's a bit banged up, I'll be fine."

Dan also quickly chimed in, "Gal, Cell and Cass are the worst of us."

Aera stood. She wasn't gonna be long. Her eyes fell over the group. Her hearing was already back. A bit dim. Still pained. But completely manageable. She motions to the fountain.

Cellara doesn't hear a damned thing beyond ringing, she'd just been following Danirel thus far. Periodically making a strange noise, none of the others could hear. "Malp... Maup... Mawp..."

Don hooked his arm under Gal's and around her back for support as he helped her over to the fountain.  "Uh... How's this thing work?"

Eli pulled out a rag from his pocket, grunting. He started cleaning his shotgun- clearly priority number one, before getting his leg back in working order. He didn't bother doing a field strip of the weapon but instead just started cleaning soot, grime and dirt from the outside that it gathered from the explosion. He did the same with his pistol.

Dan blinked and strewn Cass out over the small fountain before him.

As if on cue, Xierra burst forth from the brush, seemingly materializing from thin air through the night. She sinks to one knee before the group. "I received summons for this mission, but was delayed. Apologies. How can I be of service?"

"We came here for solace in hopes the energies here may aid in replenishing their wounds with help." Aera makes to gently take Cell by the shoulders, leading her closer between the pillars of the structure... However she was told by Danriel not to harm company members.

Cellara rears back as the spell chucker starts moving her, tempted to punch her in the throat as she was lured to the sparkly lights.

Aera makes a face, pointing to the structure. Go.

Don  blinked a few times, he had never prayed. He cleared his throat before speaking aloud, much louder than needed because of his ringing ears. "Uh... Elune, could ya please heal my wife? You ain't gotta worry 'bout me, just please patch 'er up. That'd be real great of ya."

Xierra blinked aback, pale eyes flared wide as they'd flit between the injured members of the group. "I... suppose I could appeal to her." She removed her gloves carefully, then her boots - discarding both behind her in a heap - and approached the most seemingly injured first, Cass.

Aera almost looked proud. SEE. NO SHOES. AND THE ELF ISN'T RIDICULED. Her bare toes wriggle.

Cellara looks from face to face before looking at the fountain and shouting through the ringing, "Do I drink that!?"

Aera blinked. "NO."

Cellara can't hear anyone through ringing, but no one shook their head so she starts slowly inching forward, a dead stare at Danirel as she made her way to sip...

AERA SHAKES HER HEAD! Aera puts her arms in the way.

Cellara blinks and stares off at Aeraleth, spell chucker don't you get in my way. She don't take orders from you. Her head then, once again starts to inch aside.

Xierra stands alongside Cass, first - then glances to Don. "Hold her still. If anything is broken, this will be... uncomfortable at the very best. If she moves, it will heal badly."

Aera in the meantime just stares at Cell. Maybe a no-blink contest will distract? She squints.

Don looked over to Cell, and sighed as he shook his head. He looked from Cell, over to the fountain, and then back, shaking his head at her... His attention then turned to Xierra on his right, and eying her over. "Wha? Ears are still ringin'."

Aera squints harder, perking a brow. Like, 'missy, don't you dare'.

Cellara stares back, then rears her head back and slams her forehead forward to the mage's nose.

WHAM! Damn, everyone even heard a crack. "FUCKING NOVICE-BLOODY-DAMN-WHORESON!" The mage grabbed her bleeding nose, turning to drop to her knees. Ow.

Dan yelled out over the stones. "Cell! I don't care how Lortharious did stuff, we ain't a damn gladiator ring! now apologize!"

Don quickly chimed in over the stones as well. "I'm gonna fuckin' drown you in that damn fountain if ya don't chill yer shit!"

Aera too joined in the shouting. "SHE BROKE MY NOSE. I will drop you over the Dalaran Crater for that!"

Dan then spoke softer over the stones. "Uh, sorry about her - she's not technically an employee, technically a slave.... She's used to being thrown into a bit with animals forced to fight against their will and getting whipped as punishment, so."

Aera replied with a groan. "...My patience is unfortunately great and vast."

Dan replied. "Hers is not."

Eli finishes cleaning his pistol, tucking it into an underarm holster and moving back to his shotgun. He worked the tiniest flecks of dirt from the engraving on the barrels, a beautiful depiction of a swooping eagle in the direction that the shot leaves the weapon. He took out a bit of polish, starting to go after the mahogany handle now, only to be startled by the mage being cranially assaulted by the angry woman. He blinked.

Aera withdraws a hankie, over her nose as she grips the upper bridge. It still hurts. Aera stumbles up.

The druid heaved a deep sigh, and rolled her shoulders. She could easily hold this slight woman down, either way. She instead leaned over Cass, freakishly long arms braced over her from, and effectively... well, squashed her into the waters. She murmured low, winding elven under the breath, and the audible sound of healing occurring at an unusually accelerated rate. Upon finishing, she'd lean off, and direct her gaze immediately towards Don. "You're next?"

The leywalker took her waterskin, turning to not cause a scene. Holding the bridge, and her breath, she flooded her nostrils with the water before rapidly holding her head out to let it leak, keeping a firm hold to flush out the blood and keep the flesh in place.

Don looked over to Xierra, briefly shaking his head before nudging his wife forward. "Get her mended up first, probably some cracked ribs 'n a gash on 'er head.... I'm just a lil' banged up, I'll manage."

Xierra nodded, the motion causing a flurry of pollen to shudder from her hair. "Alright."

Aera, now that her nose wasn't GUSHING BLOOD anymore, made to sit nearby to channel her energies.

Eli had spent his time coiling the weak branches of a nearby bush into a makeshift tie-splint for his brace, standing slowly and hobbling over on the shaky leg. His shotgun rested on his shoulder, glinting in the strange light that seemed to encompass the area underneath the structure.

@scassira-revmore @littlelavaye @danirel-thorson @harboson-c

[kristablogs]

You broke a bone in the middle of nowhere. Now what?

A sprained ankle is the most common outdoor musculoskeletal injury, but you should also be prepared for broken or fractured bones. (Jovan Madic via Depositphotos/)

For February, we’re focusing on the body parts that shape us, oxygenate us, and power us as we take long walks on the beach. Bony bonafide bones. These skeletal building blocks inspire curiosity and spark fear in different folks—we hope our stories, covering everything from surgeries and supplements to good old-fashioned boning, will only do the first. Once you’ve thoroughly blasted your mind with bone facts, check out our previous themed months: muscle and fat.

Picture this: While descending a precarious slope, you lose your balance, land awkwardly on a rock, and your foot wrenches sideways. Immediately, you hear a distinct cracking sound—one you’ll probably never be able to forget—and you fall to the ground in pain. What moments ago was a pleasant weekend hike has officially become a lot less enjoyable: you’re in the wilderness with a broken bone.

While an injury like this means the end to an excursion, it’s rarely a life-and-death situation. In fact, with the right training, the appropriate tools, and a level head, you can make it back to civilization in one piece and with a hell of a story to tell.

Stay calm and assess the situation

The most common musculoskeletal injury in the outdoors is a sprained ankle, but fractured or broken bones are also a concern, especially ankles, wrists, and ribs. If this happens to you or a fellow hiker in the backcountry, stay calm and evaluate the situation. It is the job of whoever’s not injured to take control and decide the best course of action to keep everyone safe.

“Try not to make more patients,” says Dr. Martin Musi, fellowship director of wilderness medicine at the University of Colorado and director of the Diploma in Mountain Medicine of the Andes.

But before being able to assess the situation, you’ll need to get closer—and in the wild, that’s often easier said than done. First, you’ll need to make sure it’s safe for you to approach the injured person. If they’ve tumbled down a slippery slope or wrenched an ankle in a boulder field, for example, make certain you won’t succumb to the same fate by leaping after them. Anchor yourself to a sturdy tree with a rope before navigating a steep decline, or crawl slowly on your hands and knees if there’s a chance you could trip and fall as well.

Once it’s safe, approach the person with caution and check their vitals—make sure they can breathe and that they’re lucid and aware. Next, look for blood—if there is any, protect yourself and the patient by using gloves. You should always have a pair in your first aid kit, but if you don’t, you can improvise them with plastic bags. Try to control the bleeding by applying pressure with a clean piece of fabric or cloth. Once you’ve determined the person is stable, move them to a more secure location if necessary.

Finally, take stock of the severity of the injury—which is not always easy, according to Shana Tarter, EMT and assistant director of NOLS Wilderness Medicine. What you may think is a fracture may be a sprain, strain, or a dislocation, or vice versa. Unless there’s obvious angulation (when you see a limb bent in a way it shouldn’t be) or an open fracture (a broken bone protruding through the skin) you often can’t be sure if it’s a simple fracture or something else.

But when it comes to treating any musculoskeletal injury, it often doesn’t matter what you call it—keeping the person safe and stable is the priority. Take your time, keep everybody calm, and proceed to treatment.

Attend to the injury

Always remove a person's boots to assess a lower leg injury. (Rawpixel via Depositphotos/)

Next, make sure the person doesn’t have additional injuries. If they do, always tend to the most serious or life-threatening first. If you’re dealing with a single musculoskeletal injury, start by performing a complete assessment of the wounded area—this involves checking circulation, sensation, and motion.

To get a good look, remove anything that might impede circulation—this includes rings, bracelets, accessories, and boots. Keep in mind that even if they aren’t causing problems now, they eventually might. When removing shoes or boots, do so carefully by loosening them up as much as you can.

First, check for a pulse below the injured area to make sure blood is flowing correctly. If the arm is hurt, for example, try the the wrist; or if the ankle is the issue, try the foot. If you find a pulse, that means circulation is good. If you see any bruising, swelling, visible bones protruding from the skin, or any unnatural colors in the injured extremity, this could be a sign of a circulation issue. These may cause complications like tissue and nerve damage if the person doesn’t get medical care in a timely manner.

Then, check for sensation above and below the injury by tapping or lightly scratching the person’s skin. If there’s a pulse and no numbness or tingling, it means nerves are likely intact. If not, and you don’t possess the proper wilderness medicine training, a speedy evacuation becomes the top priority before nerve or tissue damage sets in.

Lastly, find out if the person can move or put any weight on the injured area. There will likely be pain, but if they can move it, it means they may be able to help get themselves back to the trailhead.

If there’s visible angulation, and you’ve been trained in wilderness first aid, Tarter recommends attempting to put the extremity back in its normal anatomical alignment. Doing so will most likely improve circulation, sensation, and motion. If that is the case, you can make your way to civilization safely and calmly. But if you can’t be certain the bone is broken, you lack training, or straightening the limb doesn’t improve circulation and sensation, emergency evacuation becomes the absolute priority. Leave this procedure to the trained professionals.

Immobilize, manage pain, and make an exit

Don't forget to check circulation signs after immobilizing a limb. You don't want to make matters worse. (SimpleFoto via Deposit Photos/)

If the injured extremity is usable, you may be able to stick to managing symptoms, like pain, and helping the person hike back to the trailhead. Treat symptoms by administering painkillers like ibuprofen. If you’re hiking in the winter or at high altitudes, you can also use snow or ice in a bag or bandana to alleviate pain and swelling. Immersing a limb in a cold creek will also work, but only for brief periods of time so the person doesn’t end up with frostbite.

But if it’s not usable, you’ll need to make a splint so the patient doesn’t hurt themselves worse. Some first-aid kits include a packable splint, but a little improvisation can work, too. Use sticks, trekking poles, even the suspension system from your backpack (if it has one), to create a rigid structure around the injured limb. Thoroughly pad the space between the skin and the splint with clothing or gauze, then use elastic bandages, strips of clothing, or paracord to hold the splint snugly in place.

Immobilize the joint above and below the injury, but make sure to fix it in a natural position. If the forearm is the issue, make sure the wrist and elbow are both immobilized but that the elbow is bent and the hand rests in a curved position.

It’s important to ensure the splint is sturdy and durable in case of inclement weather, but don’t use tape unless absolutely necessary—if the splint becomes too tight or uncomfortable, having it secured with tape won’t allow you to easily adjust it. After splinting, check for a pulse below the injury once more to ensure you haven’t worsened the situation by cutting off blood flow before you make your way back.

Open fracture: a hiker’s true nightmare

The type of broken bone people often fear most is an open fracture—and for good reason. Fortunately, these kinds of fractures, especially those that involve dangerous amounts of blood loss, are fairly uncommon in the backcountry. In fact, the biggest risk with an open fracture is the risk of infection.

To prevent that from happening, use an irrigation syringe—the kind found in most comprehensive first aid kits—to squirt clean, drinkable water on the end of the exposed bone, rinsing it clean. If you don’t have an irrigation syringe on hand, improvise by pouring or squirting water from a water bottle. Then, only if you have the training, attempt to straighten the broken bone and get it back into the skin before you create a splint.

If you don’t have any first aid training in this area, cover the exposed bone end with a moist piece of gauze so it doesn’t dry out, wrap the area with a bandage, splint the limb, and evacuate. You will want to get the person to a hospital as quickly as possible.

Get help

If the person can walk, help them get back to civilization. (Odua Images via Depositphotos/)

After you’ve assessed the injury, made a splint, and treated some of the patient’s symptoms, it’s time to figure out how to get help. If the affected limb is even remotely unusable, that means leaving the backcountry is the next step.

If you have an emergency beacon or satellite phone, use it to call for help. If Search and Rescue (SAR) is available, give them your location; if not, call to inform authorities that you’re hiking out and need help. If the trailhead isn’t far and the person can walk, even slowly, help them hike out, keeping a close eye on them and regularly checking for circulation issues.

As Tarter points out, self-evacuation, if at all possible, is often the safest option, as it doesn’t put rescuers or fellow hikers at risk. Besides, Musi says, SAR may not be available in all locations and circumstances, so attempting to be self-reliant is often the best course of action.

If the person can’t walk, they must remain in place while you or someone who’s able goes out looking for help. Make sure they are comfortable, in a safe place, and have plenty of food, water, and shelter. And before your hike out to get help, make sure you know their location as accurately as possible—you will need to describe their position and surroundings to rescuers, and every detail counts.

If you’re the injured party and hiking alone, use tools like a whistle, mirror (to reflect light as an emergency beacon), or even a small fire to signal that you need help.

Get training

Before you attempt to straighten or treat a bone you think may be broken, make sure you get the proper training. In fact, according to Musi, anyone who often treks out into the backcountry should have some level of first aid training.

If you spend any amount of time in wilderness situations, sign up for a backcountry first-aid training course from an organization like NOLS or at an education center near you. That way, if you find yourself in a situation where you or a companion must deal with a broken limb far from medical care, you’ll know how to treat it and make it out of the woods in one piece.

[scootoaster]

You broke a bone in the middle of nowhere. Now what?

A sprained ankle is the most common outdoor musculoskeletal injury, but you should also be prepared for broken or fractured bones. (Jovan Madic via Depositphotos/)

For February, we’re focusing on the body parts that shape us, oxygenate us, and power us as we take long walks on the beach. Bony bonafide bones. These skeletal building blocks inspire curiosity and spark fear in different folks—we hope our stories, covering everything from surgeries and supplements to good old-fashioned boning, will only do the first. Once you’ve thoroughly blasted your mind with bone facts, check out our previous themed months: muscle and fat.

Picture this: While descending a precarious slope, you lose your balance, land awkwardly on a rock, and your foot wrenches sideways. Immediately, you hear a distinct cracking sound—one you’ll probably never be able to forget—and you fall to the ground in pain. What moments ago was a pleasant weekend hike has officially become a lot less enjoyable: you’re in the wilderness with a broken bone.

While an injury like this means the end to an excursion, it’s rarely a life-and-death situation. In fact, with the right training, the appropriate tools, and a level head, you can make it back to civilization in one piece and with a hell of a story to tell.

Stay calm and assess the situation

The most common musculoskeletal injury in the outdoors is a sprained ankle, but fractured or broken bones are also a concern, especially ankles, wrists, and ribs. If this happens to you or a fellow hiker in the backcountry, stay calm and evaluate the situation. It is the job of whoever’s not injured to take control and decide the best course of action to keep everyone safe.

“Try not to make more patients,” says Dr. Martin Musi, fellowship director of wilderness medicine at the University of Colorado and director of the Diploma in Mountain Medicine of the Andes.

But before being able to assess the situation, you’ll need to get closer—and in the wild, that’s often easier said than done. First, you’ll need to make sure it’s safe for you to approach the injured person. If they’ve tumbled down a slippery slope or wrenched an ankle in a boulder field, for example, make certain you won’t succumb to the same fate by leaping after them. Anchor yourself to a sturdy tree with a rope before navigating a steep decline, or crawl slowly on your hands and knees if there’s a chance you could trip and fall as well.

Once it’s safe, approach the person with caution and check their vitals—make sure they can breathe and that they’re lucid and aware. Next, look for blood—if there is any, protect yourself and the patient by using gloves. You should always have a pair in your first aid kit, but if you don’t, you can improvise them with plastic bags. Try to control the bleeding by applying pressure with a clean piece of fabric or cloth. Once you’ve determined the person is stable, move them to a more secure location if necessary.

Finally, take stock of the severity of the injury—which is not always easy, according to Shana Tarter, EMT and assistant director of NOLS Wilderness Medicine. What you may think is a fracture may be a sprain, strain, or a dislocation, or vice versa. Unless there’s obvious angulation (when you see a limb bent in a way it shouldn’t be) or an open fracture (a broken bone protruding through the skin) you often can’t be sure if it’s a simple fracture or something else.

But when it comes to treating any musculoskeletal injury, it often doesn’t matter what you call it—keeping the person safe and stable is the priority. Take your time, keep everybody calm, and proceed to treatment.

Attend to the injury

Always remove a person's boots to assess a lower leg injury. (Rawpixel via Depositphotos/)

Next, make sure the person doesn’t have additional injuries. If they do, always tend to the most serious or life-threatening first. If you’re dealing with a single musculoskeletal injury, start by performing a complete assessment of the wounded area—this involves checking circulation, sensation, and motion.

To get a good look, remove anything that might impede circulation—this includes rings, bracelets, accessories, and boots. Keep in mind that even if they aren’t causing problems now, they eventually might. When removing shoes or boots, do so carefully by loosening them up as much as you can.

First, check for a pulse below the injured area to make sure blood is flowing correctly. If the arm is hurt, for example, try the the wrist; or if the ankle is the issue, try the foot. If you find a pulse, that means circulation is good. If you see any bruising, swelling, visible bones protruding from the skin, or any unnatural colors in the injured extremity, this could be a sign of a circulation issue. These may cause complications like tissue and nerve damage if the person doesn’t get medical care in a timely manner.

Then, check for sensation above and below the injury by tapping or lightly scratching the person’s skin. If there’s a pulse and no numbness or tingling, it means nerves are likely intact. If not, and you don’t possess the proper wilderness medicine training, a speedy evacuation becomes the top priority before nerve or tissue damage sets in.

Lastly, find out if the person can move or put any weight on the injured area. There will likely be pain, but if they can move it, it means they may be able to help get themselves back to the trailhead.

If there’s visible angulation, and you’ve been trained in wilderness first aid, Tarter recommends attempting to put the extremity back in its normal anatomical alignment. Doing so will most likely improve circulation, sensation, and motion. If that is the case, you can make your way to civilization safely and calmly. But if you can’t be certain the bone is broken, you lack training, or straightening the limb doesn’t improve circulation and sensation, emergency evacuation becomes the absolute priority. Leave this procedure to the trained professionals.

Immobilize, manage pain, and make an exit

Don't forget to check circulation signs after immobilizing a limb. You don't want to make matters worse. (SimpleFoto via Deposit Photos/)

If the injured extremity is usable, you may be able to stick to managing symptoms, like pain, and helping the person hike back to the trailhead. Treat symptoms by administering painkillers like ibuprofen. If you’re hiking in the winter or at high altitudes, you can also use snow or ice in a bag or bandana to alleviate pain and swelling. Immersing a limb in a cold creek will also work, but only for brief periods of time so the person doesn’t end up with frostbite.

But if it’s not usable, you’ll need to make a splint so the patient doesn’t hurt themselves worse. Some first-aid kits include a packable splint, but a little improvisation can work, too. Use sticks, trekking poles, even the suspension system from your backpack (if it has one), to create a rigid structure around the injured limb. Thoroughly pad the space between the skin and the splint with clothing or gauze, then use elastic bandages, strips of clothing, or paracord to hold the splint snugly in place.

Immobilize the joint above and below the injury, but make sure to fix it in a natural position. If the forearm is the issue, make sure the wrist and elbow are both immobilized but that the elbow is bent and the hand rests in a curved position.

It’s important to ensure the splint is sturdy and durable in case of inclement weather, but don’t use tape unless absolutely necessary—if the splint becomes too tight or uncomfortable, having it secured with tape won’t allow you to easily adjust it. After splinting, check for a pulse below the injury once more to ensure you haven’t worsened the situation by cutting off blood flow before you make your way back.

Open fracture: a hiker’s true nightmare

The type of broken bone people often fear most is an open fracture—and for good reason. Fortunately, these kinds of fractures, especially those that involve dangerous amounts of blood loss, are fairly uncommon in the backcountry. In fact, the biggest risk with an open fracture is the risk of infection.

To prevent that from happening, use an irrigation syringe—the kind found in most comprehensive first aid kits—to squirt clean, drinkable water on the end of the exposed bone, rinsing it clean. If you don’t have an irrigation syringe on hand, improvise by pouring or squirting water from a water bottle. Then, only if you have the training, attempt to straighten the broken bone and get it back into the skin before you create a splint.

If you don’t have any first aid training in this area, cover the exposed bone end with a moist piece of gauze so it doesn’t dry out, wrap the area with a bandage, splint the limb, and evacuate. You will want to get the person to a hospital as quickly as possible.

Get help

If the person can walk, help them get back to civilization. (Odua Images via Depositphotos/)

After you’ve assessed the injury, made a splint, and treated some of the patient’s symptoms, it’s time to figure out how to get help. If the affected limb is even remotely unusable, that means leaving the backcountry is the next step.

If you have an emergency beacon or satellite phone, use it to call for help. If Search and Rescue (SAR) is available, give them your location; if not, call to inform authorities that you’re hiking out and need help. If the trailhead isn’t far and the person can walk, even slowly, help them hike out, keeping a close eye on them and regularly checking for circulation issues.

As Tarter points out, self-evacuation, if at all possible, is often the safest option, as it doesn’t put rescuers or fellow hikers at risk. Besides, Musi says, SAR may not be available in all locations and circumstances, so attempting to be self-reliant is often the best course of action.

If the person can’t walk, they must remain in place while you or someone who’s able goes out looking for help. Make sure they are comfortable, in a safe place, and have plenty of food, water, and shelter. And before your hike out to get help, make sure you know their location as accurately as possible—you will need to describe their position and surroundings to rescuers, and every detail counts.

If you’re the injured party and hiking alone, use tools like a whistle, mirror (to reflect light as an emergency beacon), or even a small fire to signal that you need help.

Get training

Before you attempt to straighten or treat a bone you think may be broken, make sure you get the proper training. In fact, according to Musi, anyone who often treks out into the backcountry should have some level of first aid training.

If you spend any amount of time in wilderness situations, sign up for a backcountry first-aid training course from an organization like NOLS or at an education center near you. That way, if you find yourself in a situation where you or a companion must deal with a broken limb far from medical care, you’ll know how to treat it and make it out of the woods in one piece.

[what-s-up-friends-us]

These habits are good for your health, but bad for your teeth. Seven tips to improve our dental quality.  I have always been diligent when brushing my teeth at least twice a day. Who doesn't like to show a nice and fresh smile? But six or seven years ago I learned that the technique I used was not correct. As I was always in a hurry, I used to frantically brush myself with the brush, so after decades of excessively vigorous cleaning, I developed an uncomfortable sensitivity to heat and cold. The dentist explained to me that the enamel, or the protective layer, was wearing out, exposing the lower dentin, which led to tooth sensitivity. Among other things, he suggested brushing me gently up and down, instead of doing it aggressively, and spending two minutes brushing. "It's a typical case," says Dr. Euan Swan, director of dental programs at the Canadian Dental Association. The patient is proud to brush his teeth hard but is damaging them. ” When we develop habits to improve our well-being, we are not always aware of the problems we can cause our teeth. “In terms of health, teeth are usually the last priority. So many things tend to be overlooked, ”says Dr. Mark Parhar, an endodontist from British Columbia, Canada, specializing in the internal soft tissue of teeth. Next, the seven healthy practices that shatter your teeth and how to stop the damage. 1. BRUSH YOUR TEETH AFTER EATING Does your morning routine include brushing your teeth immediately after breakfast? Congratulations on brushing your teeth regularly! But your program needs a touch-up. When you eat something acidic, such as oranges or tomatoes, the enamel temporarily weakens and becomes susceptible to abrasive wear. If you brush your teeth hard, you can remove the enamel, which will make your teeth sensitive. This gets worse when you get older, as the gums tend to decrease with age and more root surface is exposed. The roots of the teeth are not covered by enamel, but by a layer called dental cement. If you want to take precautions, wait approximately 30 minutes before brushing them."Saliva is a neutralizing agent and will reduce the acidity of the oral environment, but this takes time," says Cool. Eating some type of dairy, especially cheddar cheese, can increase the pH inside the mouth and release calcium and other substances that fight plaque; and rinsing your mouth with water can help clean the dirt between your teeth. Or brush them before eating something acidic, instead of after. 2. DRUGS THAT CAUSE DROUGHT IN THE MOUTH You could control a chronic health problem if you take prescription medications according to medical prescription. Unfortunately, if you take one or more of the medications, including certain antidepressants and pain relievers, which have the side effect of reducing salivary flow, your oral health may be affected. "Patients who ingest this type of medication tend to have a dry mouth, running a higher risk of developing cavities," says Swan, "because there is no saliva to physically remove food or acid debris." The solution is not to stop the medication, unless the doctor offers you an alternative, without these side effects. You can try to drink water during the day. You can also increase the flow of saliva with sugar-free gum, mints containing xylitol or atomizers, gels, and pills specifically designed for dry mouth.            "Water with lemon is popular, but acidic fruit juices are the culprits of tooth wear" 3. DO EXERCISE WITHOUT ORAL PROTECTION There are many forms of physical activity for the benefit of the body. Exercise is good for cardiovascular health, weight control and a sense of humor. However, participation in impact sports such as martial arts can cause damage to the teeth if you do not protect them properly. The custom dental splint (adjusted by a dentist) provides a pad around the teeth in case of an impact on the face. It may be essential when there is a risk of physical contact, either on the ice rink or in a ring. "When it does not have a dental splint, it is easier for a tooth to break, and that damage costs much later to repair," says Parhar, expert in sports dentistry. Intense exercise may also affect the quantity and quality of saliva. A study on triathletes, published by The Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports in 2015, revealed that when athletes were active, their saliva flow slowed while the pH increased. Both changes can have a negative impact on the teeth, which indicates that anyone who practices sports regularly should be meticulous in their oral care. 4. DRINKING WATER WITH LEMON It is said that drinking water with fresh lemon juice helps digestion, strengthens the immune system and cleanses the body of toxins. “I like to drink it as a hot drink in the morning, especially when it's cold outside,” says 64-year-old Christine Peets of Ontario, Canada, who drinks lemon water to calm her digestive problems and stay hydrated. However, he began to worry when a relative, also fond of this drink, discovered that his tooth enamel was weakening. So Peets consulted with his dentist. “ Lemon water may be a popular trend, but acidic fruit juices are the main culprits when it comes to dental wear caused by diet. Even if you dilute the lemon juice in water, the level of acid in the mouth continues to increase. ” "If you drink and do this two or three times a day, for an extended period of time, I would worry," says Geraldine Cool, a dentist from Alberta, Canada, and president of the Canadian Association of Dental Hygienists. The Peets dentist advised him to delay the time of brushing his teeth and doing so after drinking the water with lemon, he also recommended trying a toothpaste for sensitive teeth and brushing them with less force. Drinking it fast is not the perfect solution, but it is much better than ingesting the preparation slowly; using a sorbet could also reduce the harmful effects. Check that the water is not too hot, as it intensifies the damage of the teeth. And if you're going to drink acidic drinks, “Fluoridated tap water reduces tooth decay in children and adults. It is also profitable and safe. 5. CHECK ICE Ice does not provide calories or sugar, it cools it on a hot day, it is usually pH neutral and does not stick to the teeth. Therefore, is it not healthier to chew ice than to eat candy? It turns out that it has its disadvantages. "The ice is very hard," says Dr. Hendrike van Drie, a periodontist in Maastricht, the Netherlands, and chair of the oral health working group at the Council of European Dentists. "Chewing ice damages teeth and causes fissures and fractures in enamel and dental arrangements". Van Drie adds that constant exposure to cold temperatures can lead to dental hypersensitivity. “I have some patients who chew ice, and I always try to convince them to give up that habit. All they have to do is not chew hard things, ”says Cool. "Enamel is probably the toughest tissue in our body, but when wear and tear occurs, there is a greater chance that it can smooth the contour of the teeth." Sometimes the wear is so severe that it can change the way the bite is adjusted, causing pain in the jaw muscles. He claims that ice can be good only if it is allowed to melt in the mouth. 6. DRINK WINE TO SORBS It is true that alcohol in moderation can offer benefits, such as reducing the risk of diabetes, heart attacks or embolisms. Red wine, in particular, contains components that seem to increase good cholesterol and help cardiovascular health. But if staggering the drink means having a glass of wine for two hours, the teeth are in constant danger. It is similar to the problem of water with lemon. "The consumption of wine means that your teeth are exposed to acid every time you take a sip," says van Drie. This does not mean that you have to drink it at one time, but it would be good if you drank water when you have a glass of wine or pecked a piece of cheese to reduce the effects of the acid. Keep in mind that not all wines are equally harmful to teeth. "White wine has a higher pH and causes more damage in less time," says van Drie. On the other hand, red can stain pearly white enamel. So, are you thinking of switching to carbonated water? "Mineral water with gas is also acidic and can damage your teeth when you drink regularly." 7. OPT FOR FLUORATED WATER Carbonated water is a better drink than soda or sugary juice, but if it is the only type of water you consume, you may be losing the possibility of reducing caries by 25 percent. Fluoridated water is endorsed by organizations such as the World Health Organization. It has been shown to reduce tooth decay in children and adults; It is cost-effective and safe (levels are low and supervised, and it is impossible to drink all the water that would be needed to achieve fluoride toxicity ). When you drink water, it enters your system in such a way that saliva has a low level of fluoride, which constantly benefits your teeth, ”says Swan. It acts as a protector, especially in older people who have exposed part of the root surface and are more vulnerable to decay. Try to drink at least a little water every day, always using filters, and try to drink at least four to eight glasses of water a day. If you live in a rural area, ask to have the water analyzed so you can find out its mineral composition, adjust your daily intake, and have the appropriate care and filters according to your needs. Click here for more tips

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