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HOME / EQUIPMENT / MAPS / FOSSIL SITES / OK FOSSILS
There are many things to consider when you are out on the rocks looking for fossils. Here are just a few things to consider while you are fossil hunting.
HEAT
Common sense is the best preventive; strenuous exertion in a very hot environment and insulating clothing should be avoided, and an adequate fluid intake is important.
Heatstroke (Sunstroke)
Symptoms include headache, vertigo, and fatigue. Sweating is usually but not always decreased, and the skin is hot, flushed, and usually dry. The pulse rate increases rapidly and may reach 160; respirations usually increase, but the blood pressure is seldom affected. Disorientation may briefly precede unconsciousness or convulsions. The person feels as if burning up. Circulatory collapse may precede death; after hours of extreme hyperpyrexia, survivors are likely to have permanent brain damage.
Heroic treatment measures must be instituted immediately. If distant from a hospital, the patient should be wrapped in wet bedding or clothing, immersed in a lake or stream. The temperature should be taken every 10 minutes and not allowed to fall below 38C to avoid converting hyperpyrexia to hypothermia.
The person should be taken to hospital as soon as possible after the emergency methods have been instituted for further management.
Bed rest is desirable for a few days after severe heatstroke.
Heat Exhaustion
Because of excessive fluid loss, this disorder gives adequate warning by increasing fatigue, weakness, anxiety, and drenching sweats, leading to circulatory collapse with slow thready pulse; low or imperceptible BP; cold, pale, clammy skin; and disorientation followed by a shock-like unconsciousness.
Fainting is a mild form of heat exhaustion and is precipitated by standing or a long time in a hot environment,
The person should be placed flat or with their head slightly down. When they start responding, small amounts of sugar water should be given.
Sun Burn
Prevention is obviously the best therapy for sunburn. Treating sunburn involves decreasing inflammation and rehydrating the damaged skin.
For localised, first-degree sunburn, apply cool tap water soaks for 20 minutes or until the skin is cool. Tepid tap water baths are indicated for large sunburned areas. After a bath or soak, apply water-based emollients, preferably refrigerated for an additional cooling effect. Emollients should also be applied throughout the day to soothe and relieve dryness.
For second-degree sunburn, apply continuous cool, normal saline soaks or soaking baths to reduce oozing and edema. Aspirate very large blisters, and apply sterile dressings.
CLOTHING
Clothing should be loose fitting and light colored. A wide brimmed hat will help reduce the amount of expose of the face and neck. A good pair of hiking or mountain boots is recommended over tennis shoes. Sandals should be avoided.
ANIMALS
Snakes
From the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy
Oklahoma has many different species of snakes. Most are nonpoisonous. The bite of a nonpoisonous snake can cause pain and infection, but is rarely serious. There are three types of poisonous snakes in Oklahoma and their bites can cause serious illness and even death. Eastern and Western diamondback rattlesnakes have facial pits, elliptical, rather than round, pupils, and a traingularly shaped head that is larger than the neck. (There is a water snake in Oklahoma with a triagularly shaped head, but no facial pits on the side of its head between its eye and nostril. This is not a poisonous snake!) Diamondback rattlesnake venom is the most potent of the three poisonous species in Oklahoma. The pygmy rattlesnake and other types of rattlesnakes can also be found in Oklahoma. The other two poisonous snakes are the cottonmouth (also known as water moccasin), and the copperhead.
First Aid for Non-Poisionous Snake Bites
1. Remove all rings, bracelets, watches, or jewelry from the bitten hand and shoes from the feet of the bitten leg.
2. Wash the wound with soap and water.
3. Place a cold pack or ice pack on the wound, 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off.
4. Keep victim calm. Do not give sedative or alcohol.
First Aid for Poisionous Snake Bites
1. Stay calm. Do not waste time trying to capture or kill the snake.
2. Follow general first aid, except DO NOT apply an ice pack or cold pack to the wound and keep the bite at the level of the heart.
3. Apply a light constricting band one to two inchest wide (NOT a tourniquet) two to four inches above the bite. The band should be snug, but not tight. It should be loose enough to slip one finger underneath the band and a pulse should be clearly felt below the band. DO NOT cut off the blood supply to the wound area. DO NOT apply a constricting band around a joint, head, neck, or around the trunk of the body.
3. DO NOT cut into the wound - this will spread the venom and cause infection.
4. DO NOT suck on the wound with your mouth - this will cause infection and little venom will actually be removed.
5. DO NOT apply a tourniquet to the wound - this cuts off the blood supply to the wound.
6. Proceed immediately to the hospital for evaluation and treatment of poisonous snake bite. An antivenin is available, but is reserved for patients with life threatening symptoms.
Scorpions and Spiders
Beside poisionous snakes, Oklahoma has other poisionous critters as well. Use your hammer or a stick to turn over rocks. You never know whats under there. Scorpions seem to be the most common poisionous critters we have encountered, and every one has been under a rock.
As a side note, Southern Oklahoma has those big black and yellow garden spiders, although they are not poisionous, they are HUGE and they build webs of even greater enormity (and they position themselves menacingly right in the middle of it.) Take the time to look up every once in a while while you are walking because stepping into one of these webs will give you nightmares for a long time
TERRAIN
Falling Rocks and Loose and Slippery Slopes
When looking for fossils in road cuts and uplift areas, always be vigilant of falling rocks. A hard hat is recommended for this activity.
Common sense dictates that if a slope is too steep or you feel uncomfortable about negotiating a slope don't attempt it and try somewhere else. Alot of slopes we have encountered usually have a few cacti sticking out of them and if you lose your footing and slide down the slope they can be very painful speed bumps on the way down!
An important rule to remember is that if your partner is climbing the rocks above you, do not position yourself directly beneath them due to the possibility of a dislodged rock falling on your head!
HUMANS (aka locals)
Alot of people have warned us about dealing with the locals, especially in the more rural parts of the state. We have yet to encounter any rude or aggressive people simply because we try to respect their privacy. In fact, the people we have spoken with have given us information about where to find fossils, or points of contact for permission to enter private property.
I suppose the bottom line here is to be courteous and respectful to the locals and keep off their property without permission.
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