CHAPTER 28:

FIRST AID & EMERGENCIES

RESPONDING TO AN EMERGENCY1. CHECK

• Check the scene• Spilled chemicals• Traffic• Fire• Escaping steam• Downed power lines• Smoke

• Check the victim• Determine number of victims• Only move victim if immediate danger is evident

2. CALL• Call local emergency number or 9-1-1

3. CARE• Care for the victim• Always care for life threatening emergencies first.

• Unconscious• Not breathing or having trouble breathing• Shows no signs of circulation (coughing or moving)• Bleeding severerly

FIRST AID KITHelps to control Bleeding Helps to clean wound &

prevent infections

Helps to stabilize bones/joints

FIRST AID KITHelps with insect bites or

poisonous plantsHelps with blisters

Helps with muscle crampsHelps with sun burn

FIRST AID KITHelps with foreign objects

in your eye or dryness

Helps with pain

Helps with allergic reactions

Helps to control swelling

FIRST AID KIT

Additional Supplies

TYPES OF BURNS

First-degree Burn Second-degree Burn

Third-degree Burn

TYPES OF INJURIES

Abrasion Laceration

Puncture Avulsion

FIRST AID FOR SHOCK1. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number.

2. Control any external bleeding.

3. Elevate the legs about 12 inches, unless you suspect head or back injury or broken bones involving the legs or hips. If unsure, leave the victim laying flat. This helps the blood return to the heart.

4. Never give the victim anything to eat or drink. Eating or drinking could cause vomiting.

5. Reassure the victim.

FIRST AID FOR CHOKING1. First ask, “Are you choking?”2. If they can speak or are coughing, do not attempt first aid. Encourage them to keep

coughing.3. If they can not speak (Adult or Child) use abdominal thrust.

• Quick inward and upward pulls of the diaphragm

4. Infant – use back blows and chest thrust• With infant resting on your forearm and head facing downward, give 5 back

blows, then flip infant over and give 5 chest thrust.• Look in mouth and if you can see object do a finger sweep.• If not dislodged in 1 minute, call 9-1-1

MUSCLE CRAMPS1. Stretch out the affected muscle to counteract the cramp.

2. Massage the cramped muscle firmly.

3. Apply moist heat to the area.

4. Get medical help if the cramp persists.

STRAINS & SPRAINS1. Rest

• Avoid movements and activities that cause pain.2. Ice

• Reduces pain & swelling• Ice for 20 minutes, Remove for 20 minutes, then reapply.

3. Compression• Light pressure from wearing an elastic wrap or bandage. Wrap should be first,

but not uncomfortable.4. Elevation

• Raise the affected limb above the level of the heart.

FRACTURES & DISLOCATIONS1. Keep the victim still and call 9-1-1

2. If victim must be moved, keep the fractured area immobilized by securing a splint to the body part with clean lengths of cloth.

UNCONSCIOUSNESS1. Check for breathing.2. If not breathing, call 9-1-1.3. If breathing, move victim into the recovery position.

FAINTING1. If you feel faint:

• Lie down or sit down and place your head between your knees.

2. If someone else faints:• Position the person on his or her back with legs elevated 8-12 inches above the

heart unless you suspect head or back injury.• Do not place a pillow under the person’s head.• Sponge the person’s face with water. Do not splash water on the face.• If the person vomits, quickly roll him or her into the recovery position.• If person does not revive promptly, seek medical help.

CONCUSSION1. Have a conscious victim lie down.

2. Do not move an unconscious victim, unless you do not suspect a neck or back injury. Move them into recovery position if no injury.

3. Use first aid for any bleeding.

4. Call 9-1-1 immediately.

ANIMAL BITES1. Wash the bite area with mild soap and warm water for five minutes to remove

saliva and any other foreign matter.

2. Use direct pressure or pressure point bleeding control to stop any bleeding.

3. If the wound is swollen, apply ice wrapped in a towel for 10 minutes.

4. Cover the wound with a clean dressing or bandage.

NOSEBLEEDS1. Keep person quiet. Walking, talking and blowing the nose may increase bleeding.2. Tell person to breath through his/her mouth.3. Have the person sit down and lean forward. Do not tilt the person’s head back!4. Press on the bleeding nostril.5. Maintain pressure for 15 minutes.6. If bleeding continues, seek medical help.

OBJECT IN EYE1. Encourage victim to not rub eye, but to blink several times.2. First wash your hands.3. Gently pull the lower eyelid down while the person looks up. Or Gently pull the

upper eyelid up while the person looks down.4. Use a cotton swab (q-tip) and lightly touch the object if you can see it.5. Flush the eye with a sterile saline solution or tap water. Tilt the head to the side

when flushing the eye. 6. If the person is wearing contacts, flush the eye first and then remove the contact.