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Basic Emergency Situation First Aid


First Aid Steps to take in Emergency situations:


Burns, Minor:  For minor burns caused by heat, wrap area in a towel soaked in cool water.  If it is possible to completely immerse the effected area in cool water, do so.  Folk remedies such as grease, fat or butter do nothing.  Do not pop any heat blisters that may form. If a blister does happen to break, treat it as an open wound and apply bandage or dressing of correct size.  It is recommended to apply an antibiotic / light antiseptic before applying the dressing. 


Burns, Major:  For major heat related burn injuries, have the victim lie down. Again, do not pop blisters, and try to avoid removing charred clothing.  Do not apply ointment or any other medication. Cover with a clean, dry dressing or bandage. If available, call 911 for immediate professional care. 


Burns, Chemical:  For chemical burns, flush effected area with water in order to rinse any residual chemicals off of the skin. As in other burns, do not pop blisters. Do not apply ointment or any other medication, as this may cause unintentional chemical interactions. Cover effected area with a clean, dry dressing or bandage. If available, call 911 for immediate professional care.  


Burns, Electrical:  Immediately move the victim away from the source of electricity when it is safe to do so. Use a non-conductive device, such as rope, rubber or wood to push or pull victim out of harm if the electrical danger is still present.  Make sure you do so from a safe distance yourself.  Once the victim has been removed from the electrical hazard, treat any burns the same as Major Burns (above).  Immediately call 911 if it is available.


Choking:  Lean the victim forward over the back of a chair and deliver four quick open-hand blows to the upper back between the shoulder blades. If the victim is still choking after this, stand behind the person and wrap your arms around his or her waist. Place one clenched fist just above the person’s navel and right below the sternum. Grasp your fist with the other hand.  Firmly, pull the clenched fist backward and upward under the rib cage six to ten times. Repeat if necessary. If choking continues, call 911 if it is available, and continue to administer first aid until help arrives.


Bleeding, Minor:  For minor bleeding, thoroughly wash the wound with soap and water. Apply clean dressing or bandage.


Bleeding, Major:  Elevate area above victim’s heart if possible.  If the bleeding is occurring on the victim’s neck or head, do not allow the victim to lie down.  Apply direct, firm pressure on the wound with sterile gauze or a clean cloth. If blood soaks through, do not remove gauze or cloth. Apply more gauze or cloth directly on top and increase pressure. Do not use a tourniquet if at all possible. If bleeding persists, if possible immediately take victim to an emergency room.


Animal Bites:  For animal bites, flush the wound with cool water for several minutes.  Then wash the wounds with soap and water.  Apply antiseptic and dressing or bandage.  Transport victim to hospital if possible.  
	

Snake Bites:  Immediately Wash the bite with soap and water.  Immobilize the bitten area and keep it lower than the heart.  Cover the area with a clean, cool compress or a moist dressing to minimize swelling and discomfort.  Monitor vital signs.  

If a victim is unable to reach medical care within 30 minutes, the American Red Cross recommends that you: 
Apply a bandage, wrapped two to four inches above the bite, to help slow the venom. This should not cut off the flow of blood from a vein or artery - the band should be loose enough to slip a finger under it.  A suction device can be placed over the bite to help draw venom out of the wound without making cuts. These devices are often included in commercial snake bite kits.

If available, administer anti-venom immediately.



Insect stings:  Carefully remove the stinger with tweezers or a needle.  Apply ice for comfort or anti-histamine lotion.  If the victim gets hives or itches all over, wheezes, vomits, or has an allergic reaction, immediately use an Epinephrine auto-injector if available.  If available, call 911.


Fractures: For a simple fracture, splint the break with any available material, such as a folded newspaper, cardboard, dowel rods or a rolled-up blanket. Do not attempt to realign or reposition the fracture unless you or someone available is a trained paramedic or physician. 


Shock, Electrical:  If it is possible, turn off electricity. See Burns, Electrical for more information on how to cease electrical current hazard to the victim.  DO NOT touch the victim until electrical contact is broken. Pull contact line from victim with dry rope, cloth or wooden pole. Keep victim warm and still. If available, call 911 for emergency medical assistance. 


Shock, Traumatic:  Keep victim lying down and covered with light blankets. Avoid moving the victim. Make sure the victim is breathing and that the airway is open. Try to stop any major bleeding by applying direct pressure (See Bleeding, Major). If available, call 911 for emergency medical assistance.


Fever:  If a fever is at least 102 degrees orally (and over 103 degrees rectally), remove unnecessary clothing from victim and administer acetaminophen, if available, instructed on the label.  Do not give aspirin to children under 12.  If the fever is higher than 104 degrees (F), use a large sponge and apply lukewarm water to the victim’s body.  Do not use ice, ice-water or rubbing alcohol for sponging.  Do not let victim get chilled.  If the fever persists, call a physician if available.



Eye Injuries: To remove a foreign object in eye, gently grasp victim’s eyelashes and pull upper eyelid over lower eyelid. Allow tears to wash object out of eye.  If this does not work, then flush the eye with clean water. If object does not wash away, cover the eye loosely with clean cloth and seek a physician if available.



Poisoning:  Immediately find the container of the substance ingested. If available, call poison control and report the age of the victim, the name of the product or plant ingested, the approximate amount ingested and the approximate time of ingestion. Follow the instructions given to you. Do not induce vomiting unless specifically instructed to do so by medical personnel.  If the victim is unconscious, roll onto left side to allow drainage of fluids which may block the airway and call 911 if available.



Heart Attack:  In the event of steady pressure felt in the center of the chest lasting two minutes or more, immediately call 911 if available.  Do not wait for severe pain, dizziness, sweating or shortness of breath.  The victim should stop all activity and rest.  Loosen any tight clothing at the neck, chest and waist. If victim has nitroglycerin tablets, help victim take as prescribed.  Aspirin could also be beneficial if taken soon enough (ONLY take prescribed amount).  If unconscious, check for breathing and pulse. Begin CPR if needed.