First Aid

What is First Aid

Accidents are the leading cause of death for people ages 1 to 37. Injuries sustained in accidents can often be tragic. They are grim reminders of our need to learn first aid skills and to practice preventive safety habits. First aid knowledge and skills allow you to help people who are in need of immediate emergency care. They also can help you save yourself if you should become injured. We recommend that our students enroll in American Red Cross first aid and safety courses, which are available in local communities or through colleges or universities. In this appendix, we briefly present some information about common first aid emergencies. (Please note that our information is not a substitute for comprehensive American Red Cross first aid instruction.) 

FIRST AID

• Keep a list of important phone numbers near your phone (your doctor, ambulance service, hospital, poison control center, police and fire departments). 

• In case of serious injury or illness, call the appropriate emergency service immediately for help (if uncertain, call "911" or "0"). 

Specific Problem                                                                              

Asphyxiation 

Victim stops breathing and skin, lips, tongue,and fingernail beds turn bluish or gray.

What To Do

Adult: Tip head back with one hand on forehead  and other lifting the lower jaw near the chin. Look, listen, and feel for breathing. If not breathing, place your mouth over victim's mouth, pinch the nose, get a fight seal, and give 2 slow breaths. Recheck the breathing; if still not breathing, give breaths once every 5 seconds for an adult, once every 3 seconds for a child,once every 3 seconds for infants (do not exaggerate head tilt for babies). 

Bleeding

 Victim bleeding severely can quickly go into shock and die within 1 or 2 minutes.        

What To Do

   With the palm of your hand, apply firm, direct pressure to the wound with a clean dressing or pad. Elevate the body part if possible. Do not remove blood-soaked dressings; use additional layers, continue to apply pressure, and elevate the site.

Choking 

Accidental ingestion or inhalation of food or other objects causes suffocation that can quickly    

lead to death. There are over 3000 deaths annually,mostly of infants, small children, and the elderly.    

What To Do                                                      

The procedure is easy to learn; however, the Heimlich maneuver must be learned from a qualified instructor. The procedure varies somewhat for infants, children,adults, pregnant women, and obese people.

                                                                                                        

Hyperventilation

 A situation in which a person breathes too rapidly; often the result of fear or anxiety; may cause  confusion, shortness of breath, dizziness, or fainting. Intentional hyperventilation before underwater  swim is especially dangerous,since it may cause a swimmer to pass out in the water and drown.                                                                                                                                          

What To Do

Have the person relax and rest for a few minutes.  Provide reassurance and a calming influence Having the victim take a few breaths in a paper bag (not plastic) may be helpful. Do not permit  an swimmers to practice hyperventilation  before attempting to swim.

                                                                                                                                    

Bee Stings 

Not especially dangerous except for people who have developed an allergic hypersensitivity

to a particular venom. Those who are not hypersensitive will experience swelling, redness,

and pain. Hypersensitive people may develop extreme swelling, chest constriction, breathing difficulties, hives, and shock signs.                          

What To Do

For nonsensitive people: Scrape stinger from skin and apply cold compresses or over-the- counter topical preparation for insect bites.

For sensitive people: Get professional help immediately. Scrape the stinger from skin;

position the person so that the stung body part is below the level of the heart; help administer prescribed medication (if available); apply cold compresses. 

Poisoning 

Often poisoning can be prevented with adequate safety awareness. Children are frequent victims.

What To Do

Call the poison control center immediately; follow the instructions provided.

 Keep syrup of ipecac on hand.

Shock

A life-threatening depression of circulation, respiration, and temperature control, recognizable by a victim's cool, clammy, pale skin; weak and rapid pulse; shallow breathing; weakness; nausea; or unconsciousness.

What To Do

Provide psychological reassurance.

Keep victim calm and in a comfortable, reclining position; loosen tight clothing.

Prevent loss of body heat; cover if necessary.

Elevate legs 8 to 12 inches (if there are no head, neck, or back injuries, or possible broken bones involving the hips or legs).

Do not give food or fluids. Seek further emergency assistance.

Burns 

Burns can cause severe tissue damage and lead to serious infection and shock.

What To Do

Minor burns: immerse in cold water and then cover with sterile dressings; do not apply butter or grease to burns.

Major burns: seek help immediately; cover affected area with large quantities of clean dressings or bandages; do not try to clean the burn area or break blisters.

Chemical burns: flood the area with running water. 

Broken Bones

 Fractures are a common result of car accidents, falls, and recreational accidents.

What To Do

Do not move the victim unless absolutely necessary to prevent further injury. Immobilize the affected area. Give care for shock while waiting for further emergency assistance.