A dressing
is a wound covering used to stop bleeding. It helps prevent infection. A dressing can be a gauze pad or any other clean piece of cloth or even a gloved hand. Leave all dressings on as you add more.
A Person with a Mouth Injury
may have broken, loose, or knocked-out teeth. This can cause a choking hazard
A seizure
is an abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Most seizures stop within a few minutes. Epilepsy often causes seizures. Not all seizures are due to epilepsy. Seizures happen when the heart suddenly stops beating. Seizures can also be caused by: Head injury, Low Blood Sugar, Heat-related injury, poisons
Action for a Choking Adult who stops responding
Check if they need CPR. If so, give it
After each set of 30 compression, open airway. If you see an object in the mouth, take it out
Continue CPR until they speak, move, or breathe, or until someone with more advanced training takes over
Action for applying a bandage
Make sure the scene is safe. Get the first aid kit and wear PPE
Use direct pressure, gauze pads/dressings if available, to stop any bleeding
Apply the bandage over the dressings
Action for Assembling and Using an Inhaler
Shake the medicine
Put medicine canister into mouthpiece
Remove cap from mouthpiece
Attach a spacer if there is one available
Tilt the person's head back slightly and have them breathe out slowly
Put inhaler or spacer in their mouth
Push down the medicine canister. Have the person breathe out slowly
Have them hold their breath for 10 seconds and breathe out slowly
Action for giving First Aid on someone with a possible Broken Bone or Sprain
Make sure the scene is safe. Get first aid kit. Wear PPE
Cover any open wound with a clean dressing
Place a plastic bag filled with ice and water on the injured area with a towel between the ice bag and the skin for up to 20 minutes
Call or have someone call 911 if:
There is a large open wound
The injured part is abnormally bent
You're not sure what to do
If an injured body part hurts, the person should avoid using it until checked by a healthcare provider
Action for Giving First Aid to a Person with an Injury from a Puncturing or Penetrating Object
Make sure the scene is safe. Get the first aid kit. Wear PPE
Call or have someone call 911
Stop any bleeding you can see
Try to keep the injured person from moving
Action for Helping a choking Adult
Ask "Are you choking?" If they nod yes help them
Get behind them (Wrap arms around them)
Make a fist with 1 hand
Put thumb side of your fist slightly above belly button and well below the breastbone
Grasp the fist with your other hand (give quick upward thrusts to the abdomen)
Give thrusts until object is forced out, they can't breath, cough, or talk, or become unresponsive
Action for Helping a Choking Large Person or Pregnant Women
Give thrusts on the chest not abdomen, Put your arms under the armpits and your hands on lower half of breastbone, Pull straight back to give chest thrusts
Action for helping someone who is having a shock
Make sure the scene is safe
Call or have someone call 911 and get the first aid kit and AED
Help the person lie on their back
Cover the person in shock to keep them warm
See if they need CPR. If they do, give CPR. If you don't know how give Hands-Only CPR
Action for Making and Using a Tourniquet
Make sure the scene is safe. Wear PPE
Fold a cloth or bandage so that it's long and at least 1 inch wide
Wrap the bandage 2 inches above the injury, if possible
Tie the ends of the bandage around a stick (or something similar to a stick)
Turn the stick to tighten the tourniquet
Continue tightening until the bleeding stops
Secure the stick so the tourniquet stays tight
Note what time the tourniquet was placed
Get medical help ASAP
Action for Using a Premade Tourniquet
Make sure the scene is safe. Call 911 and wear PPE
Place the tourniquet 2 inches above the injury, if possible
Tighten the tourniquet until the bleeding stops
Note what time you put the tourniquet on
Get medical help ASAP
Leave the tourniquet on until someone with more advanced training takes over
Action if a person faints and then responds
Ask the person to continue to lie flat on the floor until they can sit up and feels normal
If the person fell, look for injuries caused by the fall
Call 911
Actions After seizure
See if the person needs CPR. If they do, give CPR. If you don't know how, give Hands-Only CPR
Stay with the person until someone with more advanced training takes over
If the person is vomiting or has fluids in their mouth and you think the person doesn't have a head, neck or spine injury, Roll them on their side
Actions During a seizure
Make sure the scene is safe
Protect the person by: Moving furniture or other objects out of the way Place a small pad or towel under the person's head if it's easy to do so
Call or have someone call 911 NEVER PUT ANYTHING IN THEIR MOUTH WHILE THEY'RE HAVING A SEIZURE (THEY CAN CHOKE)
Actions for a Person Who is Dizzy but Still Responds
Make sure the scene is safe
Help the person lie flat on the floor
If they person doesn't improve or stops responding, call 911
Actions for an Epinephrine Pen
Get the prescribed epinephrine pen
Take off the safety cap. Follow the instructions on the pen
Hold the Epi pen in your fist without touching either end because the needle comes out of one end
Push the end with the needle hard against the side of the person's thigh, about halfway between the hip and knee. Give the injection through clothes or on bare skin
Hold the pen in place for about 10 seconds
Remove the needle by pulling the pen straight out
Actions for bleeding you see
Make sure the scene is safe
Put a dressing on the wound. Apply direct pressure on the dressing. Use the flat part of your fingers or the palm of your hand
If the bleeding does not stop, add more dressings on top of the first and press harder
Keep pressure on the wound until it stops bleeding
If you can't keep pressure on the wound, wrap a bandage firmly over the dressing to hold the dressing in place
Actions for Eye Injuries
Make sure the scene is safe. Get the first aid kit. Wear PPE
Call or have someone call 911 if the eye is hit hard or punctured. Tell the person to keep their eyes closed
If there is irritant, such as sand, in the eye. Use water to rinse the eye
If the irritant does not come out or if the person is in extreme pain call 911 and tell them to keep their eyes closed
Actions for giving First Aid for a Small Burn
Make sure scene is safe. Get first aid kit. Wear PPE
If the burn area is small, cool it immediately with cold, but not ice-cold water. Run cold water on the burn until it doesn't hurt
You may cover the burn with a dry, nonstick, sterile or clean dressing
Actions for giving first aid for an Electricity Injury
Make sure scene is safe. Get first aid kit and AED. Wear PPE
Call 911
When it is safe to touch the injured person, see if they need CPR
A healthcare provider should check everyone who has an electrical injury
Actions for giving First Aid to a person who may have Bleeding you can't see
Make sure the scene is safe. Get the first aid kit and AED. Wear PPE
call or ask someone to call 911
Have the person lie down and stay still
Check for signs of shock
See if the person needs CPR. If they do, give them CPR. If you don't know how give Hands-Only CPR
Actions for giving First Aid to a Person with a Nosebleed
Make sure the scene is safe. Get the first aid kit. Wear PPE
Press both sides of the nostrils while the person sits and leans forward
Place constant pressure on both sides of the nostrils for a few minutes until the bleeding stops
If bleeding continues, press harder
Call 911 if:
You can't stop the bleeding in about 15 minutes
The bleeding is heavy, such as gushing blood
The person has trouble breathing
Actions for giving First Aid to a person with an Amputation
Make sure the scene is safe. Get the first aid kit and AED. Wear PPE
Call or ask someone to call 911
Stop the bleeding from the injured area with pressure. You will have to press for a long time with very firm pressure to stop the bleeding
If you find the amputated part, protect it
Stay with the injured person until more advanced training takes over
Actions for giving first aid to a person with an Animal or Human Bite:
Make sure scene is safe. Get first aid kit. Wear PPE
For animal bites call 911
Clean the wound with a lot of running water (and soap if available)
Stop any bleeding with pressure and dressings
For all bites that break the skin, call a healthcare provider
If there is a bruise or swelling, place a bag of ice and water wrapped in a towel on the bite for up to 20 minutes These animals may carry rabies: cats, dogs, skunks, raccoon, fox, bat, or other wild animals
Actions for Giving First Aid to a Person with Bleeding from the Mouth
Make sure the scene is safe. Get the first aid kit. Wear PPE
If you can easily reach the bleeding, apply pressure to the area with dressings
Call or ask someone to call 911 if:
You can't stop the bleeding
The person has trouble breathing
Actions for Head, Neck, and Spine Injuries
Make sure the scene is safe
Call or ask someone to call 911
Minimize movement of the head and neck
Actions for How to Help Someone with Breathing Problems
Make sure scene is safe
Ask if they have medicine (get it if they can't)
Ask if you have the right medicine
Assemble and use the Inhaler
Call 911 if: person has no medicine, don't get better after using the medicine, person's breathing gets worse, trouble speaking, stops responding
Stay with them until someone with more advanced training takes over
See if they need CPR
Actions for Large Burns
Make sure scene is safe. Get first aid kit. Call 911
If person is on fire, put fire out
Remove jewelry and clothing that is not stuck to the skin
Cover the person with a dry blanket
Check for signs of shock Cover the person with a dry blanket to keep the person warm because once the skin has burned, the person can no longer control body temp well and often gets cold
Actions for Self-Splinting an Arm
If you don't have anything to use as a splint, a person can use his other arm to hold the injured one in place.
Make sure scene is safe
Have the injured person place his hand across his chest and hold it in place with his other arm
Actions for Severe Allergic Reactions
Make sure the scene is safe
Call or send someone to call 911 and get the first aid kit
If the person responds and has an Epi pen, help them get it. Ask them to use it
If they can't use it them self, and if you're allowed, use the Epi pen to give them an injection
Rub the injection spot for about 10 seconds
After using the Epi pen, dispose of it properly
Note the time of injection
See if the person needs CPR. If they do, give CPR. If you don't know how, give Hands-Only CPR
Actions for Someone with a Possible Heart Attack
Make sure the person stays calm and rests
Call or have someone call 911
Ask someone to get the first aid kit and AED if available
If the person has no allergy to aspirin, no serious bleeding, and no signs of a stroke, give them an aspirin (either 2 low-dose aspirin or 1 regular)
See if the person needs CPR. If they do, give CPR. If you don't know how, give Hands-Only CPR
It's best if the person doesn't drive them self to the hospital. Stay with them until someone with more advanced training arrives and takes over
Actions for Splinting
Make sure the scene is safe. Get the first aid kit. Wear PPE
To make a splint, use something (such as a magazine) that will keep the arm or leg from moving
Ideally, place the splint so that it extends beyond the injured area and supports the joints above and below the injury
Tie the splint to the injured body part so that it supports the joints above and below the injury
Make sure that the injured person is checked by a healthcare provider
If the injured part is bleeding, apply direct pressure to stop the bleeding and apply a dressing to the wound before applying the splint
Actions for Tooth Injuries
Make sure the scene is safe. Get the first aid kit. Wear PPE
Check the mouth for any missing teeth, loss teeth, or parts of teeth
Clean the wound with saline or clean water
If a tooth is loose, have the bite down on a piece of gauze to keep the tooth in place and call a dentist
If a tooth is chipped, gently clean the injured area and call a dentist
Apply pressure with gauze to stop any bleeding at the empty tooth socket
If a tooth has come out, put the tooth in a cup of milk or clean water and immediately take the injured person and tooth to a dentist or emergency department
Tell the person to talk with a dentist if a tooth changes color after an injury
Actions if Someone is Responding and shows Signs of Low Blood Sugar
If the person can sit up and swallow, give them something that contains sugar to eat or drink
Have him sit quietly or lie down
Call or have someone call 911
Actions to Protect an Amputated Part
Rinse the Amputated part with clean water
Cover or wrap the Amputated part with a clean dressing
If it will fit, place the Amputated part in a watertight plastic bag
Place the bag in another container with ice or ice and water; label it with the injured person's name, date, and time
Make sure it is sent to the hospital with the injured person
Actions when someone is having a stroke
Make sure scene is safe
Call or ask someone to call 911 and get the first aid kit and AED if available
Note the time when the signs of stroke first started
See if the person needs CPR. If they do, give CPR. If you don't know how give Hands-Only CPR
After The Emergency
you learn private things about others, like their medical condition. You must not share this information with others keep it confidential
Although many bites are
minor, some may break the skin. When a bite breaks the skin, the wound can bleed and may become infected from the germs in the biter's mouth. Bites that do not break the skin are not usually serious
Always ask
the ill or injured person if they need help
Amputation
If a part of the body, such as a finger, toe, hand or foot is cut off, save the body part because doctors may be able to reattach it. You can preserve a detached body part at room temperature, but it will be in a better condition to be reattached if you keep it cool
Assembling and Using an Inhaler
Shake the medicine
Put medicine canister into mouthpiece
Remove the cap from mouthpiece
Attach a spacer if there is one available
Tilt the person's head back slightly and have them breath out slowly
Put inhaler or spacer in their mouth
Push down the medicine canister. Have person breathe out slowly
Have them hold their breath for 10 seconds and breathe slowly
assessing the scene
Danger: Look out for danger to the injured person, only move them if they're in immediate danger and it is safe to do so Help: Look for people who can help and call 911, if not call yourself Who: who is injured? see if there are others that are hurt, see if they can tell you what happened Where: Where are you? Be specific, 911 will want to know everything from address, floor or location in the building or outside
Bandage
is material used to protect or cover an injured body part. A bandage may also help keep pressure on the wound
Bleeding
often looks worse than it is. When a large blood vessel is cut or torn, the person can lose a lot of blood within minutes. You can stop most bleeding with pressure. If the injured person can help you, ask them to put direct pressure on the wound while you put on your PPE
Bleeding From the Mouth
can be serious if blood or broken teeth block the airway and cause breathing problems or if you can't reach the bleeding area. You can usually stop bleeding from the mouth with pressure.
Burns
are injuries that can be caused by contact with heat, electricity, or chemicals. Heat burns can be caused by contact with fire, a hot surface, a hot liquid, or steam
Call 911 if
-There is a lot of bleeding
You cannot stop the bleeding
You see signs of shock
You suspect a head, neck, or spine injury
You are not sure what you do
Call or have someone call 911 for burns if
There is a fire
The person has a large burn
You are not sure what to do
Choking
is when food or another object gets stuck in the airway
Choking Sign
holding neck with 1 or both hands
Diabetes
is a disease that affects levels of sugar in the blood. Too much or too little sugar causes problems. Too much insulin can also cause low blood sugar
During a seizure
the person may bite his tongue during a seizure. Give first aid for that injury after the seizure stops. After a seizure it is not unusual for the person to be confused or get sleepy
Electricity
can burn the body on the inside and outside. Electricity can stop breathing or cause a deadly abnormal heart rhythm Electricity may leave only small marks on the body. No one can tell how much damage there is inside the body based on the marks on the outside
Electricity can travel
from the source through the injured person to you. Stay clear of the injured person as long as they are in contact with the power source that is on. You should turn off the main power switch only if you know how and can safely do so. Once the power is off, you may touch the injured person
Epinephrine (Epi) Pen
can be injected through clothing, the injection is given in the side of the thigh
Eye Injuries
With a direct hit or punch to the eye or the side of the head
When a ball or other object directly hits the eye
When a high-speed object, such as a BB gun pellet, hits the eye
When a stick or other sharp object punctures the eye
When a small object, such as a piece of dirt, gets in the eye
Fainting
is a short period when a person stops responding for less than a minute and then seems fine. This is usually caused by not enough blood going to the brain. Seconds before fainting, they may feel dizzy
Fainting often occurs when the person:
-Stands without moving for a long time, especially if the weather is hot -Has a heart condition -Suddenly stands after squatting or bending down -Receives bad news
Finding the problem
Check the scene to be sure it is safe
Tap the person and shout, "Are you OK?" If the person is responsive tell then you're there to help, ask permission and ask what the problem is. If the person is unresponsive help anyway, call or have someone call 911 & get the first aid kit and AED
Check if the person is breathing. If not, begin CPR and use AED if available
Look for any obvious signs of injury ( Bleeding, Broken Bones, Burns, Bites)
Look for medical jewelry
First Aid
is the immediate care that you give someone with an illness or injury before someone with more advanced training arrives and takes over
Giving First Aid
1.If they respond introduce yourself as a first aid provider before you help. Ask if you may help 2.If the person agrees then you give first aid 3.if the person refuses help, call 911 and stay with them until someone more with more advanced training comes 4.If the person is confused or cannot answer, assume they would want help
Heart Disease (Attack)
single biggest cause of death in the United States, the first minutes of a heart attack are the most important, if it gets worse you can die
Heimlich Maneuver
thrusts slightly above belly button
High Voltage
if electrical injury is caused by high voltage, such as a fallen power line, electricity can travel through everything that touches the power line or source (even a wooden stick). Wait until the power has been turned off to enter the area to help
How to help someone with breathing problems
Make sure scene is safe
Ask if they have medicine (get it if they can't)
Ask if you have the right medicine
Assemble and use the inhaler
Call 911 if: person has no medicine, don't get better after using the medicine, person's breathing gets worse, trouble speaking, stops responding
Stay with them until someone with more advanced training takes over
See if they need CPR
How to phone for help when alone
Yell for help while you start to check the ill or injured person
If no one answers your yell & immediate care isn't needed; leave for a moment while you call 911, get first aid kit and AED, if available
Return to the ill or injured person
How to phone for help when with others
Stay with the ill or injured be prepared to give first aid or CPR
Send someone else to call 911 and get the first aid kit and AED if available Answering all of the dispatcher's questions is important to getting help to you as fast as possible When you call for help, the emergency dispatcher may be able to tell you how to do CPR, use an AED, or give first aid
If Choking is Mild
the person can make sounds, cough loudly you should- Stand by and let them cough, If worried about their breathing call 911
If Choking is Severe
the person can't breathe, cough has no sound, can't talk or make a sound, makes the choking sign you should- Act Quickly
If someone with diabetes
is unable to sit up and swallow, don't give them anything to eat or drink
If you suspect someone is having a heart attack
Act quickly, Don't Hesitate
Inhalers
are made up of 2 parts: the medicine canister and the mouthpiece
Joint Sprains
happens when joints move in directions they're not supposed to go. Without an X-ray it may be impossible to tell whether the bone is broken SIGNS:There may be swelling and the joint may turn slightly blue if it is sprained
Leave Penetrating Objects in
if a person is injured and a sharp object, such as a nail or a knife, remains partly stuck in the body, leave it in the body. Taking it out may cause more damage
Leave the bent or deformed body part
in their bent or deformed position as you apply the splint. If a broken bone has come through the skin, cover the wound with a clean dressing, and splint as needed
Low Blood Sugar can occur if a person with diabetes has
Not eaten or is vomiting, Not eaten enough food for the level of activity, Injected too much insulin
Mild Allergic Reaction
-Stuffy nose, sneezing -Itching around the eyes, itching of the skin -Raised, red rash on the skin (hives)
Minor cut or scrape
wash the area with lots of clean water to get the wound clean before applying the dressing. You will use less direct pressure to stop the bleeding for a minor cut or scrape than for a major cut or scrape
Most first aid kits have a triangular bandage
this is ideal for making a tourniquet
Never place an Amputated body part
directly on ice or in water because the ice or water may damage it
Nosebleeds
it's sometimes hard to tell how much bleeding there is because the injured often swallows some of the blood. This may cause the person to vomit
Penetrating or Puncturing Objects
an object such as knife or sharp stick can wound a person by penetrating the body or puncturing the skin. Leave the object in place until a healthcare provider can treat the injury
People can be allergic to many things, including:
Many foods, such as eggs, nuts, chocolate Insect stings or bites, especially bee or wasp stings
Severe Allergic Reactions
-Trouble breathing -Swelling of the tongue and face -Signs of shock
Shock
develops when there is not enough blood flowing to the cells of the body. Someone with shock may stop responding. In adults shock is most often present is someone: -Loses a lot of blood that you may not be able to see -Has a severe heart attack -Has a severe allergic reaction
Signs
During some types of seizures, the person may: Lose muscle control Fall to the ground Jerk arms, legs, or other parts of the body Stop responding
Signs in Women, the Elderly, and Diabetics
Women, the Elderly, and people with diabetes are more likely to have the less typical signs of a heart attack, such as an ache in the chest, heart burn, or indigestion. They may have an uncomfortable feeling in the back, jaw, neck, or shoulder. They may also complain of shortness of breath or have nausea or vomiting
Signs of a Head Injury
Does not respond or only moans or moves
Acts sleepy or confused
Vomits
Complains of a headache
Has trouble seeing
Has trouble walking or moving any part of the body
Has a seizure
Signs of Breathing Problems
breathing very fast or very slow, have trouble with every breath, has noisy breathing, can only make sounds or speak no more than a few words at a time
Signs of Eye Injury includes:
Pain
Trouble seeing
Bruising
Bleeding
Redness, Swelling
Signs of Heart Attack
Chest Discomfort: Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain. If someone has an uncomfortable feeling in the chest, think heart attack Discomfort in Other Areas of the Upper Body: Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or abdomen Shortness of Breath: this may occur with or without chest discomfort Other Signs: May include cold sweat, nausea, or light-headedness
Signs of Low Blood Sugar can appear quickly and may include:
-A change in behavior, such as confusion or irritability -Sleepiness or not responding -Hunger, thirst, or weakness -Sweating, pale skin color -A seizure
Signs of Shock
A person in shock may: -Feel weak, faint, or dizzy -Feel nauseous or thirsty -Have pale or grayish skin -Act restless, agitated, or confused -Be cold and clammy to the touch
Small wounds
heal better and with less infection if an antibiotic ointment or cream is used. Apply antibiotic ointment or cream and then a clean dressing, but only if the wound is a small scrape or surface cut and only if the person doesn't have any allergies to the antibiotics
Spinal Cord
bones of the spine protect the spinal cord. The spinal cord carries messages between the brain the brain and the body. If the spine is damaged, the spinal cord may be injured. The person may not be able to move their legs or arms and may lose feeling in parts of the body
Splint
keeps an injured body part from moving. You may need to apply a splint to an arm or leg; use rolled-up towels, and pieces of wood. You should be able to put a few fingers between the splint and the injured body part. Don't tie the splint too tight.
Strokes
occur when blood stops flowing to a part of the brain. This can happen if there is bleeding or a blocked blood vessel in the brain. The signs of a stroke are usually very sudden It is important to recognize the signs of a stroke quickly and get medical care fast
Supplying a first Aid Kit
keep the supplies in a sturdy, watertight container that is clearly labeled, Know where it is, Replace what you use, Check for expired supplies and make sure everything is in it