First Aid Handbook

David Cho

First Aid Handbook, Page 1

Contents

Bleeding and Wounds - Pg. 3

Burns - Pg. 4

Muscle/Bone Injuries - Pg. 5

Environmental Injuries - Pg. 6

What Goes Into My First Aid Kit? - Pg. 7

First Aid Handbook, Page 2

How to Treat Bleeding

Wounds
It is crucial to dial 911 if the sufferers wound is severely bleeding, located
near his abdomen, or spurts heavy amounts of blood.
1. Do not immediately pull out any impaled object from the wound (knives,
rocks, sticks, etc.). The object may be pressed against an artery or other vital
structure that may actually be helping to reduce the bleeding.
2. Try to control the bleeding by using a combination of direct pressure,
elevation, and pressure points.
3. Try to keep the area of the wound as immobile and still as possible. This
helps blood clotting and minimizes further damage.
4. Dress the wound and keep it as clean as possible.
5. Seek medical attention if necessary.

First Aid Handbook, Page 3

How to Treat Burns

Types of Burns
First degree burns: reddened, but non blistered skin
Second degree burns: blisters and thickening skin
Third degree burns: thickened, white, leathery skin
How to Treat Them
First Degree Burns
1.

Relieve the pain by soaking the burn with cool water for five minutes or longer

2.

Take pain relievers if needed

3.

Apply aloe vera to soothe the skin

4.

Use any type of anti-bacterial ointment to prevent infection on the wound

Second Degree Burns

1.

Run burn under cool water for 15 minutes or more

2.

Take pain relievers (i.e. ibuprofen, acetaminophen)

3.

Use antibiotic cream on blisters

4.

Seek medical attention if needed

Third Degree Burns

1.

Call 911 immediately

2.

Elevate the area of the burn above your heart to prevent blood loss

3.

Do not touch or try to treat the burn yourself

First Aid Handbook, Page 4

How to Treat Skeletal and

Muscular Injuries
Fractures
1. If skin is broken do not touch or put anything on the wound
2. Do not move the injury you need to stabilize the wound to stabilize the
injury
3. Find two stiff objects i.e wood,
plastic, or folded cardboard for the
splints
4. After placing the splints above and
below the injured area, tie the splints with
rope, belts, or anything available at your
possession.
5. Do not tie the ropes too tightly, as
this may cut circulation
6. Seek medical attention
Sprains, Strains, and Bruises
1. Apply some pressure on sprains with an elastic bandage
2. Use a crushed ice pack for pain relief
3. Take any pain relievers if needed
4. Use heating pads, hot compresses, or hot baths to improve the injury
5. Seek medical attention if needed

First Aid Handbook, Page 5

How to Treat Environmental

Injuries
Animals
1. Ward the hostile animal by any means possible
2. If bitten try to immediately call for medical attention
3. Try to wash the wound with soap and water as soon as possible
4. If you believe youve been injected with poison keep the injury lower than
the heart. This slows the flow of the venom
Frostbite
1. Remove wet clothing and dress the area with warm, dry, clothing
2. Immerse area in warm water (100-105 degrees fahrenheit) or apply warm
compresses for ten to thirty minutes
3. If theres no warm stuff available, wrap gently in warm blankets
4. Avoid any direct heat (fires, heating pads, hot water bottles)
5. Never try to thaw the area if it is at risk
of refreezing; this can cause severe tissue
damage
6. Do not rub the skin
7. Take any pain relievers
8. Seek any medical attention if necessary

First Aid Handbook, Page 6

What Goes Into a First Aid

Kit?
Dressings and bandages
Adhesive bandages of various sizes
Sterile gauze pads
Gauze roll
Eye shield or pad
Roll of adhesive tape
Elastic bandages
Triangular bandages for wrapping injuries and making arm slings
Sterile cotton balls/cotton-tipped swabs

Other
latex or non-latex gloves
Instant cold pack
Syringe and medicine spoon for giving specific doses of medicine
Thermometer
Tweezers to remove ticks, insect stingers and small splinters
Scissors for cutting gauze

First Aid Handbook, Page 7

 Breathing barrier for giving CPR

Blanket
Hand sanitizer (liquid and/or wipes)

Medicine
Hydrogen peroxide
Antibiotic ointment
Sterile eyewash or saline
Calamine lotion for stings
Hydrocortisone cream, ointment or lotion
Pain and fever medicine
Antihistamine to treat allergies and swelling
Decongestants to treat nasal congestion
Anti-nausea medicine to treat motion sickness and other types of nausea
Anti-diarrhea medicine
Antacid to treat upset stomach

First Aid Handbook, Page 8