FIRST AID EMERGENCIES

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911IMMEDIATELY

ABOUT 911 CALLS: ABOUT FIRST AID:

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ABRASIONS/CUTS BEE STINGS

Wear rubber gloves

Use the side of this card or any card and quickly scrape

If the cut is not deep or just a scrape wash the area and apply a it across the area until the stinger comes out
Band-Aid, or gauze (with tape)

If the cut is deeper, apply direct pressure using a clean cloth or large
gauze pad until bleeding stops and then clean and bandage the
area

If there is a large amount of blood or you are not able to stop the
bleeding call 911

Wash with soap and cool water and apply an ice pack
or cold compress

CALL 911 if the person knows they are allergic or if
they have trouble breathing or show other signs of an
allergy such as swelling of the face or tongue, hives
fainting or itching
 SEVERE BLEEDING (1)

Remove any obvious dirt or debris from the wound. Don't remove
large or deeply embedded objects. Don't probe the wound or attempt
to clean it yet. Wear disposable protective gloves if available

Stop the bleeding. Place a sterile bandage or clean cloth on the
wound. Press the bandage firmly with your palm to control bleeding.
Maintain pressure by binding the wound tightly with a bandage or a
piece of clean cloth. Secure with adhesive tape. Use your hands if
nothing else is available

Don't remove the gauze or bandage. If the bleeding seeps through
the gauze or other cloth on the wound, add another bandage on top of
it. And keep pressing firmly on the area

Raise the injured part above the level of the heart

Help the injured person lie down, preferably on a rug or blanket to
prevent loss of body heat. If possible, elevate the legs in place
BLISTERS

Never pop a blister.

Keep the area clean and protected with a fresh
Band-Aid

If the area is being rubbed (such as the heel by new
shoes) remove the item rubbing it or cover it with
mole skin or gauze for padding

Inform an adult if the area appears infected
To drain a blister, use a sterilized needle and gently poke
through the side of the blister and drain, then clean
BURNS
1st/2nd Degree Burn: Skin turns red, possibly blisters

Immediately cool burned area in cool water until there is
little to no pain (5-15 minutes)

Pat dry and cover with a moist dressing or bandage
loosely

Don’t break any blisters

NO lotions, creams, ointments, or sprays
3rd Degree Burn: Skin can be burned away and some
flesh will be charred

CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY!

NO LOTIONS, CREAMS, OINTMENTS or SPRAY!

DON’T REMOVE CLOTHES!
SEVERE BLEEDING (2)

Immobilize the injured body part once the bleeding has
stopped. Leave the bandages in place and get the injured person to
the emergency room as soon as possible

Call 911 or your local emergency number if the bleeding is the
result of major trauma or injury. Also call for emergency help if you
suspect internal bleeding
Tourniquets: Apply a tourniquet if you're trained in how to do so. When
emergency help arrives, explain how long the tourniquet has been in
place
Signs of internal bleeding include: Bleeding from a body opening, such
as the ear, mouth, nose, etc.; Vomiting or coughing up blood; Bruising; A
tender or swollen stomach; Cold, clammy skin; Thirst; Fractures; Shock,
indicated by a rapid, weak pulse, pallor, sweating, rapid breathing and
decreased alertness
BREAKS/FRACTURES

If a fracture is the result of a serious injury, CALL 911

Stop any bleeding. Apply pressure to the wound with a sterile
bandage, a clean cloth or a clean piece of
clothing

Immobilize the injured area. Don't try to realign the bone or
push a bone that's sticking out back in. If you've been trained
in how to splint, apply a splint to the area above and below the
fracture sites. Padding the splints can help reduce discomfort

Apply ice packs to limit swelling and help relieve pain. Don't
apply ice directly to the skin. Wrap the ice in a towel, piece of
cloth or some other material

Treat for shock. If the person feels faint or is breathing in
short, rapid breaths, lay the person down with the head slightly
lower than the trunk and, if possible, elevate the legs.
CHOKING
Have someone else call 911 immediately, and/or if you are alone with
the victim and their airway is blocked, use the "five-and-five" approach:

Give 5 back blows. Deliver five back blows between the person's
shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.

Give 5 abdominal thrusts. Perform five abdominal thrusts (also known
as the Heimlich maneuver).

Alternate between 5 blows and 5 thrusts until the blockage is dis-
lodged.
To perform Heimlich maneuver (can be done on the victim or yourself):

Stand behind the person. Wrap your arms around the waist. Tip the
person forward slightly (if on yourself lean over a chair/hard surface)

Make a fist with one hand. Position it slightly above the person's navel

Grasp the fist with the other hand. Press hard into the abdomen with a
quick, upward thrust-as if trying to lift the person up
 CPR/COMPRESS
Have someone else call 911 immediately, and/or if you are alone with
the victim and their airway is blocked, use the "C-A-B" approach
(compressions-airway-breathing):
Compressions: Restore blood circulation

Put the person on his or her back on a firm surface.

Kneel next to the person's neck and shoulders.

Place the heel of one hand over the center of the person's chest,
between the nipples. Place your other hand on top of the first hand.
Keep your elbows straight and position your shoulders directly above
your hands.

Use your upper body weight (not just your arms) as you push straight
down on (compress) the chest at least 2 inches (approximately 5 cen-
timeters). Push hard at a rate of about 100 compressions a minute.
If you haven't been trained in CPR, continue chest compressions until there are
signs of movement or until emergency medical personnel take over. If you have
been trained in CPR, go on to checking the airway and rescue breathing.
CPR/BREATHING
Breathing: Breathe for the person
Rescue breathing can be mouth-to-mouth breathing or mouth-to-
nose breathing if the mouth is seriously injured or can't be opened.

With the airway open (using the head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver),
pinch the nostrils shut for mouth-to-mouth breathing and cover the
person's mouth with yours, making a seal.

Prepare to give two rescue breaths. Give the first rescue breath
— lasting one second — and watch to see if the chest rises. If it
does rise, give the second breath. If the chest doesn't rise, repeat
the head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver and then give the second breath.
Thirty chest compressions followed by two rescue breaths is con-
sidered one cycle.

Resume chest compressions to restore circulation.

Continue CPR until there are signs of movement or emergency
medical personnel take over.
HEAT EXHAUSTION
Symptoms:
Pale face with cold sweat, shallow breathing, nausea and vomit-
ing, dilated pupils, headache, dizziness
Treatment:

Move the person out of the heat and into a shady or air-
conditioned place

Lay the person down and elevate the legs and feet slightly

Remove tight or heavy clothing

Have the person drink cool water or other nonalcoholic bev-
erage without caffeine

Cool the person by spraying or sponging with cool
water and fanning

Monitor the person carefully.
CPR/AIRWAY
Airway: Clear the airway
If you're trained in CPR and you've performed 30 chest
compressions, open the person's airway using the head-tilt, chin-lift
maneuver.

Put your palm on the person's forehead and gently tilt the head back.
Then with the other hand, gently lift the chin forward to open the
airway

Check for normal breathing, taking no more than five or 10 seconds.
Look for chest motion, listen for normal breath sounds, and feel for the
person's breath on your cheek and ear. Gasping is not normal
breathing

If the person isn't breathing normally and you are trained in CPR,
begin mouth-to-mouth breathing.
If you believe the person is unconscious from a heart attack and you
haven't been trained in emergency procedures, skip mouth-to-mouth
breathing and continue chest compressions.
HEAD TRAUMA
Symptoms:
Severe head or facial bleeding; Bleeding or fluid leakage from the nose or ears;
Severe headache; Change in level of consciousness for more than a few seconds;
Black-and-blue discoloration below the eyes or behind the ears; Vomiting;
Cessation of breathing; Confusion; Loss of balance; Weakness or an inability to
use an arm or leg; Unequal pupil size; Slurred speech; Seizures;
In children: Above or; Crying; Refusal to Eat; Bulging in the soft spot at forehead
Treatment:

Keep the person still. Until medical help arrives, keep the injured person lying
down and quiet, with the head and shoulders slightly elevated. Don't move the
person unless necessary, and avoid moving the person's neck. If the person is
wearing a helmet, don't remove it.

Stop any bleeding. Apply firm pressure to the wound with sterile gauze or a
clean cloth. But don't apply direct pressure to the wound if you suspect a skull
fracture.

Watch for changes in breathing and alertness. If the person shows no signs of
circulation — no breathing, coughing or movement — begin CPR.
HEAT STROKE
Symptoms:
Fever >104; confusion, agitation, slurred speech; Hot, dry
skin or heavy sweating; Nausea and vomiting; Flushed skin;
Rapid pulse; Rapid breathing; Headache; Fainting
Treatment:

SEND FOR HELP/CALL 911!!!

Quickly get to a cool shady spot

Lay on back with head and shoulders up

Undress down to underwear

Cover with dripping wet towels; Spray with a garden
hose; Sponge with cool water; Fan while misting with cool
water; Place ice packs on the neck, armpits and groin
 HYPOTHERMIA
Symptoms: Shivering; Slurred speech; Slow, shallow breathing; Weak pulse;
Clumsiness /lack of coordination; Drowsiness/low energy; Confusion/memory loss;
Loss of consciousness; Bright red, cold skin (in infants)
Treatment:

If you suspect someone has hypothermia, call 911

Gently move the person out of the cold. If outside, protect the person from the
wind, especially around the neck and head. Insulate the individual from the
cold ground

Gently remove wet clothing. Replace wet things with warm, dry coats or
blankets

If further warming is needed, do so gradually/slowly. Apply warm, dry
compresses to the center of the body (neck, chest and groin—NOT LEGS OR
ARMS). If you use hot water bottles or hot pack, wrap in towel first

Offer the person warm, sweet, nonalcoholic drinks

Begin CPR if no signs of life, such as breathing, coughing or movement
NOSEBLEED

Sit upright and lean forward

Use your thumb and index finger to pinch your nostrils shut.
Breathe through your mouth. Pinch for 5-10 min

To prevent re-bleeding, don't pick or blow your nose and don't
bend down for several hours after the bleeding episode.
During this time remember to keep your head higher than the
level of your heart

If re-bleeding occurs, blow out forcefully to clear your nose of
blood clots and spray both sides of the nose with a
decongestant nasal spray. Pinch your nose again as
described above and call your doctor

Seek emergency care if bleeding doesn’t stop after 20 min or
nosebleed follows an accident, a fall or an injury to the head,
or a punch in the face that may have broken the nose
POISONING (1)
Symptoms:
Burns or redness around the mouth and lips; Breath that
smells like chemicals, such as gasoline or paint thinner;
Vomiting; Difficulty breathing; Drowsiness; Confusion or
other altered mental status;
If you suspect poisoning, be alert for clues such as empty
bottles or packages, scattered pills, and burns, stains and
odors on the person or nearby objects.
With a child, consider the possibility that he or she may
have applied medicated patches or swallowed a button
battery.
INSECT BITES

TICKS burrow their heads in your skin. Remove any that you
find. Grasp it with tweezers and gently pull it away from the
skin. Wash area with soap and water

CHIGGERS burrow into the skin & cause itching & redness.
Don’t scratch. Use calamine lotion or clear fingernail polish

Poisonous Bites & Stings: CALL 911, be sure the victim keeps
breathing, if bite is on arm or leg use a constricting band.
Tighten it to stop blood flow, keep arm or leg below body.
Use cold compress on bite, treat for shock, get medical care
quickly!!
PUNCTURE WOUNDS
Puncture wounds can be caused by pins, splinters, nails,
fishhooks, and knives. These can allow tetanus germs into a
wound that is hard to clean.
Treatment:

Take out any foreign matter (e.g. use tweezers to remove a
splinter); squeezing gently around the wound

Wash wound with soap and water

Apply a sterile bandage and get the person to the doctor.
They may need a tetanus shot

If snagged by a fishhook, carefully push the barb out of the
skin and snip the barb off with pliers, then back the barbless
hook out of the wound.
POISONING (2)
Treatment:

Call 911 immediately if the person is unconscious, having
difficulty breathing, having seizures, agitated, etc

Call Poison Control 1-800-222-1222 if the person is alert and
calm

Until help arrives, treat as below:
Swallowed poison: Remove anything remaining in the person's mouth. If the suspected
poison is a household cleaner or other chemical, read the container's label and follow instruc-
tions for accidental poisoning.
Poison on the skin: Remove any contaminated clothing using gloves. Rinse the skin for 15 to
20 minutes in a shower or with a hose.
Poison in the eye. Gently flush the eye with cool or lukewarm water for 20 minutes or until
help arrives.
Inhaled poisons: Get the person into fresh air as soon as possible.
If the person vomits, turn his or her head to the side to prevent choking. Begin CPR if the
person shows no signs of life, such as moving, breathing or coughing. Have somebody gather
pill bottles, packages or containers with labels, and any other information about the poison to
send along with the ambulance team.
 SHOCK
Symptoms:
Confused behavior; very fast or very slow breathing; very
fast or very slow pulse rate; weakness in the arms and
legs; cool and moist skin; pale or bluish skin, lips, finger-
nails; and enlarged pupils
Treatment:

Call 911 IMMEDIATELY!!

Have them lie down on their back and elevate their feet

Keep the person warm and comfortable

DO NOT GIVE THEM ANYTHING TO DRINK!

If they are vomiting place them on their side

Treat any injuries
SNAKE BITES

CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY!!

Move to a safe distance

Lay victim down and place the bitten part lower than the
rest of the body, particularly the heart. Keep victim calm
and quiet

Put a constricting band 2”-4” above the bite to slow
spread of venom. Make it tight enough that it’s not easy
to push fingers in. If it starts to swell loosen the band

Treat victim for shock
If you know what kind of snake it was tell the dispatcher or responders,
note any distinguishing colors or markings, or if you are at a safe distance
and can see the snake, take a photo to help identify. The most venomous
snakes are the rattlesnake, coral snake, water moccasin and copperhead.

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CALL 911!! Otherwise call an adult to evaluate.
right wrist with left hand. Then grasp other bearers wrist
should be strapped together (with a towel or blanket with free hand. Patient sits on hands and wraps arms
in between them) and the person gently placed on a around shoulders
board, as for a back injury.