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• You’re responsible for the victim: If you’re in a • Adhesive tape: To hold gauze
First Aid Basics position of responsibility for other people, such as a bandages or splints in place.
First aid skills are techniques that a first responder to teacher or a Boy Scout leader, you must provide care Usually sold in rolls, like Scotch
the scene of an injury or illness can use to help an injured for those in your charge if they’re injured or ill. tape.
or sick person until medical professionals arrive. First aid • Adhesive bandages: To cover
may involve assisting with something as simple as a minor A few states have laws that require any bystander to help cuts or wounds without the
cut or as complex as performing CPR (cardiopulmonary the victim of an emergency to the best of their ability, as need for adhesive tape. You
resuscitation). long as doing so doesn’t endanger the first aid provider. should have large and small
Check your state’s laws to confirm your responsibilities. bandages, and they should be
First Aid and the Law sterile if possible. Latex-free
People are sometimes hesitant to provide help during an First Aid Courses bandages are best, since
emergency for fear of being sued if they do something The best way to learn, and the only way to get certified in some people are allergic to
wrong. Most states have passed Good Samaritan laws that first aid and CPR, is to take a first aid course. latex.
protect volunteers who provide first aid from lawsuits, pro- • Elastic bandages: To bind and
vided the volunteer follows three general guidelines: • What’s covered: Courses provide extensive training immobilize fractures and
about what to do in a variety of emergency situations. sprains temporarily, or to
• Obtain consent before giving first aid: A person has • Who offers courses: Your local chapter of the hold splints in place.
the right to refuse first aid. Before acting at the scene American Red Cross or the American Heart • Bandage scissors: To cut
of an emergency, identify yourself and tell the victim Association (AHA) offer first aid and CPR courses. bandages to the
that you know first aid. Then ask for permission to help. Many fire departments and medical centers do as well. appropriate size and to
• Expressed consent: If the victim gives permission, • Length and cost: First aid and CPR courses vary in snip adhesive tape.
you may begin first aid. length and cost. Contact your local Red Cross or AHA • Instant cold pack: To provide an
• Implied consent: If the victim is unconscious or chapter for further information. immediate source of cold
unresponsive and the situation is life-threatening, • Certification: You’ll have to pass a test in both first aid without the need for
you may assume that if the person were able to and CPR to get certified. To remain certified, you’ll need refrigeration.
respond, he or she would likely have accepted help. to update your knowledge and skills periodically. • Waterless hand wash or
You may then begin first aid. moist towelettes: To sanitize
• Don’t abandon the victim: Once you’ve begun first This guide serves as a handy quick-reference for some of hands and skin after providing
aid, don’t stop until medical assistance arrives or until the most important first aid and CPR procedures, but it first aid.
you’re so exhausted that you can’t continue giving care. should not serve as a replacement for the hands-on training
• Give first aid according to your training: Follow the provided by a course. Protecting Yourself
practices that you’ve been taught. Don’t try to perform Blood, or body fluids contaminated with blood, may carry
first aid procedures beyond your skill level. infectious diseases such as hepatitis or human immuno-
The First Aid Kit deficiency virus (HIV). First aid kits should contain medical
Good Samaritan laws can’t guarantee that you won’t be Though you can give basic first aid and CPR without tools, exam gloves, CPR mouth shields, and/or other equipment
sued for something you did or didn’t do at the scene of an a few supplies can make it safer, easier, and more effective. to limit this risk.
emergency. But very few Good Samaritans are sued, and It’s a good idea to assemble a simple first aid kit for your
even fewer lose in court. home, car, boat, workplace, or anywhere else you spend • Medical exam gloves:
lots of time. You can find first aid supplies at pharmacies and To protect your hands and
Duty to Act medical supply stores. skin from contact with
If you’ve been trained in first aid, you have a moral duty to blood and bodily fluids.
provide first aid to the victim of an emergency. But in most • Sterile gauze bandages: Latex-free gloves are best,
states, you are legally compelled to provide care only if: For covering cuts and but any rubber gloves are
wounds. They come in better than nothing at all.
• It’s your job: If you’re trained to perform first aid as various sizes and forms. • Mouth shield: To let you perform CPR without any
a part of your job, then you must provide first aid in You should have 2"× 2" actual mouth-to-mouth contact. There are two main
an emergency while you’re on duty. Nurses, doctors, pads, 4"× 4" pads, a types: Pocket Masks™ (generally used by medical
policemen, firefighters, and lifeguards all must provide large absorbent pad, as professionals) and Microshields® (more common
first aid when on duty. well as roller-type gauze. among Good Samaritan responders).
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1. Straighten the victim’s legs and place the arm closest B. If you’re alone and the victim is an adult: Call for
to you at a right angle to the body. Remove any bulky help yourself and then continue your assessment.
items from the victim’s pockets. C. If you’re alone and the victim is a child or
infant: Deliver five cycles of CPR before calling 911.
3. Try to open the
airway: A foreign object
or the victim’s tongue
may be obstructing the
If you’re exposed to body fluids in any way, call your health- airway. With the victim
care provider as soon as possible for guidance. on his back, open the
airway by tilting the
head back with one
What to Do During an Emergency hand while tilting the
No two emergencies are exactly the same. But there is a 2. With one hand, lift the arm farthest from you and bring chin upward with the other.
general plan of response that you should follow in every it across the victim’s chest. Hold the arm so the back 4. Take ten seconds—and no longer—to check for
emergency situation. of the victim’s hand is against the cheek closest to you. normal breathing: Watch to see whether the victim’s
With your other hand, lift the knee farthest from you so chest is rising. Put your ear close to the victim’s mouth
1. Survey the Scene that the victim’s far foot rests flat against the ground. and nose and listen and feel with your cheek for
You can’t help a victim if you get hurt yourself. Before breathing. Don’t mistake gasping for breathing.
providing first aid, always check the scene for dangers A. If the victim is breathing: Put him in the recovery
such as: position and wait for medical help.
B. If there’s no sign of breathing: Perform CPR.
• Fire
• Downed power lines Assessing Illness or Injury
• Hazardous chemicals If the victim is breathing, assess for illness or injury. Ques-
• Unsafe structures tion the victim, question other people at the scene, and
• Traffic observe the victim. If you observe (or the victim reports) any
3. Roll the victim gently toward you, without ever allowing of the signs listed below, call 911:
Never attempt to enter a dangerous scene. Instead, call 911 the victim’s hand to lose contact with his cheek. The
and explain the situation. The 911 operator will dispatch the hip and knee of the victim’s top leg should both be bent • Sudden dizziness or fainting
appropriate public safety workers. at right angles. Tilt the head back slightly to keep the • Decreased level of responsiveness
airway open. • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
2. Decide Whether to Move the Victim • Sudden, severe vomiting
In the vast majority of emergencies, you should not move • Weakness in or loss of use of an extremity
the victim. Movement can worsen injuries the victim may • Change in vision
already have sustained. However, there are a few scenarios • Chest or abdominal pain or pressure
in which you may need to move a victim: • Sudden or severe pain in any body part
• If the victim is in immediate physical danger You should also palpate (feel) the victim’s body from head
• If the victim’s injury or illness is life-threatening and the to toe to check for:
victim is positioned in a way that prevents you from
providing first aid • Severe bleeding
3. Assess the Victim • Unusual skin color or temperature
How to Move a Victim Assessing an ill or injured person will give you the informa- • Abnormal breathing
If you do have to move a victim, follow these guidelines: tion you need to begin providing first aid. • Deformities, such as extremities in abnormal positions
• Verbal complaint of pain when a body part is touched
• Keep the spine and neck straight: Always keep the Assessing Airway and Breathing • Swelling or tenderness in any area
neck and spine in a straight line. Never move a victim 1. Assess consciousness: Approach the victim and ask, • Cuts or scrapes
sideways—only in the direction of the head or feet. “Are you okay?”
• Drag by the collar: If possible, try to pull the victim by A. If the victim is able to talk or cough: This means 4. Calling for Help
the collar, using your forearms to support the head. he has an open airway and is breathing. Skip to The most important aspect of first aid is knowing when and
• Pull from shoulders or feet: If you can’t move the “Assessing Illness or Injury” below. how to summon medical assistance. You should always call
victim using only his clothes, pull the body from both B. If the victim does not speak: Check for for help when:
feet or both shoulders. responsiveness by tapping or gently shaking his
arm. If the victim responds by talking or coughing, • The victim is unconscious or unresponsive
The Recovery Position skip to “Assessing Illness or Injury” below. • You believe that the victim’s condition is, or could
The recovery position is a body position that keeps the vic- 2. If the victim still doesn’t respond: Call 911. become, life-threatening
tim’s airway unobstructed. It should be used when a person A. If someone else is with you: Have that person call • There has been a car accident, fire, or explosion
is injured or ill but breathing normally. It should not be used for help while you stay with the victim. • There are downed electrical wires or a hazardous
if breathing is unstable or if you suspect a spinal injury. substance is present
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This chart and the information contained in this chart are for general educational and informational uses Barnes & Noble, Inc.
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is not intended to replace medical advice offered by physicians or healthcare providers. Should you have
(photo 4), Royalty-Free/Corbis (photo 5), Tom Davison/Shutterstock (photo 6), any healthcare-related questions, please call or see your physician or other qualified healthcare provider Writer: Linda Hepler
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If you believe that the condition is or may be life threatening, Chest Compressions Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)
or if you are uncertain what to do, you should always call for Chest compressions circulate blood through the victim’s An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a machine
help—even if the victim refuses first aid. body until the heart begins to beat on its own. Chest com- that can deliver an electric charge, or defibrillation, that for
pressions for adults and children are performed differently certain types of cardiac arrest can “shock” the heart back
How to Summon Help from those for infants. into normal rhythm. Used in combination with CPR, AEDs
Calling 911 is the most common way to access the emer- greatly increase survival rates.
gency response system, though some phone systems have Chest Compressions for Adults and Children AEDs can be dangerous to you and to the victim if used
different contact methods. In some locations, dialing 911 1. Place the heel of one hand in the center of the victim’s incorrectly. They should be used only by people who have
doesn’t work, so make sure you know the specific numbers chest, on the sternum (breastbone). Place the heel of received the proper training. Most Red Cross and American
to call for emergency help from home, work, and anywhere your other hand on top of the first hand. Interlock your Heart Association chapters offer AED training.
else you spend considerable time. When you call your lo- fingers and lift them up, but keep the heel of the hand
cal emergency number, be ready to share the following against the victim’s chest. Make sure the heel of your
information: hand is on the middle of the victim’s sternum, not on Respiratory Problems
the bottom end, which is fragile and may break off. Respiratory problems can be caused by many different inju-
• Your name, location, and the telephone number from ries and illnesses. The most common are choking, asthma,
which you’re calling and hyperventilation.
• Type of emergency (car accident, animal bite, heart
attack, etc.) Choking
• Number of persons injured Choking is the partial or total obstruction of the airway by a
• Condition of victims and treatment received so far. piece of food or other object. First aid for a choking adult is
different from first aid for a choking infant.
Don’t hang up until the emergency response operator tells
you to do so. You may need to answer further questions or First Aid for a Choking Adult
follow instructions vital to the victim’s survival. Ask the victim, “Are you choking?” If the victim can talk or
cough, the airway is not completely blocked. Encourage
the victim to try to
CPR cough out the object.
Signs of Choking
CPR, short for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is a tech- 2. With your body If the victim can’t talk • Coughing or wheezing
nique that keeps blood and oxygen flowing through the directly over the or cough, then the air- • Difficulty breathing
body of a person who isn’t breathing and whose heart has victim and elbows way is blocked. Ask • Grasping at the throat
stopped. Immediate CPR applied until medical help arrives straight, push down the victim’s permis- • Bluish color around mouth
doubles a victim’s chances of survival. firmly. Compress the sion to administer the
chest about 1 1/2–2". Heimlich maneuver.
Rescue Breathing Allow the chest to
If the victim is not breathing, it’s crucial to get air into his return to the normal 1. Stand behind the
body by giving rescue breaths. Rescue breaths can be given position between victim. Wrap your
through a face shield or mask, or directly mouth-to-mouth. compressions but arms around the
The steps for delivering rescue breaths are: always keep your victim’s abdomen
hands in contact (or chest, if the
1. Head tilt: Use a head tilt to make sure the victim’s with the victim’s victim is heavyset or
airway is open (see Assess the Victim). chest. pregnant).
2. Form a seal: If using a face shield or mask, place it 2. Make a fist and
over the victim’s face, holding the edges of the shield Give compressions at a rate of about 100 per minute— place it between the
snugly against the face with the fingers of both hands about one and a half compressions per second. victim’s sternum and
to make a tight seal. If providing direct mouth-to- navel, with the thumb
mouth, place your mouth over the victim’s mouth to Chest Compressions for Infants side facing the victim.
make a seal. Pinch closed the nose, using the hand To give chest compressions to an infant, place your middle 3. With your other hand, grasp the hand that’s formed into
that’s tilting the victim’s head back. and index fingers slightly below the nipple line at the center a fist. Thrust your hands quickly inward and upward to
of the chest. Push the chest in about 1/2–3/4". expel the object.
Heat Exhaustion Serious Head Wounds First Aid for Open (Compound) Fractures
Heat exhaustion results The most common serious head wounds are skull fractures • Cover the open wound with a loose, sterile dressing.
Signs of Heat Exhaustion
when a person loses too and cerebral compressions, in which internal bleeding puts • Check for signs of shock.
much water and salt as a • Sweating, clammy skin pressure on the brain. • Build up pads around and over the wound and bone.
result of excessive sweat- • Headache Never put direct pressure on a protruding bone.
ing. It can be caused by • Dizziness and confusion Skull Fracture Cerebral Compression • Keep the victim still until medical help arrives. If the
• Nausea or cramps
overexertion, hot weath- victim has to be transported to the emergency room,
Symptoms
er, or illness. bandage as you would a closed fracture.
• Falling responsiveness • Falling responsiveness
1. Move the victim to a cool place, and have him lie down • Head wound or bruising • Drowsiness Dislocations
and elevate his legs. • Soft scalp depression • Intense headache A dislocation occurs
• Bruising around eyes • Fever or flushed skin Signs of Dislocation
2. Provide plenty of cool water to drink. If possible, add when a bone pops out
salt to the water at a ratio of one teaspoon per quart. • Blood from nose or ear • Unequal pupil size of its normal position • Searing pain
3. Transport the victim to a medical center, even if he • Asymmetry of head • Paralysis on one side of at a joint. Dislocations • Inability to move the area
seems to have recovered. or face the body occur most often in • Swelling and discoloration
4. If the victim’s condition deteriorates, put him in the the shoulder, jaw, and • Awkward bending
Treatment
recovery position and monitor breathing. Be ready to fingers, though they
Call 911. If the victim is Call 911. If the victim is
provide CPR if necessary. can occur at any joint. As a first responder, your goal is
conscious, lay him down conscious, keep him com-
to immobilize the injury and get the victim to the hospital.
with his head and neck fortable but keep his head
Heat Stroke Never attempt to “snap” a dislocation back into place.
stabilized. If there is bleed- and neck motionless. If
Heat stroke occurs when
Signs of Heat Stroke ing, control with pressure the victim is unconscious,
the body can no longer 1. Call for medical help. Watch for signs of shock.
around (not directly on) monitor breathing until
cool itself. It can stem • Dry, red, hot skin 2. Keep the injured area immobilized.
the wound. If the victim medical help arrives.
from prolonged heat ex- • Absence of sweating 3. Support the injured area with a sling secured with a
is unconscious, monitor
haustion, fever, or heat • High fever bandage wrapped around an uninjured body part.
breathing until medical
exposure. The goal of • Vomiting 4. Check bandages every ten minutes to make sure they
help arrives.
• Rapid, shallow breathing
heat stroke first aid is to aren’t cutting off circulation.
• Seizures
lower the victim’s body Spinal Injuries
• Unresponsiveness
temperature. If you suspect a neck
Signs of Spinal Injury
Strains, Sprains, and Tears
or spinal injury, don’t Other injuries that can occur to the ligaments, muscles,
move the victim un- • Injury to head, neck, or back and tendons include strains, sprains, and tears. They have
1. Call 911. less absolutely nec- • Lack of feeling in extremities symptoms much like those for closed fractures.
2. Move the victim to a cool place. essary. • Paralysis
3. Wrap the victim in a cool, wet sheet, or sponge with 1. If the pain is severe, call for medical help.
cool water and/or place ice packs against his neck. If 1. Lay the victim flat and advise him not to move. 2. If not, immobilize the area with elastic bandaging. Try
no water or ice is available, fan the victim. 2. Call 911. to reduce pain and swelling with ice and elevation.
4. If possible, monitor the victim’s body temperature with 3. Kneel behind the victim’s head. Grasp both sides of the 3. If pain persists, call for medical help or transport the
the goal of reducing it to at least 100.4°F (38°C). head to stabilize it in line with the neck and spine. victim to the hospital.
5. If the victim’s body temperature falls to target level,
replace the wet blanket with a dry one and put the If you must turn the victim to keep the airway open, roll him
victim into the recovery position. while supporting the head, neck, and trunk. Moving a victim Burns
6. Monitor body temperature and breathing. If the victim’s with a spinal injury is an absolute last resort and should be Heat, chemicals, and electricity can all cause burns.
body temperature rises, return to cooling the body. If done only if the need is dire. Though minor burns may only need first aid care, major
the victim loses consciousness, check his breathing burns need professional medical attention.
and, if necessary, begin CPR.
Skeletal Injuries Major and Minor Burns
Skeletal injuries can involve bones, joints, or muscles. Bones The classification of a burn as minor or major depends on
Head, Neck, and Spinal Injuries can be fractured or dislocated from their correct position in the burn’s depth and the area it covers.
Head, neck, and spinal injuries are most often caused by a joint, while soft tissue such as muscles and ligaments may
falls, car crashes, diving accidents, or blows to the head, suffer strains, sprains, or tears. • Minor burns include:
neck, or chest. • All superficial burns, which cause red skin and pain.
Bone Fractures • Any partial thickness burns that cover an area
Head Injuries Bone fractures can be smaller than your palm and don’t affect the head,
Signs of Fracture
Head injuries range from concussions that cause brief closed, meaning that the neck, hands, feet, genitals, or respiratory system.
impairment of consciousness to grave, life-threatening in- skin is left intact, or open, • Loss of function Partial thickness burns cause blistering, swelling,
juries. Any serious head injury should be treated also as an meaning that the broken • Pain, swelling, bruising and blotchiness.
injury to the spine or neck. bone has punctured the • Major burns include:
skin. Open fractures are also called compound fractures. • Any partial thickness burns larger than your palm
Concussion Signs of Concussion
or that affect the head, neck, hands, feet, genitals,
Concussion occurs when the First Aid for Closed Fractures or respiratory system.
brain is “shaken” by an im- • Brief impairment of 1. Ask the victim to keep still. • All full thickness burns, which leave a charred or
pact. To provide first aid for a consciousness 2. If there is significant bruising, or the fracture is of a white appearance and usually are painless (because
concussion: • Nausea or dizziness large bone, call 911. Check for signs of shock. they cause nerve damage).
• Memory loss
3. Bandage the broken bone to an uninjured part of the
1. Monitor the victim’s vital body. If an arm is broken, bandage against the torso; Thermal Burn First Aid
signs and responsiveness. if a leg is broken, bandage to the uninjured leg. The ties Thermal burns are caused by fire or other heat sources.
2. Do not leave the victim to his own care, even if on the bandage should be on the uninjured side.
he seems to have recovered. Make sure a person 4. If bandaging the broken bone causes pain, stop 1. If the victim’s clothing is on fire, help him drop to the
responsible for the victim remains near him at all times. immediately and call 911. If the victim feels coldness or ground and roll around in order to smother any flames.
3. Advise the victim to go to the hospital if a headache, tingling in his extremities, the bandages are too tight. You can also smother the fire by covering it with a
nausea, or drowsiness develops. 5. If possible, place a cold pack or bag of ice on the blanket or coat.
injured area. Keep a cloth between the ice and skin. 2. Once the fire is out, remove the burned clothing unless
6. If movement causes the victim pain, call 911. If the it is stuck to the skin. Remove jewelry over any burn
victim can move without pain, transport him to the before swelling occurs.
closest hospital emergency room.
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