• Control the bleeding by administering direct pressure with a sterile dressing directly to the wound.
• Clean any minor injuries with soap and water after washing your hands and apply a dry sterile dressing or bandage.
• If bleeding does not stop, apply another sterile dressing and begin to treat for shock.

• First call 911.
• Tilt the injured persons head back, look, listen and feel with your ear near victim’s nose and mouth for air exchange from the victim’s nose and/or mouth.

If the victim is not breathing: pinch the victims nose and make a tight seal over the victim’s mouth with your mouth and give two breaths.

• Adult-breathe once every 5 seconds
• Child-breathe once every 3 seconds
• Infant-breathe once every 3 seconds

Continue until medical help arrives.

Fractures, Dislocations, Sprains or Strains:

Practice R.I.C.E for general care

• Rest- don’t move or straighten the affected area.
• Immobilize- be sure to stabilize the injured area in the position it was found in. Splint only the injured area if you must move the injured person.
• Cold- apply ice to the affected area for 20 minutes. If you place a light cloth between the ice and injury it should not cause pain.
• Elevate- do not elevate the injured part if it causes more pain

 

Burns: 

• Remove the victim from the source of the burn.
• Saturate the burned area under cool running water.
• For deep tissue injury, continue to saturate the burned area under cool running water until the pain has been relieved. Apply a dry sterile dressing loosely. Seek medical attention.
• For electrical burns, cover the wound with a dry sterile dressing. Seek medical attention.
• Check for signs of shock.

 

Heart Attack:

What are the symptoms?

• Continual chest pressure or pain.
• Chest pain spreading to the neck, jaw, shoulders or arm.
• Trouble breathing or shortness of breath.
• Vomiting, nausea, feeling light headed, dizziness, fainting.
• Pale or ashen skin.
• Sweating.
• Denial of signs.

 

What to do

• Call 911
• Have person rest in a comfortable position and be sure to loosen any tight clothing.
• Closely monitor the victim until emergency medical services arrive.Comfort the person as much as possible.Try to obtain information about the victim’s condition.
• Assist with medication if it has been prescribed.Offer the victim an aspirin if it is medically appropriate.
• You should never give the victim an aspirin if they are allergic, have a stomach ulcer, been told not to take an aspirin or are taking blood thinners.
• Be prepared to perform CPR if you are trained to do so.

Shock:

What are the symptoms?

• Irritability or restlessness.
• An Altered level of consciousness.
• Vomiting or nausea.
• Rapid breathing or pulse rate.
• Skin may be pale, cool, moise or ashen.
• Excessive thirst.

 

What to do

• Call 911
• Continue to monitor the victim’s airway, circulation and breathing.
• Get any external bleeding under control.
• Make sure the person is not chilled or over heating.
• Elevate the legs 8-12 inches as long as the head, neck, back are not injured and there are no broken bones in the hips or legs.
• Reassure and comfort the victim until medical help arrives.

 

 

A list of useful first aid kit supplies.  First aid kits can come in very handy and it is extremely convenient to keep one in the home and one in your vehicle.  

• First aid manual
• Sterile gauze
• Adhesive bandages in multiple sizes
• Adhesive tape
• Antiseptic wipes
• Elastic bandage
• Soap
• Antiseptic solution such as peroxide
• Antibiotic cream
• Hydrocortisone cream
• Acetaminophen and ibuprofen
• Tweezers
• Extra prescription medications if you are going out of town
• Safety pins
• Sharp scissors
• Calamine lotion
• Disposable instant cold packs
• Alcohol wipes or ethyl alcohol
• Thermometer
• Flashlight (extra batteries)
• Rubber gloves (minimum of two pairs non-latex)
• Mouthpiece for administering cpr
• List of emergency phone numbers
• Mylar emergency Blanket
• Eye drops
• Clean towel
• Antihistamine 
• Aloe vera gel
• Burn ointment
• Anti-diarrhea medication
• Ipecac syrup and activated charcoal
• Triangular bandages
• Rounded tip scissors

First aid is considered to be the immediate care of a person who is ill or injured.  In order for a person to administer first aid it is important to know what to do and what not to do.  It is important to remember that the objective of first aid is to help the injured or ill without doing any harm.