Please note that
the source for these first aid instructions
is the American Red Cross. Different signs,
symptoms, and their causes may dictate different
treatments. When in doubt, always call 911 first;
the Fire and Emergency Medical Services call
taker is prepared to give you instructions over
the phone.
| Signs
& Symptoms: |
First
Aid: |
| Symptoms
vary greatly.
Aids
in determining whether poison was swallowed:
- Information from victim
or observer
- Presence of poison container
- Condition of victim
(sudden onset of pain or illness)
- Burns around lips
- Breath odor
- Pupil contracted
to pinpoint size
|
All
victims, call 911.
Save label or container for ID.
Conscious victims
- Dilute the poison with
milk or water.
- Do not neutralize with
counteragents.
- Do not give oils.
Unconscious victims
- Maintain open airway
(victim on side).
- Give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation
or
CPR if necessary.
- Do not give fluids.
- Do not induce vomiting.
Convulsions
- Do not restrain victim.
- Loosen tight clothing.
- Watch for airway obstruction.
- Do not give fluids.
- Do not induce vomiting.
|
| Signs
& Symptoms: |
First
Aid: |
- Skin pale (or bluish),
cold to touch possibly moist or clammy
- Victim weak
- Rapid pulse (over 100)
- Rate of breathing
usually increases may be shallow or
deep and irregular
|
All
victims, call 911.
- Keep victim lying
down.
- Cover him only
enough to keep him from losing body
heat
|
| Signs
& Symptoms: |
First
Aid: |
- Pain and tenderness.
- May have difficulty moving
injured part.
- Obvious deformities—swelling
and discoloration.
|
All
victims, call 911.
- Keep broken bone end
and adjacent joints from moving.
- Give care for shock.
|
| Signs
& Symptoms: |
First
Aid: |
Two
principal symptoms:
- Acute pain in chest,
upper abdomen,
or down left arm
- Extreme shortness of
breath
|
All
victims, call 911.
- Place victim in a comfortable
position, usually sitting up.
- If not breathing, give
rescue breathing.
- Do not give liquids to
unconscious victims.
|
| Signs
& Symptoms: |
First
Aid: |
|
|
All
victims, call 911.
- Keep victim warm and
lying down, head turned to the side.
- If breathing stops, give
rescue breathing.
- Never give an unconscious
person food or liquids.
|
An allergic reaction
occurs when the body has a response to an agent
that is introduced on the skin or into the body.
Your body reacts in many different ways. General
findings include watery eyes or a runny nose.
Hives may spread over large areas of the body.
Hives are characterized by itching and burning
of the skin and appear as multiple raised, reddened
areas. Hives most commonly occur over the face
and upper chest. Swelling, especially of the
face, neck, hands, feet, and/or tongue may also
occur. At first, a person may sneeze or have
an itchy, runny nose. Tightness in the chest
generally develops next, along with an irritating,
persistent cough. The person's respirations
may become rapid or labored. Fainting and coma
may follow.
If a person
seems to be having an allergic reaction, immediately
access 9-1-1. Find out whether the person has
any prescribed medication for allergic reactions.
People who have a history of severe allergic
reactions often have kits that contain prescribed
medication to combat allergic reactions.
Environmental
emergencies can occur in any part of the country
and at any time of the year. Emergencies involving
exposure to heat and cold affect individuals
in many different areas. These emergencies can
range from very minor to life-threatening conditions.
The greatest number
of cold-related emergencies occur in the urban
setting, many involving the elderly. Hypothermia
occurs when the body loses more heat than it
retains or gains or low core body temperature.
Your initial basic first aid step is to move
the patient from the environment to prevent
further heat loss. Do not allow the patient
to walk, as this may further damage the feet.
Next, remove any wet clothing and cover the
patient with a dry blanket. Do not massage the
extremities. Do not allow the patient to eat,
drink, or use any stimulants, such as coffee,
tea, or cola. All patients with hypothermia
should be taken to the hospital for evaluation.
When the body gains
or retains more heat than it loses, the result
is hypothermia or a high core body temperature.
The body attempts to rid itself of excess heat
most efficiently by sweating. The blood vessels
near the skin also dilate, increasing the rate
of release of heat from the body. Your first
basic first aid step in caring for a patient
who has become overheated is to move the patient
from the hot environment. Move them to an air
conditioned area if possible. Next, you should
loosen or remove layers of clothing to help
cool the patient. Have the patient lay down
and elevate the legs. Fan the patient. Give
the patient water to drink only if they are
able to drink it alone. A patient who is unresponsive
or vomiting requires more aggressive treatment.
9-1-1 should be accessed immediately for such
patients.
