First Aid

• How to call for help

  1. Stay calm

  2. Give precise location, address and telephone number

  3. Give the nature of the emergency or injury

  4. Give the number of people involved

  5. Give your name

  6. Give ages and gender of victims involved
• Earache


  Hold a hot water bottle or heating pad on ear<|>Control pain with over-the-counter medication<|>Consult physician if pain persists, is severe or accompanied by fever
• Toothache


  Rinse mouth with warm salt water<|>Take over-the-counter medication for pain<|>Apply ice pack to face<|>Do not place aspirin directly on the tooth<|>A topical anesthetic may be applied for temporary relief<|>See the dentist as soon as possible
• Loss of permanent tooth

  Rinse tooth gently, do NOT hold by root end<|>Try to reinsert the tooth into socket<|>If you cannot reinsert the tooth, place in a container of milk<|>See dentist or E.R. WITHIN ONE HOUR
• Quick tips


  Substitute a bag of frozen vegetables for an ice pack<|>Put ice in a resealable bag and wrap in paper towel or cloth<|>Do not use cotton on an open wound<|>Always have hydrogen peroxide on hand for minor cuts and scrapes<|>If wound is really dirty, pour or dab on hydrogen peroxide; avoid squirting directly into wound<|>Keep ipecac syrup to induce vomiting if recommended by poison control
• Lyme disease


  Red, bull's-eye-shaped rash that increases in diameter daily around bite<|>Chills<|>Dizziness<|>Fatigue<|>Fever<|>Muscle and joint pain<|>Nausea<|>Severe headache<|>Stiff neck
• Lyme disease treatment


  If suspected, seek medical attention; there is no effective home remedy
• Broken/dislocated bones & fractures

  Seek medical attention<|>If victim must be moved, immobilize the injured area first<|>If an arm or leg is involved, splint the part in the position in which it was found before moving the victim; do not attempt to straighten the limb<|>Use folded blankets or towels around the area to aid immobilization<|>If it is an open fracture (one where the bone breaks through the skin), control bleeding
• Foreign matter in eye

  Flush eye with water or use eye wash kit<|>Examine eye to see if matter is removable<|>CAREFULLY remove with corner of a folded tissue; if unable to remove, seek medical advice<|>If irritation persists or eye is encrusted with yellow drainage, seek medical advice<|>If severe pain, inability to open eye, or visual problems exist, go to E.R.
• Black eye


  Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling and pain<|>If pain persists, or visual problems develop, go to E.R.
• Nosebleeds


  Sit upright, leaning slightly forward<|>Pinch nostrils for 5 to 10 minutes<|>Do NOT blow your nose<|>If bleeding continues, apply ice pack to bridge of nose or back of neck, or apply pressure to upper lip<|>Maintain pressure for 10 minutes, do NOT remove original bandage; if it becomes blood-soaked, apply another bandage over it<|>If bleeding cannot be controlled, apply pressure to a point above the wound
• Penetrating objects


  Call rescue<|>Do NOT remove any penetrating or foreign objects<|>Apply sufficient bandages to immobilize the object and support its position in the wound
• Sprains & strains


  Rest affected limb<|>Ice on and off for 48 hrs.<|>Compress with elastic bandage<|>Elevate affected limb
• First-degree burn


  Run under cold water or apply a cold, wet cloth off and on for 24 hrs.<|>Do not rub or apply butter or petroleum-based products<|>Keep clean to prevent infection
• Second-degree burn


  Immediately immerse affected area in cold water or apply cold, wet compresses<|>Cover the area loosely with clean gauze or cloth<|>Do not apply butter or petroleum-based products or sprays<|>Do NOT break blisters; if blisters open, keep dressing on area<|>If a large area is affected, or if burn starts draining, seek medical attention
• Third-degree burn


  Call rescue<|>Lightly cover area with a sheet or sterile gauze (do not secure with tape)<|>If breathing has stopped, begin CPR
• Fire


  If clothing is on fire, smother flames with a blanket, coat, etc; do not remove clothing stuck to skin
• Sunburn


  Take cool baths or apply wet, cool compresses<|>Apply aloe or lotion to sooth skin<|>Take over-the-counter pain medication for fever, chills or pain<|>Do NOT use butter or petroleum-based products<|>Do NOT break blisters<|>For severe sunburn, with severe pain, swelling or large blistered area, go to E.R.
• Shock due to injury

  Call for medical assistance<|>Lay victim down, tilt head to one side<|>Loosen clothing; keep victim warm<|>Control any bleeding<|>Keep victim calm and quiet<|>Do not administer liquid; moisten lips if necessary<|>Elevate legs if there are no suspected hip, leg, head, neck or back injuries
• Allergic reaction & anaphylactic shock

  Call rescue to determine severity of reaction<|>If available, take recommended dose of oral antihistamine<|>If food-related, brush teeth to prevent ingesting more allergen
• Cut, puncture, scrape, abrasion


  Stop bleeding by applying pressure<|>Clean area thoroughly with antiseptic or warm, soapy water<|>Apply antibiotic ointment and bandage<|>With a puncture wound, or wound inflicted by a rusty/dirty item, seek medical care within 24 hrs., as antibiotics/tetanus shot may be required<|>If the cut is on an extremity, hold above heart level to stop bleeding<|>If there are signs of infection, redness, swelling, yellow discharge, increased pain or fever, see your physician<|>If wound is deep, long, or gapes open, see your physician or go to E.R.
• Bleeding wounds


  Call rescue - if blood is bright red, there may be an artery involved; be sure to tell the operator<|>Have victim lie down, preferably with head slightly lowered to prevent fainting<|>If wound is on an extremity, raise above heart level<|>Cut away clothing and apply pressure with a clean, absorbent cloth<|>Maintain pressure for 10 minutes, do NOT remove original bandage; if it becomes blood-soaked, apply another bandage over it<|>If bleeding cannot be controlled, apply pressure to a point above the wound<|>If internal organs are exposed, apply wet, clean cloth with gentle pressure<|>Attempt to control bleeding with pressure until medical personnel arrive<|>A tourniquet is not recommended