First Aid Tips
Listed below you will find first aid tips to either perform or not perform depending on the situation and severity of the condition.
Burns
1st degree - skin red & swollen:
- DO immerse in cold water or apply cold compress until pain subsides.
- DO see physician if pain persists or if injury does not begin to heal.
- DON'T apply ointments, fats or butter.
2nd degree - skin blistered or white:
- DO remove or cut away clothing, immerse injured area in cold water or apply cold compress.
- DO cover with wet dressing under plastic.
- DO seek medical attention as soon as possible.
- DON'T break blisters and do not use antiseptic ointments, sprays or home remedies.
3rd degree - skin white or charred with damage to underlying tissue:
- DO cover with thick sterile dressing, clean sheet or other clean household linen.
- DO call ambulance immediately.
- DO elevate hands and feet if they are involved.
- DON'T remove particles of burned clothing.
Choking
- DO begin Heimlich maneuver to dislodge object if necessary.
- DO see physician immediately for follow-up exam.
- DON'T interfere if person can cough, speak or breathe.
Cold Exposure
Frostbite - skin is hard, pale and has no feeling:
- DO (if outdoors) shelter victim from wind, tuck hands into armpits under coat, cover face with dry gloved hands elevate feet.
- DO get person inside as soon as possible and immerse affected areas in warm water (101 - 103 F).
- DO seek medical help immediately.
- DON'T rub affected areas and don't use direct heat.
Hypothermia - victim is clumsy, confused, irritable and sleepy
- DO shelter victim from cold, if outdoors, cover head and insulate from ground.
- DO change victim into warm, dry clothes, if possible, and re-warm gradually in heated room or warm bath.
- DO seek medical help immediately.
- DON'T give alcohol.
Cuts
- DO apply pressure to stop bleeding.
- DO wash abrasions and lacerations with warm, soapy water and soak puncture wounds. DO cover wound with a sterile bandage and change whenever it gets dirty or wet.
- DO seek medical attention if bleeding won't stop, if stitches are needed or if wound becomes infected.
Eye Injury (object in eye)
- DO try to locate object on white of eye or inside the upper or lower lid.
- DO try to gentle remove object with moist cotton swab or moistened corner of handkerchief.
- DO seek immediate medical aid if object cannot be easily removed or if eye has been penetrated or injured by strong light or chemicals.
- DON'T use a dry cotton swab or handkerchief, don't probe or rub eye.
Fever
- DO keep a thermometer in your home first aid kit to accurately check for fever.
- DO encourage frequent amounts of cool liquids and remove extra clothing.
- DO consult a physician when fever is higher than 101 F or child won't take fluids.
- DON'T give aspirin to a child under 15 years of age. Use acetaminophen (Tylenol) per label directions.
Head Injuries
- DO apply a clean pad or handkerchief to wound with steady pressure to control bleeding (almost all head wounds bleed profusely, even superficial ones).
- DO seek immediate medical attention.
- DON'T give alcohol, stimulants, sedatives or narcotics.
Nosebleeds
- DO sit in a chair with head tipped forward.
- DO tie a clean pad lightly over the wound-without pressure-if you suspect a serious head injury.
- DO place ice pack on nape of neck for 15-20 minutes.
- DO seek medical help if bleeding does not stop in 20 minutes.
- DON'T lie down or pack nose with any type of dressing.
Poisoning
- DO call for poison treatment information 1-800-942-5969.
- DO follow instructions and keep patient at rest.
- DO take the victim to a hospital as soon as possible.
- DON'T induce vomiting unless told to do so... never induce vomiting if patient is drowsy or unconscious.
Sprains
- DO elevate joint as much as possible and apply ice packs 20 minutes each hour for 1st 24 hours (put crushed ice in plastic bag, cover skin with cloth).
- DO apply warm packs after 24 hours.
- DO use an elastic bandage, being careful not to wrap too tightly.
- DO report to doctor if pain becomes more severe or injury does not improve within a few days.
Sunburn
- DO stay out of sun or protect skin by wearing clothing or applying a sunscreen or sun block lotion.
- DO apply cool wet compresses.
- DO consult a physician if the sunburn is very painful.
- DON'T puncture blisters-if a blister breaks, remove the dead skin.