Medical Resource Center: First Aid Information and Resources

First Aid is defined as the immediate care given to a person with an illness or injury. First aid is given until the problem is properly dealt or until the next level of care, such as an ambulance or doctor arrives. Principles to follow when giving first aid are to prevent more injury, preserve life, and promote recovery. First Aid can be given by anyone with a general understanding of how to give medical treatment.

Broken Bones

The most common types of bone fractures are ankle, hip and wrist. A broken bone is caused from outside forces being stronger than what the bone can structurally tolerate. A broken bone is described as being open or closed. An open fracture involves laceration of soft tissue. A closed fracture involves a broken bone with no skin damage. Sometimes it is difficult to recognize a fracture because the symptoms are similar. Sprains are caused from an injury to a ligament. A strain is caused from an injury to a tendon or muscle. A fracture is normally diagnosed with an x-ray, however can also be diagnosed from an MRI or CAT scan. Bones that are broken are treated with a brace, plaster cast, or a splint. The healing process usually takes place over 5-8 weeks. Bones heal naturally by fusing back together with cartilage and fibrous cells. Giving first aid for broken bones starts with accessing the situation. Call EMS immediately if there is a suspected broken bone in the back, head, neck, hip, upper leg, or pelvis. EMS should also be called for severe bleeding, protruding bones, or if the area is pale, cold, blue, or clammy. Check to make sure the person is breathing and that there are no other injuries. Broken skin should be treated quickly to prevent infection. Gently clean the area without scrubbing and cover it with sterile dressings. Immobilize the broken bone with a splint or sling. Apply ice to the area to reduce and prevent more swelling.

Broken Bone Treatment

Bone Fractures

First Aid and Safety

Emergencies and First Aid

Medical and First Aid

Broken Bone

Burns

Examine the body tissue to determine what kind of burn the person has. Burns are classified in three degrees known as first, second, and third. A first-degree burn involves the outer layer of the skin only. A first-degree burn area is red and swollen. A second-degree burn is through the second layer of skin. Second-degree burns produce blisters and red skin. A second-degree burn longer than 3 inches or if the burn is located on the buttocks, face, feet, groin, or hands should be treated as a major burn and medical attention should be given immediately. For first and second-degree burns no larger than 3 inches take the following actions: cool the area under cool water for 10 minutes, cover the area with sterile gauze, and take an over-the-counter pain medicine. Do not apply ice directly on the burn. Do not apply any creams or lotions because this may cause infection. Do not break any blisters open. Third degree burns are the most severe, and an ambulance should be called immediately for anyone thought to have third degree burns. Call EMS immediately if the victim is having difficulty breathing, has multiple burns on different body parts, or was burned by chemicals, electric, or an explosion.

First Aid: Burns

Pathophysiology and types of burns

Burnsurgery.org

First Aid for Burns

Basic Burn Care/ First Aid Burn Treatment

Essential Treatment Tips For Skin Burn

Choking

Choking is caused by a foreign piece of food or object that becomes lodged in the throat. When a person is choking, their airway becomes blocked which prevents oxygen from getting to the brain and lungs. Brain damage or death may occur if a person goes longer than four minutes without getting oxygen to the brain. Choking can be prevented by cutting food into smaller pieces and chewing food more thoroughly. Infants should avoid laughing while eating to avoid choking. Small pieces of toys should be put away. Monitor children while they are eating. Things like marbles, beads, and coins should be kept away from small children to avoid choking. The Heimlich maneuver is the only method for removing the blocked airway obstruction. The Heimlich maneuver lifts the diaphragm and forces air from the lungs to force a cough out. The goal is for the cough to move air through the windpipe and push out the obstruction.

Learn CPR - You Can Do It!

Choking Prevention

First Aid Information

Choking and the Heimlich Maneuver

Heimlich Maneuver

Choking First Aid for Babies

Elements

Hypothermia occurs when there is a significant decrease in body temperature under 98.6. The symptoms of hypothermia are slurred speech, loss of coordination with the hands, difficulty walking, and mental confusion. First aid for hypothermia is slowly warming the body up using warm blankets, hot water bottles, or another human body. Heat stroke happens when the body quits regulating its own temperature and the body temperature rises to 105 degrees or higher. Symptoms of heat stroke include unconsciousness, seizures, trouble breathing, and a rectal temperature above 104 degrees. Heat stroke and hypothermia are considered medical emergencies and EMS should be called right way.

Emergency Preparedness and Response

Hot Weather Information

Heat Stroke Prevention for Babies On The Way

First Aid Frostbite

The Facts on Hypothermia and Cold Weather

Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke

Poison

Superficial bites should be treated by washing the wound with soap and warm water. Pat the area dry and dress it with sterile gauze. Insect stings are normally more painful than dangerous unless the person has an allergy or they are stung multiple times. Stings on the mouth and throat can cause airway obstruction and should be treated immediately and EMS should be called. The stinger should be removed, if it is still in the skin, with tweezers. Cold compresses should be used to help with pain and decrease swelling.

Home Remedy Reference Center

Common Poison and Their First Aid

Wounds

Clean a wound with cool water either under the faucet or in a basin. Use gentle soap to clean the area around the wound and avoid getting the soap directly into the wound. Apply pressure firmly to the wound to stop bleeding. If the blood soaks through the gauze, apply more gauze without removing the gauze already there. Keeping the wound open to the air will help it heal faster. If the wound is in an area that will be easily aggravated or contaminated, it's best to cover the wound with a Band-Aid or sterile gauze. EMS should be called if uncontrolled bleeding occurs or if the victim is unconscious.

First Aid (Cuts and Scrapes)

First Aid for the Gardeners Skin

Cut and Wounds of the Nose

Wounds and Bleeding

Cuts and Bruises

Miscellaneous First Aid Resources

Basic First-Aid for Hunting Related Accidents

Family and Consumer Sciences

First Aid Kit Contents

First Aid Kit Supplies