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Bites and Stings
Animal bites - Irrigate well with water, then wash with soap and warm water for a minimum of five minutes. Cover the wound with a clean bandage and take victim to a physician or emergency facility. Alert local animal control authorities of the bite.
Non-poisonous snakes - Usually horseshoe-shaped with definite teeth marks. Wash bite with soap and water for a minimum of five minutes. Hold under running water for an additional five minutes, then take victim to a physician or emergency facility.
Poisonous snake - Leaves one or two fang marks. The victim should lie or sit quietly with the bite lower than the heart to slow the spread of venom into the bloodstream. Place a tourniquet about two inches above the bite, between the wound and the victim’s heart, loose enough to allow the wound to ooze. Immediately take victim to physician or emergency facility.
Bee or wasp stings - Remove the stinger. If victim has a history of allergic reactions to stings, follow procedure previously outlined by physician. If allergic symptoms such as respiratory difficulty, vomiting, hives, or itching occur, take victim immediately to a physician or emergency facility. If no adverse reaction occurs, wash sting area with soap and water and apply ice to reduce swelling.
Tick Bite - Suffocate tick by coating with lighter fluid or heavy oil. After about 20 minutes remove tick with tweezers and wash bite area with soap and warm water. Consult a physician.
Human bite - Consult a physician.
Bruises
Cold compresses should be applied during the first few hours. After 24 hours use hot, wet towels. If accompanied by severe pain, have the bruise examined by a physician.
Burns
With blistering or burned skin - Take victim to a physician or emergency facility. Do not break the blisters or try to remove burned clothing from the victim.
With redness only - Do not apply butter, grease or ointment. Immerse minor burn site in cold water or cover with ice wrapped in towels.
Chemical burns - Wash with soap and water, flush well with additional water for a least five minutes. If affected area is large or if burning sensation persists, consult a physician or emergency facility.
Stand behind the victim, wrap your arms around him and grasp your hands together just above victim’s navel. Pull upward forcefully into chest cavity. Repeat four times.
If choking continues, call for medical assistance.
If victim becomes unconscious put him on his side. Pulling his tongue and jaw forward, use your finger to locate and dislodge visible foreign materials. Begin mouth-to-mouth resuscitation or CPR if necessary. Summon emergency personnel.
Convulsion
Keep the victim from nearby furniture and other objects to avoid injury. Have him lie down as soon as possible. Loosen his clothing and make sure airway is open. If he vomits, turn his head to the side to prevent choking.
Seek medial attention immediately, and begin mouth-to-mouth resuscitation or CPR if breathing stops.
Cuts
Major bleeding - Apply direct pressure on the wound with gauze if available, or a clean cloth; elevate wound above level of heart to slow blood loss. If bleeding persists, apply pressure at a nearby “pressure point” such as an artery in the upper arm or groin. Seek medical attention immediately.
Minor bleeding - Wash area with soap and warm water, then apply a clean bandage. Apply slight pressure for a few minutes to ensure that blood flow stops.
Electric Shock
Do not touch victim until his contact with electrical source has been broken. Shut off electricity if it can be done safely. Use a wooden pole (not metal), dry rope or article of clothing to pull victim from electrical source.
Begin CPR and call for medical assistance immediately. If victim fell during exposure to electricity; do not move him unless necessary, due to possible fractures or back injury.
Eye Injuries
Chemicals - Flood victim’s eye with cool water for a minimum of 15 minutes. Cover eye and seek medical attention.
Foreign particles - Do not allow patient to rub the affected eye. Pull the upper lid out and down over the lower lid, allowing tear flow to wash object to corner of eye where it can be removed with a damp cotton swab. Seek medical help if unable to remove particle using this method.
Fainting
Victim should be placed on his back with feet and legs elevated. Loosen clothing and apply cold cloths to his face. If recovery takes more than two minutes, seek medical help.
Falls
Stop any bleeding (see "Cuts" above) and cover wounds with clean bandages or cloths.
If fractures are suspected do not move victim unless necessary to prevent further injury. Seek medical help, and keep victim warm to prevent shock.
Fractures
Stop any bleeding (see "Cuts" above) and cover wounds with clean bandages or cloths.
If it appears to be a simple fracture, splint with wood, stiff cardboard, rolled up blanket or other material. Secure with cloth or rope ties, and take victim to physician or emergency facility.
If back or neck injury is suspected, do not move victim. Summon medical assistance. Keep victim warm and treat for shock.
Frostbite
Ears, nose, hands and feet are the most susceptible to frostbite, indicated by a stinging or burning sensation in the affected areas, with possible stiffness and loss of feeling. Frostbitten skin changes color from red to gray or mottled white. A waxy white is the final stage of frostbite.
In a warm place gently warm the victim, placing affected areas in warm, not hot, water. Also apply warm compresses to the frostbitten areas. Warm drinks such as coffee, tea, hot chocolate or broth should be given to the victim. Do not give alcoholic drinks. Elevate frostbitten areas and isolate them from other surfaces such as clothing.
Do not apply ointments. Do not rub or massage the frostbitten areas. Do not allow victim to smoke. Do not refreeze thawed areas.
If the victim must be taken out in the cold again prior to receiving medical treatment, do not warm the affected areas first. Obtain medical help in all but the very mildest cases of frostbite.
Head Injuries and Concussion
Headache, slight dizziness, vomiting or queasy stomach are signs of simple concussion, which normally requires an ice pack on the victim’s head and plenty of rest.
More severe symptoms might include drowsiness, persistent vomiting, pupils that dilate unequally, lack of coordination, and confusion. Take victim to a physician or emergency facility if these symptoms exist.
Heat Illness
Heat stroke - Generally characterized by high body temperature, hot skin, rapid but weak pulse, and possible unconsciousness. Move the victim to a cooler location and take him to an emergency facility immediately. On the way, sponge cold water on the sides of his neck, armpits, sides of the chest, and inner thighs.
Heat exhaustion - Characterized by pale and clammy skin, nausea, headache and general weakness. The victim should be given water and taken to an emergency facility.
Heat cramps - Characterized by spasms in the legs and stomach area. Place the victim in a cooler location and gently massage cramping areas. Victim should drink fluids containing salt, such as Gatorade®. Take victim to a physician or emergency facility.
Nosebleed
While the victim sits upright, pinch the nostrils together to stop the bleeding.
An alternate method is to pack the bleeding nostrils with gauze and pinch together. Call a physician or take victim to an emergency facility if bleeding persists.
Poisoning
Call the nearest Poison Control Center, and be able to tell them what substance was ingested and the quantity ingested.
If instructed to take victim to an emergency facility, take the container of the ingested substance so that medical personnel can determine the proper course of treatment for the particular substance.
Scrapes
Use warm water and mild soap to gently clean scrapped skin. Do not apply a dressing unless the injury will be in contact with clothing. Apply antibiotic ointment.
Shock
Put victim in a reclining position and loosen his clothing. Cover to prevent loss of body heat, but be careful not to overheat the victim. Legs should be raised higher than the head.
Check pulse and breathing. Summon medical help immediately.
Sprains
During the first 24 hours apply ice compresses to reduce swelling. Continue applying until swelling stops, and keep the sprain elevated to minimize further swelling. If the injured area appears to be fractured, call a physician or take the victim to an emergency facility.
Suffocation (Asphyxiation)
If the victim has inhaled harmful gases such as natural gas or carbon monoxide, move him into fresh air and begin CPR or mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Call for medical assistance immediately.
If the suffocation is caused by material such as food or a balloon, remove the material and begin CPR or mouth-to-mouth resuscitation immediately. Call for medical help.
Unconsciousness
If victim cannot be wakened, place him in a flat position. Check pulse rate and make sure the airway is clear. If there is no pulse give CPR or mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and call immediately for medical help.
If the victim is taking medication, take it to the hospital or emergency facility with the victim. If the victim begins to vomit, turn his head to the side to prevent choking.
Do not give foods or liquids to an unconscious person.