First Aid Basics

Rescue Breathing

• Purpose: to provide oxygen to a person who has stopped breathing
• Steps:
  1. Check the scene for safety
  2. Call 911 or alert someone else
  3. Position the person on their back on a firm, flat surface
  4. Tilt the head back and lift the chin to open the airway
  5. Pinch the nose shut and give two breaths, each lasting one second
  6. Give 12-20 breaths per minute
• Important: Do not delay rescue breathing to check for a pulse

Bleeding Control

• Purpose: to stop bleeding and prevent shock
• Steps:
  1. Apply direct pressure to the wound using a clean cloth or bandage
  2. Elevate the injured area above heart level, if possible
  3. Apply pressure for at least 5 minutes
  4. Use a tourniquet or hemostatic agent, if trained and available
• Important: Do not remove any imbedded objects or apply direct pressure to the eyes

Cardiac Arrest

• Definition: the heart stops beating or is not beating effectively
• Signs:
  • No breathing
  • No pulse
  • Unresponsiveness
• Steps:
  1. Call 911 or alert someone else
  2. Start CPR, if trained
  3. Use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), if available
  4. Continue CPR until medical help arrives

Wound Care

• Purpose: to prevent infection and promote healing
• Steps:
  1. Stop any bleeding using bleeding control techniques
  2. Clean the wound with cool or lukewarm water and mild soap
  3. Apply antibiotic ointment and cover with a bandage
  4. Monitor for signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or increased pain
• Important: Do not use harsh soap, hydrogen peroxide, or iodine on wounds

Burn Treatment

• Purpose: to cool the burn and reduce pain
• Steps:
  1. Stop the burning process, if possible
  2. Cool the burn with cool or lukewarm water for 10-15 minutes
  3. Remove clothing and jewelry near the burned area
  4. Apply a topical antibiotic ointment and cover with a non-stick, sterile dressing
• Important: Do not use ice or ice water, as it can cause further damage

Choking

• Definition: when an object blocks the airway
• Signs:
  • Inability to cough or speak
  • Clutching the throat or chest
  • Bluish color around the mouth
• Steps:
  1. Encourage the person to cough
  2. Back blows: stand behind the person and give five quick blows between the shoulder blades
  3. Abdominal thrusts: perform the Heimlich maneuver, if trained
  4. Continue until the object is dislodged or medical help arrives

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

• Purpose: to restore blood circulation and breathing in a person who has stopped breathing or whose heart has stopped
• Steps:
  1. Call 911 or alert someone else
  2. Start with 30 chest compressions
  3. Give two breaths, each lasting one second
  4. Continue with cycles of 30 compressions and two breaths until medical help arrives
• Important: Do not delay CPR to check for a pulse

Rescue Breathing

• Provides oxygen to a person who has stopped breathing
• Steps to provide rescue breathing: check scene for safety, call 911 or alert someone, position person on back, tilt head back, pinch nose shut, and give two breaths
• Give 12-20 breaths per minute
• Do not delay rescue breathing to check for a pulse

Bleeding Control

• Purpose: to stop bleeding and prevent shock
• Steps to control bleeding: apply direct pressure, elevate injured area, apply pressure for at least 5 minutes, use a tourniquet or hemostatic agent (if trained and available)
• Do not remove any imbedded objects or apply direct pressure to the eyes

Cardiac Arrest

• Definition: heart stops beating or is not beating effectively
• Signs: no breathing, no pulse, unresponsiveness
• Steps to respond to cardiac arrest: call 911 or alert someone, start CPR (if trained), use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), if available
• Continue CPR until medical help arrives

Wound Care

• Purpose: to prevent infection and promote healing
• Steps to care for wounds: stop bleeding, clean with cool or lukewarm water and mild soap, apply antibiotic ointment and cover with a bandage
• Monitor for signs of infection: redness, swelling, or increased pain
• Do not use harsh soap, hydrogen peroxide, or iodine on wounds

Burn Treatment

• Purpose: to cool the burn and reduce pain
• Steps to treat burns: stop burning process, cool with cool or lukewarm water for 10-15 minutes, remove clothing and jewelry, apply topical antibiotic ointment and cover with non-stick, sterile dressing
• Do not use ice or ice water, as it can cause further damage

Choking

• Definition: when an object blocks the airway
• Signs: inability to cough or speak, clutching the throat or chest, bluish color around the mouth
• Steps to respond to choking: encourage person to cough, give back blows, perform abdominal thrusts (if trained), continue until object is dislodged or medical help arrives

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

• Purpose: to restore blood circulation and breathing in a person who has stopped breathing or whose heart has stopped
• Steps to perform CPR: call 911 or alert someone, start with 30 chest compressions, give two breaths, each lasting one second
• Continue with cycles of 30 compressions and two breaths until medical help arrives
• Do not delay CPR to check for a pulse