Be prepared for emergencies with these first aid procedures. Feel free to copy these instructions and make them part of your first aid kit.
severe bleeding
Act quickly. Have the victim lie down. Using a clean cloth, apply direct pressure to the wound. Apply cover bandage. If necessary, apply a second bandage and increase direct pressure. Elevate the wound above the level of the heart. If bleeding continues, apply pressure to the appropriate pressure point and directly to the wound. Pressure points include the inside of the upper arm, the inside of the arm below the elbow, the inside and outside of the wrist, the back of the knee joint, the crease of the groin, and the top of foot. Release the pressure point once bleeding is controlled. Reapply pressure to the pressure point if it bleeds again. Use the tourniquet only as an absolute last resort in a life-threatening situation. Treat for shock. Keep the wound clean.
breath stopped
Lay the victim on their back, with their head tilted back. Using 2 fingers, lift your chin, keeping your jaw supported and your mouth open. Adult/Child: Pinch the nose to close it. Place your mouth over the victim’s mouth. Adults: Repeat 1 breath every 5 seconds. Child: Repeat 1 breath every 3 seconds. Baby: Put mouth over nose and mouth. Give 2 slow breaths, see if the chest rises. Remove your mouth between each breath. Repeat the breath every 3 seconds.
Choking in adults/children (1 year and older)
Aware: Stand behind the victim. Place your fist just above your navel. Grasp the fist with the other hand and give quick upward thrusts until the object comes out or the victim is unconscious.
Unconscious: Lay victim on back. 1) Look in the mouth for foreign objects. 2) If you see it, run your finger inside the cheek in a hooking motion. 3) Give 2 breaths for adults, 1 for children. IF air does not enter, tilt your head back and try again. IF the air still doesn’t come in, place the palm of your hand just above the bottom of the breastbone. Put your other hand on top. Give 15 chest compressions for adults, 5 for children. Repeat all steps until air enters.
Hypothermia
Hypothermia is defined as having a core body temperature of less than 95 F. Symptoms include chills, slurred or slurred speech, slow breathing, cool skin, loss of coordination, fatigue, and lethargy. Treatment: Monitor breathing. Get the victim out of the cold, indoors if possible. Protect from the wind, cover the head, isolate from the cold ground. Take off wet clothes. Dry the victim quickly. Rewarm victim with dry clothing and/or blankets as quickly as possible or place in a tub of warm, not hot, water. Give victim warm fluids to drink only if conscious. No alcohol. Don’t try to warm up your legs and arms. Heat applied to the legs and arms pushes cold blood into the lungs, heart, and brain, causing the body’s core temperature to drop. This can be fatal. Do not massage or rub the victim. Handle the victim with care as he or she is at risk of cardiac arrest. Follow the treatment for frostbite. Get medical help as needed.
freezing
Get the victim out of the cold. Warm affected areas as quickly as possible. Do not rub the affected area or apply a heat lamp or hot water. Do not rub snow on frostbitten skin. Warm your hands by placing them under your arms or your partner’s arms. If the nose, ears, or face are frostbitten, warm them by covering them with dry, gloved hands. Discontinue warming techniques as soon as the affected areas turn red. Expect swelling and pain after thawing. Gently exercise the affected area. Elevate frostbitten areas, but not above the heart. Get professional help as needed.
Poison
If you have a cell phone and coverage, call Poison Control or 911. Follow the instructions. Keep a sample of the suspected poison and any vomit. DO NOT give the victim anything by mouth or induce vomiting unless instructed to do so.
Shock
Lay the victim on his back with feet elevated. Lie on your side if you vomit, are unconscious, or have trouble breathing. Keep the victim warm, but not hot. DO NOT give him food or drink.
Sunstroke (heat stroke)
Symptoms may include extremely high body temperatures (106 F or higher), no sweating, dry skin, rapid pulse, loss of consciousness. Heatstroke is life-threatening. Get medical help as soon as possible. Lower your body temperature quickly with cool, not cold, water. Keep victim cool until body temperature has returned to normal. Do not give the person stimulating drinks such as coffee or tea.
tick cock
Remove the tick quickly and carefully. Use tweezers and hold the tick close to its head or mouth. Pull gently to remove the entire tick intact. Keep the tick if possible in case you develop a disease and your doctor wants to see the tick. Wash your hands and the area around the bite with soap and water. See your doctor if you develop a rash or fever, muscle aches, joint pain and swelling, swollen lymph nodes, or flu-like symptoms. Get immediate medical help if you have a severe headache, shortness of breath, paralysis, or chest pain.
blisters
Do not pierce the blister unless it hurts or prevents you from walking. If you feel like you need to drain it, wash your hands and the blister. Clean the blister with an alcohol wipe. Pierce the blister in at least two places near its edge with a sterile needle. Press gently to drain the liquid. Apply antibiotic ointment to the blister, especially the punctured areas. Wash and reapply the ointment as often as needed to keep the blister clean. Cut an opening the size of the blister in moleskin or moleskin foam and place it around the blister to keep pressure on the sore area. Take pain relievers as needed.
Burns
First degree burns are the least serious and affect only the outer layer of skin. The burned area usually appears dry, red, and slightly swollen. Cool the burn with cold water. If a large amount of water is not available, use cold compresses. Do not put ice on the burn. Take pain medication as needed.
Second degree burns affect the lower layers of the skin. They are painful, swollen, and have redness and blisters. The skin may develop a weepy, watery surface. Second-degree burns can be caused by severe sunburn, hot liquids, or contact with hot objects. Cool the burn with water for at least 10 minutes. Do not put ice directly on the burned area. Use an antibiotic ointment or other cream or ointment as prescribed by your doctor. Cover the burned area with a dry non-stick bandage to prevent infection. Take pain relievers as needed. Change the bandage daily after washing your hands with soap and water. Apply a cool, clean, moist compress to the burn for a few minutes every day. Gently wash the burn and reapply the ointment. Check daily for signs of infection, such as increased swelling, redness, pain, or pus. Avoid breaking any blisters that form. Try not to prick the healing skin. Protect burned areas with sunscreen for at least a year.
Third degree burns are the deepest and most severe and always require emergency treatment. They can appear white or charred and spread through all layers of the skin. There may be severe pain or no pain if the nerve endings are destroyed. Do not remove clothing that is stuck to the burn. Make sure the victim is not in contact with any burning material. Do not immerse the burn in water because it could shock you. Do not apply ointment or ice. The burn may be covered with a sterile bandage or clean cloth until you receive medical attention. The cloth or bandage may be moist to prevent sticking and provide relief. Don’t use plastic.
* This is not intended to be a complete list or a solution for all emergencies. You are responsible for all of your outdoor endeavors. Be prepared for emergencies. Walking light. Have fun. Take care.
