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Quick Reference STOP! Assess The Situation. Are You Protected?

First Aid Guide BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS
Contact with body fluids such as blood or vomit can put you at risk for HIV,
AIDS, Hepatitis B & C, and other bloodborne pathogens. To be safe, you must
SEVERE WOUNDS assume that all patients are infectious and use appropriate barriers such as
gloves, CPR masks, eye shields and/or gowns as indicated. Avoid direct and
1. Call for help. Phone 911 or local EMS providers immediately. indirect skin or mucous membrane contact with blood and body fluids and
2. Control bleeding by applying direct pressure on wound with a sterile avoid punctures from needles, broken glass and other sharp objects. When you
dressing. If blood soaks through, do not remove first dressing, add additional remove protective barriers, do it carefully so that blood and body fluids do not
dressings on top. This will speed clotting. contact your skin or mucous membranes, and wash hands immediately after
3. If fracture or neck/back injuries are not suspected, elevate injured area. removal for at least two minutes.
4. If bleeding continues, apply firm pressure at appropriate pressure point
(femoral arteries-groin area, brachial arteries-inside upper arm). STROKE
5. Apply pressure bandage if needed over dressings already on the wound.
Signs & Symptoms: Weakness, loss of feeling or paralysis, usually on one side
6. Do not attempt to remove impaled objects. Bandage in place.
of the face or body, difficulty with vision or movement. Slow, noisy breathing (may
sound like snoring), drooling or difficulty swallowing, tissue color flushed, then
HEAD INJURIES pale, pulse slow and strong, becoming weak and rapid, skin feels cool and clammy
to the touch, ability to speak may be impaired, lowered consciousness level.
Signs & Symptoms: Wound of scalp or skull, blood or clear fluid draining from
1. Call for help. Phone 911 or local EMS providers immediately.
nose and/or ears, lowered level of responsiveness, deformity of skull, bruising
2. Allow patient to assume position of most comfort.
around eyes or ears, nausea and vomiting, shallow or irregular breathing.
3. If patient is unconscious, place on the affected side in the recovery position (on
1. Call for help. Phone 911 or local EMS providers immediately.
the side with legs bent, bottom arm under head).
2. Immobilize the head and neck. Do not move the patient.
4. Continue monitoring airway, breathing and circulation until help arrives. Be extra
3. Do not attempt to stop bleeding or draining from ears or nose.
vigilant to keep airway open; patient may have difficulty breathing due to paralysis
4. A head injury may also indicate a neck injury. Treat neck, head and body as one unit.
and lowered consciousness level.
5. Watch for vomiting and keep airway clear.
SIMPLE FRACTURES HEAT STROKE
Signs & Symptoms: Deformity, swelling, discoloration, pain and tenderness. Symptoms: Hot, red skin; very small pupils; very high body temperature (up to
1. Do not move patient except in case of life threatening danger. 1050F). If patient was previously sweating from heavy exercise, skin may be wet.
2. Call 911 or local EMS providers. Otherwise, skin is hot and dry.
3. If EMS is not immediately available, ice or cold packs may help to reduce 1. Call for help. Phone 911 or local EMS providers immediately.
pain and swelling. 2. Give nothing by mouth.
4. If you must transport the patient, splint or immobilize fractured limbs in the 3. Move patient to cooler place.
position found. 4. Cool the patient fast by whatever method is available, such as drenching with a
5. Continue to check for proper circulation and sensation and loosen splint if garden hose, fanning and using a cool bath or wrapping cold, wet sheets around
either are impaired or decreased. the body.
5. Treat for shock.
OPEN OR COMPOUND FRACTURES
HEAT EXHAUSTION
Signs & Symptoms: Skin is broken and bleeding, bone may be visible.
1. Call for help. Phone 911 or local EMS providers immediately. Symptoms: Cool, pale and moist skin, heavy sweating, dilated pupils, headache,
2. Control bleeding, but do not elevate area. nausea, dizziness, vomiting. Body temperature will be near normal.
3. Keep a close eye on circulation. 1. Move person into a cooler place and call 911 or local EMS providers.
4. Do not apply cold packs. 2. Treat for shock.
5. Continually recheck circulation. 3. Loosen clothing, cool patient by fanning and applying cold packs, wet towels
6. Provide care for shock. or sheets.
7. Monitor airway, breathing and circulation. 4. If patient is conscious and can tolerate fluids, provide about 8 oz. of water
every 15 minutes.
DISLOCATION, SPRAIN OR STRAIN
BURNS
1. Check circulation and sensation below point of dislocation or sprain. If either are
impaired, call for help. Phone 911 or your local EMS providers. Call for help. Phone 911 or local EMS providers immediately. Relieve
2. Affix splint to injured area or otherwise immobilize the area in a position of comfort. pain and prevent contamination using the following methods: First degree
3. Apply a cold pack to reduce swelling and pain and recheck circulation. or second degree burns with closed blisters.
4. Transport patient to a medical facility for treatment. A. Wrap with a cooling burn gel compress or flush with cool water until pain
5. Note that elbow and knee dislocations are emergency cases, as there is a high subsides.
potential for nerve damage. B. Apply loose, moist, sterile dressings & bandage.
Third degree burns (full thickness burns) or burns with open blisters:
A. Apply loose, dry, sterile dressing & bandage.
SHOCK
B. Treat for shock.
Signs & Symptoms: Pale or bluish tissue color, moist, clammy skin, shivering, rapid,
weak pulse, shallow, labored or noisy breathing, anxiety, nausea and vomiting, thirst, FAINTING
mental confusion or restlessness.
1. Call for help. Phone 911 or local EMS providers immediately. 1. Keep patient lying down with feet raised 8˝ to 12˝ until recovery is complete.
2. Lay the patient down. Position according to injury. If head, neck, spine or leg 2. Loosen any tight clothing and keep crowds away. Maintain open airway.
fractures are not present, lay the patient on their back and elevate the feet and legs 8˝ 3. Bathe face gently with cool water, but do not drench the patient’s face with water.
to 12˝. If a head, neck, spine or leg fractures are suspected, do not move the patient 4. Unless recovery is prompt, call 911 or local EMS providers.
unless extreme danger is present.
3. If the patient has trouble breathing, place the person in an elevated position, using This guide is a compilation of general first aid information obtained from sources believed to be
blankets or other objects to raise the head and back for easier breathing. reliable. American Safety & First Aid cannot guarantee the medical validity of the information or
4. Help the patient maintain a normal body temperature. If cold, warm the patient by the results obtained from using said information. Nor does American Safety & First Aid represent
that every acceptable safety procedure is contained herein, or that abnormal or unusual
putting blankets underneath as well as around the body. Do not overheat. If too warm,
circumstances may not warrant or require further or additional procedures. American Safety &
provide shade, loosen clothing.
First Aid assumes no liability for information provided in this guide. User of this guide releases
5. Monitor airway, breathing and circulation at all times. Do not underestimate the American Safety & First Aid from any loss or other liability incurred by user.
deadly potential of shock; it can be fatal.
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