It's important to know how to perform first aid. Knowing what to do in
an emergency can reduce injuries and can save lives.
Here are some tips for things you can do to handle some emergency situations.
These tips do NOT replace proper first-aid training. To be fully prepared for
a medical emergency, you should attend a first-aid course in your area. Visit
the St. John Ambulance or the Canadian Red Cross to find out where you can attend
a first-aid training course in your area.
Scalds or burns
For a minor burn or scald:
- Place the affected area under cool water until the pain decreases.
For a severe burn:
- Apply cool, damp cloths to the affected area.
- Remove clothing or jewellery around the burn since it may begin to swell.
- When the pain decreases, cover the burn with a clean and dry dressing.
- Get medical help for any type of moderate to severe burn.
Choking
For adults:
If the choking person can speak, breathe or cough, stand by and encourage him
or her to cough.
If a person can't speak, breathe or cough and he or she is conscious:
- Stand behind the choking person and find the top of the hip bones with your
hands.
- Make a fist and place it in the middle the abdomen, just above the hip bones.
- Hold your fist with your other hand and press hard in an inward and upward
motion (hard enough to lift the person off the ground).
- Repeat until the person coughs up the choking object or becomes unconscious.
If the choking person becomes unconscious, gently lay him or her on the ground
and call 911. If he or she isn't breathing, begin CPR until medical help
arrives.
For infants:
If an infant is making an abnormal high-pitched noise or seems to be having
trouble breathing:
- Give five forceful blows between the infant's shoulder blades.
- Turn the infant over and use two fingers on the breastbone between the nipples
to give five chest thrusts.
- Continue with 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts until the object is expelled
or the infant becomes unconscious.
If the infant becomes unconscious, lie him or her down on a firm, flat surface
and call 911. If the infant isn't breathing, begin CPR until medical help
arrives.
St. John Ambulance offers information on how to give first aid to choking victims
and CPR to adults,
children
and infants.
Concussions
A concussion can happen if a person receives any type of blow to the head.
Some people may lose consciousness or say they 'see stars'. If you
think you or someone you know may have a concussion and you don't suspect
any head or spinal injuries:
- Place a cold compress on the injured site for 15 minutes. Remove the compress
for 15 minutes and then reapply for another 15 minutes. Repeat until the pain
decreases.
- Check for any changes in the person's level of consciousness. If they're
vomiting or complaining of a severe headache, etc, get medical attention promptly
since this may be a sign of a more serious injury.
A person who loses consciousness after being hit in the head should be seen
by a doctor as soon as possible.
For more information on concussions, please see the FAQ, "What
exactly is a concussion?" and "After
a concussion, how long should I wait before playing sports or being physically
active?"
Falls
Falls can cause fractures, open wounds and head and spinal injuries, so it's
important to know what to do when these injuries happen.
If you think someone might have injured his or her neck, DO NOT MOVE THEM.
Call 911 and support the head and neck until medical help arrives.
If you think the person might have a broken bone, steady and support the injured
area in the most comfortable possible position and call 911. Do not put a splint
on a broken bone unless you're far away from medical help and have to
move the injured person by yourself.
For more information about falls, you can read the FAQ, "How can you prevent
falls?"
Additional Resources
St. John Ambulance
Canadian Red Cross
Standard First Aid Course (Canadian Red Cross)
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