FIRST AID

1Bites & Stings

Signs & Symptoms

· Swelling. Redness. Pain. Itching.

· Bleeding.

· Tissue loss, if the wound is severe.

· Skin rash. With Lyme disease, a red bull's eye rash with a white center around the bite occurs. Fatigue, fever, and joint pain may also occur.

· Lockjaw. This is a painful, persistent stiffness of the jaw due to a toxin. Tetanus shots can prevent this. (See Immunization Schedule.)

· Allergic reaction, such as with insect bites. (See Signs & Symptoms of Allergies.)

Causes

· Dog, cat, and human bites are the most common animal bites in the U.S.

· Black widow and brown recluse spider bites can cause severe reactions.

· Deer tick bites can cause Lyme disease, a bacterial infection.

· Less common, but more dangerous, are bites from skunks, raccoons, bats, and other animals that live in the wild. These animals can have rabies. This is a serious viral infection. It can be fatal. Most house pets are vaccinated for rabies. It's unlikely they carry the virus.

Deer tick on scalp.

· Mosquito bites can cause West Nile virus if the mosquito is infected with it.

· Snake bites can be fatal if the bite is from a poisonous snake (e.g., rattlesnakes, cotton mouths, copperheads, and coral snakes).

· Shark bites are a potential problem when swimming in shark-infested waters.

Treatment

Self-care can be used for dog and cat bites that cause scratches on the skin and for insect bites that do not cause a severe allergic reaction. All human bites that break the skin should be checked by a doctor due to the high risk for infection. A series of rabies shots can prevent the spread of rabies to humans. The shots should begin soon after a bite from an infected animal. Antivenom can be given for poisonous snake bites at emergency medical facilities. It should be given within 4 hours of the bite.

For Stings

Signs & Symptoms

· Quick, sharp pain.

· Swelling, itching, and redness at the sting site. These can occur beyond the sting site.

· Raised bump (with or without pus).

· Signs of a severe allergic reaction.

Causes

· Insect stings.

· Marine animals that sting include jellyfish, Portuguese Man-of-War, and sea nettles.

Treatment

Self-care treats mild reactions to stings. A severe allergic reaction needs immediate care. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction usually happen soon after or within an hour of the sting. Persons with a severe allergic reaction to a sting in the past should carry an emergency kit, prescribed by a doctor. A medical alert tag should be worn to let others know of the allergy. Persons who have had severe reactions to bee or wasp stings should ask their doctors about allergy shots.

2 Broken Bones / Dislocations

For Broken Bones

Signs & Symptoms

Symptoms of broken bones are pain, swelling, bruising, and loss of function or feeling. The injured area looks crooked, misshaped, or deformed. Below the injured site, numbness and tingling can occur. The skin can be pale, blue, purple, or gray. It feels colder than the skin on the uninjured limb.

With a simple or closed fracture, the broken bone does not break the skin. A skin wound is not present.

With a compound or open fracture, the broken bone breaks through the skin and a wound is present. This can cause bleeding.

Causes

· Injuries from falls and accidents.

· Osteoporosis.

· Too much or repeated stress on a bone.

Treatment

The bone may need to be reset. A splint or cast may need to be worn. {Note: Broken fingers, toes, and ribs don't need a cast.} Muscles and joints near the fracture site need to be exercised.

For Dislocations

Signs & Symptoms

A dislocation is a separation of the end of a bone and the joint it meets. The bone is displaced from its proper position. A dislocated joint is swollen, misshaped, very painful, and discolored.

Dislocations can cause damage to the membrane lining the joint, tears to nearby muscles and ligaments, and nerve damage.

The shoulders are especially prone to dislocation injuries. The elbow is a common site in toddlers. Fingers, hips, ankles, elbows, jaws, and even the spine can be dislocated. A dislocated vertebrae in the spine often damages the spinal cord and can paralyze body parts lower than the injury site.

Causes

· Injuries from contact sports or falls. Over stretching bones that touch in joints.

· Joints weakened by previous injury.

· Suddenly jerking a toddler's hand or arm. Force applied in the wrong direction can snap the ball of the upper arm bone out of the shoulder socket.

Treatment

Medical care is needed to put a dislocated bone back into its socket. With this, the dislocated joint should function within 24 to 48 hours. Limited activity for 4 to 6 weeks allows enough time for the injury to heal

Burns

Signs & Symptoms

First-degree burns affect only the outer skin layer. The skin area appears dry, red, and mildly swollen. First-degree burns are painful and sensitive to touch. They should feel better in 1 to 2 days. They heal in about a week.

Second-degree burns affect the skin's outer and lower layers. The skin is painful, swollen, red, and has blisters. The skin also has a weepy, watery surface.

Third-degree burns affect the outer and deeper skin layers and organs below the skin. The skin appears black-and-white and charred. It swells. Tissue under the skin is often exposed. Third-degree burns may have less pain than first-degree or second-degree burns. Why? No pain is felt where nerve endings are destroyed. Pain may be felt around the margin of the burn, though.

Third-degree burn.

Causes

Burns can result from dry heat (fire), moist heat (steam, hot liquids), electricity, chemicals, or from radiation, including sunlight. The longer the skin is exposed to the burn source, the worse the burn can be.

Treatment

Third-degree burns always need emergency care. A second-degree burn needs immediate care if it is on the face, hands, feet, genitals, a joint, or if the burn affects a large area. Self-Care/First Aid treats most first-degree burns and second-degree burns.

CHEST PAIN

Causes of chest pain can vary from minor problems, such as indigestion or stress, to serious medical emergencies, such as a heart attack or pulmonary embolism. The specific cause of chest pain is often difficult to interpret.

As with other sudden, unexplained pains, chest pain may be a signal for you to get medical help. Use the following information to help you determine whether your chest pain is a medical emergency.

Heart attack

A heart attack occurs when an artery that supplies oxygen to your heart muscle becomes blocked. A heart attack generally causes chest pain that lasts longer than 15 minutes. But a heart attack can also be silent and produce no signs or symptoms.

Many people who suffer a heart attack have warning symptoms hours, days or weeks in advance. The earliest predictor of an attack may be recurrent chest pain that's triggered by exertion and relieved by rest.

Someone having a heart attack may experience any or all of the following:

• Uncomfortable pressure, fullness or squeezing pain in the center of the chest lasting more than a few minutes
• Pain spreading to the shoulders, neck or arms
• Lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath

If you or someone else may be having a heart attack:

• Dial 911 or call for emergency medical assistance. Don't "tough out" the symptoms of a heart attack for more than five minutes. If you don't have access to emergency medical services, have someone such as a neighbor or friend drive you to the nearest hospital. Drive yourself only as a last resort, if there are absolutely no other options. Driving yourself puts you and others at risk if your condition suddenly worsens.
• Chew a regular-strength aspirin. Aspirin can inhibit blood clotting. However, you shouldn't take aspirin if you're allergic to aspirin, have bleeding problems or your doctor previously told you not to do so.
• Take nitroglycerin, if prescribed. If you think you're having a heart attack and your doctor has previously prescribed nitroglycerin for you, take it as directed. Do not take anyone else's nitroglycerin.
• Begin CPR. If the person suspected of having a heart attack is unconscious, a 911 dispatcher or another emergency medical specialist may advise you to begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Even if you're not trained, a dispatcher can instruct you in CPR until help arrives.

Pulmonary embolism

An embolus is an accumulation of foreign material — usually a blood clot — that blocks an artery. Tissue death occurs when the tissue supplied by the blocked artery is damaged by the sudden loss of blood. Pulmonary embolism describes the condition that occurs when a clot — usually from the veins of your leg or pelvis — lodges in an artery of your lung.

Signs and symptoms of pulmonary embolism include:

• Sudden, sharp chest pain that begins or worsens with a deep breath or a cough, often accompanied by shortness of breath
• Sudden, unexplained shortness of breath, even without pain
• Cough that may produce blood-streaked sputum
• Rapid heartbeat
• Anxiety and excessive perspiration

As with a suspected heart attack, dial 911 or call for emergency medical assistance immediately.

Pneumonia with pleurisy

Frequent signs and symptoms of pneumonia are chest pain accompanied by chills, fever and a cough that may produce bloody or foul-smelling sputum. When pneumonia occurs with an inflammation of the membranes that surround the lung (pleura), you may have considerable chest discomfort when inhaling or coughing. This condition is called pleurisy.

One sign of pleurisy is that the pain is usually relieved temporarily by holding your breath or putting pressure on the painful area of your chest. This is not true of a heart attack. See your doctor if a cough and a fever or chills accompany your chest pain. Pleurisy alone, however, isn't a medical emergency.

Chest wall pain

One of the most common varieties of harmless chest pain is chest wall pain. One kind of chest wall pain is costochondritis. It consists of pain and tenderness in and around the cartilage that connects your ribs to your breastbone (sternum).

Often, placing pressure over a few points along the margin of the sternum results in considerable tenderness limited to those small areas. If the pressure of a finger duplicates your chest pain, you probably can conclude that a serious cause of chest pain, such as a heart attack, isn't responsible.

Other causes of chest pain include:

• Strained chest muscles from overuse or excessive coughing
• Chest muscle bruising from minor trauma
• Acute anxiety with rapid breathing
• Pain from the gastrointestinal tract, such as esophageal reflux, peptic ulcer pain, or gallbladder pain।

EYE INJURY

Eye Injuries & Irritation

Signs & Symptoms

Signs and symptoms depend on the cause. Common symptoms are:

· Pain and/or swelling in or around the eye(s).

· The eyes burn, are dry, and/or itch.

Causes

For Eye Injuries:

· A physical blow to the eye.

· Harsh chemicals.

· A foreign body is stuck in the eye.

For Eye Irritation:

· Particles in the eye.

· Too much sun exposure.

· Low humidity.

· Strong wind.

· Scratches from contact lenses.

Other causes are allergies, infections, and conditions that make the eyes dry. With aging, the eyes can get irritated more easily because they make less tears.

Treatment

Mild eye irritations and injuries can be treated with self-care. More serious problems need medical care.

DROWING

Near-Drowning Near-drowning is when a person is in danger of drowning. Each year, almost 8,000 people die from drowning. Seventy percent of all near-drowning victims recover; 25% die, and 5% have brain damage. A toddler can drown in as little as 2 inches of water in a bathtub, sink, etc. Toilet bowls are unsafe, too, if a small child falls into one head-first. Signs & Symptoms · A person is in the water with signs of distress. He or she can't stay above water, swims unevenly, signals for help, etc. · Blue lips or ears. The skin is cold and pale. · Bloated abdomen. Vomiting. Choking. · Confusion. Lethargy. · The person does not respond or can't breathe. Causes · Not being able to swim. Being in water too deep and too rough for one's ability to swim. · Water sport and other accidents. Not following water safety rules. Not wearing a life preserver, etc. Unsupervised swimming. · Falling through ice while fishing, skating, etc. · Injury or problems that occur while swimming, boating, etc. Examples are leg or stomach cramps, fatigue, and alcohol or drug use. A heart attack, stroke, seizure, and a marine animal bite or sting may have occurred. Treatment Immediate medical care is needed for near-drowning.

ELECTRIC SHOCK

Electric Shock Electric shock occurs when an electric current flows through the body. The human body is made up of 60% to 70% water. This makes it a good conductor of electricity. Burns, damage to internal organs, heart rhythm problems, and death can result from electric shock. Signs & Symptoms · Shocking sensations. Numbness or tingling. A change in vision, speech, or in any sensation. · Burns or open wounds. These occur where the electricity enters and exits the body. · Muscle spasms or contractions. · Sudden immobility or fractures. A body part may looked deformed. · Interrupted breathing. Irregular heartbeats or chest pain. · Seizures. · Unconsciousness. A small child who bites or sucks on an electric cord can have a facial injury or distinct burn around the rim of the mouth. Electric Shock can cause tissue damage under the skin's surface. Causes · Touching a high-voltage (more than 1,000 volts) source, such as high-tension wires that fall during a storm. Touching someone who is still touching a live current. Touching a low-voltage (less than 1,000 volts) current source, such as an electric socket or worn cord. · Mixing water and electricity. · Being struck by lightning. A bolt of lightning carries as many as 30 million volts. Treatment Contact with electricity from a high-voltage wire or being struck by lightning needs emergency medical care. Contact with electricity from a low-voltage current needs emergency medical care if any signs or symptoms listed above are present. A person who does not have any symptoms should still see a doctor to check for possible internal injuries. To Avoid Being Harmed by Lightning · Heed weather warnings. · Take shelter in a building, if you can. · Stay in your car (if it is not a convertible) rather than out in the open. · If you are caught outside, avoid tall trees, open water, metal objects, and high ground. Crawl into a low-lying place or curl up on the ground, head to knees with your head touching the ground.

HEAT STROKE

Heat Exhaustion & Heat Stroke Sweat evaporates from the skin to cool the body. If this personal cooling system does not work right or fails to work, heat exhaustion or a heat stroke can occur. Heat exhaustion is a warning that the body is getting too hot. With a heat stroke, body organs start to overheat. They will stop working if they get hot enough. If it is not treated, a heat stroke can result in death. Sweat cools the body. Signs & Symptoms For a Heat Stroke These signs and symptoms can occur suddenly with little warning: · Very high temperature (104ºF or higher). · Hot, dry, red skin. No sweating. · Deep breathing and fast pulse. Then shallow breathing and weak pulse. · Confusion. Hallucinations. · Convulsions. · Loss of consciousness. For Heat Exhaustion · Normal, low, or only slightly elevated body temperature. · Cool, clammy, pale skin. Sweating. · Dry mouth. Thirst. · Fatigue. Weakness. Feeling dizzy. · Headache. · Nausea. Vomiting can occur. · Muscle cramps. · Weak or rapid pulse. Causes Anything that keeps the body's natural cooling system from working right can lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. This includes: · Extreme heat and humidity. · Being in places without fans or air conditioners during hot, humid weather. · Not being able to get to public air-conditioned places. Waiting for a bus or other type of public transportation in hot, humid weather. · Overdressing. · Changes in the skin due to aging. · Poor circulation. Heart, lung, and/or kidney disease. · Not being able to sweat due to medicines, such as water pills and some used for mental illnesses. · Alcohol or drug use. · Any illness that causes weakness, fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. Treatment A heat stroke is a medical emergency. Heat exhaustion may respond to self-care measures. If not, medical care is needed.

Insects that sting include:

• Bumblebees
• Honeybees
• Hornets
• Wasps
• Yellow jackets

Most often, the symptoms that come from these insect stings include:

• Quick, sharp pain
• Swelling
• Itching
• Redness at the sting site

Insect stings can even result in a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms of this include:

• Severe swelling, all over and/or of the face, tongue, lips
• Weakness, dizziness
• A difficult time breathing or swallowing
• Sometimes death due to airway obstruction or shock

Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction usually happen soon after or within an hour of the sting.

If you've ever had an allergic reaction to an insect sting in the past, you should carry an emergency kit that has:

• Adrenalin (a medicine called epinephrine that stops the body-wide reaction) and a needle to inject it
• An antihistamine
• An inhaler that contains adrenalin
• Instruction sheet that explains how to use the kit

You have to get this kit from your doctor. You should also wear a medic alert bracelet that lets others know that you are allergic to insect stings. People who have had severe reactions in the past to bee or wasp stings should ask their doctor about allergy shots.

Insects that sting include: Bumblebees Honeybees Hornets Wasps Yellow jackets Most often, the symptoms that come from these insect stings include: Quick, sharp pain Swelling Itching Redness at the sting site Insect stings can even result in a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms of this include: Severe swelling, all over and/or of the face, tongue, lips Weakness, dizziness A difficult time breathing or swallowing Sometimes death due to airway obstruction or shock Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction usually happen soon after or within an hour of the sting. If you've ever had an allergic reaction to an insect sting in the past, you should carry an emergency kit that has: Adrenalin (a medicine called epinephrine that stops the body-wide reaction) and a needle to inject it An antihistamine An inhaler that contains adrenalin Instruction sheet that explains how to use the kit You have to get this kit from your doctor. You should also wear a medic alert bracelet that lets others know that you are allergic to insect stings. People who have had severe reactions in the past to bee or wasp stings should ask their doctor about allergy shots. Prevention Try to avoid getting stung. Keep foods and drink containers tightly covered. (Bees love sweet foods like soft drinks.) Don't wear perfume, colognes and hair spray when you are outdoors. Don't wear bright colors. Choose white or neutral colors like tan. These don't attract bees. Wear snug clothing that covers your arms and legs. . Don't go barefoot. Be careful when working outdoors such as when pulling weeds or removing shutters from the house to paint. Bees often build hives behind shutters. If an insect gets in your car, stop the car, roll down the windows and get the insect out of the car. SHOCK Shock Shock occurs when the circulation system fails to send blood to all parts of the body. With shock, blood flow or blood volume is too low to meet the body's needs. Areas of the body are deprived of oxygen. The result is damage to the limbs, lungs, heart, and brain. Loss of blood from any injury can cause shock. Signs & Symptoms · Weakness. Trembling. · Feeling restless. Confusion. · Pale or blue-colored lips, skin, and/or fingernails. Cool and moist skin. · Rapid, shallow breathing. Weak, but fast pulse. · Nausea. Vomiting. Extreme thirst. · Enlarged pupils. · Loss of consciousness. Causes · A heart attack. · Severe or sudden blood loss from an injury or serious illness. Bleeding can occur inside or outside the body. · A large drop in body fluids, such as following a severe burn. Treatment Shock requires emergency medical care.

FIRST AID KIT

First Aid Kits help in any emergency. If some one is injured, cut, burned , emergency first aid kits come in handy. Few injuries do not require immediate medical attention. Knowing how to treat minor injuries using a first aid kit can make a difference in an emergency.

Things you should have in a first aid kit:

Two pairs of Latex, or other sterile gloves (in case you are allergic to Latex).

Burn ointments to prevent infection.

Sterile dressings to stop bleeding.

Cleansing agent / soaps and anti-biotic towelettes to disinfect.

Antibiotic ointment to prevent infection.

Adhesive bandages in different sizes.

Eye wash solution as general decontaminant.

Thermometer

Prescription medications you take every day such as insulin, heart medicine and asthma inhalers. You should periodically check medicines to account for expiration dates.

Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood pressure monitoring equipment and supplies.

Non-prescription drugs for your first aid emergency kits:

Anti-diarrhea medications, tablets

Potassium Iodide

Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever

Antacid (for upset stomach)

Laxatives

FAINTING

Fainting& Unconsciousness

Signs & Symptoms

Fainting is a brief loss of consciousness. It can last from seconds to 30 minutes. Just before fainting, a person may feel a sense of dread, feel dizzy, see spots, and have nausea.

If a person falls and can't remember the fall itself, he or she has fainted.

An unconscious person is hard to rouse and can't be made aware of his or her surroundings. The person is unable to move on his or her own.

Causes

Fainting is due to a sudden drop in blood flow or glucose supply to the brain. This causes a temporary drop in blood pressure and pulse rate. Medical reasons for this include:

· Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). This can occur in diabetics, in early pregnancy, in persons on severe diets, etc.

· Anemia. Eating disorders.

· Conditions which cause rapid loss of blood.

· Abnormal heart rhythm. Heart attack. Stroke.

· Head injury. Heat stroke. Heat exhaustion.

Other things that can lead to feeling faint or fainting include:

· A sudden change in body position like standing up too fast. This is called postural hypotension.

· A side effect of some medicines. Drinking too much alcohol.

· Anxiety or sudden emotional stress or fright.

· Being in hot, humid weather or in a stuffy room. Standing a long time in one place.

· Extreme pain.