First Aid

You or someone around you may be hurt. Below are basic first-aid guidelines for treating minor injuries. For more detailed first-aid steps, see additional resources below.

Universal Considerations

  • If required, call Emergency Services (9-1-1). Call for help or direct someone else to call for help as soon as possible.
  • Personal Protection – wear protective equipment if possible. Use common sense and stay cautious.
  • Safety is an ongoing concern – stay aware of your surroundings and potential hazards. Remember the following: Fire, Wire, Glass, Grass, Gas

First Aid for Injuries – RICE

  • Rest the injured area immediately.
  • Ice the injured area immediately to limit swelling. Never apply ice directly to the skin; always put it in a bag first.
  • Compress the ice pack firmly and evenly on the injured area, but not too tight.
  • Elevate the injured area to further reduce swelling.

Treat for Shock – WARTS

  • Warmth – keep the body warm with blankets, clothes, etc.
  • ABC’s – Monitor airway, breathing and circulation.
  • Rest and reassure the victim.
  • Treat the cause of the shock (ie. injury).
  • Semi-prone or sitting position – make the victim comfortable. If the victim is unconscious, lay them face down at an downward angle.

How to Stop Bleeding

  • Apply direct pressure to the wound by pressing with a piece of sterile gauze. If you don’t have a gauze, use a piece of folded fabric such as a bandana.
  • Maintain steady pressure on the wound, elevating above the heart if possible.
  • If the gauze soaks through with blood, add another layer on top. Never remove the gauze that’s already in place, as this may disrupt clotting.

How to handle sprains/fractures/breaks

  • Do not straighten the extremity if it is deformed.
  • Immobilize in the same position as found by using a sturdy object longer than the injured area (such as a stick or hard-bound magazine).
  • If there is movement, use padding to keep it immobile.
  • Ice the injured area immediately to limit swelling. Never apply ice directly to the skin; use thin layer to shield skin from direct contact.
  • Elevate the extremity to reduce swelling.
  • If the victim is unable to travel, contact (9-1-1).
  • Medical examination is required for the actual level of injury.

First Aid ABCs

If you come across an unconscious or semi-conscious victim:

  • Assess the environment – is it safe to proceed?
    • Fire, Wire, Glass, Grass, Gas and bodily fluids
  • Assess the victim’s responsiveness. If unresponsive or incoherent, call emergency services immediately.
  • Airway – does the victim have an unobstructed airway?
    • If the victim is conscious, ask him or her to speak – “Can you tell me your name?”.
    • If the victim is unresponsive, open the victim’s airway using the head-tilt, chin-lift method.
  • Breathing – is the person breathing?
    • Put your ear close to the victim’s mouth and listen for breathing. Look at the chest or abdomen if it rises with each breath. Check for 10 seconds.
    • If the victim is breathing normally, place him or her in the recovery position, a 10-second check should be repeated every 2 minutes.
    • With irregular breathing, it is recommended that a 10-second check to be performed every minute as the victim’s condition could change and CPR might be required.
    • If you do not see, hear, or feel normal breathing – attempt to push TWO full breaths (look for a rising chest) in the person by using a pocket mask follow by CPR (pocket masks should be used for protection from bodily fluids).
  • Circulation or Compressions
    • Landmarking – from the top of the armpits, find the middle point on the chest, and place the heel of your hand in the middle of the victim’s chest. Put your other hand on top of the first with your fingers interlaced.
    • Compression depth – Compress the chest about 1-1/2 to 2 inches (4-5 cm). Allow the chest to completely recoil before the next compression.
    • Compress the chest at a rate equal to 100/minute. Perform 30 compressions at roughly 2 compressions per second.
    • Open the airway with head-tilt and perform (PUSH) 2 rescue breaths.
    • Continue to perform 30 compressions with 2 breaths.
    • Keep going until help arrives.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

  • Remember the Universal Considerations.
  • Begin rescue breathing. If there is no breathing:
    • Open the victim’s airway using the head-tilt, chin-lift method.
    • Pinch the victim’s nose.
    • Make a seal over the victim’s mouth with yours. Use a CPR mask if available.
    • Give the victim a breath big enough to make the chest rise.
    • Let the chest fall, then repeat the rescue breath once more.
  • Begin chest compressions.
    • Place the heel of your hand in the middle of the victim’s chest. Put your other hand on top of the first with your fingers interlaced.
    • Compress the chest about 1-1/2 to 2 inches (4-5 cm). Allow the chest to completely recoil before the next compression.
    • Compress the chest at a rate equal to 100/minute. Perform 30 compressions at this rate.
  • Repeat rescue breaths.
    • Open the airway with head-tilt, chin-lift again. This time, go directly to rescue breaths without checking for breathing again.
    • Give one breath, making sure the chest rises and falls, then give another.
  • Perform 30 more chest compressions. Repeat steps 5 and 6 for about two minutes.
  • Stop compressions and recheck victim for breathing. If the victim is not breathing, continue chest compressions and rescue breaths.
  • Keep going until help arrives.

Tips

  • If you have access to an automated external defibrillator (AED), turn on the AED the moment it arrives and follow the instructions.
  • Attach the electro pads to the victim bare skin (shaving might be required). Please follow the diagram(s) provided with the AED for the proper pad placement location.
  • Chest compressions are extremely important. If you are not comfortable giving rescue breaths, still perform chest compressions!
  • It’s normal to feel pops and snaps when you first begin chest compressions – DON’T STOP! You aren’t going to make the victim any worse. Cardiac arrest is as bad as it gets.
  • When performing chest compressions, do not let your hands bounce. Let the chest fully recoil, but keep the heel of your hand in contact with the sternum at all times.
  • For more information on these steps go to the Emergency Cardiac Care (ECC) Guidelines from the American Heart Association.
  • While waiting for the ambulance, make it easy for them when they arrive:
    • Gather the victim’s personal medical information.
    • Send someone to meet the emergency crew and guide them to the victim.
    • Move obstructions out of the way.
    • Illuminate the area (if possible).
    • Keep an eye on the victim at all times.

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