Basic First Aid Guidelines

In the event you witness someone having one of the following problems, these simple guidelines may help you know what to do. If available, always allow a qualified medical person to check the person. It is best not to have a lot of people crowding around the person who needs assistance.

There is a First Aid kit available in the kitchen if needed.

Emergency Action Steps

• Assess the scene.  If the scene is unsafe or becomes unsafe…get out
• Assess the victim for D.O.T.S.
  • Deformities
  • Open injuries
  • Tenderness
  • Swelling
  • If the victim appears seriously ill or injured call 911
    • Is he/she responsive
    • Identify yourself
    • Ask if it’s ok to help
    • Assess the head: bleeding, confusion
    • Neck: if you suspect a neck/spinal injury, do not move the victim
    • Chest: is the victim breathing, is a chest wound present
    • Abdomen: complaints of tenderness, bleeding
    • Pelvis: complaints of tenderness, pain
    • All limbs: complaints of pain, misalignment, discoloration
    • Look for medical identification jewelry

Know What to Report: S.A.M.P.L.E.

• Signs of injury or Symptoms of illness
• Allergies to medication or food or environment
• Medications the ill or injured person is taking
• Pertinent past medical history or medical problems
• Last oral intake
• Events that may have led to the illness or injury

BLEEDING

• Apply direct pressure on wound with dressing or clean covering.
• If bleeding from arm or leg, elevate limb.
• If person becomes faint, see “FAINTING.”
• If bleeding does not stop or requires stitches, person should be taken to the emergency room.

BURNS

• Apply cool moist compress with clean towel or cloth over burned area.
• If blister forms and burned area is larger than 2×2 inches or involves hands, person should be seen by doctor or taken to emergency room.

CHOKING

• If person can cough or speak – encourage to keep coughing.
• If person cannot cough or speak – perform Heimlich or find someone who can.
• If person becomes unconscious – If no breathing or pulse call 911, obtain AED and start CPR

DIABETIC CARE

• If the person is a known diabetic and is awake and able to swallow:
  • Attempt to raise blood sugar as quickly as possible by giving 6 oz. of fruit juice, Skittles, or Mentos, or jelly beans.
  • If the person does not behave normally within about 15 minutes, call 911.
  • DO NOT GIVE ANYTHING BY MOUTH If the victim is unresponsive or semi-conscious and unable to swallow.

ELECTRIC SHOCK

• Cut off source of power.
• Check person’s breathing and pulse.
• If no breathing or pulse call 911, obtain AED and start CPR.

FAINTING

• Keep the person safe.
• Elevate feet. Loosen clothing.
• Call 911 if person is blue or remains unresponsive.
• Check for breathing and pulse – If no breathing or pulse call 911, obtain AED and start CPR

FALLS

• Keep person safe by convincing them not to move until they have been checked for serious injury.
• If serious injury present, call 911.
• If no serious injury present, assist person in getting up.

SPLASH IN EYE

If a liquid, powder or aerosol chemical splashes into your eye, immediately:

1. Flush your eye with water. Use cool tap water for at least 15 minutes, following whichever of these approaches is quickest:
   • Get into the shower and hold the lids of your affected eye or eyes open. Aim a gentle stream of water on your forehead over your affected eye. Or direct the stream on the bridge of your nose if both eyes are affected.
   • Put your head down and turn it to the side. Then hold the lids of your affected eye open under a gently running faucet. If you have access to a work site eye-rinse station, use it.
   • Young children may do best if they lie down in the bathtub or lean back over a sink. Pour a gentle stream of water on the forehead over the affected eye or on the bridge of the nose to flush both eyes. Hold their eyelids open.
2. Remove contact lenses. If they don’t come out during the flush, then take them out.
3. SEEK EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE. After following the above steps, seek emergency care by an eye specialist (ophthalmologist) or call 911. Take the chemical container or the name of the chemical with you to the emergency provider. Report how much time passed between the splash and the flushing, and for how many minutes the eye was flushed.
   • https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-eye-emergency/basics/art-20056647

FOREIGN OBJECT IN EYE

• Wash hands before assisting person.
• Warn person not to rub eye.
• Tears sometimes wash the object out. If not, cover BOTH eyes, and person should be taken to doctor or emergency room.

HEART ATTACK OR STROKE (SUSPECTED)

• Check for breathing and pulse.
• Call for help – call 911 – get AED.
• If no breathing or pulse, start CPR.

NOSEBLEED

• Have person sit upright with head tilted slightly forward and chin toward chest.
• Have person squeeze nose from both sides for 3 minutes.
• If bleeding will not stop, person should be taken to doctor or emergency room.

SEIZURES

• Keep the person safe by protecting them from hitting something.
• Do NOT restrain.
• Gently turn the person to one side.
• Do not attempt to put anything in the mouth.
• Call for help. Ask if there is a doctor or nurse to help.
• Call 911 if the person is blue or remains unresponsive, or if this is the FIRST seizure the person has had.

VOMITING

• Move people away from area to give person more air.
• If person faints, position on side to prevent aspiration.
• Assist person to restroom or outside if needed.
• Use bucket and supplies to clean up area.

Source: American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI)

Original Reviewed: 07/02/2018

Annual review 07/2019

Revised date: ____________