BASIC FIRST AID Disaster Ready Austin FIRST AID

BASIC FIRST AID Disaster Ready Austin

FIRST AID KIT • First Aid training can help you manage a medical emergency until more help is available. • Provides first aid, not only aid. • Always call 911 for emergency medical assistance. • If you administer First Aid, make sure scene is safe before entering. Disaster Ready Austin

The Red Cross recommends that all first aid kits for a family of four include the following: • 2 absorbent compress dressings (5 x 9 inches) • 25 adhesive bandages (assorted sizes) • 1 adhesive cloth tape (10 yards x 1 inch) • 4 packets of aspirin (81 mg each) • 2 blankets (space blanket) • 1 breathing barrier (with one-way valve) • 2 instant cold compresses • 2 warm compresses • 4 pair of non-latex gloves (size: large) • 2 hydrocortisone ointment packets (approximately 1 gram each) • 1 bottle sterile water or saline flush Disaster Ready Austin • • • Scissors 2 roller bandages (4 inches wide) 5 sterile gauze pads (4 x 4 inches) Oral thermometer (nonmercury/non-glass) 4 triangular bandages Tweezers First aid instruction booklet Clean pliers Ace Wrap with clips 5 sugar packets Sharpie marker

BASIC FIRST AID Bleeding Control First Aid: • Cover wound with dry, clean cloth (towel, shirt, gauze dressing) • Apply pressure to the wound • If bleeding continues, apply more dressing without removing original and press harder • Elevate the wound above the heart if possible (arms and legs) Disaster Ready Austin

BASIC FIRST AID Broken Bones First Aid: • Do not apply pressure to an open fracture • Immobilize the patient and splint the injury Burn First Aid: • • • Cool burn immediately with cool water (not ice) Cover burn with dry, nonstick, sterile or clean dressing Do not put anything on burn unless a healthcare provider tells you to (no butter, aloe, burn salve, etc. ) Disaster Ready Austin

BASIC FIRST AID Electrocution first Aid: • • • Turn off power at source before touching patient Never enter a high voltage area If patient is not awake or not breathing, start CPR Chemical burn first Aid: • • Carefully brush chemical off patient’s skin Remove clothing touched by chemical Flush skin with large amounts of water If in eye, flush with water for at least 20 minutes Disaster Ready Austin

DIABETIC EMERGENCY Symptoms: Change in patient’s behavior (confusion, irritability), drowsy or unresponsive, hunger, thirst, weakness, sweating and pale skin color, seizure First Aid: • If the patient is awake and able to swallow, give them sugar (fruit juice, packet of real sugar, peanut butter) and carbs (crackers, bread) Disaster Ready Austin

HEAT EXHAUSTION Symptoms (may present some or all): Confusion, lethargy, sweaty, pale skin, unconscious, hot to the touch, no longer sweating, First Aid: • • • Get patient out of heat Loosen or remove tight clothing Apply cool water and a fan to patient’s body Apply ice packs to armpits, groin area, if available Give patient water or diluted Gatorade to drink, if conscious Disaster Ready Austin

COLD & WET Symptoms (may present some or all): Confusion, lethargy, shivering, unresponsive or stops shivering, cold to the touch First Aid: • • Move the patient to warm place Remove any wet clothing Dry the patient gently Keep patient warm with blankets Disaster Ready Austin

HEART EMERGENCIES Symptoms (may present some or all): Clutching of or pain in chest, back, neck or stomach, indigestion or heartburn, tightness or pressure in chest, difficulty breathing First Aid: • • • Call 911 and get an AED Follow instructions from 911 They may ask you to give patient 4 baby aspirin to chew (or 2 adult) Disaster Ready Austin

SUDDEN HEART ATTACK Video: Learn Hands-Only CPR from the American Red Cross Link: https: //youtu. be/-Yqk 5 c. HXsko Disaster Ready Austin

FOR MORE LEARNING Training course to learn life-saving skills from the experts • First Aid and CPR classes: www. austintexas. gov/ems • Visit www. redcross. org/takeaclass • Free Red Cross First Aid app for instructional videos and tips for everyday emergencies. www. redcross. org/mobileapps Disaster Ready Austin