EMERGENCY HANDBOOK
HOW TO COPE WITH....
Accidents, Injuries, and Sudden Illness
Choking
Fire, Flood, and Earthquake
Water Rescue
Family Problems Caused by Military Service
Emergency Telephone Numbers:
Fire __________________________ Police __________________________
Doctor __________________________ Ambulance________________________
Poison Control ___________________ Red Cross ________________________
WOUNDS
1. Control bleeding.
a. Apply direct pressure on wound with a sterile dressing (if
available).
b. Elevate injured area above the heart if possible.
c. Apply pressure to supplying blood vessel if direct pressure is
not successful.
2. Secure dry, sterile dressings with bandages.
3. Cleanse minor injuries thoroughly with plain soap and water (clean
your hands first).
4. If evidence of infection appears, see a doctor.
FRACTURES
1. Do not move the victim.
2. Keep the broken bone ends and adjacent joints from moving.
3. If an open wound is present, control the bleeding (see wounds).
4. Apply splints.
SHOCK
1. Keep victim lying down.
2. Cover him only enough to keep him from losing body heat.
3. Obtain medical help as soon as possible.
IN CASE OF A SERIOUS ACCIDENT:
1. RESCUE: Do not move victim unless further danger is imminent.
2. CHECK BREATHING: If not breathing, give artificial respiration.
3. CONTROL SEVERE BLEEDING: Use direct pressure and elevate
4. DILUTE POISONS: With milk or water
5. TREAT FOR SHOCK
6. CALL FOR HELP; GIVE THIS INFORMATION:
L - Location of emergency (address and phone number)
I - Injury (number and type)
F - First aid given
E - Equipment needed or available
POISONING
1. Dilute with milk or water (except for an unconscious person)
2. Call poison information center
3. If breathing stops, use artificial respiration
4. Save label of poison container and/or save sample of vomitus if
victim regurgitates
5. Transport to hospital emergency room
BURNS
1. To relieve pain and prevent contamination
a. Submerge small minor burns in cold water (do not use ice)
b. Apply sterile dressings to large extensive burns (do not apply
grease or ointment)
2. Treat for shock
3. Seek medical assistance
STOPPAGE OF BREATHING
1. Give artificial respiration - Mouth to mouth method
a) Tip victim's head back, chin pointing up
b) Look, listen and feel for breathing
c) If not breathing, close victim's nostrils by pinching shut
d) Make a tight seal over victim's mouth with your mouth
e) Inflate victim's lungs with 2 full slow breaths
f) Watch victim's chest fall while listening for air return between
breaths
g) Check for the pulse at the side of the neck for 5 seconds. If
there is no pulse and there is no breathing, begin CPR if you
have been trained
h) If victim has a pulse, but is not breathing, give artificial
respiration
i) Breathe for adults once every 5 seconds; for children, once
every 4 sec.; for infants, once every 3 sec.
j) Recheck for spontaneous breathing every few minutes
2. Call an ambulance
HEART ATTACK
Symptoms: Chest pains, difficulty breathing, nausea, sweating, weak
rapid pulse. If you suspect a person has suffered a heart attack, search
for an identification card or bracelet for additional steps or doctor's telephone number. Question eye witnesses about what has occurred.
First Aid
1. Place the victim in a comfortable position
2. Raise his head and chest if breathing is difficult
3. If breathing stops, apply artificial respiration
4. Get medical aid fast -- physician or person trained in CPR
5. If pulse becomes absent, give CPR if trained.
a. Tip head to open airway. Look, listen, feel for breathing
b. Restore breathing. Give mouth-to-mouth artificial
respiration
c. Restore circulation. Check carotid pulse. If absent, apply
external cardiac compression on the victim's breast bone.
Single Rescuer: 15 chest compressions at 80-100 per minute, alternate with 2 slow full lung inflations, then repeat 15 compressions.
Two Rescuers: 5 compressions at 90-100 per minute. Give 1 breath every
5th compression. Repeat at 5:1 ratio.
SIMPLE FAINTING
1. Keep victim lying down with feet elevated until recovery is complete.
2. Bathe face down gently with cool water. Do not pour water over
victim.
3. Loosen tight clothing. Keep crowds away.
HEAT EXHAUSTION
1. Provide rest, with feet elevated 8-12 inches.
2. Apply cool, wet cloths or rubbing alcohol to the victim.
3. Give sips of cool water, 1/2 glass every 15 minutes for 1 hour.
4. Loosen clothing.
5. Fan victim.
6. Victim should do no work for several days.
FROSTBITE
1. Protect the frozen area from further injury.
2. Cover the frozen area with clothing or blankets.
3. Do not rub frozen part since this may cause tissue death.
4. Immerse chilled part in warm water (102 - 108 degrees) as soon as
possible.
5. If thawed and refrozen, immerse chilled part in room temperature
water (70-74 degrees).
6. Do not use heat lamp, hot water bottle, or stove to warm the
frostbitten area.
7. Discontinue warming the victim as soon as the affected part becomes
flush.
8. If fingers or toes are involved, place dry sterile gauze between them
to keep them separated.
9. If medical help is not available for 1 hour or more, give victim
conscious victims only) a weak solution of salt and soda at home or
enroute: 1 level teaspoon of salt and 1/2 level teaspoon of baking
soda to each quart of water, neither hot or cold. Give about 4 ounces
of 1/2 glass every 15 minutes adults).
WATER RESCUE
You can help...even if you can't swim. When a bather is in trouble near
a dock, float, or side of pool, your number one priority is to stay on
the dock.
1. Extend upper body over water, making sure you have a firm foothold
2. Grasp victim's wrists
3. Slowly draw victim to safety
Or....
1. Extend a pole, towel, shirt, or branch to victim
2. Draw victim to safety -- don't let victim pull you into water!
Or....
Use a buoy or other floatation device attached to rope. Stand one on end
of rope, throw float beyond victim and slowly pull it into victim's
grasp. In a boat, on a beach, in shallow water...think first.
Use oar or paddle...or a piece of wood.
Don't....
Let the victim pull you in over your head, or there may be two victims.
Attempt a swimming rescue unless you are a trained lifesaver.
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