First Aid Center Continued.

We hope the information on the last page and this page is helpful. Remember your doctor is the best source of information. All information on the last page and this page has come to us from the Women's Day dated June 28th, 1998, on the pull out poster for first aid.

When to call an ambulance:
If you think the victim needs immediate medical treatment from EMS, ask yourself the following:

~Is the victim's condition life-threatening?
~Could his/her condition worsen and become life-threatening on the way to the hospital?
~Could moving the person cause further injury?
~Does he/she require the skills or equipment of paramedics or emergency medical technicians?
~Could distance or traffic conditions cause a delay in getting him/her to the hospital?

If you answer to any of these questions is "YES", or if you are unsure, it's best to call EMS.

What to say:
~Speak calmly and clearly.
~Give your name, the address, phone number, and location of the victim, and describe the problem.
~Don't hang up until the dispatcher tell you to. She may need more information, or be able to give you further instructions.

Learn CPR
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)--which includes rescue breathing and chest compressions--requires formal training and cannot be learned from a poster. The American College of Emergency Physicians recommends that all family members take a course in CPR. Courses are offered by the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, and many hospitals and universities. Also check with your local fire department.

Major Injuries:
1. Do not move the victim unless he/she might be in further danger.

2. Make sure the person is breathing and has a pulse. If not, call 911 or your local emergency number first and then start CPR.

3. Apply firm, direct pressure over a bleeding wound with a clean cloth or sterile bandage. Heavy pressure should not be applied to severe cuts to the head. If blood soaks through, do not remove the bandage. Apply move bandages directly on top.

4. Keep applying pressure and elevate the limb above the heart, unless you suspect the limb is broken. If that's the case, you should try to move the limb as little as possible. Deep cuts should not be cleansed.

5. Call 911 or your local emergency number.

6. Maintain pressure until trained medical help arrives.

7. If the victim is in shock, (symptoms: pale, cool, clammy skin; restlessness or drowsiness; thirst; rapid pulse; enlarged pupils and rapid, weak breathing), lay him down. Elevate the feet and keep him/her warm.

DO NOT apply antiseptic, as it could damage healthy tissue.
DO NOT give the victim anything to eat or drink.

Heart Attack:
Typical warning signs include:
~uncomfortable chest symptoms, including pressure, fullness, squeezing sensation or pain in the center of the chest, lasting more than a few minutes.
~Pain that spreads to the shoulders, neck, jaw, or arms
~Chest discomfort accompanied by light-headedness, fainting, sweating, nausea, or shortness of breath.

Note: Heart-attack symptoms in women are often subtle. Women could experience pain in the arm, neck, jaw, teeth or back; feel dizzy, faint and weak; or feel like they have indigestion.

If you suspect that someone is having a heart attack:
1. Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. Stay with the victim until EMS arrives.

2. If the victim is conscious: help her/him into a comfortable position. Then, help her/him take nitroglycerin tablets, if prescribed.

3. If the victim is unconscious: Make sure she/he is lying on her/his back. Clear the airway and loosen clothing at the neck, chest, and waist. Start CPR, if necessary.

Stroke:
Typical warning signs include:
~Numbness or weakness, or paralysis of face, arm, or leg especially on one side of the body.
~Sudden temporary vision disturbances
~Slurred speech or difficulty in understanding simple statements
~Loss of balance or coordination when combined with another warning sign.

If you suspect that someone is having a stroke:
~call EMS immediately
~Stay with the person and remain calm.

Choking:
Adults:
If the victim is conscious:
1. Choking is indicated by the Universal Distress Signal (hands clutching the throat.)

2. If the victim can speak, cough, or breathe do not interfere. If the victim can not speak, cough, or breathe, give abdominal thrusts (the Heimlich maneuver). Reach around the victim's waist. Position one clenched fist above the navel and below the rib cage, thumb facing inwards. Grasp your fist with your other hand. Pull the clenched fist sharply and directly backward and upward under the rib cage 6 to 10 times quickly. (In case of extreme obesity or late pregnancy, give chest thrusts. Stand behind victim. Place the thumb of the left fist against middle of breastbone, not below it. Grab your fist with your right hand. Squeeze the chest 4 times quickly)

3. Continue sharp thrusts uninterrupted until the obstruction is relieved or advanced life support is available. In either case, the victim should be examined by a physician as soon as possible.

If victim is unconscious:
1. Position the victim on his or her back, arms by side.

2. Call 911 or your local emergency number.

3. Perform a finger sweep to try to remove the foreign body.

4. Perform rescue breathing. IF unsuccessful, give 6-10 abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver). To perform abdominal thrusts on an unconscious victim: Kneel over the victim. Place the heel of one hand on the victim's abdomen with quick, upward thrusts.

5. Repeat sequence: perform finger sweep, attempt rescue breathing, and perform abdominal thrusts until successful.

6. Continue uninterrupted until the obstruction is removed or advanced life support is available. When successful, have the victim examined by a physician as soon as possible.

7. After the obstruction is removed, begin CPR, if necessary.

Infants under 1 year
If victim is conscious:
1. Support the head and neck with one hand. Place the infant facedown over your forearm, head lower than torso, supported by your thigh.

2. Using the heel of your hand, deliver up to 5 forceful slaps to the back between the infant's shoulder blades.

3. If the infant continues to choke: While supporting the head, turn the infant faceup, head lower than torso.

4. Using 2 or 3 fingers, deliver up to 5 thrusts in the sternal region (center of breastbone). Depress the sternum 1/2 to 1 inch during each thrust. Avoid the bottom of the sternum.

5. Repeat back slaps and chest thrusts until the foreign body is expelled or the infant becomes unconscious.

Alternate Method:

Lay the infant facedown on you lap, head lower than torso and firmly supported. Perform up to 5 back slaps. Turn the infant on his or her back and perform up to 5 chest thrusts.

If victim is unconscious:
1. Call 911 or local emergency number.

2. Perform the tongue-jaw lift: Gently pull the lower jaw forward away from the back of the infant's throat. This keeps the tongue from the back of the infant's throat. If you see the foreign body, remove it.

3. Attempt rescue breathing.

4. Perform the sequence of back blows and chest thrusts as described for conscious infant.

5. After each sequence of back slaps and chest thrusts, look for foreign body and , if visible, remove it.

6. Attempt rescue breathing. Repeat steps 4 and 5.

7. If the foreign body is removed and victim is not breathing, begin CPR.

Children over 1 year
If victim is conscious:
perform abdominal thrusts (the Heimlich maneuver) as described for adults. Avoid being overly forceful.

If victim is unconscious:
Continue as for an adult, except do not perform a blind finger sweep in children up to 8 years old. Instead, perform a tongue-jaw lift and remove the foreign body only if you can see it.

Emergency 911
If you live in an area not covered by the 911 emergency number, be sure you know your local EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS) number and keep it posted near every phone in your house. Teach your children how to call for emergency help without assistance.

Please make sure that your home has a first aid kit in it. You will never know when you might need one. We hope you found this information useful. remember that there is no substitute for not learning CPR or any first aid.

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