ARCHIVED REPORTS_1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

M� irst Aid and.11"*IV i I GuideSurv* - a art Attack Warning signs: a. Severe squeezing pains, crushing pains or heavy pressure in the chest. b. Pain that radiates from the chest into either arm, the neck or jaw. c. Shortness of breath. d. Sweating and weakness, nausea or vomiting. art Attack 1. If the victim is experiencing any i g Signs of these sensations—take no chances. Call for emergency help at once. 2. If the victim is not breathing: Give Rescue Breathing immediately (see Rescue Breathing section). Get someone else to call for emergency help. , 1g: )unds ceding: � 'njuries C 3. If you cannot detect a heart beat by taking a pulse at the Carotid Artery (The Carotid Artery can be felt on either side of the neck slightly below and forward of the base of the jaw.): Apply CPR. "CPR," Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation should be given to the victim along with Rescue Breathing only by a person properly trained and certified. Please Note: You are urged to learn CPR. CPR is a way of forcing the heart to continue pumping blood (carrying oxygerf) through the lungs and out to the rest of the body where it is . needed. Courses are offered by the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross. V The best way to control bleeding is with direct pressure over the site of the wound. Do not attempt to apply a tourniquet yourself, leave to a professional. a. Use a pad of sterile gauze, if available. b. A sanitary napkin, clean. handkerchief or even your bare hand, if necessary, will do. c. Apply firm, steady direct pressure for 5 to 15 minutes. Most bleeding will stop within a few minutes. d. If bleeding is from a foot, hand, leg or arm use gravity to help slow the flow of blood: If -there are no broken bones, elevate the limb so that it is above the victim's heart. e. Severe nose bleeding can often be controlled by leaning forward or lying down and applying direct pressure such as by pinching the nose with the fingers. Apply pressure 10 minutes without interruption. i; • Head Injuries If there is bleeding from an ear, it can mean that there is a skull fracture. 1. Call for emergency help. Let a professional medical person attend the wound. 2. Special care must be taken when trying to stop any scalp bleeding when there is a suspected skull fracture. Bleeding from the scalp can be very heavy even when the injury is not too serious. 3. Always suspect a neck injury when there is a serious head injury. Keep the neck and head still. 4. Keep the airway open (see Rescue Breathing section). 5. When stopping the bleeding, don't press too hard. Be very careful when applying pressure over the wound so that bone chips from a possible fracture will not be pressed into the brain. 6. DO NOT give the victim any fluids, cigarettes or other drugs. They may mask important symptoms.