Injury |
Signs |
Treatment |
| Broken bones |
Pain, tenderness, deformity, swelling and possible bleeding. |
Control bleeding first; care for shock; keep broken bone ends and adjacent joints from moving. |
| Burns |
Degree:
1st—skin is red.
2nd—skin is blistered.
3rd—skin is charred. |
1st and 2nd degree with closed blisters—flush with cold water until pain stops, apply loose, moist dressing; care for shock, 2nd degree with open blisters and 3rd degree—apply loose, dry dressing; care for shock. |
| Cuts |
Bleeding. |
Apply pressure with a pad of clean cloth directly over the wound. For severe bleeding, elevate the wound above the heart level and apply direct pressure. If needed, apply pressure on nearest artery (the inner side of the arm between the shoulder and elbow, or the upper leg where it joins the body). |
| Hypothermia |
See section on hypothermia. |
See section on hypothermia. |
| Frostbite |
Skin color is white or grayish-yellow.
Affected part may feel only very cold and numb. Skin surface will feel hard or crusty; underlying tissue soft when depressed. |
Seek medical attention immediately. Do not rub affected areas. Warm gently by placing fingers or hands under arms or by holding affected areas in warm hands. |
| Object in eyes |
Local irritation, tearing, and wetting. |
Don’t rub. Lift upper eyelid and flush with water. If unsuccessful, close both eyes and wrap with loose bandage. Get medical attention. |
| Shock |
Pale, clammy skin; irregular breathing; fast, weak pulse. |
Keep person lying down, elevate feet, and maintain normal body temperature (98.6° F). Do not give fluids if victim is unconscious. Begin CPR if needed. Get medical attention. |
| Sunburn |
Red, painful skin and chills. Fever and shock occasionally accompany severe burns. |
Apply cold water. Do not re-expose burned area to sun until completely healed. Get medical attention. |
| Heat Stroke |
Hot skin. Victims do not sweat. High body temperature, rapid pulse and respirations, weakness, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. |
Heat stroke is a true emergency. Move the victim to a cool place. Immediately cool the victim by any available means. Seek medical attention. |
| Heat Exhaustion |
Heavy sweating, weakness, rapid pulse, normal body temperature, headache and dizziness, nausea and vomiting. |
Move victim to a cool place. Keep him/her lying down with legs up. Cool by applying cold packs or wet towels. Fan the victim. Give cold water only if conscious. Seek medical attention. |
| Unconsciousness |
Victim is not awake, does not respond to external stimuli. |
Treat for shock. Turn head to side in case of vomiting. Stand by to give CPR if breathing stops. Never give liquids or foods to an unconscious person. Get medical attention. |
| Insect Stings |
Usual reactions: Momentary pain, redness around sting bite, itching, heat.
Worrisome reactions: Skin flushes, hives, localized swelling of lips or tongue, “tickle” in throat, wheezing, abdominal cramps, diarrhea.
Life-threatening reactions: Bluish or grayish skin color, seizures, unconsciousness, inability to breathe due to swelling of vocal cords. |
Carefully examine the sting site for a stinger embedded in the skin. If the stinger is still embedded, remove it with a scraping motion rather than squeezing or pinching. Wash the sting site. Apply ice pack to slow absorption of venom and to relieve pain. Some type of analgesic (aspirin, acetaminophen) will help relieve pain, and a topical cream such as hydrocortisone may help combat local swelling and itching. Observe victim for at least 30 minutes for signs of allergic reaction. |
Rescue
Breathing/CPR |
Take a Rescue Breathing/CPR course. |
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