Chapter 27

First-degree burns and small second-degree burns can be treated with these steps:

1 Cool the burned area by holding it under cold, running water for at least five minutes. If this isn't possible, immerse the burned area in cool water or wrap it in cold, wet cloths. Do not use ice, which may cause frostbite and further damage the skin. 2 Cover the burn loosely with a sterile gauze bandage. 3 The victim may take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Make sure the victim isn't allergic to the medication. 4 Minor burns usually heal without further treatment, though the skin may be discolored. If signs of infection develop— including increased pain, redness, fever, swelling, or oozing—seek medical help.

Chain of survival

A call to emergency medical services CPR Defibrillation Advanced Care

defibrillator

A device that delivers an electric shock to the heart to restore its normal rhythm

Concussion

A jarring injury to the brain that can cause unconsciousness

Shock

A life-threatening condition in which the heart is not delivering an adequate supply of blood to the body

Hurricane

A powerful storm that generally forms in tropical areas, producing winds of at least 74 miles per hour, heavy rains, and sometimes tornadoes

Poison control center

A round-the-clock service that provides emergency medical advice on how to treat victims of poisoning

Dislocation

A separation of a bone from its normal position in a joint

Chain of survival

A sequence of actions that maximize the victim's chances of survival

Earthquake

A series of vibrations in the earth caused by a sudden movement of the earth's crust

Emergency survival kit

A set of items you will need in an emergency situation

Puncture

A small but deep hole caused by a sharp and narrow object High risk of infection. May require medical care and tetanus shot

Blizzard

A snowstorm with winds that reach 35 miles an hour or more

Strain

A tear in a muscle

Emergency safety kit

A three-day supply of food A change of clothing for each family member Duct tape and plastic sheeting A battery-powered radio or television with extra batteries First-aid supplies, including any necessary medications Money At least 3 gallons of water per person Sleeping bags or bedrolls for each family member Copies of important documents

Check the victim

A victim who is unconscious or has a life-threatening condition needs immediate care. Only move the victim if he or she is in direct physical danger or if you must move the victim in order to provide lifesaving care.

Tornado

A whirling, funnel-shaped windstorm that causes destruction as it advances along the ground in a narrow path

Flood

After a______, return home only when authorities tell you it is safe to do so. Clean and disinfect everything in your home that got wet and drink bottled water until authorities tell you the water is safe to drink.

Professional medical care

Although first aid can help keep a victim alive, it is still important to call emergency services and get _________________.

Signs of choking

An inability to speak Difficulty breathing An inability to cough forcefully Turning blue in the face or lips Loss of consciousness

Poison

Any substance that causes injury, illness, or death when it enters the body

CPR for adults

Before performing CPR on an adult, check to see if the person is conscious. Tap the victim on the shoulder while shouting, "Are you okay?" If the victim doesn't respond, start the chain of survival by calling 911. Then begin performing the steps for CPR.

Wildfire

Before you leave, shut off gas and oil supplies, clear away any flammable materials near the house, and close all doors and windows but leave the house unlocked.

Rescue breathing

Breathing for a person who is not breathing on his or her own

Follow these steps if you encounter someone who has lost consciousness.

Call 911 Check the victim's breathing Be prepared to perform CPR

Concussion

Call 911 for all cases of suspected _________. If the victim is conscious, have him or her lie down. Use first aid to treat any bleeding while you wait for help to arrive.

Snakebite

Call 911 for medical help and follow the dispatcher's instructions. Try to keep the victim from moving. Keep the affected body part below chest level. Remove rings and other constricting items. Use a snakebite suction kit if one is available.

Call

Call 911 or your local emergency number and stay on the line until help arrives. If the victim is in need of immediate care, get someone else at the scene to call 911 while you provide first aid.

Care for the victim

Care for the victim. If possible, get the victim's permission before giving first aid. If the victim refuses help, respect this decision. If the victim can't speak to give permission, provide care.

CPR for infants and children

Check to see if the child is breathing before calling 911. If the child is not breathing, give five cycles of CPR—about two minutes' worth— before making the call. When performing rescue breathing on a baby, place your mouth over the baby's nose and mouth at the same time—not the mouth only, as for an adult. Do not use a face mask designed for adult CPR when performing CPR on an infant.

Three C's of emergency care

Check victim, call 911, care for victim

Symptoms of shock

Cold, clammy skin, which may appear pale or grayish Weak, rapid pulse and altered breathing Dull, staring eyes, which may have dilated pupils Faintness, weakness, confusion, or loss of consciousness

Laceration

Cut caused by a sharp object slicing through layers of skin. May require medical care, stitches, tetanus shot

Tornado warning signs

Darkened or greenish looking skies A hailstorm that produces large hailstones A large, dark, low-lying cloud that may be rotating A loud roar like that of a freight train

Medication

Do not give the victim any______________ unless the expert tells you to do so.

Flood

Don't walk through moving water or drive into a flooded area. If floodwaters surround your car, leave the car and flee to higher ground.

poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac.

Exposure to these plants will cause itching, swelling, redness, burning, and blisters at the site of contact.

Floss foods

Floods in which a dangerous volume of water builds up in a short time

30/30 rule

Get or stay indoors if you hear thunder within 30 seconds of seeing lightning. Stay there for 30 minutes after hearing the last peal of thunder.

First aid for shock

Get the shock victim to lie down and raise his legs about 12 inches if he is conscious and doesn't have an injury to the head, neck, legs, or spine. If the victim has any wounds or other injuries, give first aid for these while you wait for help.

Tornadoes

Go to the lowest level in a building, or the center of an interior room. Stay as far away as possible from windows, doors, and outer walls. Crouch down as close to the floor as possible. Use your arms and hands to shield your head. Cover yourself with a mattress or blankets.

Tornado

Hurricanes and severe thunderstorms can produce a________.

Flood

If a________ is expected, secure your home and move essential items to an upper floor. Shut off utilities and disconnect electrical appliances.

Control the bleeding

If possible, raise the wounded body part above the level of the heart. Cover the wound with sterile gauze or a clean cloth. Press the palm of your hand firmly against the gauze. Apply steady pressure to the wound for five minutes or until help arrives. Do not stop to check the wound; you may interrupt the clotting of the blood. If blood soaks through the gauze, add another gauze pad on top of the first and continue to apply pressure. Once the bleeding slows or stops, secure the pad firmly in place with a bandage, strips of gauze, or other material. The pad should be snug, but not so tight that you can't feel the victim's pulse. If you can't stop the bleeding after five minutes, or if the wound starts bleeding again, call for medical help. Continue to apply pressure until help arrives.

30, 2

If the victim is an infant or a young child, the cycle of CPR is still____ chest compressions for every____ rescue breaths.

Recovery position

If the victim is breathing and does not seem to have an injury to the spine, lay the victim down in

Concussion

If the victim is unconscious, avoid moving him or her if there is reason to suspect a head or neck injury. Otherwise, you can place the victim in the recovery position.

cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) .

If the victim's heart has stopped, you will be instructed to move on to the next link in the chain of survival and conduct

Earthquake

If you are in a car during an___________, stop the car and stay inside.

Earthquake

If you are indoors during an___________, drop to the ground. Take cover under a sturdy table or desk or crouch in a corner and cover your head with your arms.

Severe thunderstorms

If you are outdoors, get indoors as soon as you can. If you are in a car, stay in the car and avoid touching anything made of metal. If you are on open water, return to shore. If you are in a forest, seek shelter under shorter trees. If you are trapped in an open area, try to get into a low-lying spot and be on alert for flash floods.

Tornadoes

Leave your vehicle and get to a secure shelter as quickly as possible. Never try to outrun a tornado in your car. If you are caught out in the open, lie flat in a ditch or other low- lying area and cover your head with your hands.

First aid for shock

Loosen the victim's clothing and try to keep him warm and comfortable. Don't give the victim anything to eat or drink. If the victim vomits, drools, or starts bleeding from the mouth, roll him into the recovery position.

Poison sumac

Most people are allergic to poison ivy, poison oak, and_________________

Safety zone

People who live in areas where wildfires are common can create a __________ around their homes that is free of most vegetation and other flammable materials.

PRICE procedure

Protect the affected area by wrapping it in a bandage or splint. Rest the injured body part for at least a day. Ice the affected area for 10 to 15 minutes at a time, three times a day to reduce swelling and pain. Compress the affected area by wrapping it firmly, but not too tightly, in a bandage. Elevate the injured body part above the level of the heart, if possible.

Abrasion

Scrape of the skin due to something abrasive, susceptible to infection

Nosebleeds

Sit down and squeeze the soft part of the nose between your thumb and finger, holding the nostrils closed. Breathe through your mouth and lean forward to avoid swallowing blood. An ice pack or cold compress applied to the bridge of the nose may also help. If the bleeding doesn't stop after 20 minutes, seek emergency medical help.

Flash floods

Some floods develop slowly, while ___________ develop quickly.

First aid for shock

Some shock victims become anxious or agitated, so try to keep the person calm. Monitor the victim's breathing, and be prepared to start CPR immediately if breathing stops.

Good Samaritan laws

Statutes that protect rescuers from being sued for giving emergency care

Winter storms

Stay indoors. If you must go outdoors, wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing with an outermost layer that will repel wind and water. Wear a hat, a scarf to protect your mouth and neck, and mittens or gloves. Wear insulated, water-resistant boots to keep your feet warm and dry.

Universal precautions

Steps taken to prevent the spread of disease through blood and other body fluids when providing first aid or health care

First degree burns.

The burned area may become swollen and painful.

Second degree burns

The skin develops blisters and there is severe pain and swelling.

bees, hornets, and wasps

The stings of insects such as ______________, as well as the bites of certain spiders, are painful but usually not dangerous.

check, call, and care.

The three steps for responding to an emergency are

300

The whirling winds of a tornado can reach speeds of_____ miles per hour and can leave a trail of damage a mile wide.

Both hands

To perform chest compressions on a child between one and eight years old, you can either use the heel of one hand or use _________ as in adult CPR.

one-third to one- half

To perform chest compressions on an infant, position your fingers on the baby's sternum. Press the sternum down about____________ the depth of the baby's chest.

P.R.I.C.E.

Treat minor strains and sprains with the __________. procedure.

Animal bites

Wash your hands thoroughly and put on protective gloves. Wash the bite area thoroughly with mild soap and water. Apply pressure as needed to stop any bleeding. Apply antibiotic ointment and a sterile dressing. If the wound swells, apply ice wrapped in a towel for ten minutes.

Universal precautions

Wear sterile gloves whenever you could come into contact with someone's blood or body fluids. Wash hands immediately after providing first aid. Use a mouthpiece, if one is available, when providing rescue breathing.

Avulsion

When skin or tissue is partly or completely torn away Usually requires emergency medical care and stitches

Clean protective gloves

When treating an open wound on someone other than yourself, wear _____________.

Hypothermia

Whenever you are outside in a winter storm, watch out for signs of frostbite and _____________.

2 days

You can gradually begin to use the affected body part again as the pain and swelling subside. If the swelling lasts more than ________, see a doctor.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

a first-aid procedure that combines recue breathing with chest compressions to restore breathing and circulation.

Venom

a poisonous secretion

Tornadoes

are most common east of the Rocky Mountains.

Earthquakes

are most common in western states.

Wildfires

are most likely to occur in especially dry regions.

Floods

are one of the most common natural disasters in the United States.

Giving cpr

as soon as possible is a crucial link in the chain of survival.

Exposure to poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac

can cause itching, swelling, and blisters.

Hurricane

can cause major flooding, and flying debris can injure or kill people and cause property damage.

Third degree burns

can destroy nerve endings, so victims may not experience pain.

Paramedics and other trained medical personnel

can provide the advanced care needed to keep the victim alive on the way to the hospital.

Burns

can result from exposure to heat, flame, hot water, steam, sunlight, electricity, and certain chemicals.

Animal bites

can transmit serious diseases such as rabies, a viral infection that can be incurable and deadly if not treated immediately.

If you see the signs of choking in an adult

help the person immediately by performing abdominal thrusts.

Weather watch

indicates that severe weather is possible during the next few hours.

Sprain

injury to the ligament around a joint

Third degree burns

involve all layers of the skin and may penetrate the underlying tissues.

First degree burns

involve only the outer layer of skin, called the epidermis.

Second degree burns

involve the epidermis and the underlying layers of skin (the dermis).

Fainting

is a temporary loss of consciousness that occurs when not enough blood is flowing to the brain.

Clutching the throat

is the universal sign for choking.

Bleeding from the eyes, nose, mouth, or ears

may be a sign that internal bleeding is occurring.

Tetanus booster shot

may be required for any bite that has broken the skin.

Weather warning

means that severe weather has already been observed or is expected soon.

Choking

occurs when an object, such as a piece of food, becomes stuck in a person's windpipe, cutting off the flow of air.

For a choking infant

perform back blows and chest thrusts to dislodge the object.

Victims of fainting

should see a doctor as soon as possible if they have never fainted before or they are fainting frequently.

Unconsciousness

the condition of not being alert or aware of your surroundings

First aid

the immediate, temporary care given to an ill or injured person until professional medical care can be provided

Call 911 for emergency medical help if

the victim is unable to move the affected muscle or joint. the pain is severe. the injury is bleeding. the joint appears deformed. you hear a popping sound coming from the joint.

Fracture

to break (a bone)

Poison control expert

will ask you questions and provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to treat the victim.