6.0 Health Injury Prevention and Safety
Unintentional Injuries: The Facts
Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death for teens. Each year, more than 90,000 people die in the United States as a result of unintentional injuries. More than 72,000 people are disabled in the United States by injuries every year. During an average year, unintentional injuries account for nearly 31 million emergency room visits.
Discharge of Firearms
A recent study found that 43 percent of households in the United States with children and teens had at least one gun. More than 1 in 5 gun owners with children under 18 said that they stored their weapons loaded. One in 11 said that their weapons were stored loaded and unlocked. Guns make conflicts worse and increase the chances that you will be seriously harmed. If you carry a gun, you're twice as likely to become the victim of gun violence. The risk of injuries and deaths from guns can be reduced by the use of gun safes and trigger locks, separate storage of guns and ammunition, reporting lost and stolen weapons, and gun training for gun owners.
Severe Thunderstorm
A severe thunderstorm is characterized by hail equal to or greater than 3/4" in diameter or winds of at least 58 miles per hour. Even if it's not severe, a thunderstorm is still a potential killer. Lightning during thunderstorms can strike and kill or severely injure a person. Severe thunderstorms also have the potential of producing a tornado with little or no advanced tornado warning. What to do: Stay inside during a storm. If that is not possible, take shelter where you can but avoid standing under tall structures and trees, because they attract lightning. Do not use computers, telephones, or televisions during a severe thunderstorm.
Flood
A sudden, large amount of water covering what was once dry land is a flood. A flood typically caused by heavy rainfall and characterized by a large volume of water that usually lasts a short time is a flash flood. What to do: If a flood is predicted, move furniture and valuables to a safe location, such as an upper floor of your home. Be prepared to evacuate, if instructed to do so. Before you leave your home, turn off the utilities, such as electricity or gas. Never walk, swim, ride a bike, or drive a car through flood water, because you could drown or be electrocuted. Flooding can pollute local water supplies, so stick with bottled water until you're told that the tap water is safe to drink.
Tornado
A tornado is a rotating funnel-shaped column of wind. Tornadoes are described as weak, strong, or violent. A weak tornado may have winds of 110 miles per hour, while a strong tornado may have winds of 200 or more miles per hour. Like a Category 4 or 5 hurricane, violent tornadoes can destroy buildings. What to do: Try to get inside a building if a tornado approaches. Stay away from windows during a tornado to avoid glass that may implode (break and fly inward rather than outward). The safest place to be is in a basement or storm cellar. If that option is not available, go to an interior room and cover yourself with a blanket or mattress to protect your head. If you are outside and cannot get to shelter, lie down in a low-lying area, like a ditch, and cover yourself with a blanket. Protect your head with your arms and hands.
Hurricane
An intense storm with heavy rain and strong winds that begins over the waters of the Tropics is a hurricane. Hurricanes are categorized on a scale of 1 to 5, according to the intensity of their winds and the height of the sea waves that result. A Category 1 hurricane may have winds between 74 and 95 miles per hour and waves that are 4 to 5 feet high. Generally, a Category 1 hurricane causes little damage to most buildings. In contrast, a Category 5 hurricane has winds greater than 155 miles per hour and waves as high as 18 feet above normal. It is considered catastrophic because it can destroy buildings and cause massive flooding. What to do: The National Weather Service (NWS) issues warnings when hurricanes are getting close to shore. If a hurricane watch is issued, board up your home's windows and doors and bring indoors items such as bikes or lawn chairs that might blow away in the strong winds. If a hurricane warning is issued, seek shelter and follow evacuation instructions from the NWS.
Unintentional Injuries
An unintentional injury is one that no one meant to have happen. You may receive unintentional injuries from crashes involving a motor vehicle, bicycle, skateboard, snowboard, or boat or other leisure vehicle. You also may be unintentionally injured while working, hunting, swimming, or even playing sports. Even though injuries from many of these pursuits could have been avoided, your purpose or intent was not to get injured. Most unintentional injuries can be prevented by using common sense and good judgment, knowing and following laws and safety procedures, and wearing protective gear when it is needed. You saw in previous lessons how drinking alcohol impairs judgment. When alcohol and drugs are mixed with any of the activities listed above, injury and death may be the result. Can you think of some unintentional injuries that are not preventable? How about being buried in a mudslide? Or caught in a forest fire? Even these incidents might be preventable. You can see that it's difficult to find good examples of unpreventable injuries.
Anger Management
Anger is a normal human emotion that ranges from mild irritation to intense rage. When you experience anger, your body may experience physical symptoms such as increases in heart rate, blood pressure, and adrenaline. Some people think anger is a negative emotion that they should never express. When it is handled properly, anger can help you stand up for yourself and fight injustice. When anger is not handled well, however, it can lead to violence and injury. It's never a good idea to ignore anger when you experience it. Stop and think about what is causing your anger. Then try some anger management techniques. Anger Management Techniques Relax. Pause and consciously practice deep breathing. Remove yourself from the situation. Instead of striking out immediately, think about what is causing your feelings of anger. Use positive thinking. Remind yourself that your anger is helping you identify a problem that needs to be solved and that the world is not out to get you. Consider the situation as a problem to be solved. Figure out how best to solve the problem that you've identified. Communicate your feelings with words. Once you've calmed down and had a chance to clearly think about the issue that is angering you, state it.
Fires and Burns
Approximately 25,000 Americans are injured in fires each year and more than 4000 die. Electrocutions account for a greater proportion of work-related injury deaths in adolescents than in adults. Smoking is the leading cause of home fire deaths. Cooking is the primary cause of residential fires. Fireworks-related injuries most frequently involve hands and fingers and the head and face. More than half of the injuries are burns. Burn injuries are common among teen employees in restaurants. Teens who work as fry cooks are at special risk for burn injuries. Factors such as inexperience and the pressure to maintain productivity during busy periods can lead to potential accidents.
Physical Fights
As many as one-third of high school students report that they have been in a physical fight in the past year and as many as one in nine of those students had been hurt badly enough to need medical treatment. Although teens always have fought, the increasing presence of firearms and other weapons has increased the danger of serious injury among those who fight. Boys are more likely than girls to engage in physical fights, and younger teens (e.g., ninth graders) are more likely than older teens (e.g., high school seniors) to do so. Teens who use alcohol and other drugs, such as marijuana, cocaine, and anabolic steroids, are more likely than other teens to fight and also much more likely to use weapons and cause serious injuries.
Hot-Weather-Related Injuries
At the opposite extreme are heat-related emergencies. These may include heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Heatstroke is the most serious heat-related emergency. Heatstroke is a condition in which the body's temperature rises to about 104°F because it cannot get rid of excessive heat by perspiring. You may notice that a person with heatstroke has dry, hot, red skin; shallow breathing; and a rapid, weak pulse. He or she may be confused and also may be having seizures (sudden muscle contractions). First-aid response. For all heat-related emergencies (heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke), move the person from the heat to a cool place where he or she can lie down. Elevate the person's feet about a foot above the ground. Apply cool, wet cloths to the body, and place a cold compress to the neck, groin, and armpits. Use a fan to reduce the body's temperature. Give the person a half-cup of salt water every 15 minutes. Call 911 if the person loses consciousness, starts having seizures, or shows signs of shock, such as bluish lips and fingernails and reduced alertness.
6.07: Preventing Violence, Part 2 Anger Without Violence
Because violence is so common in our society, it's important to learn some strategies for preventing, avoiding, or resolving it. Being respectful to others and not carrying weapons are two important prevention strategies for everyone. Avoidance strategies include anger management and stress management. Conflict resolution is a strategy to resolve conflict and keep it from escalating into violence. Revisit the Thoughts and Feelings unit to help you identify stress management techniques that can be important for overall anger management.
Poisoning
Carbon monoxide (CO) results in more fatal unintentional poisonings in the United States than any other agent; the highest number of CO poisons occur during the winter months. Adolescents are also at risk for poisonings, both intentional and unintentional. About half of all poisonings among teens are classified as suicide attempts. Among teenagers, aspirin, tranquilizers, sedatives, and antidepressants are the most common substances ingested. Antidepressants and stimulants are the most common substances ingested in fatal poisoning incidents. Alcohol poisoning is a great danger to teens.
Preventable or Lamentable?
If an injury is intentional, it is certainly preventable, right? You have also learned that many unintentional injuries are preventable.
Conflict Resolution
Conflict resolution is an approach to solving problems peacefully. Typically, conflict resolution involves the following steps: Set ground rules for interacting. These may include no name-calling, blaming, yelling, or interrupting. Listen. Each person in the conflict describes his or her perspective on the issue without interruption. The goal is for each person to state what he or she wants and why he or she wants it. Find common ground. Both parties identify the facts and issues that are important to both and that both can agree on. Brainstorm possible solutions to the conflict. All the ideas that each person suggests are written down without judgment. The goal is to list solutions so that each person in the dispute gains something. Discuss each person's view of the proposed solutions. In this discussion, the parties to the dispute negotiate to find a compromise solution that is acceptable to both parties. State the agreement. Each person states his or her interpretation of the agreement. Then the agreement is written down. Both parties can check the agreement later to see if it's working.
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying involves the use of e-mail, instant messaging, and camera cell phones to harass people whom the bully knows as well as online strangers. Cyberbullying falls into these categories: Harassment and stalking: repeatedly sending cruel, vicious, and/or threatening messages Denigration: creating websites with stories, cartoons, pictures, and/or jokes that ridicule and demean Impersonation: breaking into someone's e-mail account and using it to send vicious or embarrassing material to others Outing and trickery: engaging someone in IM (instant messaging), tricking him or her into revealing sensitive information, and forwarding that information to others Exclusion: intentionally excluding someone from an IM "buddies" list or from participation in an online gaming site
Risks Associated with Driving
Driving a car (or even riding in a car) is the number one way you are likely to be fatally injured as a teen. It's a risk, but is it so dangerous that you should not learn to drive or never ride with your friends? Of course not. But, as you can see, even the normal things you assume are a part of growing up can place you at greater risk for injury.
Drowning
Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional death for teens. Among young males, alcohol is a major factor in 50 percent of drownings
Muscles, Bones, and Joints
For all but the most minor injuries to the muscles, bones, and joints, part of first aid is informing an adult (a coach, teacher, or parent) about the injury. If you're out jogging and you get a muscle cramp, you can usually get rid of it by stretching the affected muscle, massaging it firmly, and/or applying moist heat to the area. A more serious injury to the muscle is a strain. A muscle strain occurs when there are small tears in the muscle that often result in pain, swelling, bruising and diminished movement. Sprains are often caused by a sudden twisting force. A sprain is an injury to a ligament, the tissue that connects one bone to another. When the ligament is stretched or torn, it causes pain and swelling. Serious sprains require a doctor's attention.
6.03 Be Safe, Think Safe, Part 1
Have you ever imagined what you'd do if you suddenly found yourself in a dangerous situation? What would you do if you came upon a house that was on fire, and you could hear someone crying for help inside? How would you perform if you were the driver of a school bus when the roads suddenly turned slick and dangerous from an unexpected ice storm? Although we'd all like to act like heroes who save imperiled lives during such tense situations, heroes who confront danger successfully are often the ones who are prepared and know what to do when danger strikes. Danger isn't confined to dramatic events like burning buildings, earthquakes, or acts of terrorism. Even commonplace events—from driving to the grocery store to playing soccer after school—are potentially dangerous. This lesson contains information that will help you know how to be prepared and show you what to do to keep yourself and others safe, both in daily life and in truly scary situations.
Poisoning
Here are some common ways poisons enter the body and information about what to do if someone is poisoned: Swallowed poison. Different poisons affect the body differently, so it's important to call the poison control center to find out the best procedure to follow. You may be told to give the victim milk or water to dilute the poison, or you may be told to induce vomiting. Don't try to get the victim to vomit unless you have been told to do so, because the vomiting could cause problems such as burning the esophagus. Inhaled poison. Quickly get the person to fresh air. If the victim is not breathing, start mouth-to-mouth breathing. Poison on the skin. Remove any clothing that may have been exposed to the poison. Rinse the skin with water for about 15 minutes before washing with mild soap and water and then rinse again. If you live in an area with poison ivy or poison oak, you can buy a special soap for washing off the oil from these plants if you have been exposed. Over-the-counter medications, such as calamine lotion, may be applied to reducing itching. Poison in the eye. Flush the eye with lukewarm warm for about 15 minutes. Have the victim blink the eye as much as possible while doing this. Do not rub the eye. Obtain medical assistance as soon as possible. Snakebite. Call 911 and follow the instructions. Get the person to the hospital as quickly as possible. Keep the victim as still as possible to prevent the venom from spreading through the body. Keep the bitten area at or below the level of the heart. Do not apply heat or ice to the bitten area. Insect bite and sting. People who are allergic to the venom of bees, hornets, wasps, and other insects need immediate medical attention; being bitten can be a life-threatening condition for them. For these individuals, call 911 immediately. For most people, however, insect bites are simply uncomfortable. If you are bitten, try to remove the stinger by scraping if off with a credit card or fingernail. Then wash the area with soap and water and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. Use an over-the-counter medication, such as calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream, to reduce itching.
Do Something About Bullying
If you are being bullied, talk to a trusted adult to help you come up with a plan for dealing with the bullying. Do not retaliate or let the bully know how much he or she has upset you. Act confident and try to make friends with other students, especially those who will stick up for you. Try to avoid situations where the bullying can occur. If you observe someone else being bullied, talk to a trusted adult and ask for help. Refuse to participate in the bullying, and distract those involved if you see a bullying situation developing. Offer support to the victim and encourage him or her to talk with his or her parents or another trusted adult. Below are some techniques for responding to bullying. Stay calm. Stay safe. Never fight back physically. Defend yourself verbally, confidently, and calmly. Use humor or say something unexpected to throw the bully off track. Ignore the bully; just walk away. Get help. Tell an adult you trust. If you are a bystander, report the incident and support the person being bullied.
Victims of Domestic Violence
In general, victims of repeated violence over time experience more severe injuries than those who are the victims of one-time incidents. Women with a history of being abused by their partners are more likely to use alcohol or other drugs and to be suicidal. Women are more likely than men to be the victims of domestic violence. Young women and low-income women are more likely than other women to experience intimate-partner violence. Native American, Inuit, African American, and Hispanic women are most at risk. Children may also become injured because of violence between their parents. Children of violent parents learn that violence is a way to address problems and are therefore more likely to abuse their own children when they become parents. One of the most serious results of violence against young children is shaken baby syndrome (SBS), a cluster of serious injuries that occurs when an infant or child is shaken violently. SBS affects between 1200 and 1600 children every year. As many as one in three children with SBS dies from his or her injuries every year. Others may experience visual problems, including blindness; motor impairment, such as cerebral palsy; and learning difficulties. Do Something About Dating and Domestic Violence If you are already in a violent relationship, talk with a trusted adult or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). You need to create a safety plan for yourself. You cannot change your partner's violent behavior, and you are not responsible for it. Your partner needs to want to change on his or her own and will need counseling or other help to do so. If you are a person who is hurting someone else, get help for yourself. It is never okay to hurt someone else. Physical and sexual violence are illegal. You could go to jail. In order to learn new ways to deal with your anger, talk to a trusted adult about how to get help. The National Domestic Violence Hotline—1-800-799-SAFE (7233)—can refer you to places in your community where you can get help.
Categorizing Injuries
Injuries can be placed into categories: unintentional injuries, intentional injuries, preventable injuries, and unpreventable injuries. Most unintentional and intentional injuries are preventable. Some intentional or unintentional injuries are temporary and involve pain and a healing process. For example, broken bones, lacerations, or bruises can result from unintentional or intentional injuries. Both intentional and unintentional injuries, however, can result in permanent disability or death.
6.01 Injuries and Taking Risks, Part 1 No Such Things as Accidents?
Injury is probably the most underrecognized major public health problem facing the nation today. —National Academy of Sciences If you spill a drink or trip over something, do you say, "Uh-oh, I had an accident"? When you read in the newspaper about an incident involving an automobile, why is it that it is generally called a "car accident" rather than a "car crash"? An accident is defined as an unforeseen and unplanned event or circumstance; an unfortunate event resulting from carelessness or ignorance. The word accident has come under scrutiny by many public health officials lately, and they advise against using it. Why do you think that might be? Well, by using the term accident, one is implying that an event is random and "just happened," that it is out of anyone's control and could not have been predicted. But health officials know that many "accidents" could indeed have been prevented.
Injury Prevention
Injury prevention science has shown that injuries are not random. Most are predictable and preventable. You can learn to predict these unfortunate events and take steps to prevent them.
Intentional Injuries
Intentional injuries are those that someone meant to have happen. Intentional injuries may be the result of violence or self-destructive behavior (self-harm). Suicide is an example of self-directed intentional violence. Other examples include cutting, pulling hair out, and head banging. Intentional violence directed toward others can result in homicides, gang fights, dating violence, and fights. Most intentional injuries also can be prevented. Can you give some examples of how suicide, homicide, gang fights, and dating violence could be prevented?
Choking
It happens more often than you'd think. There you are, eating dinner in a restaurant, when suddenly someone at the next table begins to clutch her throat with both hands. She may be turning blue or making high-pitched noises. She is choking on a piece of food, and she needs help. Her airway is completely blocked; no air can get in or out. Without help, she will die from a lack of oxygen within a few minutes. Would you know what to do in a situation like that? Emergency response. First, ask "Are you choking?" If the person can speak, she will be able to cough the object out of her throat. If she cannot reply to your question, her airway is completely blocked. You will need to use the Heimlich maneuver to save her life. The Heimlich maneuver, named for the doctor who invented it, consists of the steps in the slide show on the right side of the screen. As with CPR, it's not enough just to read the description. If you can, find a course so you can practice the technique and be prepared in case of an emergency.
A Common Theme: Plan Ahead
It's important to have a family communication plan so that family members know how to contact each other when an emergency strikes. For example, the plan could say that each family member calls or e-mails the same friend or relative. During a disaster, it's sometimes easier to make a long-distance call than a local one, so you may wish to select an out-of-state relative or friend as the central point of contact. Visit Ready.gov, a website of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to learn tips on how to develop an emergency plan for unexpected situations, including how to reach your state or local government.
Safety in Daily Life
Learn and share with others how to play it safe by checking out safety laws, regulations, and guidelines for driving a car, riding a bike, and participating in sports or recreational activities. You will fill in a worksheet recommending five websites that you think provide the best information on how to stay safe and avoid injury. Choose one of the following two topics: 1. safety on the road; 2. sports safety. Spend some time surfing the Internet to find websites that you think provide reliable and useful information. For example, if you select safety on the road, you might search for laws and injury-prevention information on cars, bicycles, and motorcycles. Check out the National Safety Council's site for an example of a good source. As you're searching, think about why some sites are better than others; is it because the organization that sponsors the website is trustworthy? Is the author of the information an expert in the field? Does the site present information clearly? Is the site's purpose is to inform, not to sell something? Make a list of the reasons why you think the websites you find are good or not so good. Check out at least six sites, because you must decide which five sites are best. Remember to use your health skills to identify reliable sources of information. Quick skill review: accessing information Reliable sources of information come from the following: Healthcare professionals, such as doctors and dentists Government organizations Health-related organizations, such as the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, and the American Lung Association Library resources, such as encyclopedias, nonfiction books on health, and health and medical journals.
RICE
Minor sprains and strains can be treated at home with the RICE procedure: Rest. Find a comfortable position and avoid moving the injured muscle or joint. Ice. Apply ice to the injured area to reduce pain and swelling. Use an ice bag or put ice cubes in a plastic bag and wrap it in a towel. Keep the bag on the injured area for 20 minutes, remove it for 20 minutes, and then put it back on for 20 minutes. Repeat this procedure every three hours or so during the next three days. Compression. An elastic bandage wrapped around the affected area can help reduce swelling. Elevation. Lifting the affected area to a level about as high as the heart also can help reduce pain and swelling. A broken bone is called a fracture. To help someone who has a fracture, keep the person as still as possible and call 911. If the person must be moved, keep the broken bone immobile by putting a splint around it. You can make a splint by placing rolled-up newspapers on either side of the bone and wrapping a clean cloth around them. Get professional medical help as quickly as possible.
6.06: Preventing Violence, Part 1 Violence Is a Form of Intentional Injury
Most intentional injuries are the result of violence. Types of intentional teen violence include the following: Violent assault, often with a gun Bullying Physical fighting Sexual assault Dating violence Domestic violence Violence is an expression of aggression. According to the National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center, aggressive behavior can take many forms, including the following: Pushing, hitting, slapping, biting, kicking, hair-pulling, stabbing, shooting, and rape Threatening or intimidating others, malicious teasing, taunting, and name-calling Gossiping, spreading rumors, and encouraging others to reject or exclude someone
All-Terrain Vehicles
The percentage of teens who wear helmets is close to zero. Most injuries associated with all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) occur when the driver loses control, the vehicle rolls over, and the driver or passenger is thrown off or the ATV collides with a fixed object. Risk factors for injuries associated with ATVs include rider inexperience, alcohol intoxication, excessive speed, and lack of helmet use. Head injuries account for most ATV deaths, which usually occur instantly.
Intentional and Preventable?
Most intentional injuries are the result of violence. Violence can be directed toward others or toward oneself, as in suicide. Intentional injuries that result in death are from violent assault, most often with a gun. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, homicide is the second leading cause of death for teens. Other types of intentional teen violence include the following: Bullying Physical fighting Sexual assault Dating violence Because fights are common among teens, many people believe they are a normal part of growing up. But these days fights can turn fatal; more teens carry weapons than ever before. Look at the causes listed below that teens give for fights they witnessed or were involved in. Would you risk your life for any of these reasons? Is this good decision making? Someone insulted someone else or treated them disrespectfully. There was an ongoing feud or disagreement. Someone was hit, pushed, shoved, or bumped. Someone spread rumors or said things about someone else. Someone could not control his or her anger. Other people were watching or encouraging the fight. Someone didn't want to look like a loser. There was an argument over a boyfriend or girlfriend. Someone wanted to keep a reputation or get a name.
6.03 Be Safe, Think Safe, Part 2 Safety in Unusual Events
On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck the city of New Orleans, causing the levees that held back the Mississippi River to break and thereby flood the city. Katrina was graded by the National Weather Service as a Category 4 hurricane, one characterized by winds that travel at 131 to 155 miles per hour. Thousands of people lost their homes; they fled the city and lived in emergency shelters. Three months after the hurricane, almost 6500 people were still missing, and more 1000 people were known to have lost their lives as a result of Katrina. When a disaster like a hurricane strikes, it's important to be prepared and to know what to do in order to protect yourself and your family. The first step is to understand the kinds of disasters that someone may experience and how to be prepared for or what to do during each one. These events include a variety of natural disasters, such as hurricanes and earthquakes, and other forms of emergencies, such as terrorist attacks.
Bullies and Bullying
One of the most common forms of violence is bullying. About 30 percent of teens in the United States—or more than 5.7 million teens—are affected by bullying either as a bully, a target of bullying, or both. Bullying is most likely to affect younger teens, and it occurs more often among boys than girls. Bullying can consist of direct physical or verbal attacks, or it can be more subtle and involve indirect attacks, such as spreading rumors or encouraging others to exclude someone from a group. Boys are more likely to use direct attacks, and girls more often bully others indirectly. People who are bullies may be physically aggressive, easily angered, impulsive, and unable to tolerate frustration. They have a need to dominate others and usually feel little empathy for the victims of their behavior. Bullying may be a warning sign that a teen bully is headed for more seriously violent behavior. Characteristics of a bully include the following: Has a personality that thrives on power Views bullying as fun (satisfies his or her need to dominate) Is perceived as having high self-esteem Models aggressive behavior; often, a child who is bullied at home becomes a bully at school Appears to be popular and is befriended by others for their protection Lacks empathy and has difficulty feeling compassion Is constantly teasing, taunting, and putting down others Bullies as a need for attention
Fact
One study found that in fights in which the participants were drunk or high, more than 60 percent were seriously injured and half used weapons. In fights that did not involve alcohol and drugs, fewer than one in five involved serious injuries or weapon use. (Source: safeyouth.org) Teens who fight usually don't know how to control their anger or how to prevent or avoid conflicts. They think fighting is the only acceptable solution to solving a problem. They also may engage in other high-risk behaviors, such as having unsafe sex or multiple sex partners or driving a car while high or drunk. You'll learn later in this lesson about how to resolve conflict in order to avoid fighting.
Unintentional Injuries: Teen Risks
Other than motor vehicle injuries, what incidents or factors do you guess would result in frequent unintentional injury or death for teens? And which of these incidents or factors might involve unhealthy risk-taking behavior? You may be surprised to find out that they include the following: Drowning Discharge of firearms All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) Falls Fire and burns Poisoning Sports injuries
Cold-Weather-Related Injuries
Participating in outdoor activities during extreme weather conditions can expose you to some serious injuries. If it's very cold outside, frostbite can occur. Frostbite is a condition in which body tissues become frozen. The skin in the frostbitten area looks hard, pale, and cold. The affected area may ache and may not be sensitive to touch. As the area thaws, the flesh becomes red and very painful. An early warning sign of frostbite is frostnip, which is characterized by a whitening of the skin around the nose, ears, fingers, or toes. First-aid response. Move the person with frostbite to a warmer place and remove any cold, wet clothing. If you have medical supplies on hand, wrap the areas with frostbite in sterile dressings, remembering to separate affected fingers and toes. Get the person to the emergency room as quickly as possible. Hypothermia During the winter or in areas with very low temperatures, hypothermia becomes a concern. A condition in which the body temperature drops below 95°F is called hypothermia. People with hypothermia will face a worsening situation unless the rate of heat loss can be stopped. Warning signs for hypothermia may start with shivering or shaking; symptoms can end in death. As body temperature dips, the person suffering from hypothermia may be confused and disoriented. Immediate care is necessary. First-aid response. If you can't get immediate medical help, submerge the affected areas in warm (not hot) water or apply warm cloths to the affected areas for 20 to 30 minutes. Burning pain, swelling, and color changes may occur during this process. When feeling has returned to the area, apply dry, sterile dressing to the affected areas, remembering to wrap fingers and toes separately. Keep the victim warm and encourage him or her to consume warm drinks.
Sports Injuries
Playing sports like basketball, baseball, football, soccer, hockey, and tennis can cause injuries. Leisure activities like inline skating, skateboarding, skiing, and snowboarding also have high rates of injuries for teens. Water activities like boating, swimming, surfing, parasailing, skiing, and other personal watercraft activities can lead to injuries other than drowning. Many sports injuries result from poor training practices, improper equipment, lack of conditioning, or insufficient warm-ups and stretching. Playing football results in approximately 300,000 concussions (jarring injuries to the brain from a blow to the head) per year. Repeated concussions over a long period of time create the possibility for long-term or permanent brain injury. Professional boxers, for example, have a high rate of dementia (a mental disease in which the person loses memory and the ability to think clearly) and Parkinson's disease (a chronic progressive disease of the nervous system).
Poisoning
Poisons may include household products that are consumed, certain plants such as poison ivy and poison oak, the venom from a snake's bite, or gases in the air, such as carbon monoxide. Therefore, a poison is any substance that causes injury, illness, or death when it enters the human body. Emergency response. If you suspect someone has been poisoned call your local poison control center to find out what to do. The poison control center is usually listed in the front of your telephone directory along with other emergency numbers. When you call the poison control center, be prepared to supply the following information: Give your name, location, and telephone number. Identify the poison, if possible, and other pertinent factors, such as when and how much was used. If possible, have the container with you when you make the call so you can list the ingredients. Tell the center about the victim, including his or her age, weight, and physical condition. Write down the poison control center's instructions and follow them.
Be Prepared for Any Emergency
Put together a kit of emergency supplies that will allow you and your family to be self-sufficient for at least three days. Recommendations from the American Red Cross and Ready.gov include a two-week supply for home and a three-day supply for evacuation of water (one gallon per person per day) and nonperishable food. Other items to have in your emergency kit are a flashlight, battery-powered radio, extra batteries, first-aid kit, family medications (seven-day supply), a whistle to call for help, dust masks, a wrench or pliers, important personal documents, emergency contact information, cell phones and chargers, cash, blankets, and more.
6.02 Injuries and Taking Risks, Part 2 Healthy and Unhealthy Risks
Risk taking is a normal part of life. In order to achieve, you must take risks. For example, if you did not take the risk of being rejected, you might never ask someone to go on a date with you. If you did not risk trying to participate in a sport, you would get less exercise and miss out on some great experiences. Even healthy risk taking can put you in situations that could lead to injury.
A Formula for Disaster
Risky Behavior + Unintentional Injury = Death Taking risks is a major factor in unintentional injuries that end in death. Unintentional injuries account for almost half (45 percent) of all deaths among people aged 15 to 24. Of those deaths, 75 percent are due to motor vehicle injuries. The risk of motor vehicle crashes is higher among teens than among any other age group. Per mile driven, teen drivers are four times more likely to crash than older drivers are. Why are teens more likely to crash? Teens take more risks than older drivers do. Your peers are far less likely to use seat belts than any other age group and are more likely to drive or ride with someone who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Alcohol is involved in nearly 35 percent of teen-driver fatalities. Teens also don't have the experience of more mature drivers. And there are more reasons. You can probably think of a few before going to the next screen.
Heart Attack
Suppose you were in the kitchen, chatting with your grandfather when he suddenly slumped forward and stopped breathing. He may be having a heart attack. Would you know what to do? Emergency response. The first thing to do would be to call 911 to get your grandfather emergency medical care. But until the ambulance arrives, it might be up to you to save your grandfather's life. You need to do cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR. CPR is a first-aid procedure that combines mouth-to-mouth breathing with chest compressions. Its purpose is to keep oxygen flowing to the brain and heart until help arrives. If this situation seems far-fetched to you, keep in mind that most people who have heart attacks are with their family members when the attack happens. It usually takes an ambulance at least six minutes to arrive, but the brain becomes damaged by lack of oxygen after four minutes. After 10 minutes, brain death typically sets in. Your quick action and knowing how to perform CPR can make a big difference to your relative's survival. CPR Below is a general overview of CPR procedures. It's not enough to read the description; you should have hands-on practice too. Recommendations do occasionally change or vary from one resource to another. You can learn more about how to conduct CPR by attending a class, such as those offered by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross. Remember C-A-B, which stands for compressions, airway, and breathing. You will check that the airway is clear and perform cycles of chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. If you are not able, are unwilling, or are not trained to give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, it is still helpful to do chest compressions. Try to get a response from the person by shaking his or her shoulder and shouting, "Are you okay?" Call 911 or have someone else call while you remain with the unconscious person. The victim should be on his or her back and on a firm, flat surface. Do compressions. Put the palm of your hand on the center of the unconscious person's chest. Put your other hand on top and lace your fingers together. Start the chest compressions. (A CPR class will teach the strength, number, and speed of compressions.) Check the airway. Tilt the person's head back and chin up and listen and watch for breathing for no longer than 10 seconds. Perform mouth-to-mouth breathing. Pinch the victim's nose. Tightly seal your mouth over the victim's and perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. (Learn how to perform this procedure in a first-aid course.) Repeat the cycle of compressions and breaths. Do not stop until emergency rescuers arrive or the person shows obvious signs of life and breathing.
Teens and Dangerous Driving
Teens take driving risks by doing the following: Speeding Making illegal turns Driving on the wrong side of the road Running red lights Teens are also more likely than older drivers to disregard dangerous situations, and they have less experience coping with such situations.
Terrorism
Terrorism is what we call the intentional injuries that are planned and carried out for political or social reasons. The United States experienced terrorism with the attack on the World Trade Towers in New York City and the Pentagon near Washington, D.C., on September 11, 2001, when airplanes were hijacked and flown into those buildings. According to the FBI, "The unlawful use of force and violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives is terrorism." It is important to distinguish terrorism, which cause intentional injuries, from natural disasters, which create unintentional emergencies. Terrorist acts could include the following: Biological attack, in which germs or other substances that can make people sick are released into the air or food supply. Chemical attack, in which a toxic gas, liquid, or solid that can poison people or the environment is released. Nuclear blast (i.e., an explosion), in which radioactive materials that can contaminate air, water, and ground surfaces are released. Radiation threat, in which an explosive device is set off, distributing radioactive materials over a targeted area. What to do: Listen for instructions on the radio or television. Obey emergency officials' instructions. Call a designated family contact person, and then do not use the phone again unless necessary. Check on your neighbors, especially those who are elderly or disabled.
Weather Emergencies
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's website holds a wealth of information about dangerous weather conditions plus pictures, forecasts, and tips on what to do in emergencies. It is a great Web resource. The next few screens provide a quick summary of some of the worst weather situations possible and tips for surviving them.
Burns
To know how to help someone who has been burned, you need to know something about skin and how badly the skin has been burned. Burns are categorized by degree according to which layer of the skin has been burned. First-aid procedures differ according to which degree of burn has occurred. First-degree burn. This is the least serious of skin burns, and the injury usually heals quickly. In a first-degree burn, only the epidermis (outer layer of the skin) is burned. The skin appears red. First-aid response. Submerge the burned area in cold water for 10 minutes to half an hour and then wrap the burn loosely in a dry, clean dressing. Second-degree burn. This is a more serious burn, characterized by blisters in the burned area. In a second-degree burn, the dermis (the layer under the surface of the skin) is burned. Extreme redness, pain, and swelling may occur with a second-degree burn, but the burn most likely will heal without scarring. First-aid response. If the burned area is fairly small (less than 2 to 3 inches), submerge the burned area in cold water for 10 minutes to half an hour and then wrap the burn loosely in a dry, clean dressing. Do not pop the blisters. Elevate the burned area. If the burned area is larger than 2 to 3 inches, it is more serious and should be treated like a third-degree burn. Third-degree burn. A third-degree burn damages the deepest layer of the skin, called the hypodermis or subcutaneous layer. With a very serious burn like this, muscles, fat, and nerve endings within the skin also may be damaged. The burned skin may appear white or charred, and the person will experience intense pain. First-aid response. Call 911 immediately. Cover the burned area with a clean, loose dressing and elevate the victim's arms and feet. Do not submerge it in cold water, because that may cause shock. If possible, have the victim drink small amounts of water or other fluids.
6.09: Save a Life or a Limb, Part 2 Save a Life with Emergency Aid
True emergencies call for quick thinking and making a decision about what to do in the blink of an eye. If you learn thoroughly what to do in an emergency, you'll be able to act fast to save a life. Read on to practice your emergency response skills.
Dating Violence
Unfortunately, dating violence is not uncommon among teens. Dating violence can also be called intimate partner violence, meaning that it takes place between a romantic couple. Dating violence can take many forms. It can include psychological and emotional abuse, including insulting or humiliating the other person, trying to control his or her activities, and isolating him or her from family and friends. Although both boys and girls say they have been victims of dating violence and both genders report acting violently because they were angry, boys are more likely than girls to use force to try to control their girlfriends. Girls most often act violently in self-defense. Girls also are more likely than boys to be seriously injured due to dating violence and are more likely to report being terrified. Girls are more likely than boys to be the victims of sexual assault (i.e., being pressured to have unwanted sexual activity, including rape). The term sexual assault also applies when a person tries to engage in sexual activity with someone who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The term sexual harassment describes unwanted and uninvited physical or verbal behavior or abuse of a sexual nature directed at another person. Sexual harassment might be a form of dating violence or take place at work or at school. Harassment includes making sexual comments, pressuring for a date, or touching someone intimately.
Risky Business
Unhealthy risks are those that are likely to result in harm; that is, arrest, injury, or death. As you learned in previous lessons, drinking alcohol and doing drugs increases the risk of many unhealthy consequences. Climbing to the top step of a wobbly ladder wearing flip-flops is taking an unhealthy risk. Smoking in bed is an unhealthy risk. (Well, smoking itself is an unhealthy risk, but doing it where you could fall asleep and set the bedding on fire is a double risk.) Riding on a motorcycle and doing wheelies without a helmet is an unhealthy risk. You can list many, many other unhealthy risks you see people take every day.
Targets of Bullying
What happens to someone who is being bullied? For good reason, he or she may feel tense, anxious, and afraid. Bullied victims feel sick more often, are absent from school more often, have lower grades, and are more depressed and withdrawn than their classmates who are not being bullied. Some teens may respond to prolonged bullying with violence, either by seeking revenge on others or by even committing suicide. Some studies have found that adults who were bullied as teens had lower self-esteem and were more likely to be depressed than other adults. Bullying also can affect the teens who witness the bullying. If you've seen someone being bullied, how did it make you feel? You may have felt guilty for being unable to stand up to the bully on behalf of the victim. If you participated in the bullying or supported the person who was doing the bullying, that might make you feel even more guilty. Perhaps you felt afraid you would be bullied yourself if you didn't go along with the bully. Characteristics of individuals who are bullied include the following: May be targeted because of their personality traits rather than external appearance Have a high level of anxiety and distress Tend to have low self-esteem Tend to be quiet, shy, and insecure Are sensitive in nature and may cry easily Typically lack friends and therefore may be socially isolated Lack confidence, may be physically weaker, and feel vulnerable May have overprotective parents and therefore may lack social skills necessary to cope with bullying Tend not to seek adult help for fear that it will result in even more taunting, humiliation, and exclusion
Blizzard
When a severe winter storm has winds of at least 35 miles per hour and blows snow around so that visibility is reduced to one-quarter mile or less for at least three hours, it is called a blizzard. What to do: Stay inside during a blizzard, if possible. If not, wear protective clothing, including a water-resistant jacket and boot, as well as a scarf and gloves. If you drive in areas where blizzards are possible, carry emergency blankets, food, and water in the car in case you get stranded.
Domestic Violence
When family members hurt each other, it is called domestic violence. The term refers to husbands and wives behaving violently toward one another, a form of intimate partner violence, and also refers to adults behaving violently toward their children and violence among brothers and sisters. Domestic violence includes psychological and emotional violence, physical violence, and sexual violence. Shocking Facts More than 32 million Americans experience violence with their intimate partners (husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend). Nearly 5.3 million incidents of intimate partner violence are reported each year among women aged 18 and older and 3.2 million incidents are reported among men. Most of the physical assaults consist of pushing, grabbing, shoving, slapping, and hitting. At least 42 percent of women and 20 percent of men who were physically assaulted after age 18 were injured from the violence. More than 1.5 million women and more than 800,000 men are raped or physically assaulted by their intimate partners every year. Intimate partner violence causes nearly 2 million injuries and 1300 deaths across the country every year. From 1976 to 2002, about 11 percent of homicide victims were killed by an intimate partner.
Shock
When there is not enough blood circulating to the body's vital organs, shock may occur. Shock may be caused by such things as a heart problem, an allergic reaction, an infection, or trauma. Symptoms of shock include anxiety or confusion; pale, clammy skin; shallow breathing; bluish lips and fingernails; heavy sweating; and/or a rapid, weak pulse. Shock is a life-threatening condition and it is critical to obtain immediate medical attention. Emergency response. If you suspect someone is in shock, call 911 immediately. Check the person's airway (the nose and mouth) to be sure it is clear and that the person is breathing; begin CPR if necessary. If the person is conscious and does not have a head, leg, neck, or spine injury, lay him or her on the back and elevate the legs about 12 inches above the ground. Do not lift the head. Keep the person warm and comfortable until help arrives. If the person is vomiting or drooling and does not have a spinal injury, turn the head to one side so the person doesn't choke. If you suspect a spinal injury, keep the head, neck, and back in line and roll the whole body to the side.
6.08: Save a Life or a Limb, Part 1
When you were a child, someone in your family probably put a Band-Aid® on your knee when it was bleeding. For a child with a skinned-up knee, simple first aid and a kiss to make it better is all that's really needed. For someone with more serious injuries, first aid is a temporary measure that addresses the immediate needs until a doctor can take a look at the injury and decide on the necessary treatment. In this lesson, you will learn about common first-aid procedures and when to apply them. The first thing to know about first aid is that it can sometimes be the difference between life and death. CAUTION: The information provided in this lesson does not constitute proper training. Do not rely on this information during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. You may want to get training and certification in first-aid procedures.
Falls
Workplace falls frequently result in fatalities and injuries among workers of all ages, including teens. Teens working in construction have more than seven times the risk for fatal injury as youth in other industries.
First Aid for Every Injury
Would you know what to do if you hurt yourself playing sports? Injuries to the muscles, bones, and joints are common among young athletes. It's important to learn what to do when an injury occurs to these parts of the body.
Wounds
Wounds can range from simple scrapes such as abrasions and cuts to very serious injuries. Here are some common wounds and information about what to do if you experience them. An abrasion is a scrape of the skin in which tiny blood vessels in the epidermis (outer layer of the skin) break. A laceration is a cut in which bleeding occurs. If a laceration is not treated promptly, the cut can become infected. A puncture is a small but deep wound that occurs when the skin is pierced by an object, such as a nail. A puncture wound typically does not have much external bleeding, although internal bleeding may occur. This type of would may become infected if it is not treated properly. The tetanus germ grows in wounds that shut out oxygen, such as a puncture wound. You can prevent this serious disease by having up-to-date immunizations for tetanus. An avulsion is a wound in which tissue is partly or completely separated from the body. A severed finger is an example of an avulsion. If you experience such an extreme wound, pack the severed part in ice or ice water and seek medical help immediately. It may be possible to surgically reattach the part. First-aid response. Always wash your hands before and after dealing with a wound. If possible, wear protective gloves if you're helping another person in order to prevent the spread of blood-borne diseases, such as HIV and hepatitis. Wash a cut or scrape with mild soap and water. Then cover the wound with sterile gauze or a clean cloth and press firmly. If the wound is more than abrasion, cover the gauze with a sterile bandage and elevate the wound above the level of the heart, if possible. If the wound continues to bleed, wrap a bandage tightly enough over the dressing to maintain pressure on the wound. If the wound still continues to bleed, you need to use pressure-point bleeding control. This procedure involves pressing the main artery against a bone to stop blood supply to the injured area. A person who needs pressure-point bleeding control is seriously injured. Obtain medical assistance as soon as possible.
Warning: Don't Date This Person
You should know some early warning signs of potential dating violence. If the person you are dating begins to shows these signs, go no further. Pressures you early on to make the relationship serious or to have sex Is extremely jealous or possessive Attempts to control you Is verbally or emotionally abusive Blames alcohol or drugs for his or her behavior Threatens violence Has abused a previous boyfriend or girlfriend If you are in a relationship that feels tense, uncomfortable, or frightening, trust your own feelings and end the relationship.
