Basic First Aid

What to Do:

1. 1Wash your hands with soap and water
2. 2Stop any bleeding by applying gentle pressure with a clean cloth
3. 3Clean the wound with water (avoid hydrogen peroxide on open wounds)
4. 4Apply antibiotic ointment if available
5. 5Cover with a sterile bandage
6. 6Change the bandage daily and keep the wound clean and dry

When to Seek Medical Help:

• •The cut is deep and you can see fat, muscle, or bone
• •The bleeding won't stop after 10 minutes of direct pressure
• •The wound is longer than 1/2 inch
• •There's dirt or debris you can't clean out
• •Signs of infection appear (redness, warmth, pus, red streaks)

What to Do:

1. 1Remove the person from the heat source if safe to do so
2. 2Cool the burn with cool (not cold) running water for 10-20 minutes
3. 3Remove jewelry and loose clothing before swelling starts
4. 4Do NOT use ice, butter, or home remedies
5. 5Cover with a sterile, non-stick bandage
6. 6Take over-the-counter pain medication if needed

When to Seek Medical Help:

• •The burn is larger than 3 inches across
• •The burn is on the face, hands, feet, or genitals
• •The skin looks white, charred, or leathery
• •There are blisters
• •Signs of infection develop
• •The person is a child or elderly

What to Do:

1. 1Ask 'Are you choking?' If they can't speak, cough, or breathe, act quickly
2. 2Stand behind the person and wrap your arms around their waist
3. 3Make a fist with one hand and place it above their belly button
4. 4Grab your fist with your other hand
5. 5Give quick, upward thrusts into their abdomen
6. 6Continue until the object comes out or they become unconscious
7. 7If they become unconscious, call 911 and start CPR

When to Seek Medical Help:

• •The person cannot speak, cough, or breathe
• •The person becomes unconscious
• •You cannot dislodge the object
• •Call 911 immediately for choking emergencies

What to Do:

1. 1Sit up straight and lean slightly forward
2. 2Pinch the soft part of the nose (not the bony bridge)
3. 3Hold firmly for 10-15 minutes without letting go
4. 4Breathe through your mouth
5. 5Apply ice to the bridge of the nose if available
6. 6After bleeding stops, avoid blowing your nose for several hours

When to Seek Medical Help:

• •Bleeding doesn't stop after 20 minutes of direct pressure
• •The nosebleed follows a head injury
• •You have frequent nosebleeds
• •You're taking blood-thinning medication
• •You feel dizzy or weak

What to Do:

1. 1Rest the injured area and avoid activities that cause pain
2. 2Ice the area for 15-20 minutes every 2-3 hours for the first 48 hours
3. 3Compress with an elastic bandage (not too tight)
4. 4Elevate the injured area above heart level when possible
5. 5Take over-the-counter pain medication as directed
6. 6Gradually return to activity as pain improves

When to Seek Medical Help:

• •You can't bear weight on the injured area
• •The area is numb or tingling
• •You can't move the injured joint
• •The pain is severe or getting worse
• •You see signs of infection

What to Do:

1. 1Remove or avoid the allergen if known
2. 2For mild reactions: take an antihistamine (like Benadryl)
3. 3Apply cool compresses to itchy areas
4. 4For severe reactions: use epinephrine auto-injector if available
5. 5Call 911 immediately for severe reactions
6. 6Monitor breathing and consciousness

When to Seek Medical Help:

• •Difficulty breathing or wheezing
• •Swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat
• •Rapid pulse or dizziness
• •Widespread rash or hives
• •Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea with other symptoms
• •Previous history of severe allergic reactions