Knowing how to perform first aid can
save a life in an emergency.
First Steps in an Emergency
The three steps for responding to an
emergency are check, ______, and care.
If you ever find yourself in an emergency,
knowing first aid could save someone’s life.
First Steps in an Emergency
By learning and using proper ______ procedures,
you can help prevent victims from suffering further
injury and reduce the number of victims who die.
__________
The immediate, temporary care
given to an ill or injured person until
professional medical care can be
provided
First Steps in an Emergency
Recognizing an emergency is the first step in
responding to it.
The next step is to ______ the scene to look for
hazards and make sure it’s safe for you to
respond.
First Steps in an Emergency
Once you’ve determined that the scene is safe,
you can follow the three Cs of emergency care.
C
C
C
______ the victim.
_____ 911 or your
local emergency
number.
______ for the
victim.
First Steps in an Emergency
______ 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.
First Steps in an Emergency
_____ 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.
First Steps in an Emergency
______ 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.
First Steps in an Emergency
Although first aid can
help keep a victim
alive, it is still
important to call
emergency services
and get professional
medical care.
First Steps in an Emergency
Most states have good ____________ laws.
Good ___________ laws
Statutes that protect rescuers
from being sued for giving
emergency care
___________ precautions require people who
provide first aid or medical care to treat all body
fluids as if they could carry disease.
___________ precautions
Steps taken to prevent the spread
of disease through blood and other
body fluids when providing first aid
or health care
Universal Precautions
Wear sterile ________ whenever you could come
into contact with someone’s blood or body fluids.
Wash _______ immediately after providing first
aid.
Use a _______, if one is available, when providing
rescue breathing.
First Aid for Bleeding
The steps for treating bleeding depend on the
type of injury and how severe it is.
The appropriate first aid for bleeding depends on
what type of wound you are dealing with and how
severe the bleeding is.
Types of Open Wounds
Type
Description
Characteristics
Abrasion
__________
Susceptible to infection
__________
Cut caused by a sharp
object slicing through layers
of skin
May require medical care,
stitches, or tetanus shot
__________
A small but deep hole
caused by a sharp and
narrow object
High risk of infection. May
require medical care and
tetanus shot
Avulsion
When skin or tissue is partly Usually requires emergency
or completely torn away
medical care and stitches
Controlling Bleeding
When treating an open wound on someone other
than yourself, wear clean protective _______.
If medical help is needed, call 911 first. Next, wash
the wound thoroughly with mild soap and running
water.
Controlling Bleeding
Follow these steps to 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.
Controlling Bleeding
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.
Controlling Bleeding
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.
Controlling Bleeding
Bleeding from the eyes, nose, mouth, or ears may
be a sign that internal bleeding is occurring.
Call for help right away and take steps to prevent
the victim from going into shock.
First Aid for Burns
______-degree burns involve only the outer layer
of skin, called the epidermis.
The burned area may become swollen and painful.
First Aid for Burns
______-degree burns involve the epidermis and
the underlying layers of skin (the dermis).
The skin develops blisters and there is severe pain
and swelling.
First Aid for Burns
_______-degree burns involve all layers of the skin
and may penetrate the underlying tissues.
These burns can destroy nerve endings, so victims
may not experience pain.
First Aid for Burns
First-degree burns and small second-degree burns can be
treated with these steps:
1
2
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.
Cover the burn loosely with a sterile gauze bandage.
First Aid for Burns
First-degree burns and small second-degree burns can be
treated with these steps:
3
4
The victim may take an over-the-counter pain reliever.
Make sure the victim isn’t allergic to the medication.
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.
First Aid for Burns
Some second-degree burns and all third-degree
burns require immediate medical care.
>>
Call 911 and provide first aid until help arrives.
>>
Cover the burned area with a clean, moist cloth,
but do not remove burned clothing unless it is still
smoldering.
>>
Do not immerse a large burned area in cold water; the
victim could go into shock.
>>
Be prepared to give first aid for shock or loss of
circulation.
The ________________
An unresponsive victim is in immediate danger.
Her or his best hope lies in the ____________.
________________
A sequence of actions that
maximize the victim’s chances
of survival
The Chain of Survival
The Chain of Survival
A _____ to
emergency
medical
services
_______
__________
Advanced
Care
The Chain of Survival
The first step is important for all victims.
The ____ operator will ask you questions about the
victim’s condition and instruct you on what to do
next.
The Chain of Survival
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 cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (_____) .
The Chain of Survival
Defibrillation using a defibrillator is the next step
in the chain of survival.
Defibrillator
A device that delivers an electric
shock to the heart to restore its
normal rhythm
CPR
However, if no trained person is present, it’s better
to have cardiopulmonary resuscitation done by
an untrained person than to wait for paramedics to
arrive.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
A first-aid procedure that combines rescue breathing and
chest compressions to supply oxygen to the body until
normal body functions can resume
CPR for Adults
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.
CPR for Adults
CPR involves performing rescue ________.
Rescue ___________
Breathing for a person who
is not breathing on his or
her own
Rescue Breathing
Sternum
C.A.B
Remember to spell C-A-B
The American Heart Association uses the acronym of CAB — circulation, airway, breathing — to help
people remember the order to perform the steps of CPR.
Circulation: Restore blood circulation with chest compressions
1. Put the person on his or her back on a firm surface.
2. Kneel next to the person's neck and shoulders.
3. Place the heel of one hand over the center of the person's chest, between the nipples. Place
your other hand on top of the first hand. Keep your elbows straight and position your shoulders
directly above your hands.
4. Use your upper body weight (not just your arms) as you push straight down on (compress) the
chest at least 2 inches (approximately 5 centimeters). Push hard at a rate of about 100
compressions a minute.
5. If you haven't been trained in CPR, continue chest compressions until there are signs of
movement or until emergency medical personnel take over. If you have been trained in CPR, go
on to checking the airway and rescue breathing.
C.A.B
Airway: Clear the airway
1. If you're trained in CPR and you've performed 30 chest compressions, open the person's airway
using the head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver. Put your palm on the person's forehead and gently tilt
the head back. Then with the other hand, gently lift the chin forward to open the airway.
2. Check for normal breathing, taking no more than five or 10 seconds. Look for chest motion,
listen for normal breath sounds, and feel for the person's breath on your cheek and ear. Gasping
is not considered to be normal breathing. If the person isn't breathing normally and you are
trained in CPR, begin mouth-to-mouth breathing. If you believe the person is unconscious from
a heart attack and you haven't been trained in emergency procedures, skip mouth-to-mouth
rescue breathing and continue chest compressions.
C.A.B
Breathing: Breathe for the person
Rescue breathing can be mouth-to-mouth breathing or mouth-to-nose breathing if the mouth is
seriously injured or can't be opened.
1. With the airway open (using the head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver), pinch the nostrils shut for mouthto-mouth breathing and cover the person's mouth with yours, making a seal.
2. Prepare to give two rescue breaths. Give the first rescue breath — lasting one second — and
watch to see if the chest rises. If it does rise, give the second breath. If the chest doesn't rise,
repeat the head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver and then give the second breath. Thirty chest
compressions followed by two rescue breaths is considered one cycle.
3. Resume chest compressions to restore circulation.
4. If the person has not begun moving after five cycles (about two minutes) and an automatic
external defibrillator (AED) is available, apply it and follow the prompts. Administer one shock,
then resume CPR — starting with chest compressions — for two more minutes before
administering a second shock. If you're not trained to use an AED, a 911 or other emergency
medical operator may be able to guide you in its use. Use pediatric pads, if available, for children
ages 1 through 8. Do not use an AED for babies younger than age 1. If an AED isn't available, go
to step 5 below.
5. Continue CPR until there are signs of movement or emergency medical personnel take over.
CPR for Infants and Children
If the victim is an infant or a young child, the cycle
of CPR is still 30 chest compressions for every two
rescue breaths.
However, the CPR procedure is different in several
ways.
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.
CPR for Infants and Children
To perform chest compressions on an infant,
position your fingers on the baby’s sternum.
Press the sternum down about one-third to onehalf the depth of the baby’s chest.
CPR on a Child
To perform CPR on a child
The procedure for giving CPR to a child age 1 through 8 is essentially the same as that for an adult. The
differences are as follows:

If you're alone, perform five cycles of compressions and breaths on the child — this should take
about two minutes — before calling 911 or your local emergency number or using an AED.

Use only one hand to perform heart compressions.

Breathe more gently.

Use the same compression-breath rate as is used for adults: 30 compressions followed by two
breaths. This is one cycle. Following the two breaths, immediately begin the next cycle of
compressions and breaths.

After five cycles (about two minutes) of CPR, if there is no response and an AED is available,
apply it and follow the prompts. Use pediatric pads if available. If pediatric pads aren't available,
use adult pads.
CPR on a Baby
To perform CPR on a baby
Most cardiac arrests in babies occur from lack of oxygen, such as from drowning or choking. If you know
the baby has an airway obstruction, perform first aid for choking. If you don't know why the baby isn't
breathing, perform CPR.
To begin, examine the situation. Stroke the baby and watch for a response, such as movement, but don't
shake the baby.
If there's no response, follow the CAB procedures below and time the call for help as follows:

If you're the only rescuer and CPR is needed, do CPR for two minutes — about five cycles —
before calling 911 or your local emergency number.

If another person is available, have that person call for help immediately while you attend to the
baby.
Circulation: Restore blood circulation
CPR for Infants and Children
First Aid for Choking
The chain of survival does not apply to every
medical emergency.
If a person is choking, for example, rescue
breathing will not help because the airway is
blocked.
First Aid for Choking
Choking occurs when an object, such as a piece of
food, becomes stuck in a person’s windpipe,
cutting off the flow of air.
Clutching the throat is the universal sign for
choking.
First Aid for Choking
Other Signs of Choking
An inability to speak
Difficulty breathing
An inability to cough forcefully
Turning blue in the face or lips
Loss of consciousness
If choking is occurring, the Red Cross
recommends a "five-and-five" approach to
delivering first aid:
•Give 5 back blows. First, deliver five back
blows between the person's shoulder
blades with the heel of your hand.
•Give 5 abdominal thrusts. Perform five
abdominal thrusts (also known as the
Heimlich maneuver).
•Alternate between 5 blows and 5
thrusts until the blockage is dislodged.
First Aid for Choking (Heimlich maneuver)
First Aid for Choking
First Aid for _______
If someone displays the symptoms of ______, call
911 right away.
_________
A life-threatening condition in
which the heart is not
delivering an adequate supply
of blood to the body
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.
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.
Muscle and Joint Injuries
Two common and fairly minor injuries are strains
and sprains.
Strain
A ________ in a muscle
Sprain
An injury to the _________
around a joint
Muscle and Joint Injuries
The P.R.I.C.E. Procedure
__________ the affected area by wrapping it in a bandage or splint.
Rest the injured body part for at least a day.
_______ 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.
________ the injured body part above the level of the heart, if possible.
Injuries to bones include ___________ and
dislocations.
___________
A break in the bone
Fractures and ____________ are emergencies
that require immediate medical care.
_____________
A separation of a bone from its
normal position in a joint
When a person is in a state of ___________, he or
she is not able to respond to simple commands.
_________________
The condition of not being alert or
aware of your surroundings
Anyone who loses consciousness or experiences
memory loss or confusion because of a head injury
might have a ___________.
______________
A jarring injury to the brain that can
cause unconsciousness
Poisoning
A ________ can be a solid, liquid, or gas.
_________
Any substance that causes
injury, illness, or death when it
enters the body
Poisoning
The first step in any case of suspected poisoning is
to call a ______ _______ ________.
________ _________ _________
A round-the-clock service that provides
emergency medical advice on how to treat
victims of poisoning
Snakebite
Certain types of snakes can inject _______ into the
victim’s body.
___________
A poisonous secretion
Answers
After You Read
Reviewing Facts and Vocabulary
1. What are the three first steps for
responding to an emergency?
Check, call, care
After You Read
Reviewing Facts and Vocabulary
2. Identify the four types of open wounds.
Abrasions, lacerations, punctures, and
avulsions
After You Read
Reviewing Facts and Vocabulary
3. Describe the procedure for treating a
minor burn.
Cool the burn with cold water, cover it with a
sterile bandage, and give an over the
counter pain reliever.
First Steps in an Emergency
The three steps for responding to an
emergency are check, call, and care.
If you ever find yourself in an emergency,
knowing first aid could save someone’s life.
First Steps in an Emergency
By learning and using proper first-aid procedures,
you can help prevent victims from suffering further
injury and reduce the number of victims who die.
First-aid
The immediate, temporary care
given to an ill or injured person until
professional medical care can be
provided
First Steps in an Emergency
Recognizing an emergency is the first step in
responding to it.
The next step is to check the scene to look for
hazards and make sure it’s safe for you to
respond.
First Steps in an Emergency
Once you’ve determined that the scene is safe,
you can follow the three Cs of emergency care.
C
C
C
Check the victim.
Call 911 or your
local emergency
number.
Care for the
victim.
First Steps in an Emergency
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.
First Steps in an Emergency
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.
First Steps in an Emergency
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.
Fractures and Dislocations
Injuries to bones include fractures and
dislocations.
Fracture
A break in the bone
First Steps in an Emergency
Most states have good Samaritan laws.
Good Samaritan laws
Statutes that protect rescuers
from being sued for giving
emergency care
Universal precautions require people who
provide first aid or medical care to treat all body
fluids as if they could carry disease.
Universal precautions
Steps taken to prevent the spread
of disease through blood and other
body fluids when providing first aid
or health care
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.
Types of Open Wounds
Type
Description
Characteristics
Abrasion
Scrape
Susceptible to infection
Laceration
Cut caused by a sharp
object slicing through layers
of skin
May require medical care,
stitches, or tetanus shot
Puncture
A small but deep hole
caused by a sharp and
narrow object
High risk of infection. May
require medical care and
tetanus shot
Avulsion
When skin or tissue is partly Usually requires emergency
or completely torn away
medical care and stitches
Controlling Bleeding
When treating an open wound on someone other
than yourself, wear clean protective gloves.
If medical help is needed, call 911 first. Next, wash
the wound thoroughly with mild soap and running
water.
First Aid for Burns
First-degree burns involve only the outer layer of
skin, called the epidermis.
The burned area may become swollen and painful.
First Aid for Burns
Second-degree burns involve the epidermis and
the underlying layers of skin (the dermis).
The skin develops blisters and there is severe pain
and swelling.
First Aid for Burns
Third-degree burns involve all layers of the skin
and may penetrate the underlying tissues.
These burns can destroy nerve endings, so victims
may not experience pain.
The ________________
An unresponsive victim is in immediate danger.
Her or his best hope lies in the ____________.
The Chain of Survival
A sequence of actions that
maximize the victim’s chances
of survival
The Chain of Survival
The Chain of Survival
A call to
emergency
medical
services
CPR
Defibrillation
Advanced
Care
The Chain of Survival
The first step is important for all victims.
The 911 operator will ask you questions about the
victim’s condition and instruct you on what to do
next.
The Chain of Survival
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 cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (CPR) .
CPR for Adults
CPR involves performing rescue breathing.
Rescue breathing
Breathing for a person who
is not breathing on his or
her own
First Aid for Shock
If someone displays the symptoms of shock, call
911 right away.
Shock
A life-threatening condition in
which the heart is not
delivering an adequate supply
of blood to the body
Muscle and Joint Injuries
Two common and fairly minor injuries are strains
and sprains.
Strain
A tear in a muscle
Sprain
An injury to the ligaments
around a joint
Fractures and Dislocations
Fractures and dislocations are emergencies that
require immediate medical care.
Dislocation
A separation of a bone from its
normal position in a joint
Unconsciousness
When a person is in a state of unconsciousness,
he or she is not able to respond to simple
commands.
Unconsciousness
The condition of not being alert or
aware of your surroundings
Concussion
Anyone who loses consciousness or experiences
memory loss or confusion because of a head injury
might have a concussion.
Concussion
A jarring injury to the brain that can
cause unconsciousness
Poisoning
A poison can be a solid, liquid, or gas.
Poison
Any substance that causes
injury, illness, or death when it
enters the body
Poisoning
The first step in any case of suspected poisoning is
to call a poison control center.
Poison control center
A round-the-clock service that provides
emergency medical advice on how to treat
victims of poisoning
Snakebite
Certain types of snakes can inject venom into the
victim’s body.
Venom
A poisonous secretion