The Basics of First Aid
Justin Crews
Charlotte Ellsworth
Edgar Estevez
Table of Contents
iii
Table of Contents
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... v
Fractures ............................................................................................................................... 7
Information regarding fractures: .......................................................................... 3
Materials: ........................................................................................................................... 3
Call 911 if: ............................................................................................................................. 3
Steps to treating a fracture: ........................................................................................... 3
1 Stop any bleeding – .................................................................................................. 3
2 Immobilize the injured area – ............................................................................. 4
3 Apply ice – ..................................................................................................................... 4
4 Treat for shock – ........................................................................................................ 4
Poisoning ............................................................................................................................... 5
Information regarding poisoning........................................................................... 7
Materials: ........................................................................................................................... 7
Steps to handling a poisoning:....................................................................................... 7
Cleanse of Poison – .................................................................................................. 7
Identify the poison ....................................................................................................... 7
Contact emergency services ..................................................................................... 8
Contact the poison center.......................................................................................... 8
Burns ................................................................................................................................ 9
Information regarding burns ............................................................................. 11
Call 911 if: ........................................................................................................................... 11
Steps for treating a burn: ................................................................................................ 11
Stop the burning .................................................................................................................. 11
Information regarding Animal Bites ............................................................................... 19
For treating an animal bite: ............................................................................................... 19
For minor wounds ................................................................................................................. 19
For deep wounds .................................................................................................................... 19
For infection ............................................................................................................................. 19
For suspected rabies.............................................................................................................. 19
iv
The Basics of First Aid
For severe wounds ................................................................................................................. 20
1 Give Back Blows ................................................................................................................. 23
2 If Person Is Still Choking, Do Thrusts ........................................................................ 23
3 Give CPR, if Necessary..................................................................................................... 23
Index ........................................................................................................................................... 25
Introduction
v
Introduction
First aid is essential to everyday life, for an accident can happen at any time.
Knowledge in handling a particular situation can mean the difference between
permanent and temporary physical damage. This manual covers how to
handle:
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Fractures
Poisoning
Burns
Cuts and wounds
Animal bites
Choking
Following the steps noted in this manual will help in resolving a stressful
accident or medical emergency. Please note that while the steps in this manual
are helpful y you should always contact emergency services for major
accidents.
Fractures
Fractures
3
Information regarding fractures:
A fracture is a break in a bone. Fractures can result from major trauma or
injury. For fractures that pierce the skin heavy bleeding can occur, if this
happens be sure to take precaution when treating the person. It is important
to restrict movement when treating fractures, for it can cause complication in
severity. In an event of the person going into shock or bleeding excessively,
contact emergency services immediately.
Materials:
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Ice packs
Towels
Splint (if available)
Tourniquet
Sterile bandages
Call 911 if:
 Fracture pieces through the skin
 The person is unresponsive
 The person is an infant or a senior
Steps to treating a fracture:
1 Stop any bleeding –
The first action to take when a potential fracture exists is to stop any and all
bleeding. Fractures can be severe enough to rip the skin and blood loss should
be stopped immediately. To stop bleeding apply pressure to the wound with a
piece of cloth (preferably sterile).
*DO NOT use dirty material to stop bleeding; this will avoid the chance of a
potential infection.
4
The Basics of First Aid
*DO NOT allow the person to try walking with a fractured bone, many times
adrenaline will ease the pain. This can result in a worse bone damage to the
person.
2 Immobilize the injured area –
Immobilize the area where a fracture may have happened as much as
possible. Rest the area on a surface to minimize movement of the fractured
bone. If a splint is available, apply the splint to the area above and below the
fracture.
*DO NOT attempt to apply a splint without prior experience. A misused
splint can result in further complication of the fracture.
*DO NOT try to realign or push a bone that is sticking out back in.
3 Apply ice –
Applying ice to limit swelling will help relieve pain until further emergency
personnel can assist with the fracture. Collect ice and wrap in a towel or a
similar material. If the affected area does not stop swelling, contact emergency
services immediately.
*DO NOT apply ice directly on the skin.
4 Treat for shock –
If the person shows sign of fainting or is breathing in short bursts, lay the
person down. When doing so make sure the head is lowered. The person’s legs
should be raised higher than their body if possible. For a person that is
unresponsive, contact emergency services immediately.
Poisoning
Poisoning
7
Information regarding poisoning
This section will cover situations when poisonous chemicals are ingested. It is
important to read the symptoms and sign of poisoning carefully, for many
conditions mimic the symptoms of poisoning. Emergencies such as:
 Alcohol intoxication
 Strokes
 Insulin reactions
Should be identified and taken care of accordingly. When dealing with
potential poisoning, always check the chemical container if available for
emergency information.
POISON CENTER:
1-800-222-1222
Materials:
 Phone
 Chemical container
Steps to handling a poisoning:
1 Cleanse of Poison –
If the person has been exposed to poisonous fumes, take them into a place with
fresh air immediately. For a person who has swallowed poison, clear their
mouth for any remaining poison.
2 Identify the poison If the container is available make sure to identify what kind of chemical they
have ingested, this will help in the process in administering a remedy.
8
The Basics of First Aid
3 Contact emergency services
A person who has ingested poisonous chemicals needs to be transported to a
medical facility. If you have identified the poisonous material, be sure to
inform the medical professionals and bring any containers of the chemical.
4 Contact the poison center
While the person is being transported to a medical facility
*DO NOT attempt to induce vomiting
Burns
Information regarding burns
When dealing with burns it is very important to know the proper steps for
treatment. Some burns are more severe than others and sometimes must be
handled in a different manner. Not knowing how to treat each degree of
burns, could lead to further injury or death.
Call 911 if:
 Burn penetrates all layers of skin
 Skin is leathery or charred looking, with white, brown, or black
patches
 Burn blister is larger than 2 inches or oozes
 Hands, feet, face, or genitals are burned
 The person is an infant or a senior
Steps for treating a burn:
Stop the burning
 Put out the fire
 Help the victim “stop, drop, and roll” to smother the flames
 Remove any burning materials from the victim
Remove constrictive clothing
 Remove jewelry, belts, and tight clothing as burns can swell quickly
Determine the degree of burn and treat
1st Degree Burns
The skin is usually red, sometimes swollen, and sometimes pain is present
 Cool the burn with cool running water or immerse in cool water until
pain is gone
 Protect the burn with a sterile, non-adhesive bandage
 Take over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen, Tylenol, or
Aleve to reduce pain
12
The Basics of First Aid
 If signs of an infection are present such as increased pain, redness,
swelling, fever, or oozing then seek medical attention
2nd Degree Burns
Blisters develop, skin is intensely red/splotchy, and the pain is severe and area
is swollen.
 Cool the burn by immersing the affected area in cool water for 10 to 15
minutes
 Don’t apply ice, break blisters, or apply ointments
 Protect the burn by covering it loosely with a sterile, nonstick bandage
and secure in place with gauze or tape
 Unless the person has a head, neck, or leg injury, or it would cause
discomfort, try to prevent shock by:
1. Laying the person flat
2. Elevating the feet about 12 inches
3. Elevate the burn area above the heart level, if possible
4. Cover the person with a coat or blanket
 See a doctor so he can test burn severity and treat
3rd Degree Burns
Area may be charred black or appear dry and white. All layers of the skin are
affected and permanent tissue damage may occur.
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Call 911
Protect burn area by covering it loosely with a sterile, nonstick bandage
Separate burned toes and fingers with dry, sterile dressings
Do not soak burn in water or apply ointments
Unless the person has a head, neck, or leg injury, or it would cause
discomfort, try to prevent shock by:
1. Laying the person flat
2. Elevating the feet about 12 inches
3. Elevate the burn area above the heart level, if possible
4. Cover the person with a coat or blanket
5. For an airway burn, do not place pillow under the person’s head as
the airway can close
6. Have a person with a facial burn sit up
7. Check pulse and breathing until emergency services arrive
 See a doctor so he can treat the burn
Cuts and Wounds
Cuts and wounds
15
Information regarding cuts and wounds
It is important to know how to properly treat minor cuts and wounds as
infections or excessive pain may occur if treated incorrectly.
Call 911 if:
 A cut is bleeding severely
 Blood is spurting out
 Bleeding can’t be stopped after 10 minutes of
firm and steady pressure
Steps for treating cuts and
wounds:
Stop the bleeding
 Apply direct pressure on the area
Clean and protect
 Clean the area with warm water and gentle soap
 Apply an antibiotic ointment to reduce chance of infection
Call a health care provider
Call a health care provider if:
 The cut is deep over a joint
 You cannot get the cut or laceration clean
 The injury is a deep puncture wound or the person has not had a recent
tetanus shot or booster
 The cut is from a human or animal bite
Follow up
 Remove bandage after a couple of days to promote healing
 See a health care provider if the cut doesn’t heal or shows signs of
infection such as redness, swelling, pus, or excessive pain
Animal bites
Animal Bites
19
Information regarding Animal Bites
Animal Bites tend to have 4 levels of severity. Here are the procedures needed
to take incase this was to take place:
For treating an animal bite:
For minor wounds
If the bite barely breaks the skin and there's no danger of rabies, treat it as a
minor wound. Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water. Apply an
antibiotic cream to prevent infection and cover the bite with a clean bandage.
For deep wounds.
If the animal bite creates a deep puncture of the skin or the skin is badly torn
and bleeding, apply pressure with a clean, dry cloth to stop the bleeding and
see your doctor. Apply direct pressure until bleeding stops.
For infection
If you notice signs of infection, such as swelling, redness, increased pain or
oozing, see your doctor immediately. Get medical help immediately for any
animal bite that is more than a superficial scratch or if the animal was a wild
animal or stray, regardless of the severity of the injury. If the animal's owner
is available, find out if the animal's rabies shots are up-to-date. Give this
information to your health care provider.
For suspected rabies
If you suspect the bite was caused by an animal that might carry rabies —
including any wild or domestic animal of unknown immunization status,
particularly bats — see your doctor immediately. If the animal was a stray or
wild animal, call the local health department or animal control immediately.
20
The Basics of First Aid
For severe wounds
The health care provider will make sure the wound is thoroughly clean and
may prescribe antibiotics.
If there is any risk of rabies infection, the health care provider will
recommend anti-rabies treatment.
The person may require stitches, depending on the location and severity of the
animal bite.
The person may also require a tetanus shot or booster.
The health care provider may recommend ibuprofen or acetaminophen for
pain.
t
Choking
Choking
23
Steps to handle a choking situation:
1 Give Back Blows
Give up to 5 blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.
2 If Person Is Still Choking, Do Thrusts
To perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) on someone else:
 Stand behind the person. Wrap your arms around the waist. Tip the
person forward slightly.
 Make a fist with one hand. Position it slightly above the person's navel.
 Grasp the fist with the other hand. Press hard into the abdomen with a
quick, upward thrust — as if trying to lift the person up.
 Perform a total of 5 abdominal thrusts, if needed. If the blockage still isn't
dislodged, repeat the five-and-five cycle.
 Take the object out of his mouth only if you can see it. Never do a finger
sweep unless you can see the object in the person's mouth.
To perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) on yourself:
 First, if you're alone and choking and you have a landline phone, call 911
or your local emergency number immediately. Then, although you'll be
unable to effectively deliver back blows to yourself, you can still perform
abdominal thrusts to dislodge the item.
 Place a fist slightly above your navel.
 Grasp your fist with the other hand and bend over a hard surface — a
countertop or chair will do.
 Shove your fist inward and upward.

If the person is obese or pregnant, do high abdominal thrusts:
 Stand behind the person, wrap your arms them, and position your hands
at the base of the breast bone.
 Quickly pull inward and upward.
 Repeat until the object is dislodged.
3 Give CPR, if Necessary
If the obstruction comes out, but the person is not breathing or if the person
becomes unconscious give CPR
Choking
25
Index
bite, iii, 19, 20
burns, iii, 11
fumes, 7
health, 19, 20
poisoning, iii, 7
pregnant, 23
rabies, iii, 19, 20
Strokes, 7