SILVER LEVEL FIRST AID REQUIREMENTS
Bronze level, plus the following:
Treating Foreign Bodies In Eyes
Because of the sensitive nature of the eye, you must take special care when treating
injuries to or around the eye. The injury could be due to a foreign object such as
chemicals in the eye.
Signs and Symptoms
 Pain in or around the eye
 Swelling, redness, bleeding, burning, or other injury
 Anxiety
 Shock
Treatment
1. Treat for shock
2. Do not remove a foreign object manually or take any action that would embed
an object deeper
3. If a foreign object is floating in the eye, try flushing the eye with clean water
4. If chemicals are the cause of the eye injury, flush the eye with clean running
water for a long time (15 to 20 minutes)
5. Contact EMS if there is an object in the eye or vision if affected
6. If the eye area is wounded, treat the injury (for instance, a cut).
7. Bandage the injured eye by placing a patch bandage over it and securing the
bandage.
Emergency Transport
Never transport an individual with a life-threatening condition or a chance one may
develop. Instead, call EMS and wait for help. A car trip may make the injury worse. If
you are certain the individual’s injuries are minor and it is safe to move the person, you
might consider transporting the victim to the doctor or hospital yourself.
If you decide to transport the victim, take someone else with you to help keep the victim
comfortable and watch for any changes in his/her condition. Do not let a victim drive
alone to the hospital because a change in condition can make driving dangerous for the
victim and others.
Airway Obstruction
Partial Obstruction
A partial obstruction can involve good or poor air exchange:
 When air exchange is good, the victim can cough and speak. He or she should
not be interfered with while clearing the airway blockage by coughing.

When air exchange is poor, the victim has a weak and ineffective cough,
breathing becomes increasingly difficult, and the victim cannot speak. He or
she should not be interfered with while trying to clear the airway blockage by
coughing. If this doesn’t work and the victim turns blue, treat him or her as
having a complete airway obstruction
Complete Obstruction
Method
o Ask “Are you Choking?”
o If you don’t hear any sounds (speaking, coughing, or other noises), assume
complete airway obstruction.
o Give abdominal thrusts (chest thrusts for pregnant, obese, or large victims)
 Standing behind the victim, wrap your arms around his/her waist
 Place foot between their feet to stabilize them if they fall
 Make a fist with one hand
 Place the thumb side of the fist against the victim’s abdomen, in
the midline, slightly above the navel, and well below the soft lower
tip of the breastbone (technically known as the xiphoid process).
 Grasp your fist with your other hand, and press the fist into the
victim’s abdomen with a quick upward thrust
 Each thrust should be a separate and distinct movement
o Repeat the thrusts until they are effective (the object is cleared and the victim
is breathing) or the victim becomes unconscious
Administration of Medication
Victims suffering from a variety of conditions may have medication they know will help
them. You can help victims by:
o Getting medications for them
o Helping them take the medication by opening the container it’s in, or
supporting victims while they take the medication
If victims can’t administer the medication themselves, DO NOT do it for them!
Asthma
Asthma is a breathing disorder in which the airway’s sensitivity is increased. This
sensitivity results in spasms of the muscles of the airway (and therefore a narrowing of
the airway) and increased production of mucus (and therefore a blockage of the airway).
People with asthma are likely to have specific “triggers” to the condition. Common
triggers include allergies, emotional distress, and extreme temperatures.
Signs and Symptoms
 Difficulty breathing
 Anxiety
 Wheezing
Treatment
1. Assist the victim to a comfortable position. This often involves sitting and
leaning forward slightly or standing and leaning forward with the arms resting
on some object.
2. Help the victim take any medication he or she has
3. Loosen tight-fitting clothing around the neck or chest
4. Assist or encourage the victim in pursed-lip breathing
 Asthmatics have trouble getting air out. Pursed-lip breathing occurs
when the lips are in a “pucker’ position and the victim actively blows
the air out in a slow, steady stream. You and the victim can do this
together. Inhale through the nose, exhale through the pursed lips, and
focus on getting air out
5. Treat for shock
6. If the asthma attack continues or is severe, around for transportation to
hospital by contacting EMS
Hyperventilation
Hyperventilation, sometimes called over-breathing, occurs when breathing is faster or
deeper than necessary. Hyperventilation decreases the level of carbon dioxide in the
blood, causing the body to depress the breathing center in the brain. This can result in
loss of consciousness. Voluntary hyperventilation is extremely dangerous and should not
be practiced!!
Signs and Symptoms

High rate of respiration, panting

Lightheadedness, weakness, headache

Tingling of hands, feet and the area around the mouth

Confusion, unconsciousness
Treatment
1. Maintain an open airway, assess the victim’s breathing, verify the victim’s
pulse, and star CPR if needed
2. Assist or encourage pursed-lip breathing (see above)
3. Treat for shock
4. Arrange for transportation to hospital if breathing problems are severe or
ongoing or there is a decreased level of consciousness