You can use first aid to deal with common emergencies such as muscle and bone injuries, impaired consciousness, animal bites, nosebleeds, and poisoning.

fracture

dislocation

unconsciousness

concussion

poison

poison control center

venom

Muscle, Joint, and Bone Injuries

Muscle and joint injuries can be minor or severe, but bone injuries are always medical emergencies.

You should know the proper first-aid procedures for treating injuries such as strains, sprains, fractures, and dislocations in case accidents happen.

Muscle and Joint Injuries

Two common and fairly minor injuries are strains and sprains.

Strain

Sprain

A tear in a muscle

An injury to the ligaments around a joint

Muscle and Joint Injuries

Strains and sprains vary in severity.

 

Severe strains and sprains will require medical care.

Muscle and Joint Injuries

the injury is bleeding.

the pain is severe.

the victim is unable to move the affected muscle or joint.

Call 911 for emergency medical help if

the joint appears deformed.

you hear a popping sound coming from the joint.

Muscle and Joint Injuries

Treat minor strains and sprains with the P.R.I.C.E. procedure.

 

You can gradually begin to use the affected body part again as the pain and swelling subside. If the swelling lasts more than two days, see a doctor.

Muscle and Joint Injuries

Ice the affected area for 10 to 15 minutes at a time, three times a day to reduce swelling and pain.

Rest the injured body part for at least a day.

Protect the affected area by wrapping it in a bandage or splint.

The P.R.I.C.E. Procedure

Compress the affected area by wrapping it firmly, but not too tightly, in a bandage.

Elevate the injured body part above the level of the heart, if possible.

Fractures and Dislocations

Injuries to bones include fractures and dislocations.

FractureA break in the bone

Fractures and Dislocations

Fractures and dislocations are emergencies that require immediate medical care.

DislocationA separation of a bone from its normal position in a joint

Fractures and Dislocations

The first-aid procedures for fractures and dislocations are the same.

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Call 911 or your local emergency medical service.

Do your best to keep the victim still and calm.

If the skin is broken, rinse it carefully to prevent infection, taking care not to disturb the bone.

Fractures and Dislocations

The first-aid procedures for fractures and dislocations are the same.

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If necessary, apply a splint to immobilize the injured body part to prevent further injury.

Apply an ice pack to reduce pain and swelling.

If the injury does not affect the head, neck, legs, or spine, have the victim lie down and raise his or her legs about 12 inches to prevent shock.

Unconsciousness

A victim who loses consciousness for any amount of time requires medical care

Unconsciousness

When a person is in a state of unconsciousness, he or she is not able to respond to simple commands.

UnconsciousnessThe condition of not being alert or aware of your surroundings

Unconsciousness

Follow these steps if you encounter someone who has lost consciousness.

Call 911 Check the victim’s

breathing

Be prepared to perform CPR

Unconsciousness

If the victim is breathing and does not seem to have an injury to the spine, lay the victim down in the recovery position.

Fainting

Fainting is a temporary loss of consciousness that occurs when not enough blood is flowing to the brain.

 

Victims of fainting should see a doctor as soon as possible if they have never fainted before or they are fainting frequently.

Concussion

Anyone who loses consciousness or experiences memory loss or confusion because of a head injury might have a concussion.

ConcussionA jarring injury to the brain that can cause unconsciousness

Concussion

Call 911 for all cases of suspected concussion.

If the victim is conscious, have him or her lie down.

Use first aid to treat any bleeding while you wait for help to arrive.

Concussion

If the victim is unconscious, avoid moving him or her if there is reason to suspect a head or neck injury.

 

Otherwise, you can place the victim in the recovery position.

Other Emergencies

It’s important to learn first-aid procedures for emergencies such as animal bites, nosebleeds, and poisoning.

Learning proper first-aid procedures will help you stay calm and respond appropriately in the event of an emergency.

Animal Bites

Animal bites can transmit serious diseases such as rabies, a viral infection that can be incurable and deadly if not treated immediately.

 

A tetanus booster shot may be required for any bite that has broken the skin.

Animal Bites

Wash your hands thoroughly and put on protective gloves.

Wash the bite area thoroughly with mild soap and water.

Apply pressure as needed to stop any bleeding.

Apply antibiotic ointment and a sterile dressing.

If the wound swells, apply ice wrapped in a towel for ten minutes.

Nosebleeds

Sit down and squeeze the soft part of the nose between your thumb and finger, holding the nostrils closed.

Breathe through your mouth and lean forward to avoid swallowing blood.

An ice pack or cold compress applied to the bridge of the nose may also help.

If the bleeding doesn’t stop after 20 minutes, seek emergency medical help.

Poisoning

A poison can be a solid, liquid, or gas.

PoisonAny 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 centerA round-the-clock service that provides emergency medical advice on how to treat victims of poisoning

Poisoning

The poison control expert will ask you questions and provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to treat the victim.

 

Do not give the victim any medication unless the expert tells you to do so.

Snakebite

Certain types of snakes can inject venom into the victim’s body.

VenomA poisonous secretion

Snakebite

Call 911 for medical help and follow the dispatcher’s instructions.

Try to keep the victim from moving.

Keep the affected body part below chest level.

Remove rings and other constricting items.

Use a snakebite suction kit if one is available.

Insect and Spider Bites or Stings

The stings of insects such as bees, hornets, and wasps, as well as the bites of certain spiders, are painful but usually not dangerous.

 

If someone allergic to the venom of these insects or spiders has been stung or bitten, call 911.

Insect and Spider Bites or Stings

Remove the stinger by scraping it off with a firm, straight-edged object.

Do not use tweezers, since they may cause the stinger to release more venom.

Wash the site thoroughly with mild soap and water to help prevent infection.

Apply ice (wrapped in a cloth) to the site, alternating ten minutes on then ten minutes off, to reduce pain and swelling.

Poisonous Plants

Most people are allergic to poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac.

 

Exposure to these plants will cause itching, swelling, redness, burning, and blisters at the site of contact.

Poisonous Plants

If you brush up against a poisonous plant, do not rub your skin.

Washing the area immediately with soap and water may prevent a reaction.

Wash any clothing or other objects that have touched the plant as well.

An over-the-counter cream or oral antihistamine may ease any itching.

Poisonous Plants

Exposure to poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac can cause itching, swelling, and blisters.

After You ReadReviewing Facts and Vocabulary

Severe pain, swelling, bruising, and inability to move the affected body part

1. What are the symptoms of a fracture or dislocation?

After You ReadReviewing Facts and Vocabulary

2. Why is the recovery position the safest position for an unconscious person?

It protects the airway.

After You ReadReviewing Facts and Vocabulary

3. What is the first step in any case of suspected poisoning?

Call a poison control center.