First Aid
As you approach an individual who has been injured, inspect the area around them for signs that can help identify possible causes for the injury as well as dangers to yourself. Then begin assessing per the following priorities:
- Breathing – Look, Listen and Feel
- Bleeding – Expose, Control, Elevate, Tourniquet
- Wound – Wash Hands, Instruments and Wound
- Break – Set and Immobilize
- Burn – Control Fluid Loss, Prevent Infection and Shock
- Shock – Quiet, Comfortable with feet Elevated
For printable first-aid quick reference cards and kit items download our workbook.
- Breathing- Look, Listen and Feel. If the victim is on their back, gently tilt the head back raising the chin; open the mouth to check for obstructions. Then with your ear near the victims mouth and nose looking across the chest, Look for the rise of the chest, Listen for breathing and Feel the breaths on your cheek. You will also want to check for a pulse on the side of neck or wrist. If the person is not breathing and has no pulse they are a prime candidate for CPR. Take the course to learn the proper technique.
- Bleeding-
- Expose the wound by removing clothing near the injury.
- Control the bleeding by applying pressure with clean/sterile dressing. Use pressure points if blood is gushing. Types of bleeding:
- Arterial – Spurting
- Venous – Flowing
- Capillary - Oozing
- Elevate the limb or injured area above the heart IF the limb is not fractured.
- Tourniquet as a LAST resort!
- Wounds- Wash Hands, Instruments, and Wound: Infections in wounds are second in importance only to bleeding. Infections can happen at the time of injury or introduced later by instruments, bandages, clothing, etc. If time allows wash hands and instruments before dressing a wound. Wash the wounded area with sterilized water unless it is an abdominal wound (Note: DO NOT attempt to push organs back into the abdomen. Apply dressing and keep moist.) (Note: a rainwater harvesting system and solar cooker (for sterilization) are very useful in situations when the electric and gas are out and the water supply is contaminated.)
In the case of a chest wound that is hissing or sucking place a piece of plastic or rubber over the wound then a clean dressing; this will temporarily restore normal respiration.
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Breaks- Classified as either open (protruding through the skin) or closed. If medical help is not expected for many hours the bone needs to be Setbefore Immobilizing the limb. Set bones quickly, before swelling and muscle spasms make it more difficult by pulling the limb straight. Then immobilize the limb using a stiff splint secured firmly to the injured limb. An open break/fracture will additionally need to be treated as a wound (controlling bleeding, cleaning, and dressing).
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Burns- Focus on Controlling Fluid Loss and Preventing Infection and Shock. Chemical burns should be washed immediately and thoroughly. Other burns should be immersed in cold water then covered with dry sterile dressing. Give aspirin for the pain and treat for shock.
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Shock is a reduction of oxygenated blood to vital organs and can be caused by poor circulation, blood loss, severe physical stresses, change in body temperature and pain. Keep the person lying Quiet and Comfortablewith feet slightly Elevated.
A First Aid Kit should not only be sized for your family, but, equally important, it should not be exhausted in one event. Ensure your kit can withstand at least a two week natural disaster with multiple injuries. Keep in mind that you could be changing dressings on wounds and burns multiple times as well as the initial heavy use of supplies at the onset when first aid can be chaotic. Use clean t-shirts or similar cloth to control significant bleeding instead of using dressings out of your kit.
First Aid Kit essentials:
*ACFAS MINIMUM RECOMMENDED FAMILY KIT CONTENTS
Assemble a first aid kit to include in your Disaster Supplies Kit and one for each vehicle.
Include:Additional items may be added to personalize or customize this kit.
- Absorbent Compress 5x9 dressing--Cover and protect open wounds
- Adhesive Bandages (Assorted Sizes)--Cover and protect open wounds
- Adhesive Tape (cloth) 1”--To secure bandages or splints
- Antibiotic Ointment packets (approx 1 g)--Anti-infection
- Antiseptic wipe Packets--Wound cleaning/germ killer
- Aspirin (Chewable) 81 mg--For symptoms of a heart attack**
- Blanket (Space Blanket)--Maintain body temperature for shock
- CPR Breathing Barrier (w/one-way valve)--Protection during rescue breathing or CPR
- Instant Cold Compress--To control swelling
- Gloves (large), disposable, non-latex--Prevent body fluid contact
- Hydrocortisone Ointment Packets (approx 1 g)--External rash treatment
- Scissors--Cut tape, cloth,or bandages
- Roller Bandage 3” (individually wrapped)--Secure wound dressing in place
- Roller Bandage 4” (individually wrapped)--Secure wound dressing in place
- Sterile Gauze Pad 3x3--To control external bleeding
- Sterile Gauze Pad 4x4--To control external bleeding
- Thermometer, Oral (Non-Mercury/Non-Glass)--Take temperature orally
- Triangular Bandage--Sling or binder/splinting
- Tweezers--Remove splinters or ticks
- First Aid Instruction booklet--Self explanatory
*ACFAS is the American National Red Cross Advisory Council on First Aid and Safety
Note: Remember to include prescription drugs in a Disaster Supplies Kit. Because the storage requirements of prescription drugs vary, some may have to be added to the kit at the last minute. You may want to pin or tape a note to the outside of your kit container reminding you to take along prescription drugs if you have to evacuate.
