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First Aid & Emergency
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Back Injury (Suspected Spinal)First Aid & Emergency · FA/EUrgent information
First Aid Approach
Immobilize & Wait for Help
Preparation & Use
Do not move the person. Stabilize (keep completely still) their head and neck by placing your hands on both sides of their head. Wait for professional paramedics to arrive with a backboard.
Safety & Precautions
EMERGENCY: Moving a spinal injury victim can cause permanent paralysis.
When to Seek Medical Help
IMMEDIATELY: Call an ambulance for any suspected spinal injury.
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Back Strain (Lifting)First Aid & Emergency · First Aid
First Aid Approach
Rest & Ice
Preparation & Use
Lie down on a firm surface with knees bent. Apply an ice pack wrapped in a cloth to the painful area for 15-20 minutes. Avoid bending or lifting.
Safety & Precautions
SAFE first aid. CAUTION: Do not apply heat in the first 48 hours.
When to Seek Medical Help
If pain radiates (spreads) down the leg, or if there is numbness or loss of bladder control.
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Bee or Wasp StingFirst Aid & Emergency · AllergicUrgent information
First Aid Approach
Remove Stinger & Cold Compress
Preparation & Use
Scrape (to gently rub something off the surface) the stinger (the sharp part of the insect that injects poison) out with a flat object like a credit card. Do not pinch it. Wash with soap and water. Apply an ice pack wrapped in a cloth for 10 minutes. Watch for anaphylaxis (a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction).
Safety & Precautions
SAFE first aid. CAUTION: Watch for severe allergic reactions.
When to Seek Medical Help
IMMEDIATELY: If there is trouble breathing, swelling of the face/lips, or dizziness.
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Bee Sting (Multiple)First Aid & Emergency · FA/EUrgent information
First Aid Approach
Remove Stingers & Cool Compress
Preparation & Use
Scrape (to gently rub something off the surface) stingers out with a flat object. Do not pinch them. Apply cold compresses to multiple sites. Monitor closely for systemic (affecting the whole body) reactions.
Safety & Precautions
EMERGENCY: Multiple stings can cause a toxic reaction even without an allergy.
When to Seek Medical Help
IMMEDIATELY: If there are more than 10 stings, or if the person shows signs of dizziness, nausea, or breathing difficulty.
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Bleeding (Minor Cuts and Scrapes)First Aid & Emergency · First Aid
First Aid Approach
Clean Disinfect & Cover
Preparation & Use
Wash the area gently with clean water and mild soap. Apply an antiseptic (a liquid that kills germs) cream. Cover with a clean bandage or plaster to keep dirt out.
Safety & Precautions
SAFE home care.
When to Seek Medical Help
If the cut is deep, will not stop bleeding after 10 minutes of pressure, or shows signs of infection (pus, redness).
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Bleeding (Oral / Mouth)First Aid & Emergency · First Aid
First Aid Approach
Cold Water & Pressure
Preparation & Use
Rinse the mouth with cold water to locate the source. Bite down firmly on a clean gauze pad (a small piece of sterile cotton cloth) or a damp tea bag for 15 minutes. Apply an ice pack to the outside of the cheek.
Safety & Precautions
SAFE first aid. CAUTION: Mouth wounds bleed heavily but usually heal quickly.
When to Seek Medical Help
If bleeding does not stop after 15 minutes of firm pressure, or if the cut is very deep.
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Bleeding (Post-Tooth Extraction)First Aid & Emergency · First Aid
First Aid Approach
Bite on Gauze & Rest
Preparation & Use
Fold a clean piece of gauze (a small piece of sterile cotton cloth) or a damp tea bag and place it directly over the extraction site. Bite down firmly for 30-45 minutes. Rest with the head elevated.
Safety & Precautions
SAFE first aid. CAUTION: Do not rinse the mouth vigorously, as this can dislodge the blood clot.
When to Seek Medical Help
If heavy bleeding continues after 1 hour of firm pressure.
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Bleeding (Severe or Arterial)First Aid & Emergency · FA/EUrgent information
First Aid Approach
Direct Pressure & Elevate
Preparation & Use
Call for an ambulance. Apply firm, direct pressure on the wound with a clean cloth. Do not remove the cloth if it soaks through; add another on top. Raise the injured part above the heart. Do not use a tourniquet (a tight band wrapped around a limb to stop severe bleeding) unless trained.
Safety & Precautions
EMERGENCY: Life-threatening.
When to Seek Medical Help
IMMEDIATELY: Call emergency services right away.
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Blister (Burn)First Aid & Emergency · First Aid
First Aid Approach
Protect & Do Not Pop
Preparation & Use
Leave the blister intact. Cover it loosely with a sterile, non-stick bandage to protect it from friction. Do not pop (break open) the blister, as the skin acts as a natural barrier against infection.
Safety & Precautions
SAFE home care.
When to Seek Medical Help
If the blister is very large, painful, or shows signs of infection (redness, pus).
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Blister (Friction)First Aid & Emergency · First Aid
First Aid Approach
Protect & Do Not Pop
Preparation & Use
Leave the blister intact. Cover it with a moleskin or a sterile bandage to protect it from further rubbing. Do not pop (break open) the blister, as the skin acts as a natural barrier against infection.
Safety & Precautions
SAFE home care.
When to Seek Medical Help
If the blister is very large, painful, or shows signs of infection (redness, pus).
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Bone Bruise (Contusion)First Aid & Emergency · First Aid
First Aid Approach
Ice & Rest
Preparation & Use
Apply an ice pack wrapped in a cloth for 15-20 minutes every few hours. Rest the affected limb and avoid putting weight on it.
Safety & Precautions
SAFE first aid. CAUTION: Bone bruises take longer to heal than regular skin bruises.
When to Seek Medical Help
If the pain is severe, persistent, or if you suspect a fracture (broken bone).
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Bone Dislocation (Joint)First Aid & Emergency · FA/EUrgent information
First Aid Approach
Immobilize & Ice
Preparation & Use
Immobilize (keep completely still) the joint in the exact position it is found. Do not try to push or pull it back into place. Apply an ice pack wrapped in a cloth to reduce swelling.
Safety & Precautions
CAUTION: Forcing a dislocated joint back can tear ligaments or damage nerves.
When to Seek Medical Help
IMMEDIATELY: Go to the hospital for professional reduction (putting the bone back into the joint).
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Bone Fracture (Suspected)First Aid & Emergency · FA/EUrgent information
First Aid Approach
Immobilize & Seek Help
Preparation & Use
Do not try to straighten or move the injured limb. Immobilize (keep the injured body part completely still to prevent movement) it with a pillow or soft cloth. Apply an ice pack wrapped in cloth. Keep the person calm.
Safety & Precautions
CAUTION: Moving a broken bone can cause severe nerve or blood vessel damage.
When to Seek Medical Help
IMMEDIATELY: Go to the hospital for an X-ray and proper splinting (using a hard support to keep a broken bone from moving).
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Breathing Difficulty (Mild)First Aid & Emergency · First Aid
First Aid Approach
Upright Posture & Calm Breathing
Preparation & Use
Have the person sit upright and lean slightly forward. Encourage slow, deep breathing. Loosen any tight clothing around the neck or chest.
Safety & Precautions
CAUTION: Monitor closely, as mild distress can quickly become severe.
When to Seek Medical Help
If breathing does not improve, or if lips/fingers turn blue.
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Broken Collarbone (Clavicle)First Aid & Emergency · FA/EUrgent information
First Aid Approach
Sling & Immobilize
Preparation & Use
Support the arm on the injured side with a sling (a cloth used to support an injured arm) against the chest. Do not try to straighten or push the bone back. Apply an ice pack to the area.
Safety & Precautions
CAUTION: Moving the arm can worsen the injury or damage nearby nerves.
When to Seek Medical Help
IMMEDIATELY: Go to the hospital for an X-ray and proper medical management.
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Burn (Chemical)First Aid & Emergency · FA/EUrgent information
First Aid Approach
Flush with Water & Remove Clothing
Preparation & Use
Immediately flush (wash continuously with a large amount of water) the area with cool, running water for at least 20 minutes. Carefully remove any clothing or jewelry that has the chemical on it. Do not apply ointments.
Safety & Precautions
EMERGENCY: Chemical burns can continue to damage tissue.
When to Seek Medical Help
IMMEDIATELY: After flushing, go to the hospital, especially if the burn is on the face, eyes, or is large.
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Burn (Electrical)First Aid & Emergency · FA/EUrgent information
First Aid Approach
Cut Power & Check Breathing
Preparation & Use
Do not touch the person until the power is turned off. Once safe, check if they are breathing. If not, start CPR (chest compressions and breaths to restart the heart). Cover the burn loosely with a clean, non-stick cloth.
Safety & Precautions
EMERGENCY: Electrical burns can cause hidden internal damage and cardiac arrest (when the heart suddenly stops beating).
When to Seek Medical Help
IMMEDIATELY: All electrical burns require a hospital checkup, even if the skin looks fine.
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Burn (Mild Sunburn)First Aid & Emergency · First Aid
First Aid Approach
Cool Compress & Moisturize
Preparation & Use
Get out of the sun immediately. Apply cool, wet compresses to the affected area. Drink extra water to prevent dehydration (a dangerous lack of fluids). Apply pure aloe vera gel or a gentle moisturizer.
Safety & Precautions
SAFE home care.
When to Seek Medical Help
If the sunburn covers a large area, is accompanied by fever, or if large blisters develop.
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