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First Aid & Emergency
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Water Aspiration (Swimming Pool)First Aid & Emergency · First Aid
First Aid Approach
Encourage Coughing & Monitor
Preparation & Use
Encourage the person to cough forcefully to clear the water from their airway. Keep them calm and seated. Monitor their breathing closely for the next 24 hours for any signs of distress.
Safety & Precautions
CAUTION: 'Secondary drowning' can cause breathing problems hours after the incident.
When to Seek Medical Help
If coughing persists, or if they develop difficulty breathing, extreme fatigue, or chest pain.
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Water Contamination (Accidental Ingestion)First Aid & Emergency · First Aid
First Aid Approach
Monitor & Hydrate Safely
Preparation & Use
Do not induce vomiting. Give the person safe, clean, bottled, or boiled water to drink to help flush their system. Monitor for stomach cramps, diarrhea, or fever.
Safety & Precautions
CAUTION: Contaminated water can cause severe gastrointestinal infections.
When to Seek Medical Help
If severe diarrhea, vomiting, or high fever develops within a few days.
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Whiplash InjuryFirst Aid & Emergency · First Aid
First Aid Approach
Neck Support & Ice
Preparation & Use
Keep the neck as still as possible. Apply an ice pack wrapped in a cloth to the back of the neck for 15-20 minutes to reduce inflammation (swelling and irritation). Avoid sudden head movements.
Safety & Precautions
CAUTION: Symptoms like pain and stiffness may not appear until hours after the injury.
When to Seek Medical Help
If there is severe pain, numbness in the arms, or difficulty moving the neck.
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Wild Animal AttackFirst Aid & Emergency · FA/EUrgent information
First Aid Approach
Control Bleeding & Wash Wound
Preparation & Use
Once safe, apply direct pressure to stop any bleeding. Wash the wounds thoroughly with soap and copious (large amounts of) water for at least 15 minutes. Cover with a clean dressing.
Safety & Precautions
EMERGENCY: High risk of severe trauma and rabies.
When to Seek Medical Help
IMMEDIATELY: Go to the hospital for wound care, tetanus, and rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (preventive treatment).
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Wind Chill Injury (Frostnip)First Aid & Emergency · First Aid
First Aid Approach
Gentle Rewarming
Preparation & Use
Move to a warm place. Warm the affected area (like nose, ears, or fingers) using body heat (e.g., placing cold fingers in armpits). Do not rub or massage the frozen skin, as this can cause tissue damage.
Safety & Precautions
SAFE first aid. CAUTION: Do not use direct heat like a fire or heating pad, as numb skin can burn easily.
When to Seek Medical Help
If the skin remains white, hard, or numb after rewarming, or if blisters form.
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Wound (Abrasion)First Aid & Emergency · First Aid
First Aid Approach
Clean & Protect
Preparation & Use
Rinse the area gently with clean water to remove dirt and debris. Apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment. Cover with a sterile (germ-free) bandage to keep it clean while it heals.
Safety & Precautions
SAFE home care.
When to Seek Medical Help
If the wound is very large, contains embedded dirt that cannot be washed out, or shows signs of infection.
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Wound (Avulsion)First Aid & Emergency · FA/EUrgent information
First Aid Approach
Control Bleeding & Preserve Tissue
Preparation & Use
Apply firm, direct pressure with a clean cloth to stop bleeding. If a piece of skin or tissue is completely torn off, wrap it in a clean, damp cloth, place it in a sealed bag, and keep it cool. Do not try to reattach it yourself.
Safety & Precautions
EMERGENCY: Avulsion wounds bleed heavily and are prone to infection.
When to Seek Medical Help
IMMEDIATELY: Go to the hospital for professional cleaning, possible stitches, and tetanus care.
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Wound (Contusion / Severe Bruise)First Aid & Emergency · First Aid
First Aid Approach
Ice & Elevation
Preparation & Use
Apply an ice pack wrapped in a cloth for 15-20 minutes every few hours for the first 48 hours. Elevate the bruised area above the heart to reduce swelling.
Safety & Precautions
SAFE first aid. CAUTION: Do not apply heat in the first 48 hours, as it increases bleeding under the skin.
When to Seek Medical Help
If the bruise is very large, extremely painful, or if it appears without any known injury.
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Wound (Laceration / Deep Cut)First Aid & Emergency · FA/EUrgent information
First Aid Approach
Pressure & Medical Closure
Preparation & Use
Apply direct, firm pressure with a clean cloth to stop bleeding. Elevate the wound if possible. Do not try to clean a deep wound extensively yourself, as it may restart bleeding. Cover it with a sterile dressing.
Safety & Precautions
CAUTION: Deep cuts often require professional closure to heal properly and prevent infection.
When to Seek Medical Help
IMMEDIATELY: If the cut is deep, gaping, on the face, or bleeding does not stop after 10 minutes of pressure.
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Wound (Puncture)First Aid & Emergency · First Aid
First Aid Approach
Clean & Monitor
Preparation & Use
Let the wound bleed briefly to help flush out bacteria. Wash gently with soap and water. Apply an antibiotic ointment and a clean bandage. Do not probe (poke or explore) the wound.
Safety & Precautions
CAUTION: Puncture wounds trap bacteria deep inside, creating a high risk for infection and tetanus.
When to Seek Medical Help
If the object was rusty or dirty, if it is a deep foot puncture, or if signs of infection develop.
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Wound Care (Minor)First Aid & Emergency · First Aid
First Aid Approach
Clean Disinfect & Cover
Preparation & Use
Rinse the wound gently with clean water. Apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment. Cover with a sterile (germ-free) bandage to keep it clean while it heals. Change the bandage daily.
Safety & Precautions
SAFE home care.
When to Seek Medical Help
If the wound shows signs of infection (increasing redness, warmth, pus, or fever).
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Wound Care (Surgical Incision)First Aid & Emergency · First Aid
First Aid Approach
Keep Clean & Dry
Preparation & Use
Wash hands before touching near the wound. Keep the incision clean and dry. Do not remove steri-strips (small adhesive tapes used to hold the wound closed) or pull at stitches. Follow the doctor's specific bathing instructions.
Safety & Precautions
SAFE home care. CAUTION: Do not apply ointments unless prescribed by the surgeon.
When to Seek Medical Help
If the incision becomes red, swollen, warm, starts oozing pus, or if a fever develops.
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Wound Infection (Advanced)First Aid & Emergency · FA/EUrgent information
First Aid Approach
Cover & Seek Medical Care
Preparation & Use
Do not squeeze, pop, or try to drain the pus yourself, as this can push the infection deeper. Gently cover the area with a clean, sterile (germ-free) dressing. Wash your hands thoroughly afterward.
Safety & Precautions
CAUTION: Advanced infections can spread to the bloodstream (sepsis), which is life-threatening.
When to Seek Medical Help
IMMEDIATELY: If there is spreading redness, severe pain, foul-smelling pus, or a high fever.
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Wound Infection (Early Signs)First Aid & Emergency · First Aid
First Aid Approach
Clean & Seek Medical Care
Preparation & Use
Wash the area gently with soap and water. Apply a clean, dry dressing. Do not squeeze or try to drain any pus yourself.
Safety & Precautions
CAUTION: Untreated wound infections can spread to the bloodstream (sepsis).
When to Seek Medical Help
If the area becomes increasingly red, swollen, warm, painful, or starts oozing yellow/green pus, or if a fever develops.
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Wound Packing (Severe Bleeding)First Aid & Emergency · FA/EUrgent information
First Aid Approach
Pack Tightly & Apply Pressure
Preparation & Use
Locate the source of the bleeding deep in the wound. Tightly pack the wound cavity with sterile gauze or a clean cloth, filling it completely. Once packed, apply firm, continuous direct pressure on top of the packing for at least 3 minutes.
Safety & Precautions
EMERGENCY: Use only for deep, life-threatening wounds (like in the groin, armpit, or neck) where a tourniquet cannot be applied.
When to Seek Medical Help
IMMEDIATELY: Call an ambulance. Do not remove the packing once applied; let medical professionals handle it.
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