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First Aid & Emergency
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Cardiac Arrest (Sudden)First Aid & Emergency · FA/EUrgent information
First Aid Approach
CPR & AED
Preparation & Use
Call emergency services immediately. Begin CPR (chest compressions and breaths to manually pump blood). If an AED (Automated External Defibrillator, a device that delivers an electric shock to restart the heart) is available, turn it on and follow the voice prompts.
Safety & Precautions
EMERGENCY: Brain damage begins within 4 minutes without blood flow.
When to Seek Medical Help
IMMEDIATELY: This is the ultimate medical emergency requiring immediate paramedic intervention.
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Cardiac Chest Pain (Angina)First Aid & Emergency · FA/EUrgent information
First Aid Approach
Rest & Nitroglycerin
Preparation & Use
Stop all physical activity and sit down immediately. If prescribed, place a nitroglycerin tablet (a medication that widens blood vessels to improve blood flow to the heart) under the tongue.
Safety & Precautions
CAUTION: If pain does not go away in 5 minutes, treat it as a heart attack.
When to Seek Medical Help
IMMEDIATELY: If the pain lasts more than 15 minutes or is accompanied by sweating and shortness of breath.
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Chemical Burn (Ingestion)First Aid & Emergency · FA/EUrgent information
First Aid Approach
Do Not Induce Vomiting & Call Help
Preparation & Use
Do NOT induce (cause) vomiting, as the chemical can burn the throat again on the way up. Do not give anything to drink unless instructed by a poison control center. Call emergency services immediately.
Safety & Precautions
EMERGENCY: Swallowing corrosive chemicals can cause severe internal damage.
When to Seek Medical Help
IMMEDIATELY: Always seek emergency medical care for ingested chemicals.
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Chest Pain (Non-Cardiac)First Aid & Emergency · First AidUrgent information
First Aid Approach
Rest & Assess
Preparation & Use
Have the person sit down and rest. If it feels like burning after eating, an antacid may help. If it hurts more when pressing on the chest or taking a deep breath, it may be muscle-related.
Safety & Precautions
CAUTION: It is very difficult to tell non-cardiac pain from heart pain without a medical exam.
When to Seek Medical Help
IMMEDIATELY: If the pain is severe, spreads to the arm/jaw, or is accompanied by sweating or shortness of breath.
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Choking (Adult or Child)First Aid & Emergency · FA/EUrgent information
First Aid Approach
Heimlich Maneuver (Abdominal Pushes)
Preparation & Use
Stand behind the person. Make a fist (a hand with fingers tightly curled inside) and place it just above their belly button. Grab your fist with the other hand and give quick, upward thrusts (sudden, strong pushes) until the object is expelled (forced out).
Safety & Precautions
EMERGENCY: Act quickly. If the person becomes unconscious, start CPR.
When to Seek Medical Help
IMMEDIATELY: After the object is out, to ensure no internal injury occurred.
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Choking (Infant under 1 year)First Aid & Emergency · FA/EUrgent information
First Aid Approach
Back Blows & Chest Pushes
Preparation & Use
Lay the baby face down on your forearm. Give 5 firm back blows between the shoulder blades (the two flat bones on the upper back). Turn the baby over and give 5 gentle chest pushes with two fingers. Repeat until the object is expelled (forced out).
Safety & Precautions
EMERGENCY: Never do abdominal pushes (Heimlich) on an infant.
When to Seek Medical Help
IMMEDIATELY: After the object is out, or call an ambulance if the baby turns blue or becomes unresponsive.
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Choking (Unconscious Adult)First Aid & Emergency · FA/EUrgent information
First Aid Approach
Lower to Floor & Start CPR
Preparation & Use
Gently lower the person to the floor. Call emergency services. Begin CPR (chest compressions and breaths). Before giving breaths, open the mouth and look for the object. If seen, remove it with a finger sweep. Do not do blind finger sweeps.
Safety & Precautions
EMERGENCY: Brain damage begins within 4 minutes without oxygen.
When to Seek Medical Help
IMMEDIATELY: Continue CPR until paramedics arrive or the person starts breathing.
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Circulatory ShockFirst Aid & Emergency · FA/EUrgent information
First Aid Approach
Lay Flat & Keep Warm
Preparation & Use
Lay the person flat on their back. Elevate their legs about 12 inches to improve blood flow to the brain and heart. Cover them with a blanket to prevent heat loss. Do not give them anything to eat or drink.
Safety & Precautions
EMERGENCY: Shock is a life-threatening condition where organs do not get enough blood.
When to Seek Medical Help
IMMEDIATELY: Call an ambulance while treating for shock.
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Contact Dermatitis (Acute)First Aid & Emergency · First Aid
First Aid Approach
Wash & Apply Cream
Preparation & Use
Wash the affected area thoroughly with mild soap and cool water to remove the irritant. Apply hydrocortisone (a mild steroid cream to reduce itching and redness) or calamine lotion.
Safety & Precautions
SAFE home care.
When to Seek Medical Help
If the rash spreads rapidly, blisters, or is on the face or genitals.
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Corneal Abrasion (Scratched Eye)First Aid & Emergency · First AidUrgent information
First Aid Approach
Rinse & Protect
Preparation & Use
Rinse the eye gently with clean water or saline (a clean saltwater solution). Do not rub the eye. Cover it loosely with a clean, sterile (germ-free) pad or shield to prevent blinking from causing more damage.
Safety & Precautions
CAUTION: Rubbing can make the scratch deeper and increase the risk of infection.
When to Seek Medical Help
IMMEDIATELY: All corneal abrasions should be evaluated by an eye doctor to prevent infection and ensure proper healing.
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Crush Injury (Finger)First Aid & Emergency · First Aid
First Aid Approach
Remove Rings, Ice & Elevate
Preparation & Use
Remove any rings from the injured finger immediately before swelling starts. Apply an ice pack wrapped in a cloth for 15 minutes. Keep the hand elevated above the heart.
Safety & Precautions
SAFE first aid. CAUTION: Fingers swell quickly, and trapped rings can cut off blood flow.
When to Seek Medical Help
If the nail is torn, bleeding heavily, or if the finger looks deformed (suspected fracture).
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Crush Injury (Limb)First Aid & Emergency · FA/EUrgent information
First Aid Approach
Safe Removal & Monitor
Preparation & Use
Remove the crushing object only if it can be done safely and quickly. If the object has been there for a long time, do not remove it without medical supervision. Elevate the limb and cover with a clean cloth.
Safety & Precautions
EMERGENCY: Sudden release of a heavy object can cause fatal toxin release into the bloodstream.
When to Seek Medical Help
IMMEDIATELY: All crush injuries require hospital evaluation for internal damage.
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Cyanosis (Blue Skin/Lips)First Aid & Emergency · FA/EUrgent information
First Aid Approach
Emergency Call & Oxygen
Preparation & Use
Call emergency services immediately. Keep the person calm and sitting upright to make breathing easier. Loosen tight clothing. If trained and oxygen is available, administer it.
Safety & Precautions
EMERGENCY: Cyanosis is a critical sign that the body is not getting enough oxygen.
When to Seek Medical Help
IMMEDIATELY: This is a medical emergency requiring immediate paramedic intervention.
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Deep Vein Thrombosis (Suspected)First Aid & Emergency · FA/EUrgent information
First Aid Approach
Immobilize & Seek Care
Preparation & Use
Do NOT massage or rub the painful leg, as this can dislodge (break loose) the clot. Keep the leg still and slightly elevated. Seek immediate medical evaluation.
Safety & Precautions
EMERGENCY: A dislodged clot can travel to the lungs (pulmonary embolism), which is life-threatening.
When to Seek Medical Help
IMMEDIATELY: If one leg is swollen, painful, warm, and red.
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Dehydration (Mild to Moderate)First Aid & Emergency · First Aid
First Aid Approach
Oral Rehydration
Preparation & Use
Sip ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution, a mix of water, salt, and sugar to replace lost fluids) slowly and frequently. Avoid caffeinated, alcoholic, or highly sugary drinks, as they worsen dehydration.
Safety & Precautions
SAFE first aid.
When to Seek Medical Help
If the person cannot keep fluids down, has dark urine, or becomes confused.
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Diabetic Emergency (Hyperglycemia)First Aid & Emergency · FA/E
First Aid Approach
Hydration & Monitoring
Preparation & Use
Encourage the person to drink plenty of plain water to help flush excess sugar through urine. Check blood sugar levels. Do not give them insulin unless they are trained and it is prescribed.
Safety & Precautions
CAUTION: Very high sugar can lead to a coma.
When to Seek Medical Help
If blood sugar remains consistently high, or if the person experiences vomiting, confusion, or fruity-smelling breath.
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Diabetic Emergency (Hypoglycemia)First Aid & Emergency · FA/E
First Aid Approach
Fast-Acting Carbohydrates
Preparation & Use
If conscious, give 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate (like half a glass of fruit juice, regular soda, or 3-4 glucose tablets). Wait 15 minutes and recheck blood sugar. Repeat if still low.
Safety & Precautions
SAFE first aid. CAUTION: Do not give food or drink if the person is unconscious.
When to Seek Medical Help
If the person becomes unconscious, or if blood sugar does not rise after two treatments.
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Diabetic Ketoacidosis (Early Signs)First Aid & Emergency · FA/EUrgent information
First Aid Approach
Hydration & Emergency Transport
Preparation & Use
Check blood sugar and ketones if possible. Encourage the person to drink water. Do not let them exercise. Prepare to go to the hospital immediately.
Safety & Precautions
EMERGENCY: DKA can lead to a diabetic coma if not treated promptly.
When to Seek Medical Help
IMMEDIATELY: If blood sugar is very high and ketones are present, or if the person is vomiting or confused.
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