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Dislocation (Finger)First Aid & Emergency · First Aid
First Aid Approach
Remove Rings & Buddy Tape
Preparation & Use
Remove any rings from the injured finger immediately before swelling starts. Buddy tape (tape the injured finger to the healthy finger next to it) for support. Apply an ice pack.
Safety & Precautions
SAFE first aid. CAUTION: Do not try to pull the finger straight yourself.
When to Seek Medical Help
If the finger looks deformed, is numb, or cannot be moved.
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Dislocation (Hip)First Aid & Emergency · FA/EUrgent information
First Aid Approach
Do Not Move & Call Ambulance
Preparation & Use
Do not attempt to move the person or straighten the leg. Keep them as still and comfortable as possible. Cover them with a blanket to prevent shock.
Safety & Precautions
EMERGENCY: Hip dislocations are often accompanied by severe trauma and nerve damage.
When to Seek Medical Help
IMMEDIATELY: Call an ambulance for professional transport and reduction (putting the bone back into the joint).
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Drowning (Cold Water)First Aid & Emergency · FA/EUrgent information
First Aid Approach
Gentle Handling & Gradual Warming
Preparation & Use
Handle the victim very gently, as cold hearts are prone to dangerous rhythms (arrhythmias). Remove wet clothing. Wrap in dry blankets. If not breathing, begin CPR immediately.
Safety & Precautions
EMERGENCY: Cold water drowning victims can sometimes be revived even after prolonged submersion.
When to Seek Medical Help
IMMEDIATELY: Always transport to a hospital for observation, even if the person seems to recover.
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Drowning (Near Drowning Rescue)First Aid & Emergency · FA/EUrgent information
First Aid Approach
Rescue & CPR
Preparation & Use
Get the person out of the water safely. Check for breathing. If not breathing, start CPR immediately (30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths). Keep them warm.
Safety & Precautions
EMERGENCY: Even if they wake up, water in the lungs can cause delayed complications (secondary medical problems).
When to Seek Medical Help
IMMEDIATELY: Always go to the hospital after a near-drowning incident.
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Drowning (Unconscious Victim)First Aid & Emergency · FA/EUrgent information
First Aid Approach
Rescue & Immediate CPR
Preparation & Use
Pull the victim from the water safely. Check for breathing. If not breathing, begin rescue breaths immediately (even in the water if trained), then move to land and start full CPR.
Safety & Precautions
EMERGENCY: Drowning victims need oxygen immediately.
When to Seek Medical Help
IMMEDIATELY: Call an ambulance. All near-drowning victims need hospital observation.
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Ear Drum RuptureFirst Aid & Emergency · First AidUrgent information
First Aid Approach
Keep Dry & Protect
Preparation & Use
Keep the ear completely dry. Place a loose piece of sterile cotton at the outer opening to catch any drainage. Do NOT put any ear drops or water inside the ear.
Safety & Precautions
CAUTION: Water or drops can cause severe infection in the middle ear.
When to Seek Medical Help
IMMEDIATELY: See a doctor for an examination to determine if the rupture will heal on its own or needs repair.
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Electric ShockFirst Aid & Emergency · FA/EUrgent information
First Aid Approach
Cut Power & Do Not Touch
Preparation & Use
Turn off the main power switch. Do not touch the person with your bare hands if they are still touching the electricity. Use a dry wooden stick to push the wire away. Check breathing and start CPR if needed.
Safety & Precautions
EMERGENCY: High risk of cardiac arrest (when the heart suddenly stops beating).
When to Seek Medical Help
IMMEDIATELY: All electric shock victims need a hospital ECG and checkup.
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Electric Shock (Minor / Low Voltage)First Aid & Emergency · First Aid
First Aid Approach
Cut Power & Check Burns
Preparation & Use
Ensure the power source is off. Check for entry and exit burns. Wash minor burns with cool water and cover with a sterile dressing. Monitor the person for at least 24 hours.
Safety & Precautions
CAUTION: Even minor shocks can cause delayed heart rhythm problems.
When to Seek Medical Help
If there are visible burns, or if the person experiences chest pain or palpitations later.
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Epiglottitis (Suspected)First Aid & Emergency · FA/EUrgent information
First Aid Approach
Keep Calm & Do Not Examine Throat
Preparation & Use
Keep the person calm and allow them to sit in whatever position makes breathing easiest (often leaning forward). Do NOT try to look down their throat with a flashlight, as this can trigger a complete airway blockage.
Safety & Precautions
EMERGENCY: Epiglottitis can cause the airway to close completely within minutes.
When to Seek Medical Help
IMMEDIATELY: Call an ambulance. Do not delay.
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Epistaxis (Nosebleed - Mild)First Aid & Emergency · First Aid
First Aid Approach
Pinch & Lean Forward
Preparation & Use
Sit upright and lean slightly forward (to prevent blood from draining into the throat). Pinch the soft part of the nose firmly for 10 minutes without letting go. Breathe through the mouth.
Safety & Precautions
SAFE first aid.
When to Seek Medical Help
If bleeding does not stop after 20 minutes of continuous pressure.
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Exertional Heat StrokeFirst Aid & Emergency · FA/EUrgent information
First Aid Approach
Aggressive Cooling & Emergency Call
Preparation & Use
Stop all activity immediately. Move to a cool place. Remove excess clothing. Apply ice packs to the neck, armpits, and groin. Spray with cool water and fan vigorously. Call an ambulance.
Safety & Precautions
EMERGENCY: Exertional heat stroke can cause rapid organ failure.
When to Seek Medical Help
IMMEDIATELY: This is a life-threatening emergency requiring hospital care.
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Eye Injury (Chemical Splash)First Aid & Emergency · FA/EUrgent information
First Aid Approach
Flush Eye with Water
Preparation & Use
Immediately hold the eyelid open and flush (wash continuously) the eye with clean, lukewarm water for at least 15–20 minutes. Remove contact lenses if present. Do not rub the cornea (the clear front surface of the eye).
Safety & Precautions
EMERGENCY: Time is critical to prevent permanent vision loss.
When to Seek Medical Help
IMMEDIATELY: Go to an eye hospital right after flushing.
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Eye Injury (Foreign Object)First Aid & Emergency · First Aid
First Aid Approach
Blink & Flush
Preparation & Use
Blink several times to let tears wash it out. If that fails, gently flush the eye with clean water or saline (a clean saltwater solution). Do not rub the eye or try to pick the object out if it is embedded (stuck deeply inside).
Safety & Precautions
CAUTION: Rubbing can scratch the cornea (the clear front surface of the eye).
When to Seek Medical Help
If the object does not come out, is embedded, or if pain/vision changes persist.
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Fainting (Syncope)First Aid & Emergency · First AidUrgent information
First Aid Approach
Lie Down & Elevate Legs
Preparation & Use
Lay the person flat on their back. Raise their legs about 12 inches to improve blood flow to the brain. Loosen tight clothing. Do not give them food or drink until fully awake.
Safety & Precautions
SAFE first aid. CAUTION: If they do not wake up within 1 minute, call an ambulance.
When to Seek Medical Help
If they do not wake up quickly, or if fainting is accompanied by chest pain or seizure.
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Fire or Flame BurnFirst Aid & Emergency · FA/EUrgent information
First Aid Approach
Stop, Drop, and Roll
Preparation & Use
If clothing is on fire: Stop, Drop to the ground, and Roll to smother (put out a fire by cutting off its oxygen) the flames. Once out, cool the burn with running water for 15 minutes. Remove smoldering (burning slowly with smoke but no flame) clothing only if it is not stuck to the skin.
Safety & Precautions
EMERGENCY: High risk of severe tissue damage and shock.
When to Seek Medical Help
IMMEDIATELY: All flame burns require professional medical evaluation.
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Food Poisoning (Severe)First Aid & Emergency · FA/E
First Aid Approach
Hydration (ORS) & Rest
Preparation & Use
Stop eating solid foods. Sip ORS (a mixture of water, salt, and sugar to replace lost fluids) slowly and frequently. Rest in a comfortable position.
Safety & Precautions
CAUTION: Dehydration is the main danger, especially in children and the elderly.
When to Seek Medical Help
If vomiting/diarrhea lasts >24 hours, there is blood in stool, or the person cannot keep any fluids down.
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Foreign Body in EarFirst Aid & Emergency · First Aid
First Aid Approach
Tilt & Gravity
Preparation & Use
Tilt the person's head to the affected side to let gravity help the object fall out. Gently pull the earlobe up and back to straighten the canal. Do not use cotton swabs (which can push the object deeper).
Safety & Precautions
CAUTION: If it is an insect, shine a light into the ear to encourage it to crawl out, or use mineral oil to suffocate it.
When to Seek Medical Help
If the object does not come out easily, or if it is a battery or sharp object.
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Foreign Body in Eye (Embedded)First Aid & Emergency · FA/EUrgent information
First Aid Approach
Do Not Remove & Cover Both Eyes
Preparation & Use
Do NOT try to remove the object. Cover the injured eye with a rigid shield (like a paper cup) to prevent pressure. Cover the uninjured eye as well, because both eyes move together, and covering both prevents movement of the injured eye.
Safety & Precautions
EMERGENCY: Removing an embedded object can cause severe, permanent vision loss.
When to Seek Medical Help
IMMEDIATELY: Go to an emergency room or eye hospital immediately.
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