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Splinter (Wood)First Aid & Emergency · First Aid
First Aid Approach
Clean & Tweezers
Preparation & Use
Wash the area with soap and water. Sterilize (make free of germs) a pair of tweezers with rubbing alcohol. Gently pull the splinter out in the same direction it went in. Wash again and apply an antibiotic ointment.
Safety & Precautions
SAFE home care. CAUTION: Do not dig deeply into the flesh.
When to Seek Medical Help
If the splinter is deep, under the nail, near the eye, or if the area becomes red and swollen later.
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Splinters (Deep)First Aid & Emergency · First Aid
First Aid Approach
Clean & Tweezers
Preparation & Use
Wash the area with soap and water. Sterilize (make free of germs) a pair of tweezers with rubbing alcohol. Gently pull the splinter out in the same direction it went in. Wash again and apply an antibiotic ointment.
Safety & Precautions
SAFE home care. CAUTION: Do not dig deeply into the flesh.
When to Seek Medical Help
If the splinter is deep, under the nail, near the eye, or if the area becomes red and swollen later.
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Sprain (Joint)First Aid & Emergency · First Aid
First Aid Approach
R.I.C.E. Method
Preparation & Use
Rest the injured joint. Apply Ice wrapped in a cloth for 15-20 minutes. Compress with an elastic bandage (not too tight). Elevate the limb above the heart to reduce swelling.
Safety & Precautions
SAFE first aid. CAUTION: Do not apply heat in the first 48 hours.
When to Seek Medical Help
If you cannot bear any weight on the joint, or if it looks deformed (suspected fracture).
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Sprain (Wrist)First Aid & Emergency · First Aid
First Aid Approach
R.I.C.E. Method
Preparation & Use
Rest the wrist. Apply Ice wrapped in a cloth for 15-20 minutes. Compress with an elastic bandage (not too tight). Elevate the hand above the heart to reduce swelling.
Safety & Precautions
SAFE first aid. CAUTION: Do not apply heat in the first 48 hours.
When to Seek Medical Help
If you cannot move the wrist, or if there is severe pain and swelling (suspected fracture).
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Stab Wound (Abdomen)First Aid & Emergency · FA/EUrgent information
First Aid Approach
Do Not Remove & Control Bleeding
Preparation & Use
Do NOT remove the object if it is still in the wound. Apply firm pressure around the object (not directly on it) with clean cloths to control bleeding. Keep the person lying flat with knees bent.
Safety & Precautions
EMERGENCY: High risk of severe internal organ damage and bleeding.
When to Seek Medical Help
IMMEDIATELY: Call an ambulance and keep the person completely still.
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Stab Wound (Chest)First Aid & Emergency · FA/EUrgent information
First Aid Approach
Seal & Monitor Breathing
Preparation & Use
If the wound is 'sucking' air (making a hissing sound), cover it with a plastic wrapper or sterile dressing taped on three sides (leaving one side open to let air escape). Do not remove any embedded object. Keep the person sitting up or leaning toward the injured side.
Safety & Precautions
EMERGENCY: Can cause a collapsed lung (pneumothorax).
When to Seek Medical Help
IMMEDIATELY: Call an ambulance immediately.
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Stingray StingFirst Aid & Emergency · First Aid
First Aid Approach
Hot Water Soak & Clean
Preparation & Use
Immerse (soak) the affected area in hot (but not scalding) water for 30-90 minutes to break down the venom. Gently wash the wound with soap and water. Do not try to dig out the barb.
Safety & Precautions
CAUTION: Stingray barbs can break off inside the wound and cause infection.
When to Seek Medical Help
If the wound is deep, bleeding heavily, or if the sting is on the chest or abdomen.
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Strain (Muscle)First Aid & Emergency · First Aid
First Aid Approach
R.I.C.E. Method
Preparation & Use
Rest the injured muscle. Apply Ice wrapped in a cloth for 15-20 minutes. Compress with an elastic bandage. Elevate the limb if possible.
Safety & Precautions
SAFE first aid. CAUTION: Do not stretch or massage the muscle in the first 48 hours.
When to Seek Medical Help
If you hear a 'pop' at the time of injury, or if you cannot move the muscle at all.
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Stroke (Brain Attack)First Aid & Emergency · FA/EUrgent information
First Aid Approach
F.A.S.T. Test & Call Ambulance
Preparation & Use
Check for F.A.S.T.: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call. Note the exact time the symptoms started. Keep the person calm and seated or lying with head slightly elevated. Do not give them food, water, or medication.
Safety & Precautions
EMERGENCY: Brain cells die every minute without blood flow.
When to Seek Medical Help
IMMEDIATELY: Call an ambulance instantly. Time is brain.
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Stroke (Transient Ischemic Attack / TIA)First Aid & Emergency · FA/EUrgent information
First Aid Approach
F.A.S.T. Test & Emergency Call
Preparation & Use
Check for F.A.S.T.: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call. Even if symptoms disappear quickly, note the exact time they started. Keep the person calm and seated.
Safety & Precautions
EMERGENCY: A TIA is a major warning sign that a full stroke may happen soon.
When to Seek Medical Help
IMMEDIATELY: Call an ambulance instantly, even if the person feels completely better.
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Sunburn (Severe)First Aid & Emergency · First Aid
First Aid Approach
Cool Bath & Aloe Vera
Preparation & Use
Get out of the sun immediately. Take a cool (not cold) bath or apply cool, wet compresses. Drink extra water to prevent dehydration (a dangerous lack of fluids). Apply pure aloe vera gel or a gentle moisturizer. Do not pop any blisters.
Safety & Precautions
SAFE care. CAUTION: Severe sunburn can cause heat exhaustion.
When to Seek Medical Help
If blisters cover a large area, or if accompanied by fever, chills, or confusion.
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Sunstroke (Mild)First Aid & Emergency · First Aid
First Aid Approach
Shade, Cool Fluids & Rest
Preparation & Use
Move the person to a cool, shaded area immediately. Have them lie down and elevate their legs slightly. Give them cool water or ORS to sip. Place a cool, wet cloth on their forehead and neck.
Safety & Precautions
CAUTION: Can quickly progress to severe heat stroke if ignored.
When to Seek Medical Help
If the person stops sweating, becomes confused, or vomits.
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Swallowed Battery (Button Battery)First Aid & Emergency · FA/EUrgent information
First Aid Approach
Immediate Hospital Transport
Preparation & Use
Do NOT induce vomiting or give the person anything to eat or drink. Go to the nearest emergency room immediately. Bring the battery packaging or a matching battery with you so doctors know the size.
Safety & Precautions
EMERGENCY: Button batteries can burn a hole through the esophagus (food pipe) in just 2 hours.
When to Seek Medical Help
IMMEDIATELY: This is a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate endoscopic removal.
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Swallowed Magnet (Multiple)First Aid & Emergency · FA/EUrgent information
First Aid Approach
Immediate Hospital Transport
Preparation & Use
Do NOT induce vomiting. Go to the nearest emergency room immediately. An X-ray is required to locate the magnets.
Safety & Precautions
EMERGENCY: Multiple magnets can attract each other through the walls of the intestines, causing severe tears and infections.
When to Seek Medical Help
IMMEDIATELY: This requires urgent medical evaluation and possible surgery.
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Syncope (Vasovagal)First Aid & Emergency · First Aid
First Aid Approach
Lie Flat & 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 they are fully awake and alert.
Safety & Precautions
SAFE first aid. CAUTION: Ensure they do not hit their head when falling.
When to Seek Medical Help
If they do not wake up within 1-2 minutes, or if fainting is accompanied by chest pain or a seizure.
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Tachycardia (Rapid Heart Rate)First Aid & Emergency · First AidUrgent information
First Aid Approach
Rest & Vagal Maneuvers
Preparation & Use
Have the person sit down and rest. Encourage them to try a vagal maneuver (a simple action like bearing down as if having a bowel movement, or splashing cold water on the face) to help slow the heart rate.
Safety & Precautions
CAUTION: If accompanied by chest pain or fainting, it is an emergency.
When to Seek Medical Help
IMMEDIATELY: If the rapid heart rate does not slow down, or if there is dizziness, chest pain, or shortness of breath.
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Tension Headache (First Aid)First Aid & Emergency · First Aid
First Aid Approach
Rest, Hydration & Gentle Massage
Preparation & Use
Rest in a quiet, dimly lit room. Drink a glass of water. Gently massage the temples (the flat area on the sides of the forehead) and the back of the neck.
Safety & Precautions
SAFE home care.
When to Seek Medical Help
If the headache is sudden and severe (the 'worst ever'), or is accompanied by fever, stiff neck, or confusion.
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Tetanus Risk (Post-Injury)First Aid & Emergency · FA/EUrgent information
First Aid Approach
Clean Wound & Seek Booster
Preparation & Use
Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and clean water. Apply an antiseptic. Check the person's vaccination records. If it has been more than 5 years since their last tetanus shot (for a dirty wound) or 10 years (for a clean wound), seek a booster.
Safety & Precautions
CAUTION: Tetanus bacteria live in soil and rust, and the infection is life-threatening.
When to Seek Medical Help
IMMEDIATELY: For a tetanus booster shot if the wound is deep, dirty, or caused by a rusty object.
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