MEDICAL EMERGENCIES & FIRST AID
GENERAL MEDICAL EMERGENCIES AND FIRST AID
In case of a serious injury or illness, immediately call 9-1-1. Then call Student Health Services or College Security. Describe the nature of the problem and the precise location of the victim; stay on the line for further questions.
With the victim, do the following:
1. Ask “Are you okay? What’s wrong?”
2. Control serious bleeding by applying direct, firm pressure on the wound. Use paper, plastic wrap or cloth around your hand to prevent blood contact.
3. Check breathing and give rescue breathing if necessary and if you are trained in CPR.
4. Keep victim still and warm. Do not offer liquids; help victim to sit or lie down.
5. Continue to assist victim until help arrives. Protect from all disturbance, reassure victim and do not move her/him unless necessary to prevent further injury.
6. Look for emergency identification, question witnesses and give all information to the emergency crew, the nurse or Security.
In case of minor injury or illness, provide First Aid care, using the kit in the nearest department/administrative office. For assistance call Student Health or Security.
FAINTING, UNCONSCIOUSNESS, SHOCK
Have victim lie on back or sit with head lowered toward knees. If unconscious, place victim in a side-lying position.
Do not give liquids; keep victim warm.
Ask/look for medical identification bracelet; ask witnesses about any known health problems, recent illnesses, etc.
Treat any other injuries with First Aid, as necessary.
BREATHING PROBLEMS, CHOKING
1. Be sure mouth and airway are clear of foreign matter.
2. Ask about history of asthma if breathing is very effortful; medications for asthma may be in victim’s pocket or bag.
3. If choking on food particle, give Heimlich maneuver if trained to perform it. If not, give a strong blow with the heel of your hand to the area between victim’s shoulder blades while victim leans forward. Ask witness to call 9-1-1 even though recovery seems to be made.
FRACTURE AND SPRAINS
1. Keep victim still and warm; keep injured area immobile.
2. Stop bleeding, if any, with your hand wrapped in paper, cloth or plastic wrap and apply
pressure to the wound.
3. If more than minor bleeding is present, call 9-1-1. Otherwise, call Student Health and
Security.
SEVERE BLEEDING AND WOUNDS
1. If possible, apply direct pressure to the wound with your hand wrapped in paper, cloth or plastic wrap; apply pressure to adjacent major artery if necessary.
2. Add more cloth or paper if blood soaks through; keep pressure on wound until emergency crew is at the victim’s side.
3. If possible, elevate the injured body part.
4. If bleeding is copious from nose, ear or mouth area, apply pressure externally at the area where nose or ear meets the skull.
5. If bleeding is copious and steady from the genital area, elevate the hips and legs.
BURNS: HEAT/CHEMICAL
1. Immerse or flood burned area with cold water; do not use ice directly on any burn.
2. Cover burn area with a dry bandage; call Student Health or Security for assessment and treatment, if needed. Call 9-1-1 if victim goes into shock/can’t respond to you.
SEIZURE/CONVULSION
When a person’s limbs go rigid or jerk violently, eyes roll upward and breath becomes labored, with dribbling or even frothing at the mouth, it can be a frightening event to witness. But during the seizure there is nothing you can do to stop it. Do not restrain the victim but push away any furniture or hard object that might be in the way.
1. After the seizure has run its course, help the victim to stay warm, turn off bright lights or loud noises. Speak reassuringly that the person is all right now and you will stay with them. Call Student Health or Security to assist. NOTE: Individuals with seizure disorders already known to staff usually do NOT require 9-1-1 assistance. Ask instructors, fellow students, and Supportive Services staff for information.
2. If the muscle jerking/rigidity of the seizure lasts longer than 3 minutes, call 9-1-1.
3. After a seizure, the person may be conscious but confused and not responsive to your questions. Allow time for gradual recovery, watching for any signs of breathing difficulties or injury that may have occurred during the seizure.
HEART ATTACK or SEVERE CHEST/JAW/ THROAT OR LEFT UPPER ARM PAIN
1. Sitting up is better than lying down; call 9-1-1, then Student Health and Security.
2. Shortness of breath, gasping and/or upper abdominal pain may be signs of heart attack, particularly in people over 50 and in women. Call 9-1-1.
3. Do not give liquids but keep victim warm. Ask for emergency medical identification, availability of prescription drugs in pocket or bag, or other pertinent information.
4. If victim becomes unconscious, check for pulse and breath. Initiate CPR, if needed while AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) is brought to victim (not for use with Children under 8 years old). Pushing the external button opens and turns on the AED. Pull handle to access electrode pads and apply pads to chest (as per AED unit diagram). The unit will administer corrective shock only if cardiac defibrillation is occurring.
POISONING, OVERDOSE OF DRUGS
1. Call 9-1-1, then call Student Health or Security. Save any bottles or packages near
the victim for possible identification as to the poisoning agent.
2. If choking starts, lower victim’s head when airway is clear. If vomiting, support the victim in a helpful position. If possible, save the vomitus for identification of drugs or poison.