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Emergency Care & First Aid
During any major disaster, emergency personnel may
not be able to reach injured or sick persons for a considerable period
of time. People will have to help each other during the emergency, and
will have to depend on their knowledge of first aid and emergency care.
Both adults and teenagers can acquire these
valuable skills by taking a First Aid Course offered by the American Red
Cross. These courses are given at various locations throughout the
state. Call 1-800-417-0495.
In medical emergency situations:
* Assess the situation.
* Immediately notify the appropriate agency. Call
911 (or the appropriate number in your community). Give the following
information:
• Nature of the emergency • Exact location and
cross street
• Your name • Telephone number from which you are
calling
Most 911 operators can and will give instructions
on emergency first aid until help arrives. Remain on the line. Do not
hang up before the operator tells you to, as additional information may
be needed, and/or first aid instructions may be given.
Use the following symptom/situation guidelines and
common sense to determine what is a true medical emergency and when to
call 911:
• Persistent or sudden chest pain; • Breathing
emergencies;
• Changes in level of consciousness due to injury;
• Uncontrollable bleeding;
• Life threatening injuries, such as injuries from
falling, severe head injuries, severe burns, etc.).
The above are only some potential life-threatening
emergencies. Immediately call for medical assistance in emergency
situations since time is of the utmost importance.
If you
are unsure about the seriousness of the situation DO NOT HESITATE TO
CALL 911
General Rules for Any Medical Emergency
The following are general guidelines, they do not
and should not replace the need for first aid training.
1. DO NO HARM. Often well-meaning but
untrained persons aggravate the injury or illness in their attempt to
help. Get competent medical assistance, if possible. If there is no one
available who is better qualified, then take charge. Access 911 or your
community's emergency medical system.
2. Treat for shock
• Try to keep the victim warm at normal body
temperature. Keep legs slightly elevated. If there is a suspected neck
or back injury, keep victim lying flat.
3. Initially don't move the injured patient, unless
a danger exists. They should not be moved until breathing is restored,
bleeding controlled, suspected broken bones sprinted, and/or rescue
personnel arrive.
4. Never risk injury to yourself in an effort to
assist an injured person. Death or injury to a rescuer does nothing to
help the injured person and only complicates a bad situation.
5. Take a Red Cross or American Heart Association
first aid or care class so you are prepared in the event of an
emergency.
Burns
To Care For A Burn:
* Remove patient from smoky area if no hazard exist
to rescuers.
* If clothing is on fire: Stop, Drop and Roll.
• Roll victim on ground and smother flames with a
blanket or other heavy material.
• Cover the burn with dry, clean dressings.
• Seek immediate medical care.
If Caused By…
Chemicals: Flush skin or eyes with large
amounts of running water.
Electricity: Make sure power is off. Check
breathing and pulse if victim is unconscious. Cover burn with a clean,
dry dressing.
A Critical burn needs immediate medical
attention. Call for an ambulance if a burn:
• Involves breathing difficulty. • Covers more
than one body part.
• Involves the head, neck, hands, feet, or
genitals. • If a child or elderly person is the patient.
• If caused by chemicals, explosions, or
electricity.
BACK COVER
Emergency Preparedness Checklist
Call Your Emergency Management Office or
American Red Cross Office. Find out which disasters could occur in
our area. Ask how to prepare for each disaster. Ask how you would be
warned of an emergency. Learn our community's evacuation routes. Ask
about special assistance for elderly or disabled persons. Also,
ask your workplace about emergency plans and learn about your children's
school or day care center plans.
Create a Family Emergency Plan. Meet with
household members to discuss the dangers of fire, severe weather,
earthquakes and other emergencies. Explain how to respond to each. Find
the safe areas in your home for each type of disaster. Draw a floor plan
of your home and mark two escape routes from each room. Show family
members how to turn off the water, gas and electricity at main switches
when necessary. Post emergency telephone numbers near telephones. Teach
children how and when to call 911, police and fire. Instruct household
members to turn on the radio for emergency information. Pick one
out-of-state and one local friend or relative for family members to call
if separated during a disaster (it is often easier to call out-of-state
than within the affected area).
Prepare a Disaster Supplies Kit
Assemble supplies you might need in an evacuation.
Store them in an easy-to-carry container such as a backpack or duffel
bag.
Include:
* A supply of water (one gallon per person per
day). Store water in sealed, unbreakable containers. Identify the
storage date and replace every six months.
* A supply of nonperishable packaged or canned food
and a non-electric can opener.
* A change of clothing, rain gear and sturdy shoes.
* Blankets or sleeping bags.
* A first aid kit and prescription medications.
* An extra pair of glasses.
* A battery-powered radio, flashlight and plenty of
extra batteries.
* An extra set of car keys.
* A list of family physicians.
* A list of important family information, the style
and serial number of medical devices such as pacemakers.
* Special items for infants, elderly or disabled
family members.
Prepare an Emergency Car Kit
* Battery powered radio, flashlight, and extra
batteries
* Blanket
* Booster cables
* Fire extinguisher (5 Ib., A-B-C type)
* First aid kit and manual
* Bottled water and nonperishable high-energy foods
such as granola bars, raisins and peanut butter
* Maps, shovel and flares
* Tire repair kit and pump
* Kitty litter to use for traction on snow and ice.
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