First Aid, Safety & Preparedness

Recently Answered

• QShould I call 9-1-1 if someone has been poisoned?

  1 Answer

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  A American Red Cross answered

  Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number if a person is unconscious or not breathing, or if a change in the level of consciousness occurs. Follow the directions of the emergency medical service (EMS) call taker.
  
• QHow should I care for someone who has been poisoned by wet chemicals?

  1 Answer

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  A American Red Cross answered

  

  • If the poisoning resulted from wet chemicals coming into contact with the skin, flush the affected area with large amounts of cool water.

  
  

  • Ask someone else to call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number.
  • Keep flushing the area until emergency medical service (EMS) personnel arrive.

  
• QHow should I care for someone who has been poisoned?

  2 Answers

  A

  

  A Univ. of Nev. School of Medicine, Family Medicine answered

  The most important thing to do for someone who has been poisoned is to make sure the person is breathing, has a clear airway and is acting like him- or herself. If not, call 911 immediately for help. If the person does not seem to be having trouble breathing and is acting normal, call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222. This is a dedicated hotline with trained medical professionals and toxicologists who answer the phone 24/7 regarding accidental and intentional ingestions of poisonous substances. They will be able to direct you towards what interventions need to take place and advise on whether you need to seek immediate medical attention.

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• QHow should I care for someone who has been poisoned by dry chemicals?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A American Red Cross answered

  • In the case of poisoning with dry chemicals, such as lime, brush off the chemicals with gloved hands or a cloth.
  • Carefully remove any contaminated clothing, but avoid contaminating yourself or others.
  • Flush the affected area thoroughly with large amounts of water.
  • Be careful not to get any chemicals in your eyes or in the eyes of the person or bystanders.
• QHow should I splint an injury?

  1 Answer

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  A American Red Cross answered

  • Splint an injury in the position in which you find it.
  • For fractures, splint the joints above and below the site of the injury.
  • For sprains or joint injuries, splint the bones above and below the site of the injury.
  • If you are not sure if the injury is a fracture or a sprain, splint both the bones and joints above and below the point of injury.
  • Splinting materials should be soft or padded for comfort. Check for circulation (feeling, warmth, and color) before and after splinting to make sure that the splint is not too tight.
  • After you have splinted the injury, apply ice to the injured area. Keep the person from getting chilled or overheated and be reassuring.
• QWhen should I call 911 for someone with a muscle injury?

  2 Answers

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  A Univ. of Nev. School of Medicine, Family Medicine answered

  A muscle injury is rarely an emergency or a life-threatening situation and usually does not necessitate a call to 911; however, there are always exceptions. If you feel that an injury is life threatening, do not hesitate to call 911. In general, the 911 phone line is a precious resource and should be reserved for and used in emergency situations only.

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• QHow should I care for someone with a head, neck, or spinal injury?

  1 Answer

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  A American Red Cross answered

  

  The best care you can give is to minimize movement of the person’s head, neck, and spine.

  • As long as the person is breathing, support the head and neck in the position found. Do this by placing your hands on both sides of the person’s head in the position in which you found it.
  • Support the person’s head in that position until emergency medical service (EMS) personnel take over supporting the person’s head.

   

  • If the head is sharply turned to one side, do not move it. Support the head and neck in the position found.
  • If a person with a suspected head, neck, or spinal injury is wearing a helmet, do not remove it unless you are specifically trained to do so and it is necessary to assess or access the person’s airway.
  • Minimize movement using the same manual technique you would use if the person were not wearing headgear.
  • The person may become confused, drowsy, or unconscious. Breathing may stop. The person may be bleeding. If the person is unconscious, keep the airway open and check breathing.
  • You should take steps to control severe bleeding and keep the person from getting chilled or overheated.

  
• QShould I call 9-1-1 for someone with broken ribs?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A American Red Cross answered

  If you think that the injury is serious, involves trouble breathing, or the spine also has been injured, do not move the person and call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number.
  
  If the person is standing, do not have the person lie down.
• QShould I call 9-1-1 for someone with a head, neck, or spinal injury?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A American Red Cross answered

  If you think a person has a head, neck, or spinal injury, always call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number.
  
• QHow should I make a soft splint for a broken bone?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A American Red Cross answered

  

  • Obtain consent.
  • Support the injured body part above and below the site of the injury.

  
  

  • Check for feeling, warmth, and color (circulation) beyond the injury.

  
  

  • Place several folded triangular bandages above and below the injured body part.

  
  

  • Gently wrap a soft object (e.g., a folded blanket or pillow) around the injured body part.

  
  

  • Tie triangular bandages securely with knots.

  
  

  • Recheck for feeling, warmth and color.

  
  
  TIP: If you are not able to check for warmth and color because a sock or shoe is in place, check for feeling.