If you have a broken BONE, you may experience these signs and symptoms:

• Immediate, throbbing pain
• Pain that increases with activity and decreases with rest
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Tenderness
• Deformity
• Inability to walk or bear weight
• Cuts, puncture wounds or protrusion of bone fragments

Some people feel or hear a snap at the time of injury and assume that means something has broken. However, a snapping sound or feeling is not always a sign of a fracture.

WE CANNOT RESET BONES. WE MUST ONLY IMMOBILIZE THE INJURY AND GET THE PERSON TO A DOCTOR.

IF THE BONE HAS BROKEN THE SKIN YOU SHOULD WET A GAUZE PAD AND PLACE IT OVER THE BONE STICKING OUT.

NEVER WASH THE AREA IF THE BONE IS STICKING OUT

COVER AND GET THEM HELP ASAP

BROKEN TOE

A broken toe is a common injury that most often occurs when you drop something on your foot or stub your toe.

In most cases, a broken toe can be immobilized by taping it to a neighboring toe. But if the fracture is severe — particularly if it involves your big toe — you may need a cast or even surgery to ensure that your broken toe heals properly.

Most broken toes heal well, usually within four to six weeks. Less commonly, depending on the precise location and severity of the injury, a broken toe may become infected or be more vulnerable to osteoarthritis in the future.

BROKEN BONES

A fracture is a broken bone. It requires medical attention. If the broken bone is the result of major trauma or injury, call 911 or your local emergency number. Also call for emergency help if:

• The person is unresponsive, isn't breathing or isn't moving. Begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if there's no respiration or heartbeat.
• There is heavy bleeding.
• Even gentle pressure or movement causes pain.
• The limb or joint appears deformed.
• The bone has pierced the skin.
• The extremity of the injured arm or leg, such as a toe or finger, is numb or bluish at the tip.
• You suspect a bone is broken in the neck, head or back.
• You suspect a bone is broken in the hip, pelvis or upper leg (for example, the leg and foot turn outward abnormally).

Don't move the person except if necessary to avoid further injury. Take these actions immediately while waiting for medical help:

• Stop any bleeding. Apply pressure to the wound with a sterile bandage, a clean cloth or a clean piece of clothing.
• Immobilize the injured area. Don't try to realign the bone or push a bone that's sticking out back in. If you've been trained in how to splint and professional help isn't readily available, apply a splint to the area above and below the fracture sites. Padding the splints can help reduce discomfort.
• Apply ice packs to limit swelling and help relieve pain until emergency personnel arrive. Don't apply ice directly to the skin — wrap the ice in a towel, piece of cloth or some other material.
• Treat for shock. If the person feels faint or is breathing in short, rapid breaths, lay the person down with the head slightly lower than the trunk and, if possible, elevate the legs.

ELECTRICAL SHOCK

The danger from an electrical shock depends on the type of current, how high the voltage is, how the current traveled through the body, the person's overall health and how quickly the person is treated.

Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately if any of these signs or symptoms occur:

• Cardiac arrest
• Heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias)
• Respiratory failure
• Muscle pain and contractions
• Burns
• Seizures
• Numbness and tingling
• Unconsciousness

While waiting for medical help, follow these steps:

• Look first. Don't touch. The person may still be in contact with the electrical source. Touching the person may pass the current through you.
• Turn off the source of electricity, if possible. If not, move the source away from you and the person, using a nonconducting object made of cardboard, plastic or wood.
• Check for signs of circulation (breathing, coughing or movement). If absent, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately.
• Prevent shock. Lay the person down and, if possible, position the head slightly lower than the trunk, with the legs elevated.

After coming into contact with electricity, the person should see a doctor to check for internal injuries, even if he or she has no obvious signs or symptoms.

Caution

• Don't touch the person with your bare hands if he or she is still in contact with the electrical current.
• Don't get near high-voltage wires until the power is turned off. Stay at least 20 feet away — farther if wires are jumping and sparking.
• Don't move a person with an electrical injury unless the person is in immediate danger.

ELECTRICAL BURN

An electrical burn may appear minor or not show on the skin at all, but the damage can extend deep into the tissues beneath your skin. If a strong electrical current passes through your body, internal damage, such as a heart rhythm disturbance or cardiac arrest, can occur. Sometimes the jolt associated with the electrical burn can cause you to be thrown or to fall, resulting in fractures or other associated injuries.

Call 911 or your local emergency number for assistance if the person who has been burned is in pain, is confused, or is experiencing changes in his or her breathing, heartbeat or consciousness.

While helping someone with an electrical burn and waiting for medical help, follow these steps:

1. Look first. Don't touch. The person may still be in contact with the electrical source. Touching the person may pass the current through you.
2. Turn off the source of electricity if possible. If not, move the source away from both you and the injured person using a dry, nonconducting object made of cardboard, plastic or wood.
3. Check for signs of circulation (breathing, coughing or movement). If absent, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately.
4. Prevent shock. Lay the person down with the head slightly lower than the trunk, if possible, and the legs elevated.
5. Cover the affected areas. If the person is breathing, cover any burned areas with a sterile gauze bandage, if available, or a clean cloth. Don't use a blanket or towel, because loose fibers can stick to the burns.

CPR REFERENCE

The Importance of CPR

NOTE: This reference is only intended to serve as a guideline for learning about CPR. It is not intended to be a replacement for a formal CPR course. If you are interested in taking a CPR course contact the American Heart Association at (800) AHA-USA1, or the American Red Cross by phoning your local chapter. Never practice CPR on another person, because bodily damage can occur.

Learn CPR for a loved one.

Cardiac Arrest

When a person develops cardiac arrest, the heart stops beating. There is no blood flow and no pulse. With no blood flowing to the brain, the person becomes unresponsive and stops breathing normally.

• When you discover a person whom you believe is experiencing a medical emergency, the first thing to do is check for responsiveness. Gently shake the victim and shout, "Are you OK?"
  
  
• If the person does not respond to your voice or touch, they are unresponsive. If the victim is unresponsive and you are alone, leave the victim and immediately call 911. If someone is with you, tell him or her to call 911 and then return to help you.
  
  
• If an AED is available, bring it back to the person's side. The moment an AED becomes available, IMMEDIATELY press the "on" button. The AED will begin to speak to you. Follow its directions to use the AED.

Rescue Breathing

You now need to check to see if the person is breathing normally.

• You do this by first opening the person's airway. Tilt the victim's head back by lifting the chin gently with one hand, while pushing down on the forehead with the other hand.
  
  
• Next, place your ear next to the victim's mouth and nose and look, listen, and feel: Look to see if the chest is rising, listen for any sounds of breathing, and feel for any air movement on your cheek. Taking no more than 5-10 seconds, if you do not see, hear, or feel any signs of normal breathing, you must breathe for the victim.
  
  
• While keeping the victim's head tilted back, place your mouth around the victim's mouth and pinch the victim's nose shut. Give 2 slow breaths, making sure that the person's chest rises with each breath.

Chest Compressions

After giving 2 breaths immediately begin chest compressions.

• Place the heel of one hand on the center of the chest, right between the nipples. Place the heel of your other hand on top of the first hand. Lock your elbows and position your shoulders directly above your hands. Press down on the chest with enough force to move the breastbone down about 2 inches. Compress the chest 30 times, at a rate of about 100 times per minute (slightly faster than once every second).
  
  
• After 30 compressions, stop, open the airway again, and provide the next 2 slow breaths. Then, position your hands in the same spot as before and perform another 30 chest compressions. Continue the cycles of 30 compressions and 2 breaths until an AED becomes available or until EMS providers arrive.
  
  
• This technique of performing CPR may be used on anyone older than eight years of age.

SHOULDER SLING

SHOULDER SLING

PUNCTURE WOUND - ANIMAL BITE

A puncture wound doesn't usually cause excessive bleeding. Often the wound seems to close almost instantly. But these features don't mean treatment isn't necessary.

A puncture wound — such as from stepping on a nail — can be dangerous because of the risk of infection. The object that caused the wound may carry spores of tetanus or other bacteria, especially if the object has been exposed to the soil. Puncture wounds resulting from human or animal bites, including those of domestic dogs and cats, may be especially prone to infection. Puncture wounds on the foot also are more vulnerable to infection.

If the bite was deep enough to draw blood and the bleeding persists, seek medical attention. Otherwise, follow these steps:

1. Stop the bleeding. Minor cuts and scrapes usually stop bleeding on their own. If they don't, apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or bandage. If bleeding persists — if the blood spurts or continues to flow after several minutes of pressure — seek emergency assistance.
2. Clean the wound. Rinse the wound well with clear water. Use tweezers cleaned with alcohol to remove small, superficial particles. If debris still remains in the wound, see your doctor. Thorough wound cleaning reduces the risk of tetanus. To clean the area around the wound, use soap and a clean cloth.
3. Apply an antibiotic. After you clean the wound, apply a thin layer of an antibiotic cream or ointment such as Neosporin or Polysporin to help keep the surface moist. These products don't make the wound heal faster, but they can discourage infection and allow your body to close the wound more efficiently. Certain ingredients in some ointments can cause a mild rash in some people. If a rash appears, stop using the ointment.
4. Cover the wound. Exposure to air speeds healing, but bandages can help keep the wound clean and keep harmful bacteria out.
5. Change the dressing. Do so at least daily or whenever it becomes wet or dirty. If you're allergic to the adhesive used in most bandages, switch to adhesive-free dressings or sterile gauze and hypoallergenic paper tape, which don't cause allergic reactions. These supplies are generally available at pharmacies.
6. Watch for signs of infection. See your doctor if the wound doesn't heal or if you notice any redness, drainage, warmth or swelling.

If the puncture is deep, is in your foot, is contaminated or is the result of an animal or human bite, see your doctor. He or she will evaluate the wound, clean it and, if necessary, close it. If you haven't had a tetanus shot within five years, your doctor may recommend a booster within 48 hours of the injury.

If an animal — especially a stray dog or a wild animal — inflicted the wound, you may have been exposed to rabies. Your doctor may give you antibiotics and suggest initiation of a rabies vaccination series. Report such incidents to county public health officials. If the bite is from someone's pet, it's important to contact the pet owner to confirm the animal's rabies immunization status. If unknown, the animal should be confined for 10 days of observation by a veterinarian.

POISONING

Many conditions mimic the signs and symptoms of poisoning, including seizures, alcohol intoxication, stroke and insulin reaction. So look for the signs and symptoms listed below and if you suspect poisoning, call your regional poison control center or, in the United States, the National Poison Control Center at 800-222-1222 before giving anything to the affected person.

Signs and symptoms of poisoning:

• Burns or redness around the mouth and lips, from drinking certain poisons
• Breath that smells like chemicals, such as gasoline or paint thinner
• Burns, stains and odors on the person, on his or her clothing, or on the furniture, floor, rugs or other objects in the surrounding area
• Empty medication bottles or scattered pills
• Vomiting, difficulty breathing, sleepiness, confusion or other unexpected signs

When to call for help:

Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately if the person is:

• Drowsy or unconscious
• Having difficulty breathing or has stopped breathing
• Uncontrollably restless or agitated
• Having seizures

If the person seems stable and has no symptoms, but you suspect poisoning, call your regional poison control center or, in the United States, the National Poison Control Center at 800-222-1222. Provide information about the person's symptoms, the person's age and weight, and any information you have about the poison, such as amount and how long since the person was exposed to it. It helps to have the pill bottle or poison container on hand when you call.

What to do while waiting for help:

• If the person has been exposed to poisonous fumes, such as carbon monoxide, get him or her into fresh air immediately.
• If the person swallowed the poison, remove anything remaining in the mouth.
• If the suspected poison is a household cleaner or other chemical, read the label and follow instructions for accidental poisoning. If the product is toxic, the label will likely advise you to call the poison control center at 800-222-1222. Also call this 800 number if you can't identify the poison, if it's medication or if there are no instructions.
• Follow treatment directions that are given by the poison control center.
• If the poison spilled on the person's clothing, skin or eyes, remove the clothing. Flush the skin or eyes with cool or lukewarm water, such as by using a shower for 20 minutes or until help arrives.
• Make sure the person is breathing. If not, start rescue breathing and CPR.
• Take the poison container (or any pill bottles) with you to the hospital.

What NOT to do

Don't give ipecac syrup or do anything to induce vomiting. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises discarding ipecac in the home, saying there's no good evidence of effectiveness and that it can do more harm than good.

FAINTING

Fainting occurs when the blood supply to your brain is momentarily inadequate, causing you to lose consciousness. This loss of consciousness is usually brief.

Fainting can have no medical significance, or the cause can be a serious disorder. Therefore, treat loss of consciousness as a medical emergency until the signs and symptoms are relieved and the cause is known. Discuss recurrent fainting spells with your doctor.

If you feel faint:

• Lie down or sit down. To reduce the chance of fainting again, don't get up too quickly.
• Place your head between your knees if you sit down.

If someone else faints:

• Position the person on his or her back. If the person is breathing, restore blood flow to the brain by raising the person's legs above heart level — about 12 inches (30 centimeters) — if possible. Loosen belts, collars or other constrictive clothing. To reduce the chance of fainting again, don't get the person up too quickly. If the person doesn't regain consciousness within one minute, call 911 or your local emergency number.
• Check the person's airway to be sure it's clear. Watch for vomiting.
• Check for signs of circulation (breathing, coughing or movement). If absent, begin CPR. Call 911 or your local emergency number. Continue CPR until help arrives or the person responds and begins to breathe.

If the person was injured in a fall associated with a faint, treat any bumps, bruises or cuts appropriately. Control bleeding with direct pressure.

HYPERVENTILATION

1. Step 1

   Look for any of these signs and symptoms of hyperventilation: high anxiety, rapid and deep breathing, rapid pulse, a feeling of suffocation, dizziness or faintness, dry mouth, numbness in the hands and around the mouth, a feeling of paralysis in the hands, stabbing chest pain.

2. Step 2

   Calm the person down by identifying the source of anxiety and addressing it. Hyperventilation is often triggered in wilderness settings by a fear of heights, by equipment failures, or by a minor injury that causes anxiety.

3. Step 3

   Communicate continually with the injured person: explain that even though he or she feels a need for more oxygen, the problem is that he or she is getting too much of it, and that the symptoms will go away as breathing calms down.

4. Step 4

   Have the person breath into a stuff sack or other bag, covering both the nose and mouth

HEART ATTACK

Someone having a heart attack may experience any or all of the following:

• Uncomfortable pressure, fullness or squeezing pain in the center of the chest
• Prolonged pain in the upper abdomen
• Discomfort or pain spreading beyond the chest to the shoulders, neck, jaw, teeth, or one or both arms
• Shortness of breath
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting
• Sweating
• Nausea

A heart attack occurs when an artery supplying your heart with blood and oxygen becomes partially or completely blocked. This loss of blood flow injures or destroys part of your heart muscle. A heart attack generally causes chest pain for more than 15 minutes, but it can also have no symptoms at all.

Many people who experience a heart attack have warning symptoms hours, days or weeks in advance. The earliest warning sign of an attack may be ongoing episodes of chest pain that start when you're physically active, but are relieved by rest.

If you or someone else may be having a heart attack:

• Call 911 or your local emergency medical assistance number. Don't tough out the symptoms of a heart attack for more than five minutes. If you don't have access to emergency medical services, have a neighbor or a friend drive you to the nearest hospital. Drive yourself only as a last resort, if there are absolutely no other options, and realize that it places you and others at risk when you drive under these circumstances.
• Chew and swallow an aspirin, unless you're allergic to aspirin or have been told by your doctor never to take aspirin. But seek emergency help first, such as calling 911.
• Take nitroglycerin, if prescribed. If you think you're having a heart attack and your doctor has previously prescribed nitroglycerin for you, take it as directed. Do not take anyone else's nitroglycerin, because that could put you in more danger.
• Begin CPR. If you're with a person who might be having a heart attack and he or she is unconscious, tell the 911 dispatcher or another emergency medical specialist. You may be advised to begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). If you haven't received CPR training, doctors recommend skipping mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing and performing only chest compressions. The dispatcher can instruct you in the proper procedures until help arrives.

SPINAL INJURY

If you suspect a back or neck (spinal) injury, do not move the affected person. Permanent paralysis and other serious complications can result. Assume a person has a spinal injury if:

• There's evidence of a head injury with an ongoing change in the person's level of consciousness
• The person complains of severe pain in his or her neck or back
• The person won't move his or her neck
• An injury has exerted substantial force on the back or head
• The person complains of weakness, numbness or paralysis or lacks control of his or her limbs, bladder or bowels
• The neck or back is twisted or positioned oddly

If you suspect someone has a spinal injury:

• Call 911 or emergency medical help.
• Keep the person still. Place heavy towels on both sides of the neck or hold the head and neck to prevent movement. The goal of first aid for a spinal injury is to keep the person in much the same position as he or she was found.
• Provide as much first aid as possible without moving the person's head or neck. If the person shows no signs of circulation (breathing, coughing or movement), begin CPR, but do not tilt the head back to open the airway. Use your fingers to gently grasp the jaw and lift it forward. If the person has no pulse, begin chest compressions.
• If the person is wearing a helmet, don't remove it.
• If you absolutely must roll the person because he or she is vomiting, choking on blood or in danger of further injury, you need at least one other person. With one of you at the head and another along the side of the injured person, work together to keep the person's head, neck and back aligned while rolling the person onto one side.

HEAD TRAUMA

Most head trauma involves injuries that are minor and don't require hospitalization. However, call 911 or your local emergency number if any of the following signs or symptoms are apparent:

• Severe head or facial bleeding
• Bleeding from the nose or ears
• Severe headache
• Change in level of consciousness for more than a few seconds
• Black-and-blue discoloration below the eyes or behind the ears
• Cessation of breathing
• Confusion
• Loss of balance
• Weakness or an inability to use an arm or leg
• Unequal pupil size
• Repeated vomiting
• Slurred speech
• Seizures

If severe head trauma occurs:

• Keep the person still. Until medical help arrives, keep the injured person lying down and quiet, with the head and shoulders slightly elevated. Don't move the person unless necessary, and avoid moving the person's neck.
• Stop any bleeding. Apply firm pressure to the wound with sterile gauze or a clean cloth. But don't apply direct pressure to the wound if you suspect a skull fracture.
• Watch for changes in breathing and alertness. If the person shows no signs of circulation (breathing, coughing or movement), begin CPR.

HYPOTHERMIA

Under most conditions your body maintains a healthy temperature. However, when exposed to cold temperatures, especially with a high wind chill factor and high humidity, or to a cool, damp environment for prolonged periods, your body's control mechanisms may fail to keep your body temperature normal. When more heat is lost than your body can generate, hypothermia, defined as an internal body temperature less than 95 F (35 C), can result.

Wet or inadequate clothing, falling into cold water and even not covering your head during cold weather can increase your chances of hypothermia.

Signs and symptoms include:

• Shivering
• Slurred speech
• Abnormally slow breathing
• Cold, pale skin
• Loss of coordination
• Fatigue, lethargy or apathy
• Confusion or memory loss
• Bright red, cold skin (infants)

Signs and symptoms usually develop slowly. People with hypothermia typically experience gradual loss of mental acuity and physical ability, so they may be unaware that they need emergency medical treatment.

Older adults, infants, young children and people who are very lean are at particular risk. Other people at higher risk of hypothermia include those whose judgment may be impaired by mental illness or Alzheimer's disease and people who are intoxicated, homeless or caught in cold weather because their vehicles have broken down. Other conditions that may predispose people to hypothermia are malnutrition, cardiovascular disease and an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism).

To care for someone with hypothermia:

• Call 911 or emergency medical assistance. While waiting for help to arrive, monitor the person's breathing. If breathing stops or seems dangerously slow or shallow, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately.
• Move the person out of the cold. If going indoors isn't possible, protect the person from the wind, cover his or her head, and insulate his or her body from the cold ground.
• Remove wet clothing. Replace wet things with a warm, dry covering.
• Don't apply direct heat. Don't use hot water, a heating pad or a heating lamp to warm the victim. Instead, apply warm compresses to the center of the body — head, neck, chest wall and groin. Don't attempt to warm the arms and legs. Heat applied to the arms and legs forces cold blood back toward the heart, lungs and brain, causing the core body temperature to drop. This can be fatal.
• Don't give the person alcohol. Offer warm nonalcoholic drinks, unless the person is vomiting.
• Don't massage or rub the person. Handle people with hypothermia gently; their skin may be frostbitten, and rubbing frostbitten tissue can cause severe damage.

FROSTBITE

When exposed to very cold temperatures, skin and underlying tissues may freeze, resulting in frostbite. The areas most likely to be affected by frostbite are your hands, feet, nose and ears.

If your skin looks white or grayish-yellow, is very cold and has a hard or waxy feel, you may have frostbite. Your skin may also itch, burn or feel numb. Severe frostbite can cause blistering and hardening. As the area thaws, the flesh becomes red and painful.

If your fingers, ears or other areas get frostbite:

• Get out of the cold.
• Warm your hands by tucking them under your arms. If your nose, ears or face is frostbitten, warm the area by covering it with dry, gloved hands.
• Don't rub the affected area. Never rub snow on frostbitten skin.
• Don't walk on frostbitten feet or toes if possible.
• If there's any chance the affected areas will freeze again, don't thaw them out. If they're already thawed out, wrap them up so that they don't become frozen again.
• Get emergency medical help if numbness remains during warming. If you can't get help immediately, warm severely frostbitten hands or feet in warm — not hot — water. You can warm other frostbitten areas, such as your nose, cheeks or ears, by covering them with your warm hands or by applying warm cloths.

TRENCH FOOT

• trench foot is very real and very painful
• it comes from your feet being wet for an extended period of time
• keep your feet dry by changing your socks and allowing your feet to air dry
• try to keep your foot cool by wearing the proper shoes and socks and changing them often
  

OBJECT IN THE EYE

• wash your hands
• seat the person in a well lighted area
• gently examine the eye to find the object, pull the lower lid down and ask the person to look up, then hold the upper lid while the person looks down
• if the object is floating in the tear film on the surface of the eye, try flushing it out. if you're able to remove the object, flush the eye with a saline solution or clean, lukewarm water
• don't try to remove an object that's embedded in the eyeball
• don't rub the eye
• don't try to remove a large object that makes closing the eye difficult
  

POISONOUS PLANTS

POISONOUS PLANTS

• Wash your skin with mild soap and water
• gently washing off the harmful resin from your skin within 5-10 minutes after exposure may help avert a reaction
• apply a barrier cream with bentoquatam to protect your skin

KNOCKED OUT TOOTH

• it should be quickly rinsed off with water, but never scrubbed
• the tooth should be held by the crown (top) not the root, so you do not damage the ligaments
• in a cooperative adult the tooth should be put back in the socket
• many people may be uncomfortable re implanting the tooth on their own. if this is the case, be sure to transport the tooth to the doctor or dentist in saline, milk or saliva
  

SEIZURES

• cushion the head
• loosen any tight neck wear, shoes, or belts
• turn the person on their side after the convulsion ceases. this may help drain any moisture or secretions from the persons mouth
• do not attempt to hold the person down or restrain them
• do not place anything in the persons mouth or try to pry the teeth apart
• observe these items; length of seizure, type of movements, direction of any head or eye turning, amount of time to return to alertness and full consciousness
  

STRAINS OR SPRAINS

• protect the injured limb from further injury by not using the joint
• rest the injured limb, but don't avoid all activity
• ice the area, use a cold pack, a slush bath or a compression sleeve filled with cold water to help limit swelling after the injury. try to apply ice as soon as possible after the injury. if you use ice, be careful not to use it for too long, as this could cause tissue damage.
• compress the area with an elastic wrap or bandage. compressive wraps or sleeves made from elastic or neoprene are best.
• elevate the injured limb whenever possible to help prevent or limit swelling.
  

SPLINTER

• wash your hands and clean the area well with soap and water
• use tweezers to remove the splinter or other foreign object

If the object is completely embedded in your skin:

• sterilize a clean, sharp needle by wiping it with rubbing alcohol. if rubbing alcohol isn't available, clean the needle with soap and water
• use the needle to break the skin over the object and gently lift the tip of the object out
• use tweezers to remove the object
• wash and pat-dry the area follow by applying antibiotic ointment

HEAT EXHAUSTION

DEHYDRATION

• get out of the sun
• drink lots of fluids
• drink fluids that replace electrolytes
• sit down and rest
• place cool towel or pack on your neck
  

SNAKE BITES

• remain calm
• don't try to capture the snake
• immobilize the bitten arm or leg and try to stay as quiet as possible
• remove jewelry, because swelling tends to progress rapidly
• apply a loose splint to reduce movement of the affected area, but make sure it is loose enough that it won't restrict blood flow
• don't use a tourniquet or apply ice
• don't cut the wound or attempt to remove the venom
• seek medical attention as soon as possible, especially if the bitten area changes color, begins to swell or is painful.
  

USA SPIDER CHART

SPIDER BITES

• clean the site of the spider bite well with soap and water
• apply a cool compress over the spider bite location
• take aspirin or acetaminophen (Tylenol)

IF BITTEN BY A BROWN RECLUSE OR BLACK WIDOW

• Tie a snug bandage above the bite to help slow or halt the venom's spread
• seek immediate medical attention

TICKS AND OTHER BUGS

• remove the tick promptly and carefully. use tweezers to grasp the tick near its head or mouth and pull gently to remove the whole tick without crushing it
• if possible, seal the tick in a jar. your doctor may want to see the tick if you develop signs or symptoms of illness after a tick bite
• use soap and water to wash your hands and the area around the tick bite after handling the tick
• call your doctor if you aren't able to completely remove the tick

SEE YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU DEVELOP:

1. a rash, fever, stiff neck, muscle aches, joint pain and inflammation, swollen lymph nodes, or flu-like symptoms
   

WASP, HORNET, AND BEE STING

• move to a safe area to avoid additional stings
• scrape or brush off the stinger with a straight edge object, such as a credit card or the back of a knife.
• wash the affected area with soap and water
• don't try to pull out the stinger, doing so may release more venom
• apply a cold pack or cloth filled with ice to reduce pain and swelling
• apply hydrocortisone cream, calamine lotion, sting ease, or a baking soda paste
• take an antihistamine containing diphenhydramine (benadryl, Tylenol severe allergy) or chlorpheniramine maleate (chlor-trimeton, actifed)

FOR SEVERE REACTIONS

• severe reactions may progress rapidly, dial 911 or call for emergency medical assistance if the following signs or symptoms occure:

1. difficulty breathing
2. swelling of the lips or throat
3. faintness
4. dizziness
5. confusion
6. rapid heartbeat
7. hives
8. nausea, cramps and vomiting

NEXT STEPS

• check for special medications, such as an auto-injector of epinephrine (for example, EpiPen) massage the injection site for 10 seconds to enhance absorption
• have the person take an antihistamine pill if he or she is unable to do so without choking, after administering epinephrine
• have the person lie still on his or her back with feet 8-10" higher than their head
• loosen tight clothing and cover the person with a blanket, do not give them anything to drink
• turn the person on their side to prevent choking, if there is vomiting or bleeding from the mouth
• begin CPR, if there are no signs of circulation breathing, coughing or movement
• seek medical help
  

THIRD DEGREE BURNS

• follow first and second degree protocol
• cover if you can the area with cool wet bandages and do not remove
• get the victim to the hospital ASAP
  

SECOND DEGREE BURNS

• follow first degree treatment
• never apply butter or ointments to the burn
• do not break any blisters, they are vulnerable to infection
• seek medical attention
  

MINOR BURNS

• cool the burn; run the burn under cool water for at least five minutes or bottled water, if this is impractical, immerse the burn in cold water or use a cold compress. Never put ice on the burn
  
• cover the burn with a sterile gauze bandage. don't use fluffy cotton, which may irritate the skin. wrap the gauze loosely to avoid putting pressure on the burned skin
• take an over-the-counter pain reliever, this includes aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol)
  

BLISTERS

• wash your hands and the blister with soap and warm water
• swab the blister with iodine or rubbing alcohol. (it will burn deal with it)
• sterilize a clean, sharp needle b wiping it with rubbing alcohol
• use the needle to puncture the blister. aim for several spots near the blisters edge. let the fluid drain, but leave the overlying skin in place
• apply an antibiotic ointment to the blister and cover with a bandage or gauze pad
  

NOSE BLEED

• sit upright and lean forward
• pinch your nose
• don't blow your nose for several hours after the bleeding has stopped
• if it starts bleeding again, blow your nose to clear any clotting and spray with decongestant
• apply pressure again by pinching and apply ice

CHOKING

SYMPTOMS

• Inability to talk
• Difficulty breathing or noisy breathing
• Inability to cough forcefully
• Skin, lips and nails turning blue or dusky
• Loss of consciousness

REMEDY

• Ask if they need help
• First, deliver five back blows between the person's shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.
  
• Next, perform the Heimlich maneuver.

CUTS AND SCRAPES

1. Clean the wound, with soap and water or other disinfectant
2. Stop the bleeding with direct pressure and a bandage
3. Apply antibiotic ointment and apply a permanent bandage and dressing
4. Change the dressing as needed
5. Watch for signs of infection
6. Get a tetanus shot if needed