| For those who are certified in First Aid skills, there | | | | happened and where does it hurt. If they are |
| are some basic guidelines that can be helpful in | | | | unconscious, ask any possible bystanders for |
| accessing a circumstance. All first aid situations are | | | | more info as to the cause or state of injury. |
| different and therefore need to be approached in | | | | 5) The next step is to check the vital signs, to |
| different ways. But, you come across the scene | | | | make sure the person is still breathing and has a |
| of incident or injury several common steps can | | | | pulse. This is particularly necessary if the victim is |
| be applied. These basic tips are in the event of | | | | unconscious. Only in a situation when the breath |
| more life-threatening emergency cases. | | | | or pulse is not detected, do you need to take life |
| A few basic guidelines include the following: | | | | saving actions, which might include CPR. |
| 1) Seek medical assistance by calling for help. The | | | | If the person is still conscious you may ask for |
| first response in an emergency should be to call | | | | their consent to perform first aid techniques. |
| for help yourself or have someone else make the | | | | After consent is agreed, the first thing to do is |
| call. 911 is always the number to call in the U.S. It | | | | stop any bleeding. The next is to deal with any |
| is helpful to also keep a list of emergency | | | | obvious injuries with trained first aid skills. Keep |
| numbers in every cell phone or by your home | | | | close eye on them to ensure breath and pulse |
| phone. | | | | are still present. If the casualty is unconscious but |
| 2) Your own safety is priority in the event of a | | | | breathing you can assume consent is not |
| dangerous scene. You must make sure that | | | | necessary and take further action to assist |
| helping another will not cause you harm or even | | | | injuries. |
| death. So, it is important to make sure you take | | | | It is especially important that you do not move a |
| a few moments to calmly investigate and | | | | person if think they have neck or back injuries, |
| evaluate the picture to ensure no extreme risk is | | | | because this can cause further harm. Leave them |
| involved. This also is helpful to consider the cause | | | | in the position you found them with all remaining |
| of injury to the victim to be able to offer the | | | | clothes and possible head gear. The only time you |
| best assistant possible. | | | | would move a victim with neck or pain injuries |
| 3) After approaching the victim, it is important to | | | | would be if they are in immediate danger, as in |
| access whether or not they are conscious. This | | | | laying in the middle of a burning room. When there |
| can be done visually or asking the person, "Are | | | | is no evidence of spinal damage you can move |
| you Ok?" You can gently touch the person and | | | | them freely into another position, usually on the |
| ask their name. Usually this will give you some | | | | back is best with the chin raised slightly. |
| evidence as to the state of their condition. They | | | | Each emergency situation is different however, |
| might be anywhere from confused, passed out, | | | | but these are some basic guidelines to follow |
| dead or completely awake and clear. | | | | when you are evaluating first aid involvement. It is |
| 4) At this stage it is helpful to gather more | | | | beneficial for anyone to learn F. A. techniques that |
| information about the possible injury or sudden | | | | can provide you with the skills necessary for a |
| illness. Look for any signs or symbols that indicate | | | | crisis or accident in which you can be of |
| they are diabetic or might be wearing some kind | | | | considerable help in preventing further injury or |
| of medical bracelet or necklace. If they are | | | | even saving the life of another human being. |
| conscious ask them for more info, what | | | | |