Basic First Aid Guide for Common Injuries - CPR Educators, Inc
Basic First Aid Guide for Common Injuries - CPR Educators, Inc
When someone is injured, knowledge is the first line of defense so it’s important to know how to treat basic
injuries to avoid long-term and/or permanent damage. To help prepare you, we compiled a list of basic first-aid
procedures for common injuries.
These treatments will use basic first aid techniques and supplies. If you’re not sure what you should have in
your first-aid kit, we compiled a list of items everyone should have, plus additional items for people that care for
small children and those that use their kit outdoors.
Please note that the information in this post is not a substitute for medical attention. If you or a loved one has
sustained a serious injury or your symptoms worsen after applying basic first aid, please seek professional
medical treatment.
Minor Wounds
Clean the injured area with soap and water and blot the wound dry.
Avoid cleaning wounds with hydrogen peroxide or isopropyl alcohol as it can actually damage the tissue and
delay healing. Once the wound is dry, apply antibiotic ointment and cover with gauze or a bandage.
Burns
In order to ensure proper treatment, it’s important to recognize the type of burn the victim has sustained:
First Degree Burn: the skin will appear red and may be painful or swollen. First-degree burns generally do not
require medical attention.
Second Degree Burn: the skin will appear red, blistered, and swollen. These may require medical attention.
Third Degree Burn: the skin will be visibly charred and may turn white. Third-degree burns are very painful and
require medical attention.
For first and second-degree burns: submerge the a!ected area in cool water until the pain stops. If the
a!ected area is too large to submerge, like the torso or face, cover it with cool, wet cloths. If blisters appear, do
not break them. If no medical treatment is necessary, medicated first aid cream can be applied for pain.
For third-degree burns or very serious second-degree burns: call 911 immediately. Do not try to remove
clothing stuck to the burned area, and do not apply compresses, creams, or gels for relief.
Nosebleeds
The first thing to remember with nosebleeds is that even though they are scary, they are rarely serious. It’s
important to stay calm, especially if the person with a nosebleed is a child, so as not to cause panic.
To stop a nosebleed, keep the person upright with the head tilted slightly forward. Have the person pinch the
lower half of their nose (the soft part) and hold it firmly for ten minutes. After ten minutes, if bleeding persists,
repeat the exercise. Susan from Rooted Mama Health explains that if it is still bleeding after the second round
of holding, call 911 or take the person to the emergency room. When treating a nosebleed, do not lay the
person on their back, tilt their head back, or stu! tissues into the nose to stop bleeding.
Splinters
To remove a splinter, first wash and dry the area to reduce the risk of infection. Then, using a magnifying glass,
determine which way it entered the skin. Remove the splinter with sterilized tweezers, pulling it out in the same
direction it went into the skin. Never try to squeeze out a splinter as this could cause it to break into smaller
pieces, making it harder to remove. Once the splinter is out, wash the area with soap and water again, applying
a bandage if necessary.
The at-home treatment for ankle sprains is similar. Remember the acronym MICE: motion, ice, compression,
elevation. Motion may seem counterintuitive for a sprained ankle but it’s important to try slowly flexing your
foot upwards immediately after the sprain. Repeating this motion, combined with ice, compression, and
elevation, can help reduce swelling and promote healing.
To treat heat exhaustion, move the person inside or into a shaded area. Have them lie down and elevate their
legs to help blood reach their heart. Remove any tight clothing, apply cool, damp towels to the skin, and have
them sip ice water or electrolyte drinks. If these treatments are not e!ective and the person develops a fever of
over 102 Fahrenheit, faints, or has a seizure, call 911 immediately.
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