Basic First Aid for the Community and Workplace

First Aid • Expose the burn. • Cool heat burns with cold water as quickly as possible and continue cooling at least until the pain is relieved. • Immediate cooling of minor burns will reduce swelling, infection, and depth of the injury. It will allow faster healing with less scarring. • After cooling, cover the burn with a dry, sterile bandage or a clean dressing. • Protect the burn from pressure and friction. • Do not pop burn blisters or apply ointment, butter, or any other substance to a burn. Bites and Stings Bites and stings that could require first aid care can occur from a variety of sources. Most cause only minor discomfort and can easily be treated by a first aid provider. However, the bites and stings from venomous snakes, insects, or marine animals can cause intense pain and swelling. If not treated promptly and correctly, they can even cause serious illness or death. Bites from humans and other animals, such as dogs, cats, bats, raccoons, and rats, can cause severe injury and infection, including tetanus and rabies. Some people have severe allergic reactions to bites or stings that can be life-threatening. In these cases, the most important first aid measure is rapid transport to comprehensive medical care.18 General Signs and Symptoms • Swelling. • Redness. • Pain. • Itching. General First Aid • As a precaution, always remove jewelry and constrictive clothing from the affected area. • Wash the wound with soap and clean, running tap water. This training guide is provided online for individual use only. Reprinting for classroom distribution is prohibited. When Caring for Children Minor burns in children are extremely common. Severe burns in children can result in prolonged suffering, disability, disfigurement, and impaired physical and mental development.16 First aid for burns in children is treated the same as adults. When Caring for Older Persons Age and chronic disease contribute to a higher frequency of complications and death in older adults who suffer burn injuries. First aid for burns in older persons is treated the same as adults. Prevention • Hot water scalds are twice as common as thermal burns in young children and typically occur when toddlers reach up and pull a pot of hot water off the stove and onto them.17 • Many fire-related injuries and deaths occur from children under 5 years old playing with matches or lighters and often start in a bedroom. Keep matches and lighters in a secured drawer or cabinet. • Extra caution must be exercised when working near energized power lines. Keep a safe distance between power lines and ladders, tools and work materials. • Cover the area with an adhesive bandage or a gauze pad. • If needed, apply ice to the injury to reduce pain and swelling. – To prevent cold injury, place a thin towel or cloth between the cold source and the skin. – Limit application to 20 minutes or less. Bleeding, Shock, and Soft Tissue Injuries Basic First Aid for the Community and Workplace 17

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Basic First Aid for the Community and Workplace

Basic First Aid for the Community and Workplace Contents Basic First Aid Emergency Action Steps Severe Bleeding and Shock Major Wounds Minor Wounds Burns Bites and Stings Dental Injuries Eye and Nose Injuries Injuries to Limbs Injuries to the Spine Head Injury Sudden Illness Specific Conditions Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke Endnotes About This Program

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