Basic First Aid for the Community and Workplace

Severe Allergic Reaction Anaphylaxis Signs and Symptoms Rapid onset of: • Swelling of lips, eyelids, throat, and tongue. • Extreme difficulty breathing. • Coughing/wheezing. • Altered mental status. • Anxiety. • Hives/itching. • Nausea/vomiting. • Abdominal pain/cramping. • Diarrhea. First Aid • Assess, Alert, and Attend the ABCs. • If the victim carries a lifesaving epinephrine auto-injector prescribed by a physician, help them use it. • If the victim is unable, the first aid provider should administer it. • Comfort, calm, and reassure while awaiting EMS. • The beneficial effects of epinephrine may be limited to a short time. Seek immediate medical attention. Take the used auto-injector box with you to the emergency room. This training guide is provided online for individual use only. Reprinting for classroom distribution is prohibited. Allergic reaction to a wasp sting in a 3 year old. Anaphylaxis is a sudden, severe allergic reaction that involves the whole body. Swelling of the lips, eyelids, throat, and tongue can block the victim’s airway. Anaphylaxis is fatal without prompt treatment! It is critical for anyone with a history of anaphylaxis to keep epinephrine auto-injectors on hand at all times. Waiting for paramedics may significantly increase the risk of death. EpiPen® Auto-injectors The most commonly prescribed epinephrine auto-injector is the EpiPen.48,49 To use an EpiPen auto-injector: • Remove the device from its storage tube. • Grasp the device with the black tip pointing away from you. • Remove the gray safety cap, and hold the black tip near the outer thigh. • Firmly swing and jab the device at a right angle into the thigh until it clicks. The EpiPen is designed to work through clothing. Pull off gray safety release. • Hold the device firmly against the thigh for about 10 seconds. If done correctly, the window on the EpiPen will show red. • Pull device straight away from thigh and massage injection area for at least 10 seconds. • Carefully place the used EpiPen auto-injector somewhere safe, such as pushing the needle Massage injection area. into the ground, where an accidental needle stick will not occur. Inform EMS providers for help in proper disposal of the device. Swing and jab into thigh. 34 Basic First Aid for the Community and Workplace Sudden Illness

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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