Essential first aid knowledge everyone should know
25 cards · practical
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| Front | Back |
|---|---|
| Scene safety | Ensure the scene is safe before you approach. Look for hazards. Use gloves and eye protection if available. |
| Call for help | Call 911 or send someone. Get an AED if available. Early EMS and AED save lives; put your phone on speaker near the victim. |
| Adult CPR | 30 compressions, 2 breaths; 2 in deep at 100–120/min. Start after calling 911. Allow full chest recoil and minimize pauses. |
| Hands-only CPR | Push hard and fast in center of chest at 100–120/min. No breaths needed for unresponsive, non-breathing adults in public. |
| AED use | Turn on, follow prompts, attach pads, stand clear, shock if advised. Resume CPR immediately after any shock or a “no shock advised” prompt. |
| Child CPR | 30:2 at 100–120/min; about 2 in deep. Use one or two hands based on size; allow full chest recoil. |
| Infant CPR | 30:2 at 100–120/min; about 1.5 in deep. Use two fingers on the sternum; give gentle breaths covering nose and mouth. |
| Choking adult | Give abdominal thrusts until object comes out or they collapse. Stand behind; thrust inward and upward above the navel. |
| Choking infant | 5 back slaps, 5 chest thrusts; repeat until airway clears. Support head and neck; keep head lower than chest; don’t blind sweep. |
| Severe bleeding | Apply firm direct pressure with clean cloth until bleeding stops. If soaked, add more cloth—don’t remove the first layer. |
| Tourniquet | Place 2–3 in above wound; tighten until bleeding stops. Note the time. Use for life-threatening limb bleeding not controlled by pressure. |
| Nosebleed | Lean forward; pinch soft nose 10–15 minutes. Don’t tilt head back. Avoid blowing the nose after bleeding stops. |
| Shock | Lay flat, keep warm, control bleeding, call 911. Don’t give food or drink; monitor breathing until help arrives. |
| Burns first aid | Cool with cool running water ≥10 min; cover loosely. Remove jewelry and tight clothing. Don’t use ice, ointments, or butter. |
| Chemical burn | Brush off dry chemical; flush with water 15–20 minutes. Remove contaminated clothing; protect yourself from exposure. |
| Electrical injury | Turn off power. Don’t touch victim. Call 911. Monitor breathing. Look for entry/exit wounds. Start CPR/AED once power is off if needed. |
| Broken bone | Immobilize in position; apply cold; seek medical care. Do not straighten. Splint only if you must move the person. |
| Spinal injury | Keep head and neck still; call 911; don’t move unless danger. Stabilize with hands on both sides of the head; prevent twisting. |
| Stroke signs | FAST: Face droop, Arm weakness, Speech trouble, Time to call 911. Note when symptoms began; treatments are highly time-sensitive. |
| Heart attack first aid | Call 911; rest; chew aspirin if not allergic or contraindicated. If prescribed nitroglycerin, help take it as directed while waiting. |
| Anaphylaxis | Use epinephrine auto-injector; call 911; repeat in 5–15 min if needed. Lay flat with legs raised unless breathing is difficult. |
| Asthma attack | Sit upright; use quick-relief inhaler; call 911 if no relief. Use a spacer if available; follow the person’s asthma action plan. |
| Seizure first aid | Protect head; time it; don’t restrain or put anything in mouth. After it stops, place on side. Call 911 if >5 min or first seizure. |
| Low blood sugar | Give 15 g fast sugar; wait 15 min; recheck and repeat if needed. Use glucose tablets, gel, juice, or regular soda. Call 911 if severe. |
| Heat stroke | Call 911; cool rapidly—ice water immersion if possible. Move to shade; remove excess clothing; apply ice packs or wet towels. |