Owie Prevention and First Aid

Knowing the basics of medical treatment and ensuring that first aid supplies are available can prevent your gathering from becoming a tragedy or miserable experience for someone.

Performing CPR   First Aid for Choking   Sunburn   Sprains   Insect Bites   Burns   Poison Ivy, Oak & Sumak

Treating serious medical emergencies

If a medical emergency occurs, request professional assistance immediately. What actions should you take until professional medical help arrives?

Knowing DRABC can save lives. It stands for:

Danger

• Don't put yourself in danger.

• Don't allow others to be exposed to it.

• Separate the injured person and the danger in the safest way possible.

Response

• Shout at and gently shake the victim. (Don't shake small children or infants.)

• Is he or she alert? Drowsy or confused? Unconscious but reacting? Unconscious with no reaction? (If unconscious, gently roll the injured person over to his or her side.)

Airway

• Is the injured person's airway open and clear?

• Is breathing noisy?

• Are potential obstructions, such as blood, obstructing the victim's breathing?

• If so, open and clear the airway immediately.

Breathing

• Look to see if the chest rises.

• Listen for the sound of breathing.

• Feel for breathing by putting your hand on the lower part of the chest.

• If not breathing, begin CPR.

 

Circulation

• Can a pulse be felt?
• Is it strong?
• Is it regular?
• Is there major blood loss?
• If there is no pulse, start CPR immediately.
  

CPR

Everyone should have CPR training from a health care professional. Contact your local hospital to inquire about classes.

Here are reminders for those who have already been trained.

1. Call — If the victim is unresponsive, first give about five compressions and ventilations (about two minutes) before calling 911. (Or have someone else call.)

2. Blow — Tilt the head back and listen for breathing. Do not try to open the airway using a jaw thrust for injured victims. Take five to 10 seconds to check for normal breathing. If the person is not breathing normally, take a normal (not a deep) breath before giving a rescue breath to the victim. Cover the victim's mouth with yours and blow until you see the chest rise. Give each breath over one second.

3. Pump — If the person is still not breathing, coughing or moving, begin chest compressions after two rescue breaths. Push down 1½ to 2 inches with rapid movements on the victim's chest between the nipples. Pump 15 times at the rate of 100 times per minute. That's a little slower than twice per second.

4. Alternate blowing and pumping until consciousness returns or help arrives.

Source: American Heart Association

First Aid for Choking

Follow these steps for a choking conscious adult or child (more than 1 year old) if the person can't speak or cough:

1. Place the person in a standing or sitting position.

2. Stand behind him or her and reach around the person.

3. Grasp one of your hands with the other and exert sudden pressure just below the victim's sternum. Use enough force to expel the object lodged in the person's throat. This abdominal thrust is known as the Heimlich Maneuver.

If the adult or child is unconscious or becomes unresponsive, tilt the victim's head back and look for an object in the throat or mouth. Remove it and perform CPR.

Common Medical Problems

Sunburn

This is probably the most common hazard to health at outdoor gatherings. A severe sunburn can result in skin cancer years later.

Make sure everyone has sufficient sunscreen protection — especially young children with fair hair and skin. Apply sunscreen with a protection factor of at least 15 to areas of exposed skin.

An anesthetic spray or a cool, damp cloth may provide some relief once sunburn has occurred. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen may also help. Don't break any sun blisters that may have developed.

Sprains

If the sprain involves the ankle, stay off that ankle for at least 24 hours. Ice or cold packs can decrease swelling and pain for all types of sprains, but they should not be used more than 30 minutes each hour. Don't let ice contact skin directly.

An ACE bandage or elastic wrap can also help with swelling and pain. Avoid giving aspirin to a child. Use an aspirin substitute. Resume normal activity gradually as the pain subsides.

Insect Stings

If stung by a wasp or bee and the stinger can be seen, remove it with a pair of tweezers or gently scrape it off. If there is no allergic reaction, wash with soap and water. Then apply a cloth that has been soaked in cold water or wrapped in ice to reduce pain and swelling.

If itching occurs all over the body or the person has difficulty breathing, an allergic reaction may have occurred. Seek medical assistance immediately.

Burns

Most burns are first- or second-degree. They cause blistering and swelling. Immediately place the burned area under cold tap water until the pain subsides. Or apply a compress that has been soaked in cold water. Seek medical attention if an infection develops.

Third-degree burns destroy all layers of the skin. Contact a physician immediately.

Poison Ivy, Oak and Sumac

About 15 percent of the population suffer allergic reactions to these plants. If the reaction is severe, get a cortisone shot immediately to begin the healing. Also take an antihistamine.

Take a hot shower and apply a cortisone cream to reduce itching. Then stay out of the heat and avoid restrictive clothing.