First Aid

Stop the Bleed®

The Stop the Bleed® program works to educate the public by raising awareness of basic procedures for treating wounds, lacerations, and bleeding and can save lives. Knowing how to stop bleeding can stall for time and allow for professionals to save those in need.

Tourniquets

A tourniquet is a medical device that is used to apply constant pressure to a limb to restrict – but not block – the flow of blood. After an injury, a tourniquet may be used to stop blood from leaving a wound. These would only be used when the wound is large or severe enough to require the halt of blood flow.

Infection

A wound infection occurs when bacteria grows within the damaged skin of an injury. You may treat a minor wound infection by yourself, but you will need immediate medical attention if the infection becomes more severe. However, sometimes the resources aren’t available at our disposal. If you receive a wound during a disaster, you should try to clean and protect it as much as you can to prevent infection.

CPR

CPR stands for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. It is a lifesaving procedure performed when the heart stops beating. If someone is going through cardiac arrest, immediate CPR can double or triple the chances of survival. Even if you are not trained, hands-only CPR still increases the likelihood of survival. Knowing these essential steps to performing CPR is crucial when responding to cardiac arrest. Assessing the situation and quickly taking action can save the life of another

Splints

A splint is a device used to support and protect a broken bone or injury. The splint keeps the injured part of the body secure to ease any pain and promote recovery. The type of splint a person needs depends on the type of injury they have sustained. When a natural or unnatural emergency arises, you or a loved one might experience an unfortunate injury. Staying calm and knowing how to care for the injury will prevent further damage.

Closed Airway

Someone choking or experiencing a closed airway can be sudden and shocking, yet knowing how to respond in the right situations can save a person’s life. Click the link to learn about a few scenarios in which someone could have a closed airway and how to respond.

Poor Circulation

At some point in your life, you may have experienced a part of your body “falling asleep,” which is usually a result of poor blood flow. Poor circulation doesn’t occur by itself, but is a result of other factors and conditions. Understanding the main causes of poor circulation can help prevent it and keep you healthy.

Type of Shock

In medical terms, shock occurs when the body does not receive adequate blood flow. Due to the lack of proper blood circulation, the cells and organs are unable to function properly and can become damaged as a result. Shock can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention before it gets worse.

Body Temperature

Low body temperature, or hypothermia, occurs when your body cannot produce heat fast enough or retain it. When the body’s temperature lowers, the organs, nervous system, and heart can’t function properly. If a person’s body temperature falls below 95° F, seek medical attention right away.