HealthyLife Articles

Category: First Aid

Head/Neck/Spine Injuries

First Aid

Signs & Symptoms

For a Severe Injury

* The scalp, neck, or back bleeds.

* It looks like the head, neck, or back is in an odd position.

* Pain is felt in the back, neck, and/or head. The pain can be severe.

* Stiff neck.

* Abdominal pain. Vomiting.

* Blood or fluid comes from the mouth, nose, or an ear.

* Loss of vision. Blurred or double vision. Pupils of uneven size.

* Inability to move any part of the body. Weakness in an arm or leg. Walking is difficult.

* New feelings of numbness occur in the legs, arms, shoulders, or any other part of the body.

* New loss of bladder or bowel control occurs.

* Confusion. Drowsiness. Personality changes.

* Convulsions.

* Loss of consciousness.

Watch for signs and symptoms for the first 24 hours after the injury. Symptoms may not occur for as long as several weeks, though. Problems can occur even if no injury is seen on the outside.

For a Whiplash Injury

* Neck pain and stiffness.

* Having a hard time raising the head off of a pillow.

Causes

Anything that puts too much pressure or force on the head, neck, or back can result in injury. Common causes are falls, accidents, and hard blows. A concussion occurs when the brain is shaken. A contusion occurs when the brain is bruised.

Treatment

If you suspect a head, neck, or back injury, you must keep the head, neck, and back perfectly still until EMS arrives. Any movement of the head, neck, or back could result in paralysis or death.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

First Aid for a Severe Injury

* Do not move the person unless his or her life is in danger. If so, log roll the person, place tape across the forehead, and secure the person to a board to keep the head, neck, and back areas from moving at all.

* Call 9-1-1!

* CHECK for a response. If giving rescue breaths, do not tilt the head backward. Pull the lower jaw open instead.

To Immobilize the Head, Neck, and/or Back

* Tell the person to lie still and not move his or her head, neck, back, etc.

* Log roll as listed above or place rolled towels, etc. on both sides of the neck and/or body. Tie in place, but don’t interfere with the person’s breathing. If necessary, use both of your hands, one on each side of the person’s head to keep the head from moving.

* Monitor for Bleeding and Shock. Keep the person warm with blankets, coats, etc.

Move Someone You Suspect Has Injured His or Her Neck in a Diving or Other Water Accident

Before emergency care arrives:

* Protect the neck and/or spine from bending or twisting. Place your hands on both sides of the neck. Keep it in place until help arrives.

* If the person is still in the water, help the person float until a rigid board can be slipped under the head and body, at least as far down as the buttocks.

* If no board is available, get several people to take the person out of the water. Support the head and body as one unit. Make sure the head does not rotate or bend in any way.

First Aid For Traffic Accidents

* If the person was in a motorcycle accident, do not remove the helmet. Call 9-1-1 to do this.

* Don’t move the person. He or she may have a spinal injury. Call 9-1-1 to do this.

First Aid for Minor Head Injuries

* Put an ice pack or bag of frozen vegetables in a cloth. Apply this to the injured area. Doing this helps reduce swelling and bruising. Change it every 15 to 20 minutes for 1 to 2 hours. Do not put ice directly on the skin. Cover an open, small cut with gauze and first- aid tape or an adhesive bandage.

* Once you know there is no serious head injury, do normal activities again. Avoid strenuous ones.

* Take an over-the-counter medicine for pain as directed.

* Don’t drink alcohol or take any other sedatives or sleeping pills.

* During the next 24 hours, monitor the person. While asleep, wake the person every 2 hours to check alertness. Ask something the person should know, such as a pet’s name, an address, etc. If the person can’t be roused or respond normally, get immediate medical care.

First Aid for Bleeding from the Scalp

* To control bleeding, put pressure around the edges of the wound. Make a ring pad (shaped like a doughnut) out of long strips of cloth to apply pressure around the edges of the wound. If this doesn’t control bleeding, put direct pressure on the wound. Don’t poke your hand into the person’s brain, though.

* Don’t wash the wound or apply an antiseptic or any other fluid to it.

* If blood or pink-colored fluid is coming from the ear, nose, or mouth, let it drain. Do not try to stop its flow.

If You Suspect a Whiplash Injury

* See your doctor, as soon as you can, to find out the extent of injury. If your arm or hand is numb, tell your doctor.

* For the first 24 hours, apply ice packs to the injured area for up to 20 minutes every hour.

* After 24 hours, use ice packs or heat, whichever works best, to relieve the pain. There are many ways to apply heat. Take a hot shower for 20 minutes a few times a day. Use a hot-water bottle, heating pad (set on low), or heat lamp directed to the neck for 10 minutes, several times a day. (Use caution not to burn the skin.)

* Wrap a folded towel around the neck to help hold the head in one position during the night.

Concussion

This is a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) from a blow or jolt to the head. Signs and symptoms are:

* Altered level of alertness. May have brief fainting spell. Feeling confused, dazed, and/or dizzy.

* Can’t remember events right before or right after the injury.

* Nausea and vomiting.

* Headache.

A concussion needs a medical assessment.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Stroke (Brain Attack)

First Aid

A stroke is also called a “brain attack.” With a stroke, brain cells die due to a blood clot or rupture of a blood vessel in the brain. The end result is brain damage (and possible death).

In the U.S., strokes are the 3rd leading cause of death. They are the leading cause of adult disability.

Signs & Symptoms

* Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.

* Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.

* Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.

* Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.

* Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

Causes

Most strokes are caused by a blood clot in an artery in the neck or brain. Some are caused by bleeding into or around the brain.

Risk Factors for a Stroke

* Previous stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)-a temporary lack of blood supply to the brain.

* Atrial fibrillation. This is an irregular beating of the heart.

* High blood pressure. Cigarette smoking. Diabetes. Coronary artery disease.

* Being a male over age 70.

Prevention

* Take medicine(s), as prescribed, to control blood pressure, blood cholesterol, diabetes, and atrial fibrillation. Aspirin may help reduce the risk of stroke in women ages 55-79 years. Discuss this with your doctor.

* Get to and stay at a healthy weight. Get regular exercise.

* Don’t smoke. If you smoke, quit. Use alcohol in moderation. Manage stress.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

First Aid before Emergency Care

* Note the time when the first sign(s) of stroke occurred. Report this time to emergency personnel. For the most common type of strokes, a clot-busting drug should to be given within 3 hours of the start of symptoms.

* Do not give the person anything to eat or drink. Do not give aspirin.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Broken Bones / Dislocations

First Aid

For Broken Bones

Signs & Symptoms

Symptoms of broken bones are pain, swelling, bruising, and loss of function or feeling. The injured area looks crooked, misshaped, or deformed.

Below the injured site, numbness and tingling can occur. The skin can be pale, blue, purple, or gray. It feels colder than the skin on the uninjured limb.

Causes

* Injuries from falls and accidents.

* Osteoporosis.

* Too much or repeated stress on a bone.

Treatment

The bone may need to be reset. A splint or cast may need to be worn. {Note: Broken fingers, toes, and ribs don’t need a cast.} Muscles and joints near the fracture site need to be exercised.

For Dislocations

Signs & Symptoms

A dislocation is a separation of the end of a bone and the joint it meets. The bone is displaced from its proper position. A dislocated joint is swollen, misshaped, very painful, and discolored.

Dislocations can cause damage to the membrane lining the joint, tears to nearby muscles and ligaments, and nerve damage.

The shoulders are especially prone to dislocation injuries. The elbow is a common site in toddlers. Fingers, hips, ankles, elbows, jaws, and even the spine can be dislocated. A dislocated vertebrae in the spine often damages the spinal cord and can paralyze body parts lower than the injury site.

Causes

* Injuries from contact sports or falls. Over stretching bones that touch in joints.

* Joints weakened by previous injury.

* Suddenly jerking a toddler’s hand or arm. Force applied in the wrong direction can snap the ball of the upper arm bone out of the shoulder socket.

Treatment

Medical care is needed to put a dislocated bone back into its socket. With this, the dislocated joint should function within 24 to 48 hours. Limited activity for 4 to 6 weeks allows enough time for the injury to heal.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / First Aid

For an Open Fracture

* Monitor for signs of shock.

* Control bleeding with direct pressure. Do not press on or move a bone that sticks out. Do not reset the bone.

* Immobilize the wound with a splint. Use a firm material, such as a folded newspaper or broom handle. Secure the splint above and below the injury or tie the injured part to an uninjured part. Use shoe laces, belts, etc. to hold the splint in place. Do not tie too tightly. Check the area below the splint to make sure that the skin is warm and pink in color. If not, loosen the ties.

For Fractures to Limbs

* To make an arm splint, put padding between the arm and the body. If an elbow is not involved, place the arm across the chest and wrap a cloth around the entire body. If the elbow is involved, place the arm straight or slightly bent against the body. Wrap the cloth around the body and arm.

* Make a sling with a triangular piece of cloth. Place the largest part under the arm and tie the ends at the neck.

* Make a splint for a leg or tie the injured leg to the other leg. Place padding in between the legs. Do not tie the splint too tightly. This could interfere with blood flow.

* Use cold packs on the injured site. Do not use ice next to the skin. This can cause frostbite.

* For pain, take an over-the-counter pain reliever as directed. Don’t use aspirin if you have bleeding.

For Dislocations

Dislocations need medical care. The longer they are out, the harder it is to get them back in.

* Immobilize the injured area above and below the injured joint.

* Don’t try to straighten a bone or joint that is misshaped. Don’t try to put a joint back in its socket.

* Apply cold packs to relieve pain and swelling.

* Follow your doctor’s instructions.

* Take an over-the-counter medicine for pain as directed.

Resources

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)

www.niams.nih.gov

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Heart Attack

First Aid

A heart attack happens when the heart does not get enough blood supply for a period of time. Part or all of the heart muscle dies.

Signs, Symptoms & Causes

A heart attack may have warning signs. It can occur without signs, too. This is called a “silent” heart attack.

Causes

* The most common cause is one or more blood clots that block an artery in the heart. Often, a blood clot forms in an artery already narrowed by plaque.

* Having a heart attack in the past increases the risk for another one.

* Spasms occur in the large coronary artery. This can be triggered by: Heavy physical exertion, such as shoveling snow; exposure to cold; severe emotional stress; and having a heavy meal. These triggers are more likely to affect persons who are not active.

* Cocaine or amphetamine abuse can cause a sudden heart attack. This can happen in persons with no signs of heart disease.

Warning Signs

Note: If any of these signs occur, call 9-1-1.

Common Warning Signs

* Feeling of pain (may spread to or be felt in the arm, neck, tooth, jaw, or back), tightness, burning, squeezing, or heaviness in the chest. This lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back.

* Chest discomfort with:

– Fainting

– Feeling lightheaded.

– Nausea.

– Shortness of breath.

– Sweating.

Other Warning Signs

* Unusual chest, abdominal, or stomach pain.

* Dizziness; nausea; trouble breathing; jaw or arm pain without chest pain.

* Fast or uneven heartbeat or pulse.

* Sweating for no reason, pale, gray, or clammy skin.

Signs More Likely in Women Than Men

An uneasy feeling in the chest with: Unexplained or extreme anxiety; unusual fatigue or weakness; fluttering heartbeats; or severe indigestion that doesn’t go away with an antacid.

Treatment

A heart attack is a medical emergency! Treatment works best when it is given within 1 to 2 hours after symptoms start. Treatment includes:

* Medicine(s) to keep blood from clotting.

* “Clot busters” to dissolve blood clots in heart arteries.

* Tests to diagnose the status of the heart and arteries.

* Angioplasty, stents, or bypass surgery, if needed.

Prevention

* Follow prevention measures in Heart Disease.

* Take medications, as prescribed.

* Don’t shovel snow or carry heavy objects, especially if you are not physically fit.

* Don’t use amphetamines and/or cocaine.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

Call 9-1-1 or your local rescue squad right away! Call when warning signs start. Don’t wait to see if the pain goes away.

First Aid for a Heart Attack Before Emergency Care

* CHECK for a response. Do CPR, as needed.

* If the person uses and has nitroglycerin, place one tablet under the tongue. Give as many as 3 tablets in 10 minutes.

* Give the person a regular (325 mg.) aspirin or 4 children’s chewable aspirins (81 mg. each) to chew on. Give the aspirin after calling 9-1-1. Ask the 9-1-1 dispatcher if aspirin should be taken.

{Note: Don’t use aspirin if the person is allergic to it or has a condition that makes using it risky.}

* If you can’t call 9-1-1, drive the person to the hospital right away. If you are having heart attack signs, don’t drive yourself unless you have no other choice.

* Loosen clothing around the neck, chest, and waist. Don’t let the person lie down, especially if he or she has breathing problems. A half-sitting position is better. Put the legs up. Bend them at the knees. Put a pillow or rolled towel under the knees. Support the back.

* Reassure the person that you have called for medical help and will stay with him or her until it arrives.

* After a heart attack, follow the doctor’s treatment plan.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Burns

First Aid

Signs & Symptoms

First-degree burns affect only the outer skin layer. The skin area appears dry, red, and mildly swollen. First-degree burns are painful and sensitive to touch. They should feel better in 1 to 2 days. They heal in about a week.

Second-degree burns affect the skin’s outer and lower layers. The skin is painful, swollen, red, and has blisters. The skin also has a weepy, watery surface.

Third-degree burns affect the outer and deeper skin layers and organs below the skin. The skin appears black-and-white and charred. It swells. Tissue under the skin is often exposed. Third-degree burns may have less pain than first-degree or second-degree burns. Why? No pain is felt where nerve endings are destroyed. Pain may be felt around the margin of the burn, though.

Causes

Burns can result from dry heat (fire), moist heat (steam, hot liquids), electricity, chemicals, or from radiation, including sunlight. The longer the skin is exposed to the burn source, the worse the burn can be.

Treatment

Third-degree burns always need emergency care. A second-degree burn needs immediate care if it is on the face, hands, feet, genitals, a joint, or if the burn affects a large area.Self-Care/First Aidtreats most first-degree burns and second-degree burns.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

For Severe Burns Before Emergency Care

* Remove the person from the source of heat. Call 9-1-1! Keep the person’s airway open. Treat for Shock.

* Remove hot or burned clothes that come off easily, not if they are stuck to the skin.

* Cover the burns loosely with clean cloths. Use direct pressure to control bleeding. Don’t rub.

* Stay with the person until medical care arrives.

* If lye or a dry chemical gets on the skin, brush off the powder. Then flush with clean water for at least 20 minutes or until EMS arrives. Remove glasses, but not contacts, before treating the eyes.

For First-Degree and Second-Degree Burns (that are less than 3” in diameter)

* Use cold water or cloths soaked in cold water on burned areas for 15 minutes or until the pain subsides. Do not use ice at all. Doing this could result in frostbite.

* Cover the area loosely with a dry cloth, such as sterile gauze. Hold it in place by taping only the edges of the gauze. Change the dressing the next day and every 2 days after that.

* Don’t use ointments. Aloe vera can be applied over closed skin 3 to 4 times a day. For a more severe burn less than 3” x 2”, use Second Skin Moisture Pads, etc.

* Don’t break blisters. If they break on their own, apply an antibacterial spray or ointment or treatment prescribed by your doctor. Keep the area loosely covered with a sterile dressing.

* Prop the burned area higher than the rest of the body, if you can.

Resources

National Safety Council

www.nsc.org

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Heat Exhaustion & Heat Stroke

First Aid

Sweat evaporates from the skin to cool the body. If this personal cooling system does not work right or fails to work, heat exhaustion or a heat stroke can occur.

Heat exhaustion is a warning that the body is getting too hot. With a heat stroke, body organs start to overheat. They will stop working if they get hot enough. If it is not treated, a heat stroke can result in death.

Signs & Symptoms

For a Heat Stroke

These signs and symptoms can occur suddenly with little warning:

* Very high temperature (104ºF or higher).

* Hot, dry, red skin. No sweating.

* Deep breathing and fast pulse. Then shallow breathing and weak pulse.

* Confusion. Hallucinations.

* Convulsions.

* Loss of consciousness.

For Heat Exhaustion

* Normal, low, or only slightly elevated body temperature.

* Cool, clammy, pale skin. Sweating.

* Dry mouth. Thirst.

* Fatigue. Weakness. Feeling dizzy.

* Headache.

* Nausea. Vomiting can occur.

* Muscle cramps.

* Weak or rapid pulse.

Causes

Anything that keeps the body’s natural cooling system from working right can lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. This includes:

* Extreme heat and humidity.

* Being in places without fans or air conditioners during hot, humid weather.

* Not being able to get to public air-conditioned places. Waiting for a bus or other type of public transportation in hot, humid weather.

* Overdressing.

* Changes in the skin due to aging.

* Poor circulation. Heart, lung, and/or kidney disease.

* Not being able to sweat due to medicines, such as water pills and some used for mental illnesses.

* Alcohol or drug use.

* Any illness that causes weakness, fever, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Treatment

A heat stroke is a medical emergency.

Heat exhaustion may respond to self-care measures. If not, medical care is needed.

Prevention

* Drink lots of liquids, especially if your urine is dark yellow. Drink water, sport drinks, such as Gatorade, etc.

* Do not stay in or leave anyone in a closed, parked car during hot weather.

* Don’t have drinks with alcohol or caffeine.

* Use caution when you are in the sun. At the first sign of heat exhaustion, get out of the sun. If you can, avoid midday heat. Do not do vigorous activity during the hottest part of the day (11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.).

* Wear light, loose-fitting clothing, such as cotton, so sweat can evaporate. Wear a wide-brimmed hat with vents. Use an umbrella for shade.

* If you feel very hot, try to cool off. Open a window. Use a fan. Go to an air-conditioned place.

* Check with your doctor about sun exposure if you take:

– Water pills.

– Mood-altering medicines.

– Some antibiotics, such as tetracycline.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / First Aid

First Aid for a Heat Stroke

Call 9-1-1!

Before Emergency Care Arrives

* Move the person to a cool place indoors or under a shady tree. Place the feet higher than the head to avoid shock.

* Remove clothing. Either wrap the person in a cold, wet sheet; sponge the person with towels or sheets that are soaked in cold water; or spray the person with cool water. Fan the person.

* Put ice packs or cold compresses on the neck, under the armpits, and on the groin area.

* Once the person’s temperature gets to 101ºF, place him or her in the Recovery Position. Do not lower the temperature further.

* Don’t give fever reducing medicine.

* Don’t use rubbing alcohol.

First Aid for Heat Exhaustion

* Move to a cool place indoors or in the shade. Lie down.

* Loosen clothing.

* Drink fluids, such as cool or cold water. Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt to 1 quart of water. Sip this. Or, drink sport drinks, such as Gatorade, etc.

* Have salty foods, such as saltine crackers, if you tolerate them.

* Massage and stretch cramped muscles.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Choking

First Aid

With choking, the airway is partly or completely blocked. When it is completely blocked, the brain doesn’t get oxygen. Without oxygen, the brain can begin to die in 4 to 6 minutes.

Signs & Symptoms

When a person’s airway is completely blocked, he or she:

* Can’t talk.

* Can’t breathe.

* Can’t cough.

* May turn blue.

When a person’s airway is partly blocked, he or she:

* Wheezes.

* Coughs.

* Has fast and/or labored breathing.

* Has chest pain when breathing in.

Causes

* Food goes down the windpipe. Small objects get stuck in the throat and airway.

* Fluids, such as mucus or liquids, are swallowed the wrong way and block the airway.

* Snoring. Choking can occur when the tongue blocks the airway.

Treatment

Emergency action is needed for a person who cannot breathe, speak, or cough forcefully. The Heimlich maneuver can expel an object that blocks the airway. It is used for a person who is conscious. Emergency medical care is needed for a person who loses consciousness. Rescue breaths and chest compressions are needed before medical help arrives. Even if the object is expelled, the person should see a doctor or go to a hospital emergency department.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / First Aid

First Aid for Choking When Able to Breathe and Speak (or an infant or child can cry)

* Cough to clear the airway.

* Take a slow, deep breath to get a lot of air into the lungs.

* Give a deep, forceful cough. Breathe in deeply enough to be able to cough out 2 or 3 times in a row before taking a second breath.

* Don’t slap a person on the back. Doing this can drive the object down deeper.

* Have the person sit or stand. Bending forward may cause the object to fall against the vocal cords. Get emergency care right away!

Prevention

* Chew all foods well before swallowing. Eat at a slow pace.

* Limit alcoholic drinks before you eat. This lessens the chance of swallowing large pieces of food.

* If you wear dentures, make sure they fit well. Since your mouth sensation is lessened, you are at a higher risk of choking. Eat slower. Chew food more thoroughly.

* Try not to laugh and eat at the same time. Laughing can draw food into the windpipe.

* Don’t run or play sports with objects in the mouth.

* For children under 5 years old, cut hot dogs, sausages, seedless grapes, and caramels into small pieces before you give these to them. And don’t give them nuts; popcorn; foods with pits, (e.g., cherries); gum (especially bubble gum); hard candy, throat lozenges, and cough drops.

* Don’t let your child chew or suck on rubber balloons or pieces of them.

* Keep small, solid objects, such as paper clips, away from children 3 years old and younger. Make sure, too, that they don’t get toys that have small parts, such as eyes on stuffed animals, game pieces, dice, etc. A young child should not play with any object smaller than his or her closed fist.

* Put childproof latches on cupboards that have harmful items.

* Store all medicines and vitamins out of children’s reach and in containers with childproof lids. Keep these items in locked cabinets, if needed.

* Remove plastic labels and decals from baby walkers and other kiddy furniture before children can peel them off.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Heat Illnesses

First Aid

Most heat-related deaths occur in the hot summer months. Elderly and very young persons and people with chronic health problems are most at risk.

Sweating normally cools the body. During hot weather, sweating isn’t enough. Body temperature can rise to dangerous levels and you can develop a heat illness. This includes heat stroke, which can be life-threatening. Heat exhaustion, if not treated, can turn into heat stroke.

A less serious heat illness is a heat rash. Signs include small red pimples, pink, blotchy skin, and itching. To treat a heat rash, bathe in cool water every couple of hours. Let your skin air dry. Put cornstarch or calamine lotion on itchy areas.

When the heat starts to rise, slow down. Drink plenty of fluids (ones without alcohol or caffeine). Stay in the shade or indoors. Wear light, loose-fitting clothing and a wide brimmed hat. Do not stay in or leave anyone in a closed, parked car during hot weather.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Cpr

First Aid

Conventional CPR ─ Chest Compressions and Rescue Breaths {Note: Doing Hands-Only CPR is advised for persons not trained in CPR. Take a training course in CPR to learn how to do it the right way. Find out about training course in CPR to learn how to do it the right way. Find out about training atwww.cpr.heart.org.} Do CPR when the person is not responsive, is not breathing, and does not have a pulse.

Hands Only CPR

This is giving chest compressions with no rescue breaths. It can be used for adults and teens who suddenly collapse.

Hands-Only CPR is not for:

* All infants and children.

* Adults and teens who have collapsed due to near-drowning, a drug overdose, or breathing problems.

* Adults and teens who are already unconscious and not breathing normally when found.

Hands-Only CPR – 2 Steps:

1. Call 9-1-1 or get someone else to call!

2. Push hard and push fast in the center of the chest. Give 100 compressions per minute, such as to the tune of “Staying Alive” by the Bee Gees. Keep this up until an automated external defibrillator (AED) is used or EMS arrives.

See the Hands-Only™ CPR video atwww.cpr.heart.org.

CPR for Adults & Teens

Shout for help! Call or have someone else call 9-1-1 and get an automated external defibrillator (AED) if one is nearby. If another person is around, one of you stay with the person. The other one call 9-1-1 and get the AED. Follow the 9-1-1 dispatcher’s advice. Do CPR until the AED is used or EMS takes over.

1. Begin Chest Compressions:

* Kneel at the person’s side. Place the heel of one hand ½ inch above where the ribs join the breastbone. Place your other hand on top of this one. Using the heels of your hands, depress the middle of the chest between the nipples at least 2 inches, but not more than 2.4 inches deep. Keep your arms straight. See image A.

* Push hard and push fast! Give at least 100 chest compressions in one minute. Relax pressure completely after each compression.

Image A

2. Open the person’s airway.

With one hand, tilt the person’s head back. With 2 fingers of your other hand, lift the chin up. See image B. If the airway is blocked, tilt the person’s head gently and slowly until the airway is open.

Image B

3. If the person is breathing, keep the airway open.

Look for other problems.

4. If the person is not breathing, take a normal, (not deep) breath, and give him or her “Rescue Breaths.”

* Pinch the nose shut. Forming a tight seal, place your mouth over the person’s open mouth. See image C.

* Give 1 full breath for 1 second. If the chest doesn’t rise, repeat head tilt chin lift. See image B. Give the 2nd full breath for 1 second. Look to see if the person’s chest rises.

Image C

5. Give cycles of 30 chest compressions and 2 rescue breaths, without a break, until the person starts to move, an AED is used, or EMS provides care.

Children Ages 1 to Puberty

Shout for help! If you are alone, do CPR for 2 minutes before you call 9-1-1. If the child does not appear to have a serious injury, carry the child to nearest phone and call 9-1-1! Put the phone on speaker mode. Follow the dispatcher’s advice. If you are not alone, someone start CPR; someone else call 9-1-1 and get an AED, if one is nearby.

1. Place the child on his or her back.

2. Start Chest Compressions:

* Put one hand on the child’s breastbone right between his or her nipples.

* Using the heel of your hand (or both hands like in image A under Adults & Children Who Reached Puberty) push straight down about 2 inches (at least one-third of the depth of the child’s chest). See image D. Let the chest rise back up after each push.

* Push hard and push fast! Give at least 100 chest compressions in one minute. Relax pressure completely after each compression.

Image D

3. Follow steps 2, 3, 4, and 5 under CPR For Adults and Children who Have Reached Puberty on this page.

{Note: Chest compressions alone are better than doing nothing, but it is best to give chest compressions plus rescue breaths. Why? Airway problems are the main cause of cardiac arrest in infants and children.}

Babies Up to 1 Year Old

1. If you are alone, do CPR for 2 minutes before you call 9-1-1.

If the child does not appear to have a serious injury, carry the child to nearest cell or other phone and call 9-1-1! Put the phone on speaker mode. Follow the dispatcher’s advice. If you are not alone, someone start CPR; someone else call 9-1-1!

2. Start Chest Compressions:

* Put the tips of your middle and ring fingers on the baby’s breastbone right between his or her nipples. See image E.

* Slip your other hand underneath the baby’s back for support.

* Push straight down about 1½ inches (at least one-third of the depth of the baby’s chest). Push at a rate of at least 100 compressions per minute. Let the chest rise back up after each push.

Image E

3. If the baby is not breathing, or you are not sure he or she is breathing, give Rescue Breaths:

* Cover the infant’s mouth and nose with your mouth, forming a tight seal.

* Give 1 full breath for 1 second. Look to see if the chest rises. Give the 2nd full breath for 1 second and look to see if the chest rises.

* If the chest does not rise, go back to giving chest compressions. See step 2 listed above. After 30 more compressions, try rescue breaths again. {Note: If you can’t give rescue breaths, just keep giving chest compressions.}

4. Give cycles of 30 chest compressions and 2 rescue breaths, without a break.

Do this until the baby starts to move or until EMS provides care.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
How To Use The Emergency Department

First Aid

Do Prepare for an E.R. Visit

If you do need to use a hospital emergency department, follow these steps.

Call the E.R. Ahead of Time

If there is time, call the E.R. and report:

* Who the victim is

* What the problem is

* What caused the problem

* When you think you will get there

* If the victim will need help from the car

* Who the victim’s doctor is (name and phone number)

Have These Things Ready

Keep the things listed below in a handy place.

* Personal identification.

* Emergency phone numbers. Put them by the telephones in your home and in the glove compartment or first aid kit in your car. Memorize them.

* Medical record or information form for you and each family member

* Health insurance information

* Consent form or letter written by you to allow your child to get medical, surgical, and/or emergency treatment. Ask your child’s doctor where you can get a consent form or what to put in a letter. Make sure you sign this form or letter. You can get copies of “Medical Consent to Treat Form,” “Emergency Information Form for Children with Special Health Care Needs,” and “Personal Medical History” from the American Academy of Emergency Physicians’ Web site:www.acep.orgor by calling 800.798.1822.

* Phone numbers where you can be reached when someone cares for your children

{Note: Let others who take care of your children know where these things are.}

People with specific medical conditions and severe allergies should wear a medical alert tag (e.g., bracelet, neck chain.) This helps a rescuer know what special precautions may need to be taken. You can buy these tags at many drug stores or order one from Medic Alert Foundation International at 888.633.4298 orwww.medicalert.org.

Do Take a Companion to the E.R.

When you need emergency medical care, it’s a good idea to have a relative or friend go with you. He or she can do the following:

* Get you registered

* Answer questions for you if you can’t answer them yourself

* Speak on your behalf and in your best interest. {Note: If you have an advance directive – Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, take a copy with you to the hospital. Let your relative or friend know if you have this and how it can be obtained (e.g., your lawyer’s or doctor’s phone number). If you do not have this advance directive, let your relative or friend know.}

* Serve as a “clear head” to monitor the procedures being done

* Check out what kind of service you’re getting

* Be available in the waiting area

* Take you home

Do Know What to Expect at the E.R.

Triage

* A triage nurse evaluates your condition. He or she ranks all the patients in 3 general categories:

– Life-threatening

– Urgent, but not life-threatening

– Less urgent

* You need to describe the problem and the steps that led to it. (You may have to tell this to other people as well.)

* The seriousness of your condition and of other people at the E.R. will determine how soon you are seen.

Registration

* You are asked for personal and insurance information. A family member or friend may provide this information while you are in triage.

* A medical record is set up for your visit. If the problem is life-threatening, this step would be completed later.

Waiting Room

* You’ll probably have to wait to be seen. How long you wait will depend on the number of people to be seen and where you rank on the triage list. Other people may come in with a more serious condition than yours while you are waiting. This can cause you to wait even longer.

* Let the triage nurse know if you feel worse while you are waiting.

* Don’t eat or drink anything or take any medication until you are seen by the doctor (unless the triage nurse tells you it is okay).

Examination Room

* Here you are first seen by a nurse who gets more information to help diagnose your problem. This includes asking questions, taking your temperature, etc.

* While you are in the examination room, the nurse consults with the physician in the E.R.

* You are then seen by a physician who gets a more detailed medical history and examines you.

Diagnosis and Treatment

* The doctor makes an initial diagnosis.

* The doctor may order blood tests, X-rays, etc.

* When a final diagnosis is made, treatment is prescribed or provided.

Outcome

Depending upon the diagnosis and treatment, you are either discharged, admitted to the hospital, or moved to a facility that is better equipped to treat the problem.

What to Do When You Are Discharged

* Make sure you get a written list of things you are to do after you leave. Read the list before you leave. Make sure you understand what you are supposed to do.

* Before you leave, find out where you can get a prescription filled or any other supplies you need (i.e., 24 hour pharmacy).

* Ask the following questions:

– What follow-up care is needed?

– What is the name of the E.R. doctor who treated you?

– Are there special considerations for the next 24 to 48 hours?

– Should you contact your own doctor and how soon?

* Have someone else drive you home.

* Call your doctor and/or the E.R. when you are told to do so. It could be to report:

– What has happened

– How you are doing

– If you are getting worse

– If you have more problems

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026