Defined:

A breathing emergency (considered to be a medical emergency) is any respiratory problem that can threaten a person’s life. It can range from not being able to take a breath to not being able to breathe at all.
 

Common Emergency Example(s):

Asthma:

Asthma is the third highest cause of hospitalization amongst those under the age of 15. Many people that have this medical condition are aware of it and carry an inhaler for use in an emergency.

Asthma attacks can be triggered by many things, such as:

Plants and mold Perfume Dust, smoke, and air pollution Fear, anxiety and strong emotional display Medications Pets, animal fur, feathers, carpets, rugs Rapid changing temperatures Strenuous exercise

First Aid Actions / Treatment:

Defined:

A choking emergency (considered to be a medical emergency) is when an obstruction (object or food) blocks the airway and prevents air from getting to the lungs. The person is not able to breathe normally or cough. This section covers adult and child choking emergencies.
 

First Aid Actions / Treatment:

Defined:

The relationship between the brain and its central nervous system is very interrelated with the functioning of each and every other part of the body. The nervous system controls: the five senses (sight, smell, taste, hearing, touch), the ability to think and reason, voluntary and involuntary functions, and regulates blood flow and blood pressure.

For this reason, head and spinal injuries may have a very significant affect on another part of the body. Prompt and timely First Aid given to nervous system emergencies is very crucial.
 

Common Emergency Example(s):

Heart Attack:

A heart attack develops when blood flow is blocked and a segment of your heart muscle / tissue dies or is damaged.

Most commonly you can tell if someone is having a heart attack if they complain of chest pain. They may also experience uncomfortable pressure, nausea, shortness of breath, and/or discomfort in the arms, back, neck, jaw and abdomen.

Seizure:

A seizure is a sudden attack, which involves abnormal electrical activity in the brain. A person may experience mild shakes or more severe convulsions (rapid and uncontrollable shaking). Most seizures will stop within a few minutes of onset.

Seizures can be caused by head injuries, poisons, missed medications, low blood sugar or a medical condition called epilepsy.
 

Stroke:

A stroke usually occurs very suddenly when there is a problem with the blood supply to the brain. The supply gets blocked or a blood vessel within the brain ruptures.

Some specific signs and symptoms include: sudden and severe headache, dizziness, loss of consciousness or balance, slurred speech, drooling, inability to understand words, weakness, and/or paralysis on one side of the body.

Spinal / Head Injuries:

The spinal cord primarily transmits signals between the brain and the rest of the body, and controls reflexes. Injuries to the spine can cause a person to lose the inability to move parts of the body.

A person may have a spinal or head injury if he/she was struck in the head/spine, fell, was assaulted, experienced a sports injury, or was in a car / motor vehicle accident (without a helmet).

The person may suddenly get sleepy, experience nausea, vomit, get a headache, have trouble walking and talking or not respond all together.

First Aid Actions / Treatment:

Defined:

When a person has an allergy, he or she experiences an immune response to a substance that is usually not harmful. An allergy emergency may occur if a person is exposed to this allergen. An allergic reaction may become severe if not treated in a timely manner.
 

Common Emergency Example(s):

Anaphylaxis:

This is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction. It occurs suddenly, and within seconds or minutes after contact with the allergen.

A reaction of troubled breathing can cause obstructions in the airway and even lead to shock. Anaphylaxis requires immediate medical treatment, including the epinephrine injection and a trip to the hospital.

First Aid Actions / Treatment:

Defined:

Accidents from bites and stings can happen at home, work or even while you are traveling. It’s important to understand the various types of bites and stings and what First Aid care should be provided. If one experiences an allergic reaction to the bite / sting, First Aid may involve the use of an epinephrine pen (Chapter 7).
 

Common Emergency Example(s):

Animal and Human Bites:

A bite that punctures the skin can cause bleeding and lead to an infection. Bites that do not break the skin may require minor First Aid. It’s important to understand that the reaction to a punctured bite will vary depending on the germs that were in the biter’s mouth / saliva.

If you notice that an animal is acting strangely, be sure to keep your distance. Some animals may carry rabies and require immediate medical attention, i.e., dog, cat, skunk, bat, raccoon or other wild animals.

Snake Bite:

Poisonous snakes release venom when they bite. You should always assume that a snake is poisonous if you are not able to tell from the bite mark. Symptoms of a poisonous snakebite can include: pain, swelling near the bite area, nausea, vomiting and weakness.

Stings- Bee, Wasp, Spider, Scorpion, Insect:

Unless a person is allergic to the source of the sting, a person may experience a minor reaction. Stings usually lead to itching, swelling and minor pain.

Remember some stings may be more dangerous, if the source is poisonous (i.e., scorpion, poisonous spider). In these instances a person will experience more severe symptoms such as: fever, severe pain, seizures, vomiting, breathing problems and may even stop responding.

First Aid Actions / Treatment:

Defined:

Wounds are an injury of the soft tissue (tissue in the body that is not bone). Wounds are generally classified as either a closed or open wound.
 

Common Emergency Example(s):

Closed Wound:

A closed wound is a wound on the skin’s surface that does not break the skin. A common closed wound is a bruise, which develops when the body is bumped or hit. A more serious closed wound may be caused by a violent force hitting the body. The person can severely damage tissues, blood vessels and muscles, leading to heavier internal bleeding.

Open Wound:

An open wound causes a break in the skin. The wound can range from something minor like a scrape to a deeper, puncture of the skin. A minor open wound includes small cuts, scrapes and abrasions. Immediate medical attention may be required for major open wounds that are heavily bleeding (i.e., amputation).

First Aid Actions / Treatment:

Defined:

This emergency occurs when a muscle, bone or joint moves in a direction that it is not supposed to go. This movement can lead to broken bones, sprains, fractures and other injuries.
 

Common Emergency Example(s):

Fracture / Broken Bone:

A fracture is a complete break, a chip or a crack in the bone. An open fracture involves an open wound, and is when a bone end tears through the skin. An open fracture is more dangerous and severe. However, a closed fracture is more common.

Dislocation:

A dislocation is the movement of a bone at a joint from its normal position. When the bone is moved out of place, the joint no longer functions. Usually dislocations happen at the shoulder, elbow, wrist, jaw and hip.

Sprain / Strain:

A sprain is the tearing of the ligaments at a joint. Sprains mostly occur at the ankle, knee, wrist and fingers. A strain is the stretching and tearing of a muscle. They usually occur in the neck, back, thigh, or the back of the lower leg.

Use RICE method when dealing with a sprain or strain:
Rest: Do not move or straighten the injury.

Immobilize: Try to stabilize the person in the position he/she was found. Splint or sling the injured part only and use caution if moving the person.

Cold: Indirectly cool the part using ice for up to 20 minutes.

Elevate: Only elevate the part if it does not cause more pain.

First Aid Actions / Treatment:

Defined:

The skin is the body’s largest organ. A burn is an injury to this organ, the skin. Burn treatments vary based on the severity of the injury.
 

Common Emergency Example(s):

A first degree burn affects only the uppermost or outer layer of the skin. This burn causes mild redness, swelling and pain.

Second Degree Burn (Partial Thickness):

A second degree, or partial thickness, burn affects both the upper layer of the skin and the skin underneath it. Some specific symptoms for this burn include: redness, swelling, pain and blistering.

Third Degree Burn (Full Thickness):

A third degree, or full thickness, burn is the most severe and destroys the deep layers of the skin. This can lead to numb skin and white or blackened skin.

• Apply ointments or any household remedies to severe burns
• Blow air or cough on the burn
• Disturb any blister or charred skin
• Give the person anything to eat or drink if the burn is severe
• Place a severe burn under ice-cold water
• Remove anything that is stuck to the burn
• Touch the burn and risk infection
• Use any kind of dressing that may stick to the burn

First Aid Actions / Treatment:

Defined:

A poison is a substance that can cause injury, illness or death if it enters the body accidently or deliberately. Some poisons are harmful if you breathe or swallow them, while others are harmful upon direct contact.

Common Emergency Example(s):

Swallowed Poisons:

These poisons enter the body by swallowing and can include: food, drugs, alcohol, household and cleaning products, pesticides, plants and more. Some substances may not be poisonous if taken in a small quantity.

Inhaled Poison:

A person can also be poisoned by breathing in poison, like certain fumes and gases. Examples include: carbon monoxide (car exhaust), carbon dioxide (from sewers, wells), chlorine (found in swimming pools), glues and paints.

Absorbed Poison:

These poisons are absorbed through the skin, and include: plants (poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac), fertilizers, pesticides and more.

Injected Poison:

An injected poison enters the body through bites or stings of insects, spiders, ticks, snakes and / or through medical hypodermic needles.

First Aid Actions / Treatment: