Community First Aid & Safety

ARE YOU EQUIPPED TO HELP? You arrive at the mall with your friend when suddenly you hear commotion. Oh, no! Someone’s collapsed! Even though a crowd has gathered, no one is helping. Someone needs to help right now! ARE YOU EQUIPPED TO HELP?

If not you…who?

EVERYONE should know what to do in an emergency. Consider this: Over 37 million injury-related visits were made to U.S. hospitals in 2000. These injuries resulted in almost 90,000 deaths. Previously, infectious diseases caused the greatest risk to the well-being of children...but now, unintentional injuries cause most childhood deaths. More than 60 million people in the U.S. have heart disease. Cardiovascular disease causes about 1 million deaths in the U.S. each year. That accounts for over 40 % of all U.S. deaths that occur annually! Over 600,000 Americans have strokes each year & more than 16,000 Americans die annually from stroke. EVERYONE should know what to do in an emergency.

The most important step you can take in an emergency is to… Call 911! The sooner emergency help arrives, the better a person’s chance of surviving.

Bystander’s part in the chain of survival Recognize emergency Call 911 1st responder care (CPR/AED) EMT care Hospital care Rehab

Did you know . . . ? You are more likely to give care to a family member or a friend than to someone you don’t know.

Recognizing Emergencies Unusual noises: screams, moans, breaking glass, crashing metal; changes in machinery noises. Unusual sights: stalled vehicle, overturned pot, spilled medicine container, broken glass, downed electrical wires, smoke or fire. Unusual odors: odors that are stronger than usual, unrecognizable odors, burning odors Unusual appearances or behaviors: trouble breathing, clutching chest or throat, slurred or confused speech, sweating for not apparent reason, confusion, unusual skin color.

Reasons People Fail to Act In An Emergency Presence of other people & uncertainty that an emergency really exists. Fear of the type of injury of illness. Fear of catching a disease. Fear of doing something wrong. Fear of being sued.

If there are several people around… It may be difficult to tell what the emergency is & if anyone is providing first aid. Don’t be embarrassed about coming forward in front of others. Ask if you can help. Things you can do: call 911, keep area free of onlookers & traffic, give care.

When an injury or illness is frightening to be around… Take a deep breath and try and remain calm. Remember: you cannot effectively help someone if you are panicking.

Could I catch a disease if I help? Always avoid contact with body fluids when possible. Try to use protective breathing barriers, gloves, clean dry cloths. Cover cuts & sores. Wash hands after providing care.

Could I be sued for trying to help? Most states have enacted Good Samaritan laws. Reasonable & prudent care is protected under the law. Always use common sense & reasonable level of skill.

Preparing For Emergencies Keep medical information about you & your family on refrigerator or other handy place. Keep a first aid kit in home or car. Keep emergency telephone numbers by telephone or in first aid kit. Learn & practice first aid skills.

Good things to keep in 1st aid kit: antiseptic ointment gauze/gauze pads adhesive tape band-aids (assorted sizes) tweezers disposable gloves protective mouth barrier OTC Medications: Benadryl, Tylenol, aspirin, antacids

Accidents shatter lives ARE YOU READY TO LEARN HOW TO TAKE ACTION? Don’t forget… Accidents shatter lives ARE YOU READY TO LEARN HOW TO TAKE ACTION?