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Hurry cases

Hurry cases are situations where a victim has stopped breathing, has no heartbeat, is bleeding severely, has ingested poison, or is showing signs of stroke.

When you come upon an injured person, analyze the scene and figure out what has happened and decide what you can do. Be sure you can approach safely. Then do a quick survey of the injured person's:

1. Is the spine injured? If you come upon an unconscious person but do not know what caused the emergency, assume the head, neck, or back has been injured. Protect the neck and spine.
2. Is the person breathing and is the heart beating? If the person appears to e unconscious, ask if everything is ok. If there is no response, watch for the chest to rise and fall and see if the person shows any signs of movement.
3. Is there bleeding? Open outer clothing to check for hidden bleeding injuries. Check the victim's back side.
4. Are there signs of poisoning? Consider the victim's appearance and behavior. Look for pill bottles, a fuel container, etc.

Have someone get help while you begin treatment.

Heartbeat and breathing

A person can stop breathing due to things like heart attacks, electrical shock, suffocation, drowning, or smoke inhalation. Brain damage or deaht can occur minutes after a person stops breathing. Use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) or administration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is essential.

First, check for life for up to 10 seconds. Feel and hear airflow and see the chest rising and falling. If there are no signs of life, send someone to call 911 and get an AED. Make the call yourself if necessary. Begin CPR:

1. Place the heel of one hando n the center of the chest and the heel of the other on top of it
2. Give 30 hard and fast compressions, 2 per second. Use your entire body to push.
3. If no head, neck or spinal injuries, tilt the victim's head back with hands on chin and forehead.
4. Place a CPR breathing barrier over the victim's mouth. Pinch the nose and blow in for about a second twice. Make sure the chest rises.
5. Repeat until another person takes over, an AED arrives, or there are signs of life.

Defibrillators

When the heart stops, a machine called a defibrillator can sometimes help the heart start. Most public facilities hvae automated external defibrillators. These are computerized machines that apply shocks as necessary. They are supposedly easy to use, with laypeople able to use them.

Heart attacks

A heart attack happens when an artery is blocked. Learn to recognize the warning signsl of a heart attack and be prepared to call 911.

Should anyone show the following signs, immediately call for medical help. Warning signals of a heart attack may include:

• Persistent, uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, pain, or a burning sensation in the center of the chest
• Unusual sweating
• Nausea
• Shortness of breath
• A feeling of weakness

Severe bleeding

1. Get someone to call 911
2. Put on gloves and eye protection and get a clean cloth or sterile dressing
3. Use the palm of your hand to apply firm pressure over the wound.
4. Apply a pressure bandage to hold the pad in place and maintain pressure. Make it tight, but not too tight. You should be able to slide a few fingers under the bandage.
5. If on a limb, check further down for warmth, feeling, and color.
6. Treat for shock and monitor for additional bleeding.

Poison

Swallowed

1. Call 1-800-222-1222 (the poison help line) or 911 and follow instructions
2. Treat for shock and monitor breathing. Perform CPR if necessary
3. Save vomit and poison containers

Inhaled

1. Check the scene
2. Approach safely. Make sure area is ventilated or you have protective gear.
3. Move victim to fresh air
4. Get medical help
5. Check breathing and heart beating. If necessary, perform CPR.

Shock

Shock is lack of blood to parts of the body. Treat every victim for shock even if there are no signs. Shock may be caused by otheri injuries. Someone suffering from shock may have some of the following symptoms:

• Restlessnes or irritability
• Weakness
• Confusion or fear
• Dizziness
• Moist, clammy, cool, and pale skin
• A quick, weak pulse
• Shallow, rapid, and irregular breathing
• Nausea and vomiting
• Extreme thirst

To treat shock:

1. Assure the victim something is being done. An apparently unconscious person may still be able to hear you.
2. Call for help
3. Treat hurry cases
4. Help the injured person lie down
5. Raise the feet 12 inches if there are no back, neck, or head injuries.
6. Keep the victim warm

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