First Aid Magazine — Emergency & 1st Aid

Oftentimes children are out playing, riding bikes or even camping when someone gets hurt. The victim might be another kid or an adult, and with some basic skills you can help the person who has been injured. By using your skills until medical help arrives you may be able to save someone’s life.

First of all when someone is injured or sick try to stay calm. Remember that by staying calm you will help the injured person to be less afraid. If they can see that you are calm and know what to do they will be less anxious.

Situation:
You and your friend are near a wood stove and your friend, George, touches it without thinking.
Solution:
Run George’s hand under cold water immediately. If the burn looks severe and blisters form, call for help.

Situation:
Your friend Brandon’s coat hangs down in back and he has just backed up to the wood stove. The coat catches on fire and soon Brandon is in flames.
Solution:
Don’t let him run. Remember, stop, drop and roll! Do this until all flames are out and call 911 for help.

Situation:
You’re camping with your family and come upon a young child who has cut his hand, possibly on glass.
Solution:
If the cut is only minor then you can wash it out with soap and water. If the cut is deep, cover it with a clean cloth and apply pressure to the cut to control bleeding. Call 911 for help.

Situation:
You and your friend have been out in the sun too long, and Johnny develops a nosebleed.
Solution:
Remember the old way to solve this problem? The victim had to lay his head back and all the blood would drip down his throat. Today, there’s a better way to treat nosebleed. Have Johnny sit down and lean forward to prevent the blood from dripping down his throat. Take a handkerchief or clean cloth and place it over the nose. Apply gentle pressure on both sides of the nostrils for about 10 minutes or less. This should take care of the problem, but if not, call 911.

Situation:
Your little brother, Bradley, has just swallowed your father’s prescription mediation.
Solution:
Call 911 and the Poison Control Center immediately. Have the medication in your hand and read everything it says on the bottle to the person you are talking to. Do not give Bradley anything to drink until medical help arrives.

Remember by knowing some basic first aid skills you may save a person’s life. As you learn, you can also teach your friends, making the world a safer place for all of us.