WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY

Use the following list of emergancy ABC's to find
solutions to rapid-response problems.

Abdominal Pain
Normally abdominal pain is not dangerous. However if the pain
is severe or accompanied by persistent vomiting, or you are
elderly and/or have significant other medical problems, you
should call your Doctor immediately.

Allergic Reaction
Any time a person suffers an extreme allergic reaction, the
victim should immediately be brought to the emergency room
even if symptoms seem to pass. Symptoms of allergic reaction
includes: sudden appearance of hives; swelling of the lips,
tongue or mouth; wheezing or difficulty breathing; changes
in pulse reat, nausea , vomiting or faintness. At the first
sign of an allergic reaction, call your local emergency number
and get the victim to the hospital. If an anaphylaxis kit is
available, administer the medications and follow the kit
direction. If victim loses consciousness, administer CPR
(cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) as needed.

Asthma Attack
First make sure the problem is not a choking emergency. If
the person takes an asthma medication or has an inhaler, use
it. During the attack, keep the person calm. Do NOT let the
victim lie flat. Sit him or her in a comfortable position. Loosen
any constricting clothing around the neck and chest. If the
attack continues, call a doctor or your emergency help number.

Bites
Minor Bites: If skin is not torm or bleeding very much, wash the
wound thoroughly with soap and water. Apply antibiotic cream
or oinment and bandage. Call your Doctor for help with the
completion of the care. Severe Bites: For human bites, deep
punctures or wounds in which the skin is torm or bleeding heavily,
apply pressure to stop the bleeding, then seek help immediately.
If possible, capture the animal-dead or alive-for rabies testing.
Thorough irrigation of the wound and antibotics are necessary.
Treatment with a tetanus shot or antirabies serum may be needed.

Bleeding
Minor Cuts and Scrapes: Blood flow usually stops by itself within
a few minutes. Apply mild antiseptic and sterile compress after
washing with soap under warm running water. Severe Bleeding:
Position the victim so that the wound is elevated above the heart.
Using a clean pad, apply pressure to the spot for 5 to 10 minutes.
Bind with a bandage if available. Do NOT make a tourniquet. Get
medical help immediately if bleeding persist.

Breathing Stops (adults)
Determine if the victim is conscious. Tap him or her on the shoulder
and ask quietly if they are okay. If they are unresponsive, CALL 911
or shout for help. Then make sure the persons:
*AirWays Are Open: Lay the victim on back. Gently tip head back and
lift chin to keep nose and mouth unobstructed. If head, neck or back
injury is suspected, only lift chin. *Breathing Resumes: Can you see or
hear breathing? If not, is the person's face bluish-gray in color? This
signifies a lack of oxygen. Start artifical respiration by pinching the nose
closed with thumb and forefinger. Take a deep breath. PLace your mouth
over the victim's mouth and slowly delivery two full breaths. Watch to
make sure victim's chest expands. Then let him or her exhale. Continue
giving one breath every five seconds (12-14 breaths per minute) until
victim resumes breathing. (For facial injuries, perform mouth to nose
resuscitation. *Circulation Is Maintained: Position two fingers slightly to
one side of the victim's Adam's apple. Check for pulse. If absent, move
your fingers a fraction of an inch up or down and try again. If there is no
pulse, external chest compressions shoud be administered in conjunc-
tion with the respirations until help arrives.

Breathing Stops (children)
For infants or children (1-8 years old) follow the procedures outlined
above except: Do Not tilt the head back very far. Seal your mouth
over child's mouth AND nose. Deliver gentle breaths, once every
three seconds (20 per minute) for an infant, and once every four
seconds (15 per minute) for a child.

Burns
Many things cause burns: firm, steam, frictions, exposure to the sun,
electricity and chemicals. In general, the size and depth of a burn
determines its gravity. *Minor Burns: Remove constricting clothing
or jewelry. If the skin is unbroken and blister-free, cool area with ice
water or cold compresses until pain abates. Apply clean, dry
bandages as needed. Do Not apply ointments or creams; they may
retard the healing process. *Severe Burns: Call your local emergency
number. Cool affected area with cold water or cool compresses. Do
Not apply ice directly to burned skin. Do Not apply ointments or lotions,
Do Not break and blisters or breathe on affected area. Do Not use
cotton or adhesive bangages. Cover lightly with clean, dry dressing.
Keep victim comfrotable until help arrives.

Chest Pain
A sudden onset of chest discomfort should be considered an emergency.
Medical attention should be sought immediately. Information about the
kind of pain and it's location should help your Doctor determine if the
cause is life-threatening. X-rays, blood pressure testing, blood test,
electrocardiography, and a physical examination are all available to
your physician to determine the nature of the problem. CALL 911.

Choking (adults)
If possible, remove the obstruction by sweeping a finger inside the
person's mouth. Be careful not to push the object deeper into the
airway. If this doesn't work, and the victim is conscious, perform the
*Heimlick Maneuver: (stnd behind the victim with your arms around
the waist. Make a fist with one hand. Place it just below the V of the
victim's rib cage with your thumb knuckle poining in. Grasp the wrist
of your clinched hand with your other hand and quickly thrust hard,
inward, and upward, 6-10 times.) If this does not work, repeat three
more times. Start rescue breahing if victim loses consciousness.
In case of a PREGNANT WOMAN, thrust by placing your hands
in the center of her breastbone, NOT on her ribs or abdomen.

Choking (baby up to 1 year)
Assume a seated position. Lay the infant facedown across your
forearm, which, in turn, is resting on your thigh. Using the heel of
your free hand, give the infant several gentle thumps between
the shoulder blades. If this doesn't work, turn the infant on the
back, with head lower than the trunk. Place two fingers on the
breastbone, just below the nipples. Give five quick compressions.
Repeat stesp. If unsuccessful, start rescue breathing and call
for help.

Choking (self)
Make a fist with one hand and place it on your abdomen, just
below the V of your rib cage. Grasp the fist with your free hand
and quickly thhrust hard, inward and upward into your abdomen
serveral times. If this doesn't work, repeat the same procedure
while bending forward over the back of a chair. Use the chair
back to add force to your upward thrust.

Eye (foreign object)
Do Not rub the affected eye. Flush with sterile saline solution or warm
water. If object is visable on white of eye or on the inside of eyelid, try
to remove it with the corner of a CLEAN cloth. If chemicals are involved,
position the injured eye under gentle running tap water for 10 to 20
minutes. Cover eye with sterile compress. Seek medical help ASAP.

Feeling Faint
Lower head between knees or lie down with your legs raised. Avoid
getting up quickly. Loosen clothing and open windows, Call your
Doctor if faintness persists.

Fever
Actaminophen or ibuprofen will bring the fever down. Aspirin works
as well, but Do Not give aspirin to children. Drink plenty of fluids to
prevent dehydration from perspiration, Persistant fever requires
medical attention to evaluate its cause.

Frost Bite
Do not rub or apply direct heat to affeted area. If outdoors, tuck
frostbitten hands under your armpits. Cover frostbitten face with
gloved hands. Get indoors immediately. Then immerse the
affected are in warm water (101 to 104 F) until frostbitten skin
warms up. Gently move frostbitten area. Don't walk on
frostbitten feet. Keep warm and elevated. Get medical help.

Head Injury
Always call for help for any suspected injury. Apply ice pack
to injured areas while help is coming. Danger signs include
loss of consciousness, convulsions,confusion, unequal
dilation of pupils, slurred speech, and/or loss of memory.

Heat Exhaustion
Move the victim to a cool place. Loosen tight clothing and
apply cool, wet cloth to skin. Give the victim cool water to
drink. Add a little salt ot help replace salt lose. Get help
immediately if the victim won't drink, vomits or loses
consciousness.

Heart Attack
If symptoms are suspected immediately call an ambulance
and get the victim to an emergency room. In the meantime
keep the victim calm. If consciousness is lost, check the
victim's breathing status and pulse. Administer
Cardioplumonary Resuscitation if needed.

Hypothermia
Find warm shelter from the cold. If possible, replace the
person's wet or cold clothing. Warm with blankets or heating
pags if available. DO NOT apply heat directly to the body.
Give the victim warm liguids. Get emergency help if the person's
breathing slows, shows a change in behavior, or if his or her
pulse beomes erratic.

Insect Bites and Stings
Remove the stinger. Do Not use a tweeaer because it may
squeeze more venom into the skin. Instead scrape off the
stinger with a plastic credit card. To reduce pain, apply a
paste of bakin soda, then an ice pack or cold compress. An
application of hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion may
also relieve symptoms. -POISONOUS STINGS: Seek
immediate emergency medical care if you have been bitten
by a black widow spider, a brown-recluse spider or a
scorpion, or if you have been stung by an insect to which
you are allergic.

Poisoning
CALL 911, a Doctor or the Local Poison Control Center, for
instructions. If the poison if a household product, the antidote
is listed on the label. If the poison is unknown DO NOT give
the victim any food or drink or try to induce vomiting unless
told to my a medical professional. Bring all products or
medications that were ingested when going to the ER.

Poison Ivy and Poison Oak
Wash the exposed area with soap and water, then sponge
affected area with rubbing alcohol. Topical corticosteroid
cream or ointment help reduce itching. Remember to clean
any clothing thoroughly too.

Shock
Shock smyptons include: sweating, faintness, nausea,
panting, rapid pulse, rate; and cold, moist, pale skin. There
may lead to drowsiness, confusion and possible unconscious-
ness. Call for HELP immediately. Until it arrives, lay victim faceup
with legs slightly elevated. In cold weather cover with blankets
or extra clothing to maintain normal body temperature. In warm
weather provide shade. Monitor breathing and pulse.

Snakebite
Move the victim away from the area of the snake. CALL 911 or
your emergency number. Identify the snake if you can. Lightly tie
a band 2-4 inches above the bite (closer to the body). DO NOT
cut off circulation. DO NOT try to suck out the venom. Keep the
person lying flat and calm until help arrives.Wash the bit with
soap and water. Remove all jewelry if bite is on an arm.

Sprains and Broken Bones
Apply ice to reduce swelling and pain. Keep injured area
immobilized with an ace bandage or a splint or a sling. Watch
victim to be sure he or she does not go into shock. Get to a
Doctor or a hospital emergency room immediately.

Stokes
Call your local emergency number immediately. Until help
arrives, stay with the victim. DO NOT allow the person to eat or
drink anything. If paralysis is evident, secure and protect the
paralyzed parts. If breathing stops administer CPR. DO NOT
stop for more than 15 seconds. For minor breathing problems,
place the victim's head and shoulders on a pollow. If vomiting
occurs, turn victim's head to the side. Remember: A person
who appears to have lost consciousness may actually still
be able to hear and understand you.

Vomiting
Limit intake of food and drink plenty of fluids such as water,
soft drinks, non citrus juices or broth. Your Doctor may prescribe
antinausea medications. If vomiting persisits, seek medical
attention.

*This is not intended to be a replacement for expert advise
or professional medical care.