First Aid

Call 911 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY.

Call 911 for immediate help in case of police, fire or medical emergencies.

First aid is any emergency care or treatment given to an ill or injured person before regular medical aid can be administered. Although some aspects of first aid require training, such as CPR, most first aid can be administered by a lay person using common sense and minimal equipment for minor injuries.

Three main goals of first aid:
  1. Preserve life.
  2. Prevent further injury.
  3. Promote recovery.
The goals are met in the following ways:
  • Preventing heavy blood loss.
  • Maintaining breathing.
  • Preventing shock.
  • Getting the victim to a physician or emergency medical services (EMS).

For First-Aid Providers

People who provide first aid must remember the following:

  • Avoid panic.
  • Inspire confidence.
  • Do only what is necessary until professional help is obtained.

Remember, the first step in any serious emergency is to dial 911. Emergency medical dispatchers will give basic first-aid instructions over the phone while the ambulance is on its way.

Poison

Poison is a substance that through its chemical action can kill, injure or impair an organism. Acute poisoning is exposure to a poison on one occasion or during a short period of time. Symptoms develop as a result of exposure or close proximity to a substance. Poisonous materials can be found in a variety of household items as well as in laboratory reagents and chemicals.

Many poisons react differently to various treatments, so if you suspect a victim has been poisoned through ingestion, inhalation or skin exposure:

  • Try to determine what the poisoning agent is.
  • Call 911.
  • OR call Poison Control Center Network at 800-222-1222 for specific first-aid instructions.