Emergency Response & First Aid Flashcards

What is the first step in providing first aid to an injured person?

Answer: Call emergency services.

In any serious medical emergency, the immediate priority after ensuring scene safety is to call for professional medical help. Emergency services (like 911 or local equivalent) can provide critical guidance over the phone and dispatch trained personnel, ensuring the injured person receives timely and appropriate care. While assessing the injury is important, calling for help should often precede or happen concurrently with initial assessment, especially if the situation is serious.

How should you treat a burn injury?

Answer: Run cool water over the burn for at least 10 minutes.

For most minor to moderate burns, the immediate and most effective first aid is to cool the burn with cool (not cold or ice) running water. This helps to stop the burning process, reduce pain, and minimize tissue damage. Applying ice, butter, or popping blisters can worsen the injury or introduce infection.

What is the correct method to perform chest compressions during CPR?

Answer: Place hands on the center of the chest and push down firmly, at least 2 inches.

Effective chest compressions are vital for CPR to circulate blood to the brain and other vital organs. The correct technique involves placing hands in the center of the chest (lower half of the breastbone) and pushing hard and fast, to a depth of at least 2 inches (5 cm) for adults, allowing for full chest recoil between compressions. Incorrect hand placement or depth can be ineffective or cause further injury.

When should you perform the Heimlich maneuver?

Answer: When a person is choking and cannot breathe or speak.

The Heimlich maneuver (abdominal thrusts) is a life-saving technique used specifically when a person is conscious and clearly choking, indicated by an inability to breathe, cough, or speak. It is designed to dislodge an obstruction from the airway. It should not be performed if the person can cough forcefully or speak, as they may be able to clear the obstruction themselves.

What should you do if a person is having a seizure?

Answer: Protect the person from injury and do not put anything in their mouth.

During a seizure, the primary goal is to keep the person safe from injury. This involves moving objects away from them and placing something soft under their head. It is crucial never to restrain them or put anything in their mouth, as this can cause injury to both the person having the seizure and the rescuer.

What should you do for a person who is unresponsive but breathing?

Answer: Place them in the recovery position and monitor their breathing.

If an unresponsive person is breathing, placing them in the recovery position helps to keep their airway open and prevents them from choking on vomit or fluids. This position ensures their safety while you monitor their condition and await emergency medical services. CPR is only for those not breathing.

What is the first thing to do if you find a person who is not breathing?

Answer: Start chest compressions immediately and begin CPR.

If a person is unresponsive and not breathing, immediate chest compressions are critical to circulate oxygenated blood to the brain and heart. While calling 911 is also vital, starting CPR without delay significantly increases the person's chances of survival until professional help arrives. Time is of the essence in such situations.

When should you use an automated external defibrillator (AED)?

Answer: When a person is unresponsive and not breathing.

An AED is designed to deliver an electrical shock to restart the heart in cases of sudden cardiac arrest. It should only be used on individuals who are unresponsive and not breathing, as these are the definitive signs of cardiac arrest. Using it on someone who is breathing or conscious could be dangerous and is unnecessary.