First Aid Primer from The Red Cross
Another useful preparation includes learning some basic first aid. To enroll in a first aid and AED/CPR course, contact your local American Red Cross chapter. In an emergency situation, you need to tend to your own well-being first and then consider first aid for others immediately around you, including possibly assisting injured people to evacuate a building if necessary.1) Check-Call-Care- If you encounter someone who is injured, apply the emergency action steps: ‘Check-Call-Care’
Check the scene to make sure it is safe to approach. Then check the victim for unconsciousness and life-threatening conditions. Someone who has a life-threatening condition, such as not breathing or severe bleeding, requires immediate care by first responders and may require treatment by medical professionals.
Call out for help. There are steps that you can take, however, to
Care for someone who is hurt, but whose injuries are not life threatening.
2) Control Bleeding
• Cover the wound with a dressing, and press firmly against the wound (direct pressure).
• Elevate the injured area above the level of the heart if you do not suspect any broken bones.
• Cover the dressing with a roller bandage.
• If the bleeding does not stop, apply additional dressings and bandages and use a pressure point to squeeze the artery against the bone.
• Provide care for shock.
3) Care for Shock
• Keep the victim from getting chilled or overheated.
• Elevate the legs about 12 inches (if broken bones are not suspected).
• Do not give food or drink to the victim.
4) Tend Burns
• Stop the burning by cooling the burn with large amounts of water.
• Cover the burn with dry, clean dressings or cloth.
5) Care for Injuries to Muscles, Bones and Joints
• Rest the injured part.
• Apply ice or a cold pack to control swelling and reduce pain.
• Avoid any movement or activity that causes pain.
• If you must move the victim because the scene is becoming unsafe, try to immobilize the injured part to keep it from moving.
6) Reduce Any Care Risks
The risk of getting a disease during first aid is rare. However, to reduce the risk even further:
• Avoid direct contact with blood and other body fluids.
• Use protective equipment, such as disposable gloves and breathing barriers.
• Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water immediately after giving care.
7) More Information About First Aid in Emergency Situations- Can be found at:
www.redcross.org
In All Cases, Remain Calm.
Be prepared to adapt this information to your personal circumstances and above all, stay calm, be patient and think before you act. With these simple preparations, you can be ready for the unexpected. If you have a working smoke detector, you understand that preparing makes sense.
Get ready now at www.ready.gov.
Coping with Disaster
The emotional toll that disaster brings can sometimes be even more devastating than the financial strains of damage and loss of home, business, or personal property.
1) Understand Disaster Events- Everyone who experiences a disaster is affected in some way. Profound sadness, grief, and anger are normal reactions to an abnormal event. Acknowledging your feelings helps you recover. Focusing on your strengths and abilities helps you heal. Accepting help from community programs, religious organizations, charities or FEMA is a good start. Everyone has different needs and different ways of coping. Children and older adults are of special concern in the aftermath of disasters. Even individuals who experience a disaster “second hand” through exposure to extensive media coverage can be affected.
2) Recognize Signs of Disaster Related Stress- When adults have the following signs, they might need crisis counseling or stress management assistance:
• Difficulty communicating thoughts.
• Difficulty sleeping.
• Difficulty maintaining balance in their lives.
• Low threshold of frustration.
• Increased use of drugs/alcohol.
• Limited attention span.
• Poor work performance.
• Headaches/stomach problems.
• Tunnel vision/muffled hearing.
• Colds or flu-like symptoms.
• Disorientation or confusion.
• Difficulty concentrating.
• Reluctance to leave home.
• Depression, sadness.
• Feelings of hopelessness.
• Mood-swings and easy bouts of crying.
• Overwhelming guilt and self-doubt.
• Fear of crowds, strangers, or being alone.
3) Easing Disaster-Related Stress- Talk with someone about your feelings - anger, sorrow, and other emotions - even though it may be difficult.
• Seek help from professional counselors who deal with post-disaster stress.
• Do not hold yourself responsible for the disastrous event or be frustrated because you feel you cannot help directly in the rescue work.
• Take steps to promote your own physical and emotional healing by healthy eating, rest, exercise, relaxation, and meditation.
• Maintain a normal daily routine, limiting demanding responsibilities on yourself and others.
• Spend time with family and friends.
• Participate in memorials.
• Use existing support groups of family, friends, and religious institutions.
• Ensure you are ready for future events by restocking your disaster supplies kits and updating your family disaster plan. Doing these positive actions can be comforting.
4) Helping Children Cope with Disaster- Disasters can leave children feeling frightened and insecure. Whether a child has personally experienced trauma, has merely seen the event on television, it is important for parents and teachers to be ready to help if reactions to stress begin to occur. Children may respond to disaster by demonstrating fears, sadness, or behavioral problems. Younger children may return to earlier behavior patterns, such as bedwetting, sleep problems, and separation anxiety. Older children may also display anger, aggression, school problems, or withdrawal. Some children who have indirect contact with the disaster but witness it on television may develop distress.
