First aid

If patient has stopped breathing:

Give immediate mouth to mouth resuscitation. Make sure that air passages are open in any unconscious or injured patient. Turn head to one side if nose and mouth are filled with fluid, blood, vomit. Wipe out with finger or handkerchief. Pull tongue forward if it has slipped back to plug throat.

If bleeding is serious:

Apply pressure directly over wound until bleeding stops. Press hard with your hand against gauze, wadded cloth, clean handkerchief placed over wound. Use heel of bare hand in emergency. Keep pressing steadily; do not dab. If wound is in leg or arm, elevate limb above level of body and support with pillow or padding. Do not elevate injured part if bones are broken. Do not apply tourniquet unless all other measures to stop bleeding fail.

Prevent shock:

Cover patient, keep him comfortably warm, not hot or sweaty. If he can swallow, give warm fluids or "shock solution"-- teaspoonful of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, dissolved in 1 quart of water. Give by spoonful. Do not give anything by mouth if patient is unconscious, halfconscious, vomiting, or if he has an abdominal wound.

Do not move victim:

Never move patient from scene of accident while waiting for medical help, unless absolutely necessary. Keep him lying flat on back on level surface. Do not lift head, do not help him to sit or stand, do not bundle him into sitting position in back seat of car. Splinting should be done at the site of the accident. See Transporting the injured.

Summon doctor but first give resuscitation, if necessary; clear air passages; stop bleeding-seconds may save a life!