By admin Published September 18, 2018

If your friend or family member suddenly started choking on something, stopped breathing, or sustained a burn, would you know the proper steps to aid in the situation?

Knowing the basics for how to handle certain emergency situations could mean the difference between life and death. Below are some safety tips to help if you ever find yourself in this position.

Checking an Injured or Ill Adult

• Check for responsiveness by tapping on shoulder and asking “Are you okay?”
• If there is no response, call 911.
• Open the airway by tilting the head and lifting the chin.
• Check for breathing for no more than 10 sec, occasional gasps are not breathing.
• Quickly scan for bleeding.
• If the injured party is not breathing, proceed with CPR.
• If the injured party is breathing, maintain an open airway and monitor for change in condition.

 How to Perform CPR

1. Give 30-chest compression.

• Push hard and fast in the middle of the chest at least two inches deep.

1. Give two rescue breaths.

• Tilt the head back and lift the chin.
• Pinch the nose and give a breath for one second for the chest to clearly rise.

1. Do not stop.

• Continue CPR until you are unable or medical personnel have arrived.

1. If breaths do not make chest rise even after re-tilting head, go to unconscious choking. 

For Signs of Choking

Unconscious Choking

• Give rescue breaths and 30-chest compressions.
• Look for and remove object if blocking airways.
• Give two rescue breaths
• If breaths do not make chest rise, repeat steps 2-4.  

Conscious Choking

1. Give 5 back blows.

• Bend the person over at the waist and use the heel of your hand to hit between the shoulder blades.

1. Give 5 abdominal thrusts.

• Place your hands in the middle of the abdomen with thumb against their body above their belly button, with other hand covering your fist and give upward thrusts.

 For a Head, Neck or Spinal Injury

• Call 911 immediately.
• Minimize movement of head, neck and spine.
• Stabilize the head to keep it in position by placing hands on either side of the head.

 For Burns

• Remove from source of the burn.
• Never use cold water or ice to relieve the pain of the burn – this will further damage the tissue.
• Cover the burn with a towel or other sterile dressing.
• Call 911.

If you ever find yourself in a situation that requires first aid, we hope these tips help. If you have any questions, as always, feel free to contact your friends at the Carbondale Fire District.