First Aid: Choking

via Mayo Clinic

Choking occurs when a foreign object becomes lodged in the throat or windpipe, blocking the flow of air. In adults, a piece of food often is the culprit. Young children often swallow small objects. Because choking cuts off oxygen to the brain, administer first aid as quickly as possible.

The universal sign for choking is hands clutched to the throat. If the person doesn't give the signal, look for these indications:

-Inability to talk
-Difficulty breathing or noisy breathing
-Inability to cough forcefully
-Skin, lips and nails turning blue or dusky
-Loss of consciousness

If choking is occurring, the Red Cross recommends a "five-and-five" approach to delivering first aid:

1. First, deliver five back blows between the person's shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.
2. Next, perform five abdominal thrusts (also known as the Heimlich maneuver).
3. Alternate between five back blows and five abdominal thrusts until the blockage is dislodged.

To perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) on someone else:

1. Stand behind the person. Wrap your arms around the waist. Tip the person forward slightly.
2. Make a fist with one hand. Position it slightly above the person's navel.
3. Grasp the fist with the other hand. Press hard into the abdomen with a quick, upward thrust — as if trying to lift the person up.
4. Perform a total of five abdominal thrusts, if needed. If the blockage still isn't dislodged, repeat the five-and-five cycle.

If you're the only rescuer, perform back blows and abdominal thrusts before calling 911 or your local emergency number for help. If another person is available, have that person call for help while you perform first aid.

If the person becomes unconscious, perform standard CPR with chest compressions.

If you're alone and choking, you'll be unable to effectively deliver back blows to yourself. However, you can still perform abdominal thrusts to dislodge the item.

To perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) on yourself:

1. Place a fist slightly above your navel.
2. Grasp your fist with the other hand and bend over a hard surface — a countertop or chair will do.
3. Shove your fist inward and upward.

Clearing the airway of a pregnant woman or obese person:

1. Position your hands a little bit higher than with a normal Heimlich maneuver, at the base of the breastbone, just above the joining of the lowest ribs.
2. Proceed as with the Heimlich maneuver, pressing hard into the chest, with a quick thrust.
3. Repeat until the food or other blockage is dislodged or the person becomes unconscious.

Clearing the airway of an unconscious person:

1. Lower the person on his or her back onto the floor.
2. Clear the airway. If there's a visible blockage at the back of the throat or high in the throat, reach a finger into the mouth and sweep out the cause of the blockage. Be careful not to push the food or object deeper into the airway, which can happen easily in young children.
3. Begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if the object remains lodged and the person doesn't respond after you take the above measures. The chest compressions used in CPR may dislodge the object. Remember to recheck the mouth periodically.

Clearing the airway of a choking infant younger than age 1:

1. Assume a seated position and hold the infant facedown on your forearm, which is resting on your thigh.
2. Thump the infant gently but firmly five times on the middle of the back using the heel of your hand. The combination of gravity and the back blows should release the blocking object.
3. Hold the infant faceup on your forearm with the head lower than the trunk if the above doesn't work. Using two fingers placed at the center of the infant's breastbone, give five quick chest compressions.
4. Repeat the back blows and chest thrusts if breathing doesn't resume. Call for emergency medical help.
5. Begin infant CPR if one of these techniques opens the airway but the infant doesn't resume breathing.

If the child is older than age 1, give abdominal thrusts only.

**To prepare yourself for these situations, learn the Heimlich maneuver and CPR in a certified first-aid training course.

First Aid: Cuts & Scrapes

Having your first aid supplies is important but knowing how to use them is just as important. In the next installment of the First Aid series this one deals with minor cuts and scrapes. As always the information is straight from the Mayo Clinic's website. Feel free to print this out and keep it with your first aid kit so you know what to do next time someone cuts themselves.

Minor cuts and scrapes usually don't require a trip to the emergency room. Yet proper care is essential to avoid infection or other complications. These guidelines can help you care for simple wounds:

1. Stop the bleeding. Minor cuts and scrapes usually stop bleeding on their own. If they don't, apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or bandage. Hold the pressure continuously for 20 to 30 minutes and if possible elevate the wound. Don't keep checking to see if the bleeding has stopped because this may damage or dislodge the clot that's forming and cause bleeding to resume. If blood spurts or continues flowing after continuous pressure, seek medical assistance.

2. Clean the wound. Rinse out the wound with clear water. Soap can irritate the wound, so try to keep it out of the actual wound. If dirt or debris remains in the wound after washing, use tweezers cleaned with alcohol to remove the particles. If debris still remains, see your doctor. Thorough cleaning reduces the risk of infection and tetanus. To clean the area around the wound, use soap and a washcloth. There's no need to use hydrogen peroxide, iodine or an iodine-containing cleanser.

3. Apply an antibiotic. After you clean the wound, apply a thin layer of an antibiotic cream or ointment such as Neosporin or Polysporin to help keep the surface moist. The products don't make the wound heal faster, but they can discourage infection and help your body's natural healing process. Certain ingredients in some ointments can cause a mild rash in some people. If a rash appears, stop using the ointment.

4. Cover the wound. Bandages can help keep the wound clean and keep harmful bacteria out. After the wound has healed enough to make infection unlikely, exposure to the air will speed wound healing.

5. Change the dressing. Change the dressing at least daily or whenever it becomes wet or dirty. If you're allergic to the adhesive used in most bandages, switch to adhesive-free dressings or sterile gauze held in place with paper tape, gauze roll or a loosely applied elastic bandage. These supplies generally are available at pharmacies.

6. Get stitches for deep wounds. A wound that is more than 1/4-inch (6 millimeters) deep or is gaping or jagged edged and has fat or muscle protruding usually requires stitches. Adhesive strips or butterfly tape may hold a minor cut together, but if you can't easily close the wound, see your doctor as soon as possible. Proper closure within a few hours reduces the risk of infection.

7. Watch for signs of infection. See your doctor if the wound isn't healing or you notice any redness, increasing pain, drainage, warmth or swelling.

8. Get a tetanus shot. Doctors recommend you get a tetanus shot every 10 years. If your wound is deep or dirty and your last shot was more than five years ago, your doctor may recommend a tetanus shot booster. Get the booster as soon as possible after the injury.

First Aid: Insect Bites & Stings

Here is another page from the Mayo Clinic on First Aid. This includes information about Insect Bites & Stings.

Signs and symptoms of an insect bite result from the injection of venom or other substances into your skin. The venom triggers an allergic reaction. The severity of your reaction depends on your sensitivity to the insect venom or

substance.


Most reactions to insect bites are mild, causing little more than an annoying itching or stinging sensation and mild swelling that disappear within a day or so. A delayed reaction may cause fever, hives, painful joints and swollen glands. You might experience both the immediate and the delayed reactions from the same insect bite or sting. Only a small percentage of people develop severe reactions (anaphylaxis) to insect venom. Signs and symptoms of a severe reaction include:

-Facial swelling
-Difficulty breathing
-Abdominal pain
-Shock

Bites from bees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets and fire ants are typically the most troublesome. Bites from mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies and some spiders also can cause reactions, but these are generally milder.

For mild reactions:

-Move to a safe area to avoid more stings.
-Scrape or brush off the stinger with a straight-edged object, such as a credit card or the back of a knife. Wash the affected area with soap and water. Don't try to pull out the stinger. Doing so may release more venom.
-Apply a cold pack or cloth filled with ice to reduce pain and swelling.
-Apply hydrocortisone cream (0.5 percent or 1 percent), calamine lotion or a baking soda paste — with a ratio of 3 teaspoons baking soda to 1 teaspoon water — to the bite or sting several times a day until your symptoms subside.
-Take an antihistamine containing diphenhydramine (Benadryl, Tylenol Severe Allergy) or chlorpheniramine maleate (Chlor-Trimeton, Actifed).

Allergic reactions may include mild nausea and intestinal cramps, diarrhea or swelling larger than 2 inches in diameter at the site. See your doctor promptly if you experience any of these signs and symptoms.

For severe reactions:

Severe reactions may progress rapidly. Dial 911 or call for emergency medical assistance if the following signs or symptoms occur:

-Difficulty breathing
-Swelling of the lips or throat
-Faintness
-Dizziness
-Confusion
-Rapid heartbeat
-Hives
-Nausea, cramps and vomiting

Take these actions immediately while waiting with an affected person for medical help:

1. Check for special medications that the person might be carrying to treat an allergic attack, such as an auto-injector of epinephrine (for example, EpiPen). Administer the drug as directed — usually by pressing the auto-injector against the person's thigh and holding it in place for several seconds. Massage the injection site for 10 seconds to enhance absorption.
2. Have the person take an antihistamine pill if he or she is able to do so without choking, after administering epinephrine.
3. Have the person lie still on his or her back with feet higher than the head.
4. Loosen tight clothing and cover the person with a blanket. Don't give anything to drink.
5. Turn the person on his or her side to prevent choking, if there's vomiting or bleeding from the mouth.
6. Begin CPR, if there are no signs of circulation (breathing, coughing or movement).

If your doctor has prescribed an auto-injector of epinephrine, read the instructions before a problem develops and also have your household members read them.

First Aid: Burns

The following information is from the Mayo Clinic and I will probably turn this into a running series about how to handle different first aid situations. This would be important to know if you do have a good first aid kit so you can know how to use the items in the kit.

To distinguish a minor burn from a serious burn, the first step is to determine the degree and the extent of damage to body tissues. The three classifications of first-degree burn, second-degree burn and third-degree burn will help you determine emergency care:

First-degree burn
The least serious burns are those in which only the outer layer of skin is burned. The skin is usually red, with swelling and pain sometimes present. The outer layer of skin hasn't been burned through. Treat a first-degree burn as a minor burn unless it involves substantial portions of the hands, feet, face, groin or buttocks, or a major joint.

Second-degree burn
When the first layer of skin has been burned through and the second layer of skin (dermis) also is burned, the injury is called a second-degree burn. Blisters develop and the skin takes on an intensely reddened, splotchy appearance. Second-degree burns produce severe pain and swelling.

If the second-degree burn is no larger than 3 inches (7.5 centimeters) in diameter, treat it as a minor burn. If the burned area is larger or if the burn is on the hands, feet, face, groin or buttocks, or over a major joint, treat it as a major burn and get medical help immediately.

For minor burns, including first-degree burns and second-degree burns limited to an area no larger than 3 inches (7.5 centimeters) in diameter, take the following action:

-Cool the burn. Hold the burned area under cold running water for at least five minutes, or until the pain subsides. If this is impractical, immerse the burn in cold water or cool it with cold compresses. Cooling the burn reduces swelling by conducting heat away from the skin. Don't put ice on the burn.

-Cover the burn with a sterile gauze bandage. Don't use fluffy cotton, which may irritate the skin. Wrap the gauze loosely to avoid putting pressure on burned skin. Bandaging keeps air off the burned skin, reduces pain and protects blistered skin.

-Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. These include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others). Never give aspirin to children or teenagers.

Minor burns usually heal without further treatment. They may heal with pigment changes, meaning the healed area may be a different color from the surrounding skin. Watch for signs of infection, such as increased pain, redness, fever, swelling or oozing. If infection develops, seek medical help. Avoid re-injuring or tanning if the burns are less than a year old — doing so may cause more extensive pigmentation changes. Use sunscreen on the area for at least a year.

Caution
-Don't use ice. Putting ice directly on a burn can cause frostbite, further damaging your skin.

-Don't apply butter or ointments to the burn. This could prevent proper healing.

-Don't break blisters. Broken blisters are vulnerable to infection.

Third-degree burn
The most serious burns are painless, involve all layers of the skin and cause permanent tissue damage. Fat, muscle and even bone may be affected. Areas may be charred black or appear dry and white. Difficulty inhaling and exhaling, carbon monoxide poisoning, or other toxic effects may occur if smoke inhalation accompanies the burn.

For major burns, dial 911 or call for emergency medical assistance. Until an emergency unit arrives, follow these steps:

1. Don't remove burnt clothing. However, do make sure the victim is no longer in contact with smoldering materials or exposed to smoke or heat.

2. Don't immerse large severe burns in cold water. Doing so could cause shock.

3. Check for signs of circulation (breathing, coughing or movement). If there is no breathing or other sign of circulation, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

4. Elevate the burned body part or parts. Raise above heart level, when possible.

5. Cover the area of the burn. Use a cool, moist, sterile bandage; clean, moist cloth; or moist towels.

Most Overlooked Prep

It seems that the most overlooked item for a preparedness kit would be a first aid kit. There are a lot of preppers and non-preppers alike who don't have any first aid supplies in their home. A first aid kit is very important to keep because when you need it, it's handy to have. I know some people who don't keep any first aid supplies in their home until someone needs a band aid. Emergency situations that require first aid usually won't allow you enough time to head down to the store to purchase the stuff. You want to have a kit ahead of time so if the time comes and you need it, then you will have it.

A first aid kit is just as important as your food storage, and your water storage. When you're talking about getting your 3 month supply built up, you not only want to have your 3 month supply of food and water, but also your other necessities including first aid supplies. Most common and minor injuries can be treated with a good first aid kit and save a hospital trip and the hospital bills. There are many different first aid kits on the market, although most include the same stuff. You just want to find one that is large enough and includes the items in it to fit your needs.

I purchased a first aid kit from eBay a few months ago and after some issues with the kit I purchased being out of stock, I lucked up and got sent two of the same first aid kit. I received the 327pc. Deluxe First Aid Center, the kind you can buy from Sam's Club. These kits are very nice and include plenty of first aid supplies. They are designed for use with up to 30 people in a manufacturing setting. This kit meets OSHA and ANSI guidelines for business use and comes with a study hard case for storage or wall mounting.




The Kit Includes:
Clean:
-27 Antiseptic Towelettes
-27 alcohol Prep Pads
-9 Povidone Iodine Prep Pads
-1 Eye Wash 1 oz.
-20 Cotton Tip Applicators
-6 Examination Gloves
Treat:
-1 Hydrogen Peroxide Spray Pump
-10 Antibiotic Ointment Packets
-12 Sting Relief Pads (for insect bites)
-5 Burn Cream Ointments
-10 Antacid Tablets
-12 Ibuprofen Tablets
-12 Non-Aspirin Tablets
-1 Instant Chemical Cold Pack-6"x9"
-1 Reusable Hot/Cold Gel Pack 6"x9"
Protect:
-40 Adhesive Bandages-3/8"x1 1/2"
-30 Adhesive Bandages-3"x3/4"
-10 Antibacterial Bandages-3"x3/4"
-15 Adhesive Bandages-1"x3"
-10 Antibacterial Bandages-1"x3"
-5 Butterfly Closures Bandages
-12 Wound Closure Strips-1/4"x1 1/2"
-4 Knuckle Bandages
-1 Adhesive Tape Roll-1/2"x2.5 yds
-1 Adhesive Tape Roll-1/2"x5 yds
-3 Non-Adherent Gauze Pads 2"x3"
-8 Sterile Gauze Sponge 2"x2"
-1 Sterile Trauma Sponge-5"x9"
-2 Gauze rolls-2"x4.1yds
-1 Triangular Bandage 40"x40"x56"
-2 Round Eye Pads 2"
-5 Insect Repellent Packets (1 gram)
Additional Supplies:
-4 Finger Splints
-3 Disposable Thermometers
-1 Metal Tweezer 3"
-1 Metal Scissor
-3 Splinter Removers
-1 English First Aid Instruction Guide
-1 Spanish First Aid Instruction Guide
More Items of Value:
-Antibacterial Bandages Disposable
-Thermometer
-Hydrogen Peroxide Spray Pump
-Larger Sting Relief Pads
-Thicker Sterile Gauze Sponges
-Instant Chemical Cold Pack 6"x9"
-Reusable Hot/Cold Gel Pack 6"x9"

I'm not sure what the price of these kits are at Sam's Club, but you can get one off of eBay for about $40 shipped, and the same at Amazon. First aid kits are vital to your total preparedness, at the least I would pick up one of these to put back, and a couple if you have a family. These kits will never go bad and most people could make it last a long time.