Heimlich Maneuver: The Heimlich Maneuver is the best known method of removing an object from the airway of a person who is choking. You can use it on yourself or someone else. These are the steps:
1. Stand behind the choking person and wrap your arms around his or her waist. Bend the person slightly forward.
2. Make a fist with one hand and place it slightly above the person's navel.
3. Grasp your fist with the other hand and press hard into the abdomen with a quick, upward thrust. Repeat this procedure until the object is expelled from the airway.
If you must perform this maneuver on yourself, position your own fist slightly above your navel. Grasp your fist with your other hand and thrust upward into your abdomen until the object is expelled.
Nosebleed: A nosebleed is sudden bleeding from one or both nostrils, and may result from a variety of events: a punch in the nose, breathing dry air, allergies, or for no apparent reason. To stop the flow of blood from a common nosebleed, use these steps:
1. Sit or stand upright to slow the flow of blood in the veins of the nose. Do not tip your head back.
2. Pinch your nose with your thumb and forefinger for 10 minutes without relieving pressure. Breathe through your mouth during this time.
3. If the bleeding continues despite these efforts, consult your doctor or call 911.
Poisoning: A poisoning may or may not be obvious. Sometimes the source of a poisoning can be easily identified -- an open bottle of medication or a spilled bottle of household cleaner. Look for these signs if you suspect a poisoning emergency: +Burns or redness around the mouth and lips. +Breath that smells like chemicals. +Burns, stains, and odors on the person, his or her clothing, or on the furniture, floor, rugs, or other objects in the surrounding area. +Vomiting, difficulty breathing, or other unexpected symptoms. If you believe someone has been poisoned, take the following steps:
1. Some products have instructions on the label specifying what to do if a poisoning occurs. If the product known to be the poison has these instructions, follow them.
2. If the person is alert, give them a glass of water or milk to drink. The liquid will slow the rate at which the poison is absorbed by the body. But if the person is weak, lethargic, unconscious, or having seizures, do not give them anything by mouth.
3. If you cannot identify the poison or there are no instructions on the product label, call your local poison control center for instructions. Keep the number near your telephone.
4. Certain poisons should be vomited; others should not. If you do not know the identity of the substance swallowed, do not induce vomiting. Overall, you should not induce vomiting unless directed to by a poison control authority or your physician.
5. If you are told to induce vomiting in the person who has swallowed poison, use syrup of ipecac to do so. An alternative method to induce vomiting is touching the back of the throat of the person to initiate gagging. If you have no other alternative, have the person drink a glass of warm water containing 1 teaspoon of dried mustard or 3 teaspoons of salt. After the person has vomited, give a glass of water or milk.
6. If the poison has spilled on the person's clothing, skin, or eyes, remove the clothing and flush the skin or eyes with cool or lukewarm water for 20 minutes.
7. Get immediate medical attention. If you have identified the poison, take the container with you.
Severe Bleeding: To stop serious bleeding, follow these steps:
1. Lay the affected person down. If possible, the person's head should be slightly lower than the trunk of his or her body or the legs should be elevated. This position increases blood flow to the brain. Elevate the site of bleeding, if possible to reduce the blood flow.
2. Do not attempt to clean the wound.
3. Apply steady, firm pressure directly to the wound using a sterile bandage, a clean cloth, or your hand. Maintain pressure until the bleeding stops, then wrap the wound with a tight dressing and secure it with adhesive tape. Most bleeding can be controlled this way. Call for emergency help immediately.
4. If the bleeding continues and seeps through the bandage, add more absorbent material. Do not remove the first bandage.
5. If the bleeding does not stop, apply pressure to the major artery that delivers blood to the area of the injury. 6. When the bleeding has stopped, immobilize the injured portion of the body. You can use another part of the body, such as a leg or torso, to immobilize the area. Leave the bandages in place and take the person for immediate medical attention or call for emergency help.
Shock: A variety of symptoms appear in a person experiencing shock: +The skin may appear pale or gray, and is cool and clammy to the touch. +The heartbeat is weak and rapid, and breathing is slow and shallow. The blood pressure is reduced. +The eyes lack shine and seem to stare. Sometimes the pupils are dilated. +The person may be conscious or unconscious. If conscious, the person may faint or be very weak or confused.On the other hand, shock sometimes causes a person to become overly excited and anxious.
Even if a person seems normal after an injury, take precautions and treat the person for shock by following these steps: 1. Get the person to lie down on his or her back and elevate the feet higher than the person's head. Keep the person from moving unnecessarily. 2. Keep the person warm and comfortable. Loosen tight clothing and cover the person with a blanket. Do not give the person anything to drink.
3. If the person is vomiting or bleeding from the mouth, place the person on his or her side to prevent choking.
4. Treat any injuries appropriately (bleeding, broken bones, etc.).
5. Summon emergency medical assistance immediately.
The information contained on this site is not intended as a substitute for medical advice from your doctor or healthcare provider.If you are in a life threatening or emergency medical situation, seek medical assistance immediately.
