First Aid

Suicide was the 11th leading cause of death in the United States for 2006. High-risk populations include teenagers, substance abusers, people who are mentally ill, and those with little education,...

Tearing a contact lens is a terrible feeling. It distorts your vision, interrupts whatever you were doing and causes pain and sometimes even panic. Torn lenses are useless, and removing them...

In many situations, injury or trauma, it is important and even life saving to know how to treat someone for shock. Most every type of accident can involve a victim going into shock. Brush up on...

This is the time when many people hit the lake, ocean, river, swimming pool to cool off, and if kids are involved, it makes it even more enjoyable. However, sometimes a tragedy occurs - accident...

Pepper spray is something that many people are coming face to face with. Whether you're goofying off with friends or stuck in a serious situation, here are a few tips to get over the highly...

Drowning victims are generally in a state of panic unless they are unconscious. If you must rescue a drowning victim who is still coherent, you must be careful not to put yourself in harm's way...

Basic first aid saves countless lives every year as well as prevents injuries from becoming more severe. There are more than 30,000 finger amputations every year. If someone close to you lost a...

Safeguarding young lives is well worth whatever effort we need to take. "Children act fast.. and so do poisons" as stated by Vicki Lansky author of "Child Proof Your Home" and...

Many of us panic when faced with a medical emergency because we have no information to help us handle the situation. An ordinary citizen can intervene in a medical emergency and bring it to a...

Accidents as well as medical conditions can hamper a person's ability to breathe easily. When rendering first aid, it's important to observe the victim's symptoms and take immediate steps to help....

Have you been in a car accident, fallen off a ladder or been the victim of an assault and suffered a blow to the head? It's important to know what to do after sustaining a closed head injury,...

Being present when someone has a seizure is a frightening experience for everyone involved. Luckily, regardless of the type of seizure, first aid in these situations is not complicated and anyone...

Correctly performing rescue breathing is essential in any case where a person has stopped taking breaths, since a lack of oxygen can cause brain damage within minutes. Rescue breathing--which can...

For pet lovers, knowing how to perform CPR is essential. Just like humans, you never know when you'll need to use it and you'll be glad you know how if you ever need to. Performing CPR is simple...

If a person swallows a small object it's usually just a matter of time to wait for the object to pass. But if the swallowed object is sharp, metallic or something else dangerous such as a battery,...

When someone has altered mental status, it is important to assess their mental status and reassess the mental status every once in awhile to assure that the patient is not getting any worse.

When someone suffers a violent, or even minor, blow to the head, the brain can be jarred, leading to bruising of the brain, tearing of blood vessels and injury to nerves. This can result in a...

Chemicals are very dangerous substances that can have untoward effects when used improperly or when they are involved in an accidental spill. Some chemicals may not cause instant harm but can...

Completing a head-to-toe assessment on an injured person is a necessary first-aid step after an accident of any kind. When headache, confusion, dizziness, and nausea and vomiting are present,...

Quick response time and good observation is critical when you're assisting a hit and run victim. Use these steps to learn what to do in a hit and run situation.

If you are present at the scene of a traffic accident, you should assist the victims, provided you know what you're doing. Use these steps to learn how to assist a traffic accident victim.

Gunshot wounds are serious injuries and can prove fatal if not given proper treatment at the right time. Administering first aid is the most crucial step in responding to any gunshot wound before...

Drowning is one of the leading causes of death and considered to be one of the most horrific ways to die. Unfortunately, many people are unsure of how to revive a drowning victim. If a person has...

First Aid skills are best learned from a certified First Aid instructor, but consulting this list will refresh your memory in case you ever need to administer First Aid to a choking person. The...

A meal can turn into a sudden emergency when a food particle becomes trapped in a person's airway, making it impossible for him to breathe or speak. Sometimes the individual will put his hand on...

Wounds that are small and gaping, or that are on the face or scalp, should be closed with tape or closure bandages to help healing and prevent scarring. Only close a wound that is small and has...

Many types of injury can cause breathing to stop, depriving the brain of precious oxygen. Rescue breathing - also known as "mouth to mouth resuscitation" - can save a life.

Many types of injury can cause breathing to stop, depriving the brain of precious oxygen. Rescue breathing - also known as mouth-to-mouth resuscitation - can save a life.

A choking victim can't breathe, which deprives the brain of precious oxygen. Using the following technique could save a life.

If a person begins to choke and his or her airway becomes blocked, the Heimlich maneuver can save the victim's life, even if he or she is unconscious.

Sometimes when a thorn gets stuck under your skin it will work itself back out. If not, you'll have to remove it in order to eliminate the symptoms of pain, redness and swelling the thorn may cause.

It's scary to see someone having a seizure. Although the person is usually unconscious during a generalized seizure, there are many ways you can offer assistance. Your physical and psychological...

As long as your child is coughing and able to talk, give her the chance to dislodge the foreign body on her own. If your child becomes silent and isn't able to breathe, begin the Heimlich maneuver...

All open wounds are contaminated to some extent and are potential sites for infection. The best way to prevent infection is to remove all debris from the wound and discourage further growth of...

Avalanche victims often suffer traumatic injuries from being hit by snow and ice, from striking large obstacles, or from being deprived of oxygen. Use the following guidelines to maximize your...

If you recognize someone is moderately hypothermic (see "How to Recognize and Assess Hypothermia"), begin treatment right away to prevent worsening of the condition. This could save his or her life.

If you recognize someone as mildly hypothermic (see "How to Recognize and Assess Hypothermia"), begin treatment right away to prevent worsening of the condition. This could save his or her life.

Frostbite is dangerous: You can lose a finger or toe, even an arm or leg, if you don't treat it properly. Do everything in your power to prevent frostbite before it occurs, but if you see any...

Bleeding is frequently the most serious risk to an injured person's life. If you determine that a tourniquet is necessary and can apply one, you just may save a life.

A thorough head-to-toe exam of an injured person will enable a rescuer to assess injuries that are not immediately apparent. Carry out this exam only after life-threatening injuries have been...