First Aid

Treat a sprain during first aid by exposing the skin surface, evaluating the injury for discoloration and swelling, and by applying a cold compress to the affected area. Reduce blood flow by...

Splint a fractured hand by using a rolled up newspaper or other rigid materials to treat and stabilize the injury. Apply a pressure bandage or gauze and some type of cold compress to reduce...

When treating a knee sprain, apply a cold compress to reduce swelling and apply some type of pressure bandage to help support the knee without cutting off circulation. Recover from a knee sprain...

Determine if an ankle is sprained by removing the shoe and sock to evaluate for pain, swelling and any deformities. Learn how swelling and discoloration are indications of a sprained ankle with...

When treating a sprained ankle, lift the injury above the heart to temporarily reduce blood flow to the area and apply a cold compress for 10 to 15 minutes. Wrap an elastic bandage around the...

When treating a broken toe, elevate the foot higher than the chest to temporarily reduce blood flow and tape a tongue depressor next to the toe to help stabilize the injury. Reduce swelling and...

When treating a foot sprain, elevate the foot above the chest to temporarily reduce blood flow, apply some type of cold compress and wrap the affected area to support the foot. Reduce pain and...

When treating a foot fracture, evaluate the affected area for discoloration and apply some type of cold compress to constrict the blood vessels and reduce blood flow. Elevate the foot, and head to...

Assess a rib fracture by looking for signs of discoloration and by encouraging the victim to cough to determine if they are experiencing sharp pain in their chest. Learn how an increased...

When treating a rib fracture, apply ice to the affected area to reduce swelling and wrap soft rags against the chest to stabilize the injury. Place several pieces of adhesive tape around the...

A punctured lung can be a closed or open injury, and either way it should be treated in an emergency room or by a physician. Prevent a collapsed lung with tips from a street firefighter in this...

A burn in the wilderness should be treated by cleaning the area, applying a cool compress or ice and applying a sterile dressing. Reduce the severity of burns in the wilderness with tips from a...

Frostnip can be treated by immersing the affected area in lukewarm water until the skin becomes soft and the coloration appears normal. Avoid frostnip and other cold weather injuries with tips...

Frostbite can be treated by elevating the affected area, placing it in lukewarm water and wrapping it with a sterile dressing. Go to the emergency room to treat frostbite with tips from a street...

A muscle pull usually results in damaged fibers and tissues that should be treated by applying ice or cold packs to the area in short increments. Reduce swelling and pain in a muscle pull with...

When someone is poisoned by carbon dioxide, they should be moved to fresh air and taken to an emergency room as quickly as possible. Get oxygen to a person suffering from carbon dioxide poisoning...

When an infant is choking and conscious, place them on the forearm, support their head and administer blows to try to dislodge whatever is blocking the throat. Try chest compressions on a choking...

After pulling a hamstring, the quickest way to relieve pain is to apply ice or cold packs to the muscle region, and wrap the damaged area with an elastic bandage. Promote healing for hamstring...

A jammed finger or toe can be treated with ice to reduce swelling and alleviate muscle and tissue damage. Put a splint on a jammed toe or finger with tips from a street firefighter in this free...

Bruised ribs can be treated by applying a cold compress and taking over-the-counter pain relievers, such as Tylenol. Reduce the pain of bruised ribs with tips from a street firefighter in this...

Heat exhaustion may cause a person to faint, in which case the person should be placed in a cool, shaded area and then receive cold compresses applied to the forehead and body. Rehydrate a person...

Blisters should not be broken or popped, but instead treated with lavender oil and a small bandage. Avoid infection when treating blisters with tips from a street firefighter in this free video on...

In order to soothe a burnt tongue or mouth, use frozen desserts, ice cubes or analgesics prescribed by a doctor. Cool and soothe the pain of a burnt tongue with tips from a street firefighter in...

In order to soothe a burnt mouth, use frozen desserts, ice cubes or analgesics prescribed by a doctor. Cool and soothe the pain of a burnt mouth with tips from a street firefighter in this free...

When treating a hot pepper burn, avoid touching the eyes, wash the area with dish soap and apply aloe vera gel. Remove the oil from a hot pepper burn with tips from a street firefighter in this...

Food poisoning causes vomiting and diarrhea, and should be treated by preventing dehydration and eating bland, easily digestible foods. Suck on ice chips or sip clear liquids when treating food...

When someone goes into insulin shock, it's important to get sugar and food into that person without forcing it and causing aspiration. Mix sugar with liquids, or rub it on a person's gums when...

In order to avoid rape, the first thing to do is to always be aware of the surroundings. Avoid becoming a victim of rape with tips from a firefighter in this free first aid video.

Impacted bowels can be prevented by drinking plenty of water and eating adequate amounts of fiber. Prevent impacted stools with tips from a firefighter in this free first aid video.

Natural insect repellents can be made at home so that there are no harsh chemicals or DEET. Make insect repellent with tips from a firefighter in this free first aid video.

Hypothermia prevention begins with proper dress and clothing. Prevent hypothermia with tips from a firefighter in this free first aid video.

Before doing CPR on an adult, the first thing to check for is if the person is breathing. Perform CPR on an adult with tips from a firefighter in this free first aid video.

Symptoms of a poisonous scorpion sting include muscle spasms, anxiety and nausea. Treat scorpion stings in the wilderness with tips from a firefighter in this free first aid video.

First-aid kits often contain medical tape and benzoid iodine that can be used to close wounds. Use first aid to close a wound with tips from a firefighter in this free first aid video.

After determining that an airway is obstructed, one way to clear the obstruction is with the finger sweep technique. Clear an obstructed airway with tips from a firefighter in this free first aid...

A tourniquet is best made with a bandanna or any type of cravat material. Apply a tourniquet with tips from a firefighter in this free first aid video.

In first aid, treating splinters means washing the hands and cleaning the affected area. Take out a splinter with tips from a firefighter in this free first aid video.

Glue can be removed from the skin by using nail polish remover, or acetone and a cotton swab. Get super glue off the skin with tips from a firefighter in this free first aid video.

If mothball poisoning has occurred, the symptoms often include seizures or respiratory distress. Identify signs of mothball poisoning with tips from a firefighter in this free first aid video.

If someone is having a fainting episode, fresh air and a cold washcloth can provide a great deal of help. Prevent fainting with tips from a firefighter in this free first aid video.

Treat bed bug bites and stop the discomfort and itching. Learn more about treating bed bug bites with tips from a firefighter in this free first aid video.

Treat wasp stings by removing stingers with a butter knife or credit card. Treat wasp stings with tips from a firefighter in this free first aid video.

When checking wounds for infection, look for red lines, swelling or other discolorations. Check wounds for infections with tips from a firefighter in this free first aid video.

The Heimlich maneuver is used to dislodge any obstruction in the upper airway. Do the Heimlich maneuver with tips from a firefighter in this free first aid video.

Using the Heimlich maneuver on a child is similar to performing it on an adult. Do the Heimlich maneuver on a child with tips from a firefighter in this free first aid video.

Avoid chigger bites by wearing long clothing and/or chemical products with DEET. Prevent chiggers with tips from a firefighter in this free first aid video.

Chiggar bites are recognized as small red bites with intense itching. Identify chigger bites with tips from a firefighter in this free first aid video.

A bruise is formed by the rupturing of blood vessels and can be treated with ice. Take care of a bruise with tips from a firefighter in this free first aid video.

Treat someone who has ingested poison by inducing vomiting, unless it's a type of petroleum or corrosive product. Help a person who has ingested poison with tips from a firefighter in this free...

When making a fire safety plan, it's important to teach children how to react to a fire. Make a fire safety plan with tips from a firefighter in this free first aid video.