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First aid is often necessary in medical emergencies to provide temporary treatment to a sick or injured person until that person can be brought to a hospital or other health care facility. Find out how to perform first aid for a variety of conditions with tips from a street firefighter in this free video series on first aid.
There are 27 videos in this series:
The common bee sting is a painful occurrence that should be treated by removing the stinger, cleaning the area and applying ice to reduce swelling. Use aloe vera gel to relieve the pain of a bee sting with tips from a street firefighter in this free video on first aid for stings.
When stung by a yellow jacket, remove the stinger without squeezing it, clean the site and apply ice for swelling. Use aloe vera gel or antiseptic ointment to treat yellow jacket stings with tips from a street firefighter in this free video on first aid for stings.
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 this free video on first aid and burns.
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 video on first aid and burns.
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 free video on first aid and burns.
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 poisoning with tips from a street firefighter in this free video on first aid and medical emergencies.
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 they're in insulin shock, with tips from a street firefighter in this free video on first aid and medical emergencies.
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 tips from a street firefighter in this free video on first aid and medical treatments.
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 with tips from a street firefighter in this free video on first aid and medical emergencies.
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 infant with tips from a street firefighter in this free video on first aid and medical emergencies.
If an adult or child is conscious and choking, perform abdominal thrusts, also known as "The Heimlich Maneuver," by placing hands around the person's abdomen and delivering sharp, upward thrusts. Dislodge an obstruction in a choking adult or child with tips from a street firefighter in this free video on first aid and medical emergencies.
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 pulls with tips from a street firefighter in this free video on first aid and medical treatments.
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 video on first aid and medical treatments.
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 free video on first aid and medical treatments.
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 suffering from heat exhaustion with tips from a street firefighter in this free video on first aid and medical treatments.
The common sun rash can cause blistering of the skin, severe itching and infection, and can be treated by taking long, cool baths, avoiding tight clothing and applying hydrocortisone or aloe vera gel. Stay out of the sun to help a sun rash heal with tips from a street firefighter in this free video on first aid and rashes.
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 first aid and medical treatments.
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 free video on first aid and medical emergencies.
A severe sunburn should be treated with some type of aloe vera gel, pain relievers and a long, cool bath. Reduce the pain of severe sunburns and prevent infection with tips from a street firefighter in this free video on first aid and burns.
Second and third-degree burns cause blistering, charring and blackening of the skin, which need to be cooled with clean, synthetic materials and a sterile dressing. Seek medical treatment for second and third-degree burns with tips from a street firefighter in this free video on first aid and burns.
A common jellyfish sting should be treated by rubbing wet sand on the area and using solutions from a first-aid kit, including vinegar, ammonia and aloe vera gel. Use ammonia to treat jellyfish stings with tips from a street firefighter in this free video on first aid and medical treatments.
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 street firefighter in this free video on first aid and burns.
Puncture wounds should be cleansed with sterilized water before applying a sterile dressing with medical tape and gauze. Consider a tetanus shot after receiving a puncture wound with tips from a street firefighter in this free video on first aid and medical emergencies.
Cat bites should be disinfected, treated with sterile water and dressed with gauze and medical tape. Treat cat bites and confirm that the animal has had a rabies vaccination with tips from a street firefighter in this free video on first aid and medical treatments.
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 from a street firefighter in this free video on first aid and medical emergencies.
The term first aid refers to the immediate care that is provided to an injured or sick person. It is used to stabilize a patient until further medical treatment and assessment can be provided at a hospital or care facility. For most, a first-aid kit is used primarily to treat minor medical emergencies, like small cuts or burns. However, it is important to keep a first-aid kit stocked with supplies that are used regularly, as well as those items which might be used until EMS can help. In addition to a first-aid kit, knowing what to do in emergency situations is a key part of treating injuries. In this free video series, a street firefighter provides first-aid tips for treating a variety of injuries including stings, burns and other wounds. Find out how to soothe a burnt tongue, how to treat food poisoning and how to treat a conscious choking adult or child. Learn about treating heat exhaustion, blisters and frostbite as well. Minimize the long-term effects of medical emergencies by utilizing these first-aid tips.
Joe Captain Joe Bruni has over three decades of experience as a street firefighter and company officer. Bruni has experience as a department training officer in the fire and rescue safety and training division, and has written several articles for Fire Engineering Magazine.dkdk
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