First Aid Flash Cards

Front 1

Bleeding/open wounds/puncture wounds/scrapes and grazes

Back 1

1. Remove or cut patient’s clothing to expose wound.
2. Apply direct pressure over wound using sterile or clean dressing and pad.
3. Lie patient down and then raise injured part above heart.
4. Bandage dressing and pad firmly in place.

• If bleeding continues, apply another pad and bandage over first dressing.
• If bleeding persists seek medical aid.
• If there’s an object in the cut, call 9-1-1. If wound is deep, accompanied by fever, or has redness, swelling, or red streaks around it, call a doctor.

Front 2

Burns

Back 2

Burns
1. Remove patient from danger. If clothing on fire:
• STOP, DROP AND ROLL.
• Wrap patient in blanket.
• Roll patient along ground until flames extinguish.
2. Cool the burnt area.
• Hold burnt area under cold running water for 20 minutes.
• Remove clothing and jewelry from burnt area unless sticking to burn.
• Place sterile non-sticky dressing over burn, such as gauze.
• Get medical help.

Call 9-1-1 for third-degree, electrical, and chemical burns or if the victim is coughing, has watery eyes, or is having trouble breathing.

Front 3

Chest Compressions

Back 3

Adult/child (over 1 year)
• Place heel of hand on lower half of breastbone in center of chest with other hand on top of first.
• Press down 1/3 depth of chest, give 30 compressions and 2 breaths.

Infant (under 1 year)
• Place two fingers (index and middle) over lower half of breastbone.
• Press down 1/3 depth of chest, give 30 compressions and 2 breaths.
You should achieve 5 sets of CPR (30:2) in 2 minutes.

Front 4

Choking

Back 4

Adult/Child (over 1 year)
• Encourage patient to relax, breathe deeply and
cough to remove object.
• If coughing does not remove blockage, or if an infant—call 9-1-1 for an ambulance.
• Bend patient forward and give 5 back blows between the shoulder blades—checking if blockage removed after each back blow.
• If unsuccessful, give 5 chest thrusts—in the CPR compression position, slower but sharper than compressions—checking if blockage removed after each chest thrust.
• If blockage not removed, alternate 5 back blows with 5 chest thrusts until medical help arrives.

If patient becomes unconscious:
1. Call 9-1-1 for an ambulance.
2. Remove any food/objects from the mouth.
3. Start CPR.

Front 5

Nosebleeds

Back 5

• Sit up with head slightly forward.
• Pinch soft part of nose for 10 minutes.
• Breathe through the mouth, do not blow nose.
• Loosen tight clothing around neck.
• Apply cold pack to neck and forehead.

If bleeding persists, get medical help.

Front 6

Object in the eye

Back 6

• What you should do: Try to move a small object by blinking several times. If it’s not moving, rinse the eye by holding the lid open under running water (if possible, remove contact lenses first).
• What you should NOT do: Never rub the eyes. Never try to remove an object that’s stuck deep in the eye—get medical help.
• When to get medical help: If you have splashed a chemical (such as bleach) in your eye or have an object stuck in it, call 9-1-1. For minor irritants, call your doctor if your eye is still stinging or swelling after rinsing or if you have vision problems.

Front 7

Tooth knocked out

Back 7

Clean with milk or patient’s own saliva and replace
in socket—unless patient is a child under 7 years
(baby tooth).
• Ask patient to hold the tooth in place.
• If unable to put tooth back, wrap tooth in plastic or
store in milk or sterile saline and take patient and
tooth to a dentist.
• If tooth has been in contact with dirt or soil, advise
patient to have tetanus injection.

Front 8

Head injury

Back 8

• What to do: If the person is unconscious, call
9-1-1. If the struck area is bleeding, treat it as you would any other cut, but talk to a doctor. Icing a small bump can help reduce the swelling.
• What NOT to do: Don't leave the victim alone, especially when he’s sleeping. Wake him up every three to four hours and have him answer simple questions to make sure there’s no brain injury, such as a concussion.
• When to seek medical attention: Call 9-1-1 if the person has any of the following: seizures, dizziness, vomiting, nausea, or obvious changes in behavior.

Front 9

Sprains and strains

Back 9

Follow RICE management plan—
REST — the injured part in comfortable position.
ICE — apply icepacks (cold compress) wrapped in a
wet cloth, for 15 minutes every 2 hours for 24 hours.
COMPRESSION — apply compression bandage
firmly, wrapping well beyond the injury.
ELEVATE — the injured part unless you suspect a fracture.

Front 10

Poisoning

Back 10

Call 9-1-1 if the person is unconscious or having trouble breathing.

What to do: In other cases, call the Poison Control Centers’ national hotline [phone]). Tell the operator the age and weight of the person, what kind of poison they took, and how much poison they took.

What NOT to do: Don't try to get the person to vomit using ipecac or other methods. Don't give the person anything to eat or drink unless the poison control operator says otherwise.