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BleedingThe big news is that the experts no longer recommend that laymen use tourniquets to treat blood loss. Tourniquets can do a lot of harm -- increased bleeding, paralysis -- and are often unnecessary.
1. Call EMS. Place a clean cloth or bandage directly against the source of the bleeding and press firmly.
2. If the bleeding occurs on a limb, raise the body part so that it is higher than the heart.
3. If the bandage becomes saturated, do not remove it. Instead, add bandages on top of each other as needed. If the bandage is saturated, you may need to adjust your pressure more directly onto the source of the bleeding.
Should blood continue to flow at a high rate, try using one of two major pressure points.
If the wound is on a hand or arm:
1. Seek out the brachial artery between the biceps and triceps on the inside of the upper arm.
2. Use four fingers to press against the artery until you've stopped or noticeably slowed blood flow to the wound. Keep pressure on the artery until EMS arrives. If the wound is on a foot or leg:
1. Unless you suspect a spinal injury, have the victim lie on his back.
2. Seek out the femoral artery in the crease of the groin, where the leg meets the body.
3. Using the heel of your hand, press down against the artery until bleeding stops or noticeably slows. If you're unsuccessful, use two hands to press harder. Keep pressure on the artery until EMS arrives.
Anaphylactic Shock
Don Cota had been stung by a bee before and thought he was mildly allergic. But last summer, when the 54-year-old outdoorsman was showing game warden Scott Martin an illegal bear-baiting site in the Maine woods, he was attacked by hornets and had his first full-blown anaphylactic reaction. Minutes after being stung, Cota had just made it back to his truck when everything began to go black. "I think I'm in trouble," he said before passing out beside the driver's door.
Cota's girlfriend, Rae Moore, had been waiting. She and Martin moved Cota to the passenger seat. Martin ran to his own vehicle and tried to radio for help, but they were out of range. He instructed Moore to follow him, his siren blaring. Cota drifted in and out of consciousness as they sped out of the woods. Martin finally contacted an ambulance, and they met rescuers 22 miles from their starting point. A nurse quickly stabilized Cota. He made a full recovery and now carries an injector kit of epinephrine everywhere he goes. "If Scott hadn't been there, we would have been in trouble," Cota says. "I thought I was history."
Whether caused by bee stings, food, or other allergies, anaphylactic shock can be life-threatening. The signs of a severe allergic reaction are hives, itching or swelling on parts of the body away from the sting site; tingling or itching in the throat or on the tongue; dizziness; difficulty breathing or swallowing; constriction in the chest. This is an urgent emergency.
1. Call EMS.
2. Ask the victim if she has an injector kit (EpiPen) she can use. If the victim is unconscious, you're certain it's an allergic reaction, and you are trained to use the EpiPen, do so.
3. Monitor the victim; proceed with steps for CPR if needed.
Choking
Someone who is truly choking can't make noise or get air. The windpipe is blocked and you'll need to perform the Heimlich maneuver. Call EMS so help will be on the way in case your efforts fail. Remember, if the person can cough, speak or breathe, don't do the maneuver. These instructions are for victims age 1 or older:
1. Step behind the choking victim.
2. Wrap your arms around the victim's midsection.
3. Make a fist with one hand and place the thumb side on the victim's abdomen, between the navel and the bottom of the rib cage. Place the other hand over the top of the fist.
4. Thrust upward into the abdomen with the hands only, avoiding the rib cage, until the object is expelled.
5. It's always a wise precaution for a victim to visit a physician after the maneuver has been performed.
Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is dehydration due to prolonged heat exposure. Recognized in time, it's easily treated. The victim is thirsty, weak, often pale in color, clammy and sweaty; he may also be dizzy or nauseated.
1. Make sure the victim stops exerting himself.
2. Give the victim fluids (water, a sports drink). Make the victim more comfortable in such ways as moving him to a cooler environment, loosening tight clothing or fanning him.
Heatstroke
Extreme temperatures can cause heatstroke, a serious condition occurring most often among the elderly. A telltale sign is a shift in mental state, such as confusion that's out of the ordinary for the victim. She will have a very high body temperature; may vomit, stop sweating and have red, hot, dry skin; and may have a rapid, weak pulse. Breathing may be shallow and rapid, and the victim can lose consciousness.
1. Call EMS.
2. Get the victim out of the heat.
3. Immediately begin cooling the victim's body by sponging with cool water or applying ice packs.
4. Monitor breathing. Proceed with steps for CPR if needed.
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