Ready, Set, Safe! – There’s More to First-Aid than CPR

Ready? Summer fun is just about here: sun, sports, pools and other outdoor activities abound. It’s no surprise that the summer season can also be the busiest for your local emergency room and medical clinics.

Educating yourself and your family about how to handle an emergency can make for a safer, happier and healthier summer!

So – let’s take a minute to review some simple steps that can make a big difference in your life and possibly someone else!

If someone near you is experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately. A few minutes can make a huge difference for someone experiencing a stroke or heart attack. For other emergencies, there are steps you can take to help while waiting for an ambulance.

If someone is choking and is not pregnant, you can help. Support the person in need by steadying them from behind with one hand and using the other hand to hit them between the shoulder blades, causing them to cough. If this doesn’t work, stand behind them, make a fist and place it between their rib cage and belly button, cover your closed fist with your other hand and squeeze hard and repeat. If this fails, call 911 immediately.

Bumps, scrapes and boo-boos can be handled at home with a well-stocked first aid kit. A necessity in every home, a first aid kit can help handle minor emergencies that don’t require a doctor’s immediate care. Your kit should be stored in a central location in your home – within easy reach for adults, not children. A properly stocked kit can help you manage emergency needs ranging from a burn to a deep cut.

Check your kit regularly and replace missing items or expired medications. It’s a good idea to have a first aid kit in your home and another in the car. Don’t forget to take it with you on vacations, too!

If someone has an open wound without an embedded object, check the severity of bleeding. For wounds with light to moderate bleeding, you can use a first aid kit to bandage it. First, clean your hands or wear disposable gloves, then clean the wound using water and bandage it without applying ointment.

Depending on the situation, call a medical provider or visit an Urgent Care clinic. In Mesquite, the Quick Care walk-in clinic is open Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. Located at 450 Hillside Drive. In Logandale, the Quick Care walk-in clinic is open Monday – Friday, 7:00 am – 5:30 pm.

If the wound is more extensive and the bleeding will not stop, or there is an embedded object, dial 911 or get to the nearest emergency room.

Be prepared

According to the American College of Emergency Physicians, every emergency can be managed using the four-step process: prevent, prepare, recognize, and act. This includes mock emergency drills with family, CPR classes from your local hospital or Red Cross office, and teaching children to call 9-1-1 in an emergency. Discuss with your child what constitutes an emergency and which situations are appropriate (and not appropriate) to call for emergency help. Help your child to memorize and practice the information they’ll need to provide: their home address, their home phone number, and other questions the dispatcher will ask about the person who needs help (whether they are conscious and breathing).