First Aid

The emergency first aid information in this section is intended to help you keep an accident victim alive until trained medical personnel arrive, or until that person can be transported to a medical facility. Not providing immediate first aid, during the critical first hour, may result in the death of the casualty.

All first aid providers must remember the basics:

• Check for BREATHING: Lack of oxygen intake (through a compromised airway or inadequate breathing) can lead to brain damage or death in very few minutes.
• Check for BLEEDING: Life cannot continue without an adequate volume of blood to carry oxygen to tissues.
• Check for SHOCK: Unless shock is prevented or treated, death may result even though the injury would not otherwise be fatal.

In a mass disaster situation (such as a terrorist attack or an industrial accident) it is likely that a victim will have more than one type of serious injury. Look for and be prepared to treat the victim for multiple injuries.