First Aid

Another important skill to have is basic medical knowledge. Obviously, you shouldn't call 911 every time you (or a loved one) gets a bump or bruise. So what do you do? Well the guide gives a few helpful acronyms to follow.

The Three P's: Preserve Life, Prevent Further Injury, Promote Recovery This is one of the things most Emergency Respondents will tell you to do in the event of an accident. Sometimes the best thing to do is to wait for a professional instead of making the situation worse. Often when you call 911, they will ask for information on the patient and guide you accordingly. This can include moving them out of a dangerous situation or attending to them if the situation is dire enough.

The Three B's: Breathing, Bleeding, Bones & ABC's: Airway, Breathing, Circulation These acronyms go hand in hand. If you are on the scene of an accident or do not know what is wrong with someone, this is what to look for. Make sure they are able to breathe, aren't bleeding from any point, and do not seem to have any broken bones. This way, if the accident is serious enough, you will know what to help heal or tell the ER about.

CPR: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation I have found that if you do not know what you are doing, you may cause more harm than good. The best thing to do if you are interested in learning CPR is to take a class offered by a hospital or the city. This skill is often offered to young ladies looking to receive some sort of babysitting licence.

RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation This is a process I use most often. For most athletes sprained ankles or twisted knees are an all-the-time war. The best thing is time for these injuries, but is not the best for the night before a big game. Soaking in warm water for soreness is a remedy used all time. Also, icing down, as the process says to do, after exercise will help in recovery.

The Burn I have heard remedies of mustard and other craziness for burns. Usually most household burns are mild 1st degree burns. These are best treated with cold water, then a sterile bandage to prevent infection. In the case of a bad 3rd degree burn, the best idea is to keep the area sterile and keep the person calm until medics arrive.

Another must is a first-aid kit. You should include band-aids, gauze and tape, alcohol wipes, antibiotic ointment, scissors/tweezers, and any emergency medication used by a family member. A list of emergency contacts and facilities, such as poison control, should be included. The best reaction to all emergencies is to stay calm. Of course, this seems easy but is usually the hardest to do.