What would you do in these situations?

[admin]

For the seizure, and you’re sure to recognize them now that you have seen one, don’t put anything in their mouth. Especially anything you don’t want bit off like fingers. Don’t restrict their movement but put a jacket or something under their head and turn them on their side so they won’t choke on vomit or spit. When they come out ask them if they have had seizures before and if not they need to go to the hospital. If so help them record what happened. If it lasts for more than 5 minutes then it’s a medical emergency.

Check with your hospital and see if they have some first aid and CPR courses. Always ask if you can help, because people have been sued.

EDIT: Also, watch out for blood borne diseases. I had a guy who was around our crew, not actually working with us, smash his hand and it opened the skin. Well we have FAK on each truck so I got it out. He put his hand up so I could dress it but I just handed him the stuff. I didn’t have gloves on and am not coming in contact with his blood. Unless you can see like a microscope you can’t tell if the blood you’re about to touch is bad.

[admin]

Thanks again for a wealth of information.

Jean,

I agree that getting some training is good first step. I will try to do that.

amacman,

Your real-world accounts of dealing with dogs are fascinating. Your idea of stomping the attacking dog makes a lot of sense. Sometimes a dog will grab on to something and won’t let go. If it has the victim by the neck, this could be a situation I wouldn’t know how to handle.

vinnyP,

Can something like raisins, or sugar mixed with water be used? Thanks for your tips on moving people.

Atomic,

Thanks for your tips as well.

[admin]

Sugar and water would work ok as long as they are able to swallow effectively and you aren’t going to compromise their airway. If they are semi-conscious jam (I think its called Jelly) in north America works well rubbed into the gums. It is a thickened fluid easier to be swallowed and works well.

[admin]

Sugar and water would work ok as long as they are able to swallow effectively and you aren’t going to compromise their airway. If they are semi-conscious jam (I think its called Jelly) in north America works well rubbed into the gums. It is a thickened fluid easier to be swallowed and works well.

[admin]

Thank you. I like to use stuff I already have on me. I carry raisins as a pre-workout/emergency snack. They are high in sugar.

[admin]

1. that one isn’t exactly easy. If you think the person is in need of help, call 911.

2. best thing to do is not move them, because you don’t know what caused them to go down, and what injuries they may have sustained while going down. But if you have to move them (emergency situation), the best thing to do, is grab them under their shoulders, put your forearms together under their head (supporting their head and neck), and drag them. But again, this is only to be done in an emergency (ie. threat from fire, electocution, other life threatening hazard). If there is no emergency need to move them, call 911, and let the local medics handle it. If you did move the person, then call 911, and make sure the medics know you moved the person, and why.

[admin]

davidt1 said: ↑
1. I have on 3 occasions came across women who fell and sprained their ankles. I carried one home. The other times I helped them sit up. How can I better handle this? What EDC item can I bring with me to help.
This has been covered well. Protect yourself, protect the victim from further injury, RICE, call for help if needed.

2. I came across 2 people who fainted. Luckily, it wasn’t serious. They got up within a minute and went on their way. How can I tell minor fainting like this from serious stuff like a heart attack? What can bring and do to better help?
I don’t know of any time where you wouldn’t want to call 911 for a fainting victim.

3. Seizure: I came across this twice. Didn’t know what to do. Only learned it was seizure later. How can I identify a seizure from something else. What can I do to help?
Others have covered this well. If in doubt call 911.

5. Dog attack: I haven’t come across one, but would like to be prepared for it. How do you get the dog off the victim? What can you do for the victim afterward? I carry pepper spray and a small knife with me.
Pepper spray is great. If that doesn’t work, I’d use a thrown rock, a stick, a boot, or a knife, in that order, if that’s all I had. Alternatively, you could get trained, get a permit, and carry a gun. Get training first.

6. House burning: I haven’t come across one, but would like to be prepared for it. How do you know when it’s safe to go inside to help someone?
After the firefighters have put the fire out and tell you that it’s okay.

7. Drowning: Haven’t come across one, but would like to be prepared. I haven’t a clue what to do here.
Going in the water after a drowning person should be considered a last resort. Call 911 and use other methods first. I took the Red Cross Basic Rescue class as a teenager, and it’s hard to do safely.

Thanks for any help and suggestions.
Learn to shoot, learn to swim, and go find your local CERT and train with them. You’ll learn a lot of good stuff.

[admin]

Again, noting the fact that I am *not* a trained professional, this information comes mainly from attending a couple of basic first response courses, so this is intended as a guide only, and will hopeflly be confirmed/backed up by those who have more experience than I do

1. Diabetics – There is no obvious way I know of to tell if someone is diabetic or not. If they are conscious they can hopefully give you any instructions (I need insulin from my pack, sugar, whatever) so you can assist them in any way you can. If they are unconscious then there is no way to tell for sure – the unconsciousness could equally have been caused by a problem brought on by the diabetes/blood sugar, fainting, a knock to the head or any of a million other reasons, so standard procedure applies for an unconscious body – what I have been taught at various poins as ‘DR ABC’ – check for danger to yourself or other responders, check for response by talking to the person, touching them or pinching them (anything to get a response out of them), check their airways to make sure they are not choking on something or otherwise obstructed, check their breathing by feeling for breath on your cheek or similar and watching for movement in their chest, check circulation by looking for a pulse. If there are any problems then deal with them immediately – clearing their throat if they are choking on vomit, CPR if there is no pulse, etc… If they are otherwise stable then put them into the recovery position and wait for backup to arrive. While waiting try and make sure they are going to be as comfortable and stable as possible, so protect them from the elements by covering them with a blanket, jacket or other item to help ward off cold, rain or strong sun.
As there are no obvious markers for diabetes, trying to give them insulin or glucose could do more harm than good if you don’t know exactly what is wrong.

2. I believe a firemans style lift is going to be the best way over any distance (ie grab hold of them, get them over your shoulder and run), for shorter distances I would try and grab them under the arms – from the back loop your hands under their armpit and link your hands over the chest then drag – this way won’t be comfortable for your back, but is simple, gets them shifted and offers some protection to their head (unlike dragging them feet first where it will be bouncing along the ground). Really though, unless it is an emergency and you have no choice, don’t move the casualty – if they are unconscious then they cannot tell you what is wrong, and if it turns out they have fallen and injured their back, neck or similar, moving them could do untold damage. So unless it is an emergency (ie they are about to be crushed by a burning house collapsing or pulled into the sea by the tide (also remembering your own safety and the risks involved to you in moving them)), leave them where they are and follow the normal procedures (DR ABC).

I would like to just say again that the best plan is really to get proper training on the subject – there should be various courses available locally through organisations like St Johns, from basic first response up to more in depth first aid training. Things like the recovery position, CPR, bandages and so on are not hugely complicated things, but having someone to clearly walk you through everything can be incredibly helpful, especially if they are in fact a trained professional, not just a guy on the internet who has done a couple of basic courses 😉
The training and information you will get over a basic course lasting a day or couple of evenings or similar will be invaluable.

[admin]

the situations you describe sound like things that you learn about in first aid training courses. take these courses, and you’ll know what to do, as well as what you can keep on yourself to help with that.
example- I took a cpr course, and learned to carry a mask and gloves.

[admin]

I have to agree here, most of these scenarios are covered to some extent by your standard first air courses. Its great you are thinking of what to do, and asking for advice. But I would really suggest you get training, than you will know what to do! Good luck man 🙂

[admin]

Excellent. I’d recommend classes of some sort.

davidt1 said: ↑
1. I have on 3 occasions came across women who fell and sprained their ankles. I carried one home. The other times I helped them sit up. How can I better handle this? What EDC item can I bring with me to help.
No one dies of just a sprained ankle so it ultimately comes down to: what can we do to make them comfortable as we get them to proper medical care? The answer? Not alot…

Cold packs could help. Theoretically, an NSAID, for example ibuprofen, could quell some of the inflammation to make it less painful for them. In practice however, it probably makes little actual difference. The best thing you can do is not make it worse: Don’t move it any more than you have to, support it if you can.

davidt1 said: ↑
2. I came across 2 people who fainted. Luckily, it wasn’t serious. They got up within a minute and went on their way. How can I tell minor fainting like this from serious stuff like a heart attack? What can bring and do to better help?
A loss of consciousness can be a sign of a MASSIVE variety of thing, from the benign, to the extreme, and almost all of which are difficult to determine. Ultimately however, a loss of consciousness = not enough oxygen is getting to the brain, and that’s nothing to screw around with. Unless you personally know that this individual suffers from something like narcolepsy, you REALLY ought to call for an ambulance.

So step 1: Call 911. After you do that, there’s still some things you can do until EMS arrive. Treat them for shock. Lay them down, and elevate their legs above their heart. Insulate them from the cold. If obviously caused by the environment (heat exhaustion) get them out of that environment (into an air conditioned house, sprinkle water over them and fan them, and/or place ice packs around their armpits, their neck, and their groin. Do not simply submerge them in cold water, this could change their temperature TOO fast.). If conscious, ask them if anything hurts, they may have injured themselves on the way down. Even if caused by heat exhaustion, if EMS is on the way, avoid giving them food or water.

davidt1 said: ↑
3. Seizure: I came across this twice. Didn’t know what to do. Only learned it was seizure later. How can I identify a seizure from something else. What can I do to help?
Call 911. Clear the way and let them seize. Do not try to restrain them, and do not insert anything into their mouth. If you can, time the length of the seizure(s), and then relay that approximate information to EMS when they arrive.

Above all else though, call 911. People who suffer from seizures often tire of people calling 911 over their seizures, but do not let this dissuade you: If the person comes to and EMS arrive, he/she can simply (and probably have in the past) refuse care. This is pretty common.

davidt1 said: ↑
5. Dog attack: I haven’t come across one, but would like to be prepared for it. How do you get the dog off the victim? What can you do for the victim afterward? I carry pepper spray and a small knife with me.
I can’t tell you what to do about the actual dog attack, but the aftermath? Yes. Call 911, and ensure the scene is safe. The main thing YOU need to worry about is probably blood loss. If they’re losing a lot of blood from a bite, apply pressure to the afflicted area with gloved hands. If you do not have gloves on hand (I highly recommend EVERYONE integrate this into their system), ask the bite-victim to do it themselves. If they’re losing a lot of blood, treat for shock (Treating for shock almost always works the same): Lay the patient down, elevate the legs, and insulate them from the cold (lay something on the ground underneath them, as that’s where they lose the most heat loss).

davidt1 said: ↑
6. House burning: I haven’t come across one, but would like to be prepared for it. How do you know when it’s safe to go inside to help someone?
Call 911.

How do you know when it’s safe? You don’t know. Don’t go in. If you go in, and you get hurt in there, you may complicate the situation for when firefighters arrive. If you insist on going in anyway? I could only relay stuff they told me in kindergarten… (Keep your head low, if there’s heat coming from a door don’t open it, if you catch fire, stop-drop-and-roll etc…)

davidt1 said: ↑
7. Drowning: Haven’t come across one, but would like to be prepared. I haven’t a clue what to do here.

Thanks for any help and suggestions.

Step 1: Ready for it? Wait for it….. Call 911 lol.

If they’re actively struggling, do not jump in after them and try pull them to safety or they’re gonna drag you down with them. Throw them something that floats, or reach a long pole out to them (being careful not to get pulled in yourself) and gentle pull them to safety. If you must jump in after them, bring something large that floats and put it in-between you and them, encourage them to grab that, and not you.

If they’re lifeless in the water, be sure you are very confident in your ability to retrieve them. Do NOT take any unnecessary risks… If you do, you’re gonna exacerbate the situation when you too drown =P. If lifeless when you swim up to them, get their face to the air as fast as you can as you take them to dry land. Once the victim is on dry land, if they’re not breathing, begin CPR if you know it.

If you’re AED certified, be sure that when defibbing the patient, you are not in a puddle of water with them as it shocks them lol. (Though I suspect you’re not AED certified, if someone AED certified comes up with an AED and does this stupid action, be sure to stop them and articulate to them how stupid this action is =P)

Phew. Got a little carried away there didn’t I lol…

[admin]

Excellent. I’d recommend classes of some sort.

davidt1 said: ↑
1. I have on 3 occasions came across women who fell and sprained their ankles. I carried one home. The other times I helped them sit up. How can I better handle this? What EDC item can I bring with me to help.
No one dies of just a sprained ankle so it ultimately comes down to: what can we do to make them comfortable as we get them to proper medical care? The answer? Not alot…

Cold packs could help. Theoretically, an NSAID, for example ibuprofen, could quell some of the inflammation to make it less painful for them. In practice however, it probably makes little actual difference. The best thing you can do is not make it worse: Don’t move it any more than you have to, support it if you can.

davidt1 said: ↑
2. I came across 2 people who fainted. Luckily, it wasn’t serious. They got up within a minute and went on their way. How can I tell minor fainting like this from serious stuff like a heart attack? What can bring and do to better help?
A loss of consciousness can be a sign of a MASSIVE variety of thing, from the benign, to the extreme, and almost all of which are difficult to determine. Ultimately however, a loss of consciousness = not enough oxygen is getting to the brain, and that’s nothing to screw around with. Unless you personally know that this individual suffers from something like narcolepsy, you REALLY ought to call for an ambulance.

So step 1: Call 911. After you do that, there’s still some things you can do until EMS arrive. Treat them for shock. Lay them down, and elevate their legs above their heart. Insulate them from the cold. If obviously caused by the environment (heat exhaustion) get them out of that environment (into an air conditioned house, sprinkle water over them and fan them, and/or place ice packs around their armpits, their neck, and their groin. Do not simply submerge them in cold water, this could change their temperature TOO fast.). If conscious, ask them if anything hurts, they may have injured themselves on the way down. Even if caused by heat exhaustion, if EMS is on the way, avoid giving them food or water.

davidt1 said: ↑
3. Seizure: I came across this twice. Didn’t know what to do. Only learned it was seizure later. How can I identify a seizure from something else. What can I do to help?
Call 911. Clear the way and let them seize. Do not try to restrain them, and do not insert anything into their mouth. If you can, time the length of the seizure(s), and then relay that approximate information to EMS when they arrive.

Above all else though, call 911. People who suffer from seizures often tire of people calling 911 over their seizures, but do not let this dissuade you: If the person comes to and EMS arrive, he/she can simply (and probably have in the past) refuse care. This is pretty common.

davidt1 said: ↑
5. Dog attack: I haven’t come across one, but would like to be prepared for it. How do you get the dog off the victim? What can you do for the victim afterward? I carry pepper spray and a small knife with me.
I can’t tell you what to do about the actual dog attack, but the aftermath? Yes. Call 911, and ensure the scene is safe. The main thing YOU need to worry about is probably blood loss. If they’re losing a lot of blood from a bite, apply pressure to the afflicted area with gloved hands. If you do not have gloves on hand (I highly recommend EVERYONE integrate this into their system), ask the bite-victim to do it themselves. If they’re losing a lot of blood, treat for shock (Treating for shock almost always works the same): Lay the patient down, elevate the legs, and insulate them from the cold (lay something on the ground underneath them, as that’s where they lose the most heat loss).

davidt1 said: ↑
6. House burning: I haven’t come across one, but would like to be prepared for it. How do you know when it’s safe to go inside to help someone?
Call 911.

How do you know when it’s safe? You don’t know. Don’t go in. If you go in, and you get hurt in there, you may complicate the situation for when firefighters arrive. If you insist on going in anyway? I could only relay stuff they told me in kindergarten… (Keep your head low, if there’s heat coming from a door don’t open it, if you catch fire, stop-drop-and-roll etc…)

davidt1 said: ↑
7. Drowning: Haven’t come across one, but would like to be prepared. I haven’t a clue what to do here.

Thanks for any help and suggestions.

Step 1: Ready for it? Wait for it….. Call 911 lol.

If they’re actively struggling, do not jump in after them and try pull them to safety or they’re gonna drag you down with them. Throw them something that floats, or reach a long pole out to them (being careful not to get pulled in yourself) and gentle pull them to safety. If you must jump in after them, bring something large that floats and put it in-between you and them, encourage them to grab that, and not you.

If they’re lifeless in the water, be sure you are very confident in your ability to retrieve them. Do NOT take any unnecessary risks… If you do, you’re gonna exacerbate the situation when you too drown =P. If lifeless when you swim up to them, get their face to the air as fast as you can as you take them to dry land. Once the victim is on dry land, if they’re not breathing, begin CPR if you know it.

If you’re AED certified, be sure that when defibbing the patient, you are not in a puddle of water with them as it shocks them lol. (Though I suspect you’re not AED certified, if someone AED certified comes up with an AED and does this stupid action, be sure to stop them and articulate to them how stupid this action is =P)

Phew. Got a little carried away there didn’t I lol…

[admin]

Excellent. I’d recommend classes of some sort.

davidt1 said: ↑
1. I have on 3 occasions came across women who fell and sprained their ankles. I carried one home. The other times I helped them sit up. How can I better handle this? What EDC item can I bring with me to help.
No one dies of just a sprained ankle so it ultimately comes down to: what can we do to make them comfortable as we get them to proper medical care? The answer? Not alot…

Cold packs could help. Theoretically, an NSAID, for example ibuprofen, could quell some of the inflammation to make it less painful for them. In practice however, it probably makes little actual difference. The best thing you can do is not make it worse: Don’t move it any more than you have to, support it if you can.

davidt1 said: ↑
2. I came across 2 people who fainted. Luckily, it wasn’t serious. They got up within a minute and went on their way. How can I tell minor fainting like this from serious stuff like a heart attack? What can bring and do to better help?
A loss of consciousness can be a sign of a MASSIVE variety of thing, from the benign, to the extreme, and almost all of which are difficult to determine. Ultimately however, a loss of consciousness = not enough oxygen is getting to the brain, and that’s nothing to screw around with. Unless you personally know that this individual suffers from something like narcolepsy, you REALLY ought to call for an ambulance.

So step 1: Call 911. After you do that, there’s still some things you can do until EMS arrive. Treat them for shock. Lay them down, and elevate their legs above their heart. Insulate them from the cold. If obviously caused by the environment (heat exhaustion) get them out of that environment (into an air conditioned house, sprinkle water over them and fan them, and/or place ice packs around their armpits, their neck, and their groin. Do not simply submerge them in cold water, this could change their temperature TOO fast.). If conscious, ask them if anything hurts, they may have injured themselves on the way down. Even if caused by heat exhaustion, if EMS is on the way, avoid giving them food or water.

davidt1 said: ↑
3. Seizure: I came across this twice. Didn’t know what to do. Only learned it was seizure later. How can I identify a seizure from something else. What can I do to help?
Call 911. Clear the way and let them seize. Do not try to restrain them, and do not insert anything into their mouth. If you can, time the length of the seizure(s), and then relay that approximate information to EMS when they arrive.

Above all else though, call 911. People who suffer from seizures often tire of people calling 911 over their seizures, but do not let this dissuade you: If the person comes to and EMS arrive, he/she can simply (and probably have in the past) refuse care. This is pretty common.

davidt1 said: ↑
5. Dog attack: I haven’t come across one, but would like to be prepared for it. How do you get the dog off the victim? What can you do for the victim afterward? I carry pepper spray and a small knife with me.
I can’t tell you what to do about the actual dog attack, but the aftermath? Yes. Call 911, and ensure the scene is safe. The main thing YOU need to worry about is probably blood loss. If they’re losing a lot of blood from a bite, apply pressure to the afflicted area with gloved hands. If you do not have gloves on hand (I highly recommend EVERYONE integrate this into their system), ask the bite-victim to do it themselves. If they’re losing a lot of blood, treat for shock (Treating for shock almost always works the same): Lay the patient down, elevate the legs, and insulate them from the cold (lay something on the ground underneath them, as that’s where they lose the most heat loss).

davidt1 said: ↑
6. House burning: I haven’t come across one, but would like to be prepared for it. How do you know when it’s safe to go inside to help someone?
Call 911.

How do you know when it’s safe? You don’t know. Don’t go in. If you go in, and you get hurt in there, you may complicate the situation for when firefighters arrive. If you insist on going in anyway? I could only relay stuff they told me in kindergarten… (Keep your head low, if there’s heat coming from a door don’t open it, if you catch fire, stop-drop-and-roll etc…)

davidt1 said: ↑
7. Drowning: Haven’t come across one, but would like to be prepared. I haven’t a clue what to do here.

Thanks for any help and suggestions.

Step 1: Ready for it? Wait for it….. Call 911 lol.

If they’re actively struggling, do not jump in after them and try pull them to safety or they’re gonna drag you down with them. Throw them something that floats, or reach a long pole out to them (being careful not to get pulled in yourself) and gentle pull them to safety. If you must jump in after them, bring something large that floats and put it in-between you and them, encourage them to grab that, and not you.

If they’re lifeless in the water, be sure you are very confident in your ability to retrieve them. Do NOT take any unnecessary risks… If you do, you’re gonna exacerbate the situation when you too drown =P. If lifeless when you swim up to them, get their face to the air as fast as you can as you take them to dry land. Once the victim is on dry land, if they’re not breathing, begin CPR if you know it.

If you’re AED certified, be sure that when defibbing the patient, you are not in a puddle of water with them as it shocks them lol. (Though I suspect you’re not AED certified, if someone AED certified comes up with an AED and does this stupid action, be sure to stop them and articulate to them how stupid this action is =P)

Phew. Got a little carried away there didn’t I lol…

[Author]

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