National Preparedness Month

Learn Basic First Aid

First aid is immediate medical attention after an injury at the location where the incident occurred. Sometimes, first aid can be as simple as cleaning a minor cut, scrape or scratch. Other times, serious injuries or conditions require significant action to save a person's life.

That is where you come in.

Depending on where and when an injury occurs, professional medical help could be several minutes or possibly hours away. Time is of the essence for major injuries or adverse health conditions like cardiac arrest, so IDHS encourages Hoosiers to learn basic first aid skills so you can start lifesaving actions as soon as possible, even before emergency medical responders arrive.

Watch first aid how-to videos

General Tips

• In general, Indiana's "Good Samaritan" laws provide immunity to those providing emergency care at the scene of an emergency or accident to enable Hoosiers to help save a life without worry. Read the laws to learn what is covered.
• One of the best ways to get prepared is to take a class on first aid. Check with the local American Red Cross chapter for upcoming classes.
• Always have a first aid kit in your home and vehicle so you have the right supplies when you need them. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends several must-have items for your kits.

Cardiac Arrest

If you see someone collapse, or find them unconscious, go up to the person to assess if he or she is OK. Shout, tap the person's shoulder and shout again. If the person is not responding, check for signs of breathing. Slow, deep gasps for air are not normal breathing. If the person is gasping for air, or not breathing at all:

• Call 911.
• Start CPR. Press hard and fast on the center of the chest with both hands, and do this twice every second. More: CPR infographic
• Use an AED, if available. While you are still performing CPR, ask someone to get an AED. Turn it on and follow its instructions. More: AED infographic
• Continue to do CPR until emergency medical responders arrive. Take turns doing CPR with someone else, switching every two minutes.

Want to take a CPR class? The Indiana Department of Education has a list of approved CPR providers.

Choking

The elderly and people who are very young are most susceptible to choking. Immediately recognizing when choking is happening and providing help can save a life.

• Signs: One or both hands covering the throat; a look of panic, shock or confusion; an inability to talk or cough; face changing colors to blue or gray
• What to do: Encourage the person to cough and keep coughing. If coughing is not possible, you should perform several back blows and abdominal thrusts.

Stroke

A stroke, also called a brain attack, occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked or when there is sudden bleeding in the brain. Recovery from a stroke depends on its severity but also how quickly a person receives medical treatment. Every minute counts. Call 911 immediately if you or someone you know may be having a stroke.

Perform the F-A-S-T test to tell if a person is having a stroke:

• Face: Is there weakness on one side of the face? Does one side appear to be droopy?
• Arms: Can the person raise both arms when requested to do so?
• Speech: Is the person easily understood when speaking?
• Time: It is time to call 911 to request medical attention if the person has weakness on one side of the face, cannot raise both arms and is having trouble speaking.

Extreme Blood Loss

Severe bleeding can cause someone to die in as little as five minutes. If you find someone who is spurting blood, has lost part of an arm or leg, has blood-soaked clothing or has bleeding that will not stop, act quickly and remember A-B-C:

• Alert: Call 911 to report the situation and get help.
• Bleeding: Locate the source of the bleeding.
• Compress: Pack or stuff the wound with gauze, a clean cloth, clothing, newspaper or even your hands. Then apply pressure to the wound with both your hands. Press hard and keep your hands there until medical help arrives. Use a tourniquet if available.

More Info

• Bleeding infographic
• Bleeding control tips and Stop the Bleed program