Fire Department

First Aid: Know What To Do

The Do1Thing.com theme for December is First Aid: Know what to do while waiting for an ambulance to arrive. In cases of chest pain, shortness of breath, possible stroke, head injury, confusion, deep bleeding or broken bones, call 911 rather than trying to take someone to the hospital yourself. An ambulance or fire crew will arrive quickly and be able to begin providing care as soon as they arrive. After you call 911, stay on the line, keep calm, and follow the dispatcher’s instructions. Don’t move a patient who has fallen, or is unconscious. Cover a patient who is cold, but don’t give them anything to eat or drink. If possible, have someone wait outside for the ambulance or fire department to arrive. A quality first aid kit will help take care of less severe injuries at home.

A good list of items can be found at Do1Thing.com, or many other websites, so I won’t list them here. You can also build your own kit tailored to your family needs. Be prepared to do what you can, within your skill level, and your comfort level. The American Red Cross has online first-aid, CPR and AED training. Dixie Tech offers a Basic Emergency Medical Technician if you want to become a certified EMT. This completes the Do1Thing.com schedule of topics for the year. In January, we will look at other emergency preparedness websites, and steps we can take to be better prepared to care for our families and neighbors. Covid-19 may be with us for a while, and other emergencies haven’t stopped during the pandemic. Being prepared is an ongoing endeavor. Enjoy the holiday season and our beautiful weather!

–Ward Symes

            Fire Department  WashingtonCity.org/fire