Question

Lesson Home
second-degree burn A moderately serious burn in which the
burned area blisters
Building Vocabulary
third-degree burn A very serious burn in which all the layers
of skin are damaged
poison control
center
A community agency that helps people deal
with poisoning emergencies
First Aid and Emergencies
BIG IDEA Knowing how to administer basic first aid can save a person’s life in an emergency.
Lesson Home
Giving First Aid
first aid The immediate care given to someone who becomes injured or ill
until regular medical care can be provided
First Aid and Emergencies
BIG IDEA Knowing how to administer basic first aid can save a person’s life in an emergency.
Lesson Home
New Vocabulary
Knowing basic first aid may help you deal with some
emergencies while you wait for help to arrive.
Steps to Take in an Emergency
First Aid and Emergencies
BIG IDEA Knowing how to administer basic first aid can save a person’s life in an emergency.
Lesson Home
Call 9-1-1 immediately and then offer help if a person:
1. has stopped breathing,
2. has no heartbeat,
3. is bleeding severely,
4. is choking,
5. has swallowed poison, or
6. has been severely burned.
Steps to Take in an Emergency
First Aid and Emergencies
BIG IDEA Knowing how to administer basic first aid can save a person’s life in an emergency.
Lesson Home
Check the scene and the victim. Make sure the area is
safe for you and the victim. Move the victim only if he or
she is in danger or if in the path of traffic.
Steps to Take in an Emergency
First Aid and Emergencies
BIG IDEA Knowing how to administer basic first aid can save a person’s life in an emergency.
Lesson Home
Call for help. Call 911 or the local EMS number. EMS
stands for “emergency medical service.” Stay calm.
Describe the emergency to the operator and give a street
address or describe the location by using landmarks. Stay
on the phone until the operator tells you to hang up.
Steps to Take in an Emergency
First Aid and Emergencies
BIG IDEA Knowing how to administer basic first aid can save a person’s life in an emergency.
Lesson Home
Care for the person until help arrives. Loosen any tight
clothing on the victim. Use a coat or blanket to keep the
person warm or provide shade if the weather is warm.
Universal Precautions
universal precautions Actions taken to prevent the spread of disease by
treating all blood as if it were contaminated
First Aid and Emergencies
BIG IDEA Knowing how to administer basic first aid can save a person’s life in an emergency.
Lesson Home
New Vocabulary
To protect yourself when giving first aid, follow universal
precautions. They include:
• Wear protective gloves while treating a victim.
• Use a facemask or shield, when giving first aid for
breathing emergencies.
Universal Precautions (cont.)
First Aid and Emergencies
BIG IDEA Knowing how to administer basic first aid can save a person’s life in an emergency.
Lesson Home
• Cover any open wounds on your body with sterile
dressings.
• Avoid touching any object that was in contact with the
victim’s blood.
• Always wash hands thoroughly after giving first aid.
First-Aid for Choking
First Aid and Emergencies
BIG IDEA Knowing how to administer basic first aid can save a person’s life in an emergency.
Lesson Home
If a person is clutching his or her throat, that is the
universal sign for choking.
Symptoms of choking include gasping or wheezing, a
reddish-purple coloration, bulging eyes, and an inability to
speak.
If a person can speak or cough, it is not a choking
emergency.
First-Aid for Choking
First Aid and Emergencies
BIG IDEA Knowing how to administer basic first aid can save a person’s life in an emergency.
Lesson Home
If the choking person makes no sound and cannot speak
or cough, give first aid immediately.
A person can die from choking within minutes.
First-Aid for Choking
First Aid and Emergencies
BIG IDEA Knowing how to administer basic first aid can save a person’s life in an emergency.
Lesson Home
If an adult or child is choking, give the person five blows
to the back. To perform back blows:
1. Stand slightly behind the person who is choking.
2. Place one of your arms diagonally across the person’s
chest and lean him or her forward.
Reteaching Activity
First Aid in Emergency Situations
Directions: Complete the following chart by writing how you
should respond with first-aid treatment for each of the following
health emergencies.
Health Emergency First-Aid Treatment
Choking
Shock
Severe Bleeding
Loss of Consciousness

Answer 1

Helpful reminder: always follow universal precautions (wear gloves, avoid contact with blood/fluids, wash hands) and call 9-1-1 (or local EMS) whenever the victim is seriously ill, not breathing, losing consciousness, or you are unsure.

Health Emergency → First‑Aid Treatment

- Choking
- If the person can speak, cough, or breathe: encourage them to cough; do not interfere. Call 9-1-1 if it does not improve.
- If the person cannot speak, cough, or breathe (severe airway obstruction):
- Adults/children: give up to 5 firm back blows (stand slightly behind, lean them forward, hit between the shoulder blades) then up to 5 abdominal thrusts (Heimlich). Repeat back blows and abdominal thrusts until the object is expelled or the person becomes unresponsive.
- Infants (<1 year): give 5 back blows, then 5 chest thrusts (use two fingers in the center of the chest). Repeat as needed.
- If the person becomes unresponsive, call 9-1-1 (if not already called) and begin CPR if trained.

- Shock
- Call 9-1-1.
- Lay the person on their back and, if no suspected spinal/leg injury, raise the legs about 12 inches to improve blood flow to vital organs.
- Keep the person warm and comfortable (cover with a blanket), loosen tight clothing, and control any obvious bleeding.
- Do NOT give food or drink. Monitor breathing and consciousness; be ready to give CPR if they stop breathing.

- Severe Bleeding
- Call 9-1-1 immediately.
- Apply firm, direct pressure to the wound with a sterile dressing or clean cloth. Maintain pressure — do not remove soaked dressings; place another on top and continue pressing.
- If bleeding is from an arm or leg, and no fracture is suspected, elevate the limb above heart level while maintaining pressure.
- If bleeding is life‑threatening and not controlled by direct pressure and you are trained, apply a tourniquet above the wound (document time applied). If an object is impaled, do not remove it; stabilize around it and apply pressure around the object.
- Monitor for shock and treat as above if needed.

- Loss of Consciousness
- Check responsiveness (tap and shout). If unresponsive, call 9-1-1.
- Open the airway (head tilt–chin lift unless you suspect a neck/spine injury), check breathing.
- If breathing normally: place the person in the recovery position (on their side), keep airway clear, and monitor until help arrives.
- If not breathing or only gasping: begin CPR immediately if trained (compressions and breaths) and use an AED if available.
- Protect the person from injury and treat any obvious problems (bleeding, shock) while waiting for EMS.

If you want, I can format this as a printable chart or provide step-by-step CPR and Heimlich instructions.