Emergency Action Principles

First aid is often not nearly as complicated as most people think. Regardless, for all emergencies you should always follow these emergency action principles (EAPs):

1. Safety:

• Survey the emergency scene to make sure there are no dangers. If you won't be able to help anyone if you end up getting hurt too.
• If it is dangerous call for help, make the area safer, or move the person from danger.

2. Wake the Person:

• Gently try to see if the injured person can respond. You can do this by calling out to him and gently tapping his shoulders.

3. 9-1-1/EMS:

• If the person doesn't wake up (or if he is injured) you or someone else must call the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) immediately.

A. Airway:

• Place the person on his back, carefully so as to not cause further injury.
• Open the person's airway by tilting his head back and lifting his chin upwards. This will remove the tongue from blocking the airway. Keep the airway open.

B. Breathing:

• Check for breathing by looking, listening, and feeling for air (10 seconds).
• If the person is not breathing give him 2 breaths, allowing the air to come out in between.
• If the air goes in then go to step "C".
• If the air does not go in, re-position the head-tilt/chin-lift and try blowing again.
• If the air still does not go in then;
  • Do chest compressions (just like CPR) to force the object out.
  • Then check the mouth to see if the object came out, take it out if you see it.
  • Do the head-tilt/chin-lift and try blowing in, even if you didn't get anything out.
  • If the air doesn't go in, reposition the head-tilt/chin-lift and try blowing in again.
  • If the air goes in then check for circulation, step C.
  • If the air still does not go in then do chest compressions, check the mouth, try blowing in - repeat this entire process until you get air in.

C. Circulation:

• This step should only be done once you have an open airway and you are able to get air into the casualty's lungs.
• Check for circulation by feeling for a pulse and by looking at the person's skin color, feeling the skin temperature, and by noticing any movement (10 seconds).
• Start CPR if needed (compressions and breaths).
• If there is circulation but no breathing then just do rescue breathing.
• If there is circulation and breathing, then monitor and put the person in the recovery position until the paramedics arrive.

Compressions for CPR:

• Adult: 15 compressions to 2 breaths, 4 cycles, reassess, continue if needed.
• Child and Infant: 5 compressions to 1 breath, 20 cycles, reassess, continue if needed.

Conscious Choking;

• Ask the person if they are choking.
• Ask the person if you can help.
• Step behind him and do abdominal thrusts (chest thrusts if the person is big or pregnant).
• Continue until the food comes out or until the person becomes unconscious.
• If the food comes out make him comfortable and activate 9-1-1 if needed.
• If the person becomes unconscious;
  • Lay them down.
  • Activate 9-1-1.
  • Follow the ABC steps above.