WOUND AND BLEEDING Treatment of Minor Wound   Pour some water on the wound and dry it with a clean cloth.   Clean the area around the wound with a cotton swab or clean     cloth that is soaked in a mixture of water and soap or     antiseptic.   Cover the wound with a clean cloth or plaster. Controlling the Bleeding   Stop the bleeding by placing a clean cloth on the wound and     applying pressure with your fingers or hand.   When the bleeding stops, cover the wound with a clean cloth.   If a foreign object such as a nail, glass or knife is still embedded in the wound, do not apply pressure. Cover the     area around the object with a clean cloth and seek further treatment.   If an arm or leg is injured, elevate it above the level of the heart to reduce pressure.   If the wound is deep and bleeding profusely, seek further treatment. Do not use the Tourniquet technique because it may cause more harm than good. BONE INJURIES (BROKEN) Broken Bones Treatment   Do not move the injured part.   Treat and stop wound bleeding if any.   Do not apply pressure on the wound if the bone protrudes through the skin.   Make a splint by strapping a piece of wood, thick paper, newspaper, etc above and below the broken bone or joint.   If no splint is available, secure the injured part to an uninjured part of the body.   Seek further treatment. FAINTING Treatment of Fainting   Lay the victim down and raise his legs by putting pillows, books, etc under his feet.   Loosen any tight clothing.   Ensure there is enough fresh air.   Check for other injuries if any.   Wait until the victim is conscious and recovers. CHOKING If a person is choking, he will point at his throat while trying to speak. The Heimlich Manoeuvre can be used to help the victim. The Heimlich Manoeuvre technique for a conscious victim (For children aged 1 year and above and adults)   Stand behind the victim and tell him you are trying to help.   Wrap both your arms around his stomach.   Clench your fist, clasp your other hand around the fist, and place your hands halfway between the breastbone and     navel.   Thrust your hands inwards and upwards several times until the object is expelled.   If you are choking and alone, do something that can attract the attention of other people such as knocking,     throwing something or anything that may be of help.   Find the rounded back of a chair and place it halfway between your breastbone and navel.   Press down your stomach firmly until the object is expelled. For a pregnant victim, apply pressure on the middle of her chest. Seek further treatment if necessary. If The Victim Faints   Lay the victim on the ground.   Get help and call the ambulance.   Open the victim's mouth, check for foreign object and remove it with your finger if any.   Open his airway (head tilt and chin lift technique) and check his breathing.   If none, give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and repeat regularly if no response from the victim.   If there is still no chest movement, press down on the chest 15 times (position of the hands is similar as for CPR).   Repeat the above sequence until the victim recovers or help arrives. When opening the airway of a victim with a suspected spinal injury, the head tilt chin lift technique should NOT BE USED, instead USE the jaw thrust technique. You are advised to learn the Heimlich Manoeuvre properly. Contact the Civil Defence Department for further information about this programme. BURNS AND SCALDS Minor Burns   Cool the burn by placing it under running water or immersing it in a basin of water or covering it with a wet cloth     for 5 minutes until the pain disappears.   Remove any ring, watch or jewellery from the affected area.   Do not break the blisters or remove any clothing that is stuck to the affected area.   Cover with a clean cloth. Severe Burns   Lay the victim down and immerse the burn in water for 10 minutes.   Check the victim's breathing and pulse.   Remove any tight jewellery, watch, belt or clothing.   Do not remove any clothing that is stuck to the affected area.   Cover the burn with a clean cloth.   Wrap the victim in a blanket and seek further treatment immediately. Burns Caused by Chemicals   Hold the affected area under running water for 5 minutes.   Cover the burn with a clean cloth.   Seek further treatment immediately.   Make sure you are not exposed to the chemical. DO NOT apply butter, toothpaste, soy sauce, lotions, ointments, etc to a burn. POISONING Poisoning can happen through food, drinks, inhalation and absorption through skin or eyes. Early treatment of poisoning   Make sure you are safe from any hazardous threats.   Approach the victim and check for pulse and breathing, begin CPR if necessary.   If the victim is conscious, ask what he has eaten or drunk.   Wait for instruction and then act immediately.   Do not allow the victim to eat or drink until permitted to do so.   Do not induce vomiting unless instructed. CONTACT National Poisons Centre Office Hours 1-800-88-8099 or 04-6570099 After Office Hours - 012-4309499 (Including weekends and public holidays) SHOCK When in a state of shock, the patien may not have sufficient blood pumped through the body and may not get enough oxygen. If not promptly treated, the victim's heart will get weaker and begin to fail. If remains in shock too long, death could result. Symtoms   Pale, cold and clammy skin.   Shallow and irregular breathing.   Weak and rapid pulse.   Dilated pupils.   Feeling of weakness.   Thirst. Treatment   Call for ambulance if necessary.   Have the patient lie down flats. If patient vomiting turn the head to one side.   If there are no head or chest injuries or any difficulty in breathing raise the leg 8" - 12".   Loosen any tight clothing.   Keep the victim warm but avoid sweating.   Reassuring the patient.   Do not give water or any alcohol. ELECTRIC SHOCK Be very careful when dealing with a victim of electric shock. Make sure that the electric current has been switched off before providing any first aid. If this is not possible, remove the electrical wire with a dry wooden pole or any non-conducting object.   Get help and call the ambulance.   Check the victim and begin CPR if necessary.   Give first aid for burns.   If casualty is unconscious, give treatment for fainting.   Stay with the victim until medical help arrives. First Aid Kit Prepare a first aid kit to help you provide emergency treatment. Keep one in your house, car or office. Minimum requirements for your first aid kit   Box or container with a first aid sign   Triangular bandages   Roller bandages (crepe & normal)   Cotton   Gauze pads   Adhesive plasters   Surgical tapes   Antiseptics   Tweezers   Scissors   Pins   List of contents of first aid kit   First aid manual