Health and First Aid | Nosebleeds, Severe Burns and Poisoning, Set 5

A nosebleed after a blow to the head should not be treated as an ordinary nosebleed while emergency help is delayed; call 119 immediately while providing care. Confusion is another warning sign of head injury, so keep the person at rest rather than allowing walking and continue monitoring. Tilting the head backward can send blood into the throat, causing breathing discomfort or nausea.

A tourniquet may be considered for severe limb bleeding that remains uncontrolled despite direct pressure. Because improper use can damage nerves and other tissue, a trained person should use the dedicated device according to training and hand over the details to emergency personnel. It should not be added routinely when direct pressure works or improvised with a thin cord.

Pale skin with loss of sensation is a feature of a third-degree burn. When nerves are damaged, a deep burn may cause surprisingly little pain. Even in a small area, mild pain is not evidence of a minor injury; cool the burn and arrange prompt medical care. Rubbing or puncturing the skin can add tissue damage and infection risk.

Prolonged cooling of an extensive burn can cause hypothermia, especially in older adults and children. Because more than ten minutes of widespread cooling has already led to shivering, stop cooling the large area, protect the burn with clean material and prevent further heat loss. Prompt cooling of a small burn should not be confused with prolonged cooling over a large part of the body.

With vomiting and diarrhea from suspected food poisoning, a person who can swallow safely should receive small amounts of fluid frequently to reduce dehydration without provoking more vomiting. Position the person so vomit is less likely to enter the airway and arrange prompt medical care rather than assuming the cause from symptoms alone. A large drink all at once or deliberately causing vomiting increases the risk of further vomiting and aspiration.

Entering a confined area that may contain toxic gas without protection can poison the rescuer and create another casualty. Call 119 from a safe location, keep others away and wait for trained personnel who can control the hazard and perform the rescue. Holding the breath or covering the mouth with clothing does not make entry into a toxic-gas environment safe.

After suspected gas poisoning, call 119 and arrange medical care even if the person is alert and the symptoms have subsided. Once in safe fresh air, do not allow walking or shake and sit the person up forcefully; keep the person still while help is coming. Temporary improvement does not rule out later deterioration or delayed symptoms.

When using heaters, cooking appliances or similar products indoors, bring in fresh outdoor air and follow the ventilation instructions for the product. The absence of an unusual smell does not rule out carbon monoxide or another hazardous gas. Air freshener cannot replace ventilation, and waiting for symptoms such as headache is not prevention.

When drug or chemical poisoning is suspected, the original container and label can help identify the substance and possible amount. If it can be done safely without delaying the emergency call or essential care, preserve the bottle and give it unchanged to emergency personnel together with the circumstances in which it was found. Guessing the product or removing the label can destroy accurate information.

A person with suspected drug or chemical poisoning who is not breathing normally needs immediate basic life support. To avoid secondary exposure, do not give direct mouth-to-mouth breaths; start chest compressions and follow the AED prompts when it arrives. Giving water or simply waiting for emergency personnel delays lifesaving care.