Top 10 First Aid Mistakes

 

Email To A Friend

Please fill in the following information and we'll email this link.

Separate multiple addresses with commas

SPONSORED BY
 

6. Nosebleed.
Don't lean back. And after the bleeding has stopped, don't blow your nose or bend over.
Do sit upright and lean forward and pinch your nose steadily (just below the nasal bone) for five to 10 minutes. If the bleeding persists for 15 minutes (or if you think you are swallowing a lot of blood) go to the ER.

7. Bleeding.
Don't use tourniquets! You could cause permanent tissue damage.
Do apply steady pressure to the wound with a clean towel or gauze pack and wrap the wound securely. Go to the ER if the bleeding doesn't stop, or if the wound is gaping or caused by an animal bite. To help prevent shock, keep the victim warm.

8. Ingestion of poison.
Don't induce vomiting or use Ipecac syrup (unless instructed to do so by emergency personnel).
Do call poison control, and bring the ingested substance with its container to the ER.

9. Being impaled.
Don't
remove the object; you could cause further damage or increase the risk of bleeding.
Do stabilize the object, if possible, and go to the ER.

10. Seizures.
Don't
put anything in the victim's mouth.
Do lay the victim on the ground if possible in an open space and roll the victim onto his or her side. Call 911.

And when else should you call 911? Whenever you see or experience chest pain, fainting, confusion, uncontrollable bleeding or shortness of breath. The medics can get to work on arrival.

© 2008

Label

Newsweek Top Stories
Al Gore's Climate-Change Evolution
Al Gore's Climate-Change Evolution

Using emotion to convince people to change.

Heaven Can Wait
Heaven Can Wait

A new book promises proof of eternal life.

The World's Biggest Foods
The World's Biggest Foods

Monster edibles from around America.

Discuss

Sponsored by

Member Comments

  • Posted By: shajoe65 @ 04/29/2008 10:27:38 PM

    rev wright going for vice president

  • Posted By: getzel @ 04/26/2008 5:43:16 PM

    For a simple cut Thimersal is still the best product; obviously since the patent is long since lapsed, every effort is made to keep this miracle drug off the market. There is nothing even close to Thimersal in effectiveness; it is so stunningly dangerous that, still in 2008, few vaccines can be administered without containing Thimersal. Yet the product is effectively banned for other uses; this is beyond bazaar: you get a shot in the arm and it generally contains Thimersal, but placing it on a cut, the most effective treatment known for cuts, and it is to dangerous. That is more proof of how broken the medical system is; no patent or big drug company profits, then lie, cheat, misrepresent, steal: just get it off the market!

    With respect to burns; obviously the writer never heard of Aloe Vera plants.

    Intelligence analyst: Getzel

    With respect to burns; obviously the writer never heard of Aloe Vera plants.

    Intelligence analyst: Getzel

  • Posted By: getzel @ 04/26/2008 5:42:57 PM

    For a simple cut Thimersal is still the best product; obviously since the patent is long since lapsed, every effort is made to keep this miracle drug off the market. There is nothing even close to Thimersal in effectiveness; it is so stunningly dangerous that, still in 2008, few vaccines can be administered without containing Thimersal. Yet the product is effectively banned for other uses; this is beyond bazaar: you get a shot in the arm and it generally contains Thimersal, but placing it on a cut, the most effective treatment known for cuts, and it is to dangerous. That is more proof of how broken the medical system is; no patent or big drug company profits, then lie, cheat, misrepresent, steal: just get it off the market!

    With respect to burns; obviously the writer never heard of Aloe Vera plants.

    Intelligence analyst: Getzel

    With respect to burns; obviously the writer never heard of Aloe Vera plants.

    Intelligence analyst: Getzel

Reply

Report Abuse

Enter comments if any for reporting abuse

My Take

Customize the NEWSWEEK homepage
to feature your favorite columnists.

Customize Now