First aid and safety

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First aid & health reminders

  • Always call for assistance or medical care for injuries and illness.
  • DO NOT attempt to move ill or injured victims unless there is a clear danger of further injury.
  • Immediately rinse open or puncture wounds with clean water.
  • Slow or stop bleeding with elevation and pressure. Remove clothing near the injury to inspect for additional trauma.
  • Apply a clean, dry dressing to wounds when possible. If bleeding continues, apply a second dressing over the first and apply pressure (not to puncture wounds).
  • If bleeding does not slow or stop , then remove dressings to inspect the wound. Re-bandage as needed.
  • Sanitary napkins, paper towels, clean clothing and fresh linens can serve as emergency bandages.
  • Umbrellas, walking canes and plastic pipe can be used for an emergency splint.
  • DO NOT attempt to remove deeply embedded objects or projectiles from yourself or others.
  • Rest, elevate and immobilize injured limbs. Apply cold every ½ hours for first 24 hours.
  • DO NOT apply tourniquets or tight dressings to injuries without medical advice.
  • Keep the injured quiet, immobile and provide a safe shelter until further help arrives.
  • Remain calm and focused. Panic may cause further injury to the victim or yourself.
  • Maintain scrupulous hygiene of skin, hands, nails, teeth and scalp to prevent injury or infection.
  • Your feet are your most important mode of transportation. Protect them from wetness and injury.
  • Prevent or promptly care for blisters and minor burns.
  • Remove splinters promptly. Wood, fibers, plastic or other foreign material may cause infection.
  • Minor cuts, scrapes and abrasions should be promptly cleaned and observed for swelling, pain, redness or heat. These are the signs of inflammation and may indicate infection.
  • DO NOT administer any of your prescription medications to others without medical advice.

The American Red Cross has published post-hurricane safety guides

Rest & Nutrition

  • The urgency of recovery efforts may dull your appetite or reduce thirst.
  • Maintain a REGULAR schedule of water and nutritional intake.
  • Eat and drink "by the clock" if you have to.
  • Avoid heavy meals, fatty foods and those high in sugar.
  • Limit intake of alcohol and soft drinks.
  • Get adequate SLEEP to maintain alertness.
  • Take breaks if needed to maintain concentration.

Worksite Safety

  • Hearing protection is especially important around machinery, generators, chainsaws and aviation. Soft foam disposable ear plugs are inexpensive and sold at most pharmacies.
  • Leather work gloves should be worn when clearing debris or handling building material.
  • Generators, heavy equipment, chain saws, etc. may cause severe burns.
  • Avoid and promptly report noxious fumes, odors or gases. They might pose a risk of ignition, explosion, illness or injury.
  • Wear only approved breathing masks or respirators when working around thick dust, fumes and smoke.
  • Hard hats are required at construction sites.
  • Standard eyewear does not provide adequate vision protection or side panels. Most safety goggles can be worn over your standard glasses.
  • Clear plastic safety goggles should ALWAYS be worn during construction work, when clearing debris, while operating chain saws or near flames.
  • Immediately flush eye injuries or chemical exposures with clean water. Seek medical evaluation.
  • DO NOT attempt to handle potentially hazardous, explosive, inflammable, toxic or corrosive chemicals unless you have been adequately trained to do so.
  • Work within your physical capabilities. Physical injuries will keep you from recovery efforts.
  • Falling objects and ground obstructions can cause serious injury.
  • DO NOT attempt to operate unfamiliar machinery or tools without instruction or supervision.
  • Chainsaws should only be used by properly trained or experienced individuals.

Wildlife & Outdoor Hazards

  • DO NOT approach wounded or stray animals. They may carry rabies or infection. Promptly inform animal control, wildlife officials or animal rescue teams.
  • DO NOT attempt to feed stray wildlife. Rabid, diseased or injured animals may attack without warning.
  • Hurricanes disrupt natural habitats. Raccoons, possum and deer may enter populated areas with disease or present transportation hazards on roads.
  • Inspect yourself and others daily for ticks. Remove ticks completely with tweezers or forceps by slowly pulling up and away from the skin until the mouth releases.
  • Poisonous snakes are common in the SE United States. Do not attempt to capture snakes no matter how small or innocuous they seem.
  • Snake bites should receive prompt medical attention. Work boots and long pants should be worn in areas likely to harbor snakes.
  • Wasps, hornets, bees and other stinging insects usually don't strike unless disturbed. If encountered, move away slowly and do not "swat" at them.
  • Individuals with known allergies to stings (hymenoptera) should always carry an adrenaline (epinephrine) self-injection device - Epi-pen - and receive prompt medical attention if stung.
  • Black bears are occasionally encountered in the recovery areas. Do not leave food out or in open containers in populated areas or campsites.
  • Bears usually avoid humans unless they are hungry, provoked or their cubs are threatened. Report all bear sightings to wildlife authorities.
  • Alligators and crocodiles inhabit much of the wetlands and coastal region of the recovery area. One million live between Florida and Louisiana. DO NOT approach, threaten or attempt to feed them.
  • Poison Ivy can be found throughout the recovery areas. Even dead plants have enough toxic oil to cause allergic reactions. "Leaves of three, leave it be!"
  • Red bugs (chiggers), gnats, mosquitoes, horse & deer flies and other biting insects are common in the recovery area. Use insect repellant before exposure.
  • Fire ants and venomous spiders may be found in the Katrina recovery area. (more to come)

Safety & Security Concerns

Information

  • Frequently monitor status of recovery efforts or changing conditions by radio / TV / Internet.
  • DO NOT act on “rumors‿ or unsubstantiated information.
  • DO NOT make un-necessary cell phone or land line calls.


Caution

  • Approach unfamiliar or poorly lit areas carefully.
  • Locate alternate or emergency exits before entering any unfamiliar location.
  • Stay clear of damaged buildings or structures- they can collapse, injuring you and others.


Uniformed Personnel

  • DO NOT attempt to “help‿ or interfere with police, fire, rescue, military or medical personnel unless requested to do so.
  • DO NOT try to enter restricted areas or private property without permission or proper authorization.
  • Police and military will consider unauthorized civilians in restricted areas to be a potential threat.
  • Promptly identify yourself to law enforcement or military personnel when requested.
  • Written orders, work requests, permits or other documents should be with you at all times.


Guns and Ammunition

  • DO NOT carry, conceal or transport firearms and ammunition unless you have a permit to do so AND it is with you.
  • Firearms must be kept safe from children, unloaded and with trigger locks in place.
  • Each state has different licensure requirements for the transport and concealment of weapons.
  • Observe all local laws and regulations that govern the transport, use or discharge of firearms.


Follow Regulations

  • Firearm carry permits may not be valid in states that did not issue them.
  • Always check with local or state law enforcement if in doubt.
  • Immediately inform police or military of any potential weapons in a vehicle if stopped or asked to allow a vehicle search.


Co-operate

  • At check points, traffic stops or accident sites, DO NOT attempt to exit your vehicle unless requested to do so by law enforcement or military.
  • When approached by military or law enforcement, KEEP YOUR HANDS VISIBLE AT ALL TIMES.
  • If in doubt, ask for proper identification of anyone in plain clothes acting as law enforcement or military.
  • Record the name, badge number or vehicle identification if the situation permits.


Money

  • Do not carry or reveal large amounts of cash.
  • Many areas may not have functioning ATMs.
  • Banks may have limited hours of operation or services in the recovery area.

Electronic Devices & Hazards

Power

  • Consider all downed electrical power lines to be dangerous. Notify authorities immediately if encountered.
  • The storm and floods may have damaged electrical circuits in dwellings and outdoor buildings.
  • Reliable electric power may be limited or non existent – adjust to "low-tech" and hard copy.
  • Charge all portable electronic devices before departing and maintain charges if possible.
  • Rechargeable batteries will save time and money if power is available.
  • Try to keep battery sizes the same (ex: all AA)
  • Car chargers may be the only power source.


Supplies

  • Be very selective in what devices you bring!
  • Bring chargers/power cords for any electrical devices you transport.
  • IF your laptop is essential, bring power cord, adapter, phone line, network patch cord and storage media (disks, floppies).
  • Chargers, cords, batteries and accessories for electronic devices may not be available in remote or isolated areas.


Spectrum

  • Use surge protectors whenever possible.
  • Radios with AM-FM, TV band, Short Wave and Weather are preferred.
  • Portable games, CD players and MP3 devices without AM/FM radios are NOT essential.
  • Hand held scanners, CB radios and two-way communicators MUST NOT interfere with rescue and recovery operations.
  • Ham, emergency and short range communication bands are essential for rescue and recovery personnel.
  • Avoid any non-emergency use of bandwith in the recovery areas.

Field Mangement of Minor Personal Injuries and Illness

Splinter Removal

  • Gently clean the wound with fresh water and mild soap or wipe with alcohol (may sting!)
  • Remove any obvious foreign material with a clean tweezers or forceps.
  • Use a magnifying glass or loupes, if available.

If material is not easily or completely removed:

  • Sterilize a needle or knife tip by flame (3-4seconds) or with "rubbing" alcohol (Isopropyl).
  • Gently pierce the skin over the splinter enough to expose the foreign material.
  • Attempt removal with tweezers or forceps.
  • Try to remove object in the opposite direction that it entered skin.
  • If no tweezers or forceps, attempt pushing object out with needle or knife tip.
  • Flush with clean water.
  • If foreign material remains, repeat steps above.
  • Do not probe deeply or cause further injury.

After removal:

  • Pat wound dry, apply antibiotic ointment and cover lightly.
  • Elevate affected area as much as possible during next 24 hours.
  • Observe carefully for redness, pain, swelling or warmth. This may indicate infection.
  • Individuals with diabetes or impaired immune system should seek medical follow-up
  • Systemic antibiotics not routinely needed unless wound was grossly contaminated.
  • Seek tetanus immunization if needed (last “booster‿ greater than 10 years ago).http://www.cdc.gov/nip/vaccine/tetanus/default.htm


Foreign material not removed:

  • Clean and bandage, elevate area, apply ice and seek medical evaluation

Mayo Clinic - Foreign object in the skin: First aid

"Simple Medical Emergencies" - Superficial Sliver

Minor Cuts and Abrasions

Minor puncture Wounds

Minor Burns

Snake Bites

Insect Bites & Stings - Fireants

Plant Allergy: Poison Ivy / Oak (Rhus dermatitis)


SPECIFIC CDC RECOMMENDATIONS

Emergency Wound Management for Health Care Professionals


See also

Retrieved from "http://www.hurricanewiki.org/wiki/First_aid_and_safety"
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