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First Aid Procedures

Seizure

A person experiencing a seizure may exhibit any of the following reactions: limbs jerking violently, eyes rolling upward, breath becomes heavy with dribbling or even frothing at the mouth. Breathing may stop in some seizures, or the victim may bite their tongue so severely that it blocks the airway. Do not attempt to force anything into the victim’s mouth. You may injure the victim and yourself.

During the seizure

  1. Let the seizure run its course. There is little you can do to stop the seizure.
  2. Do not try to restrain a seizure victim.
  3. Call for help.
  4. Help the victim to lie down and keep them from falling to avoid injury.
  5. Loosen restrictive clothing.
  6. Use no force.

After the seizure

  1. Check to see if the victim is BREATHING... IF HE OR SHE IS NOT GIVE RESCUE BREATHING AT ONCE. Use airway or pocket mask if available, see below: Mouth-to-Mouth Resuscitation.
  2. Check to see if the victim is wearing a MEDIC ALERT, or similar bracelet. It describes emergency requirements.
  3. Check to see if the victim has any burns around the mouth. This would indicate poison.

The victim of a seizure or convulsion may be conscious, but confused and not talkative when the intense movement stops. Stay with the victim. Be certain that breathing continues. When victim seems able to move, get medical attention.

Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation

  1. Place victim on back on firm surface.
  2. Check respiration.
  3. Open airway by tilting head and lifting chin.
  4. Look, listen and feel for breathing.
  5. Using airway or pocket mask if available, give two ventilations into victim’s mouth.
  6. Repeat every five seconds.
  7. Check pulse (5-10 seconds).
  8. If problem, check victim for airway obstruction.

Poisoning and Overdose

  1. Determine what substance is involved and how taken.
  2. Stay with victim and assist as necessary.
  3. If choking, lower head.

Fainting, Unconsciousness, and Shock

  1. Have victim lie or sit down and rest.
  2. Keep victim comfortable, not hot or cold.
  3. Keep victim on side if unconscious.
  4. Ask or look for medical ID.
  5. Treat other injuries as necessary.

Burns, Thermal and Chemical

  1. Immerse burned area in cold water.
  2. Flood chemical burn with cool water.
  3. Cover burn with dry bandage.
  4. Keep victim quiet and comfortable.
  5. Keep sample or container of chemical for further analysis.

Severe Bleeding and Wounds

Gloves are available in department first aid kits

  1. Apply direct pressure on wound.
  2. Use clean cloth or hand.
  3. Apply pressure to blood vessel if necessary.
  4. Elevate body part.
  5. Add more cloth if blood soaks through.
  6. keep pressure on wound until help arrives.
  7. Use tourniquet only as last resort. 

Choking (Conscious Victim)

  1. Unless victim cannot breathe, speak, or cough, NEVER INTERFERE with a victim’s own efforts to free obstruction.
  2. Use abdominal thrusts until object is expelled or until victim becomes unconscious.

Choking (Unconscious Victim)

  1. Direct someone to call 911. From your cell phone call Santa Maria Police Dispatch 925-2631, or Lompoc Police Dispatch 736-4511.
  2. Open airway and attempt to give two full breaths into victim’s mouth. Use airway or pocket mask if available.
  3. If unsuccessful, retilt head and give two more breaths.
  4. If unable to give breaths, give five quick abdominal upward thrusts by pressing grasped hands into victim’s abdomen above navel and below lower tip of breastbone.
  5. Open mouth and sweep with finger to see if object can be removed.
  6. If unsuccessful, give two full breaths and repeat sequence until airway is cleared or help arrives.

Heart attack

Automated External Defibrillators (AED) are located in AHC Police Department vehicles.

  1. Help victim to comfortable position.
  2. Give resuscitation or CPR as necessary.
  3. Keep victim comfortable, not hot or cold.
  4. Ask or look for emergency medical ID.

Fractures and sprains

  1. Keep victim still.
  2. Keep injured area immobile.