Your Guide to First Aid

[Monique]

Ever been in a situation where there was something treatment stations couldn't fix? Or maybe you just can't make it back to the train stations after a very, very nasty brawl with those mean old hares, frogs and creepy bats? Well, guess what?! We're putting together a personal little guide to the things that you can see to by yourself or the treatment stations can't treat on their own or a medic, field medic or .


Black Eyes: You get them, I get them, it's unavoidable.

The so-called black eye is caused by bleeding beneath the skin around the eye. Sometimes a black eye indicates a more extensive injury, even a skull fracture, particularly if the area around both eyes is bruised or if there has been a head injury.


To take care of a black eye:

Using gentle pressure, apply a cold pack or a cloth filled with ice to the area around the eye. Take care not to press on the eye itself. Apply cold as soon as possible after the injury to reduce swelling, and continue using ice or cold packs for 24 to 48 hours.
Be sure there's no blood within the white and colored parts of the eye.
If it -is- bleeding, be sure to see your nearest medic, medical techinican or doctor. Preferably Doctor Iris.
Animal Bites: Sometimes teeth, claws, spikes and the other sorts of objects get stuck in your body. Sometimes you're just too crazy to realise that you're not suppose to play with wild animals. It's okay, we do it to.


For minor wounds. If the bite barely breaks the skin and there is no danger of you catching something wierd, treat it as a minor wound. Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water. Visit the med-beds if you to prevent infection or cover the bite with a clean bandage.


For deep wounds. If the animal bite creates a deep puncture of the skin or the skin is badly torn and bleeding, apply pressure with a clean, dry cloth to stop the bleeding and once again, get to the med-beds. You should also go by and talk with a medic for the following infections portion


For infection. If you notice signs of infection, such as swelling, redness, increased pain or oozing, wierd lines, change in mood, vision or anything that's strange, hunt down a doctor, medic or me.


For the embedded things. Don't try to pull it out unless you've got some sort of knowledge of what you're doing. In fact, just tightly wrap it up in a semi-clean or sterlised cloth to prevent bleeding. You're likely to tear the skin tissue further, increase bleeding, rip an organ or anything of the sort.
Foreign Objects Located in Eyes/Ears/Anus/Nose/Inhaled: I really shouldn't have to include this, right? I mean, I don't think anyone would do that...

It's highly unlikely that any of you would do it. So, no putting anything that's not suppose to be there, in there!

Fractures (Swollen): We're going to try and hopefully not... do this right? It's just absolutely painful.


A fracture is when the bone, any bone, is broken in some sort of way by some sort of reason. There's fractures that're hair-line, meaning the fracture is soo tiny it's like the size of a piece of hair. The shattered ones where the bone snaps in two and may or may not become mis-aligned.

The person is unresponsive, isn't breathing or isn't moving. Begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if there's no respiration or heartbeat.
There is heavy bleeding.
Even gentle pressure or movement causes pain.
The limb or joint appears deformed.
The bone has pierced the skin.
The extremity of the injured arm or leg, such as a toe or finger, is numb or bluish at the tip.
You suspect a bone is broken in the neck, head or back.
You suspect a bone is broken in the hip, pelvis or upper leg (for example, the leg and foot turn outward abnormally).
Take these actions immediately while away from the medics range of help:

Stop any bleeding. Apply pressure to the wound with a sterile bandage, a clean cloth or a clean piece of clothing.


Immobilize the injured area. Don't try to realign the bone, but if you've been trained in how to splint and professional help isn't readily available, apply a splint to the area.


Apply ice packs to limit swelling and help relieve pain until emergency personnel arrive. Don't apply ice directly to the skin — wrap the ice in a towel, piece of cloth or some other material.


Treat for shock. If the person feels faint or is breathing in short, rapid breaths, lay the person down with the head slightly lower than the trunk and, if possible, elevate the legs.

[Monique]

Nose Bleeds: We've gotten our noses into things that just triggered the evil nose bleeds.

Nosebleeds are common. Most often they are a nuisance and not a true medical problem. But they can be both.



To take care of a nosebleed:

Sit upright and lean forward. By remaining upright, you reduce blood pressure in the veins of your nose. This discourages further bleeding. Sitting forward will help you avoid swallowing blood, which can irritate your stomach.


Pinch your nose. Use your thumb and index finger and breathe through your mouth. Continue to pinch for five to 10 minutes. This maneuver sends pressure to the bleeding point on the nasal septum and often stops the flow of blood.


To prevent re-bleeding after bleeding has stopped, don't pick or blow your nose and don't bend down until several hours after the bleeding episode. Keep your head higher than the level of your heart.


If re-bleeding occurs, blow out forcefully to clear your nose of blood clots and come find us.


Seek medical care immediately if:

The bleeding lasts for more than 20 minutes
The nosebleed follows an accident, a fall or an injury to your head, including a punch in the face that may have broken your nose
Electrical shock:

You know you like playing with your guns! Don't deny it, so do I. But, if you're like one of those failed-mechanical people who play with the structure of your rifles and pistols, then you're likely to love this section. And, for those who're vicitm to being shot.



The danger from an electrical shock depends on how high the voltage is, how the current traveled through the body, the person's overall health and how quickly the person is treated. This is most likely to occur for those who play with their electrical pule rifles.




While waiting for medical help, follow these steps:
Look first. Don't touch. The person may still be in contact with the electrical source. Touching the person may pass the current through you.
Turn off the source of electricity if possible. If not, move the source away from you and the affected person, using a nonconducting object made of cardboard, plastic or wood.
Check for signs of circulation (breathing, coughing or movement). If absent, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately.
Prevent shock. Lay the person down and, if possible, position the head slightly lower than the trunk, with the legs elevated.
Burns: What can I say? You burn, you burn. Electrical burns, fire burns, burns from doing stupid thing. BUUUUUUUURN!

To distinguish a minor burn from a serious burn, the first step is to determine the degree and the extent of damage to body tissues. The three classifications of first-degree burn, second-degree burn and third-degree burn will help you determine emergency care:
First-degree burn
The least serious burns are those in which only the outer layer of skin is burned. The skin is usually red, with swelling and pain sometimes present. The outer layer of skin hasn't been burned through. Treat a first-degree burn as a minor burn unless it involves substantial portions of the hands, feet, face, groin or buttocks, or a major joint.


Second-degree burn
When the first layer of skin has been burned through and the second layer of skin (dermis) also is burned, the injury is called a second-degree burn. Blisters develop and the skin takes on an intensely reddened, splotchy appearance. Second-degree burns produce severe pain and swelling.
If the second-degree burn is no larger than 3 inches (7.5 centimeters) in diameter, treat it as a minor burn. If the burned area is larger or if the burn is on the hands, feet, face, groin or buttocks, or over a major joint, treat it as a major burn and get medical help immediately.





For minor burns, including first-degree burns and second-degree burns limited to an area no larger than 3 inches (7.5 centimeters) in diameter, take the following action:

Cool the burn. Hold the burned area under cold running water for at least five minutes, or until the pain subsides. If this is impractical, immerse the burn in cold water or cool it with cold compresses. Cooling the burn reduces swelling by conducting heat away from the skin. Don't put ice on the burn.
Cover the burn with a sterile gauze bandage. Don't use fluffy cotton, which may irritate the skin. Wrap the gauze loosely to avoid putting pressure on burned skin. Bandaging keeps air off the burned skin, reduces pain and protects blistered skin.
Get something to help ease the pain.
Minor burns usually heal without further treatment. They may heal with pigment changes, meaning the healed area may be a different color from the surrounding skin. Watch for signs of infection, such as increased pain, redness, fever, swelling or oozing. If infection develops, seek medical help.

Don't use ice. Putting ice directly on a burn can cause frostbite, further damaging your skin.
Don't apply butter or ointments to the burn. This could prevent proper healing.
Don't break blisters. Broken blisters are vulnerable to infection.
Third-degree burn
The most serious burns are painless, involve all layers of the skin and cause permanent tissue damage. Fat, muscle and even bone may be affected. Areas may be charred black or appear dry and white. Difficulty inhaling and exhaling, carbon monoxide poisoning, or other toxic effects may occur if smoke inhalation accompanies the burn.


For major burns, call for emergency medical assistance. Until a medic arrives, follow these steps:
Don't remove burnt clothing. However, do make sure the victim is no longer in contact with smoldering materials or exposed to smoke or heat.
Don't immerse large severe burns in cold water. Doing so could cause shock.
Check for signs of circulation (breathing, coughing or movement). If there is no breathing or other sign of circulation, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Elevate the burned body part or parts. Raise above heart level, when possible.
Cover the area of the burn. Use a cool, moist, sterile bandage; clean, moist cloth; or moist towels.

[Monique]

Suffication/Choking: I laughed soo hard the other day, I choked on my med-drinks. Who cares if I choke? A lot of people do. So, here we go!

Choking is the mechanical obstruction of the flow of air from the environment into the lungs. Choking prevents breathing, and can be partial or complete, with partial choking allowing some, although inadequate, flow of air into the lungs. Prolonged or complete choking results in asphyixation which leads to hypoxia (a generalised pathological suffocation of your booody or your body tissues, which is horrible) and is potentially fatal.

There's a lot of ways to go about treating this problem:


Ecouraging the victim to cough: This method's always best if the choking or suffication is caused by non-foreign objects and by irritating drinks. Allow the victim to cough up for the periods of time until he/she feel better. It's also best when the victim may be able to speak on his or her own instead of going into dangerous abdomonal thrustings.
Back Slaps: The back slap is designed to use percussion to create pressure behind the blockage, assisting the patient in dislodging the article. In some cases the physical vibration of the action may also be enough to cause movement of the article sufficient to allow clearance of the airway.
Abdominal Thrusts: Performing abdominal thrusts involves a rescuer standing behind a patient and using their hands to exert pressure on the bottom of the diaphragm (Just under the arc of your ribs) . This compresses the lungs and exerts pressure on any object lodged in the trachea, hopefully expelling it. This amounts to an artificial cough.Because of the forceful nature of the procedure, even when done correctly it can injure the person on whom it is performed. Bruising to the abodomen is highly likely and more serious injuries can occur, including fracture of the xiphoid process or ribs.
Self-Treatment Ab. Thrusts: A person may also perform abdominal thrusts on themselves by using a fixed object such as a railing or the back of a chair to apply pressure where a rescuer's hands would normally do so. As with other forms of the procedure, it is likely that internal injuries may result

[Monique]

For the love of Gamma, PLEASE DO NOT STICK YOUR HANDS OR ANY OTHER BODY PART IN ANYTHING THAT YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED ABOUT! The medics are NOT going to fix your SELF-INFLICTED injuries because YOU failed to use your supposedly well-developed COMMON SENSE.

That's the last time I'm saying this. Do not, I repeat, do -not- stick your hand in anything that's dangerous. Do not -touch- anything that's going to get you either mildy injured, horribly injured, defiled, disembodied or KILLED.