Abrasion
An abrasion is a superficial rub or wearing off of the skin, usually caused by a scrape or a brush burn. Abrasions are usually minor injuries that can be treated at home. The skin may bleed or drain small amounts at the time of the injury or at times over the next few days if rubbed or scratched.
Automated external defibrillator (AED)
A medical device designed to analyze the heart rhythm and deliver an electric shock to victims of ventricular fibrillation to restore the heart rhythm to normal.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs when carbon monoxide builds up in the blood. When too much carbon monoxide is in the air, the body replaces the oxygen in the red blood cells with carbon monoxide. This can lead to serious tissue damage, or even death.
Cardiac Arrest
Cardiac arrest, also known as sudden cardiac arrest, is when the heart stops beating suddenly. The lack of blood flow to the brain and other organs can cause a person to lose consciousness, become disabled or die if not treated immediately.
Cardiac Chain of Survival
The chain of survival consists of four key steps: early recognition and activation of the emergency response system, early CPR, rapid defibrillation, and advanced life support.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
An emergency procedure is used to restart a person's heartbeat and breathing after one or both have stopped. It involves giving strong, rapid pushes to the chest to keep blood moving through the body.
Chest Compressions
It involves giving strong, rapid pushes to the chest to keep blood moving through the body. Usually, it also involves blowing air into the person's mouth to help with breathing and send oxygen to the lungs. Also called cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Consent
Informed consent is a process of communication between you and your health care provider that often leads to agreement or permission for care, treatment, or services.
Defibrillation
Introduction. Cardiac defibrillation is the act of administering a transthoracic electrical current to a person experiencing one of the two lethal ventricular dysrhythmias, ventricular fibrillation (VF) or pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT).
Diabetic Emergency
Diabetes is a long-term medical condition where the body cannot produce enough insulin. Sometimes those who have diabetes may have a diabetic emergency, where their blood sugar level becomes too high or too low. Both conditions could be serious and may need treatment in hospital.
First Aid
First aid refers to medical attention that is usually administered immediately after the injury occurs and at the location where it occurred. It often consists of a one-time, short-term treatment and requires little technology or training to administer.
Good Samaritan Laws
Good Samaritan laws provide liability protection against "ordinary negligence," which refers to the failure to act as a reasonably prudent person under similar circumstances.
Heimlich Maneuver
The abdominal thrust maneuver, also known as the Heimlich maneuver, is used to treat upper airway obstructions caused by foreign bodies. This maneuver is commonly taught during basic life support and advanced cardiac life support classes but is not given as much attention as chest compressions.
Laceration
Lacerations are a pattern of injury in which skin and underlying tissues are cut or torn. Healthcare providers encounter lacerations regularly.
Puncture
A deep cut can affect tendons, muscles, ligaments, nerves, blood vessels, or bones. A puncture is a wound made by a pointed object such as a nail, knife, or sharp tooth.
Rescue Breaths
Rescue breathing is a type of first aid that's used if someone has stopped breathing. During rescue breathing, you gently breathe into a person's mouth every few seconds. This helps provide them with oxygen until help arrives.
Respiratory Arrest
Respiratory arrest is simply the absence of breathing. It can result from respiratory distress, respiratory failure, or other events including acute head injury or drowning.
Signals of a Heart Attack
Common heart attack symptoms include: Chest pain that may feel like pressure, tightness, pain, squeezing or aching. Pain or discomfort that spreads to the shoulder, arm, back, neck, jaw, teeth or sometimes the upper belly. Cold sweat.
Seizures
A seizure is a sudden, uncontrolled burst of electrical activity in the brain. It can cause changes in behavior, movements, feelings and levels of consciousness. Having two or more seizures at least 24 hours apart that don't have a known cause is considered to be epilepsy.
Shock
Shock is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body is not getting enough blood flow. Lack of blood flow means the cells and organs do not get enough oxygen and nutrients to function properly. Many organs can be damaged as a result. Shock requires immediate treatment and can get worse very rapidly
Tourniquets
A device, such as a strip of cloth or a band of rubber, that is wrapped tightly around a leg or an arm to prevent the flow of blood to the leg or the arm for a period of time.