Simple Steps Save Lives

SIMPLE STEPS SAVE LIVES | 2012

Issue 2

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September Safety

Issue 2 KNOW HOW TO REACT IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY

IN THIS ISSUE

CPR, First Aid, and General Preparedness

by Mallorie and Melissa

As you know, September is Safety Preparedness Month, and as part of our “Pledge to Prepare” we are going to educated you this week about CPR, First Aid, and general preparedness.

You’ll learn about the warning signs of a heart attack, how to perform CPR, what to put in your first aid kit, what to do in the event that someone is choking, and much more!

Once again, as risk management advisors, we are going to practice what we preach!

Amazing 96 Minute CPR Marathon If you didn’t think CPR really works or was of no use to you, this next story should convince you otherwise!

In March of 2011, in the small, remote town of Goodhue, Minnesota, Howard Snitzer collapsed on a sidewalk in front of a grocery store. The 54 year old had suffered a major heart attack.

The grocery clerk called 911, while the only customer, an off-duty corrections officer, rushed over and began CPR.

Across the street, the two owners of an Auto Service Shop heard the commotion and hurried over to help perform CPR, and as the news spread, the number of volunteers grew.

TWO DOZEN strangers worked to save Snitzer’s life in this miraculous CPR marathon.

CPR can be very exhausting, and so as one person would get tired, the next person in line would take over. They worked together for 96 minutes until help arrived via helicopter.

How to Perform CPR This simple procedure can save your child’s, friend’s, relative’s or even a stranger’s life. What you need to know now.

Snitzer’s heart needed to be shocked twelve times and he needed intravenous drugs, but when the paramedics finally had a pulse he was airlifted to the hospital and was released 10 days later!

Good Samaritan Law This law is designed to let people do the right thing without the fear of being sued. This fear is a typical reason why strangers choose not to get involved if an emergency happens near them. With the Good Samaritan Law though, any person who attempts to help with the best of their ability and good intent will be immune from any civil liability arising from personal injury that results.

First Aid Kits Learn how to create and where to put your own at-home first aid kit.

Issue 2

SIMPLE STEPS SAVE LIVES | 2012

Heart Attack Warning Signs Knowing the warning signs of a heart attack may just save a life. Here are some of the most common symptoms. If you suspect a heart attack, call 911 right away.

Look for the following signs, provided by the American Heart Association: 

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Chest discomfort: Discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.

Discomfort in other areas of the upper body: Can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.

Shortness of breath: This can occur with or without chest discomfort.

Other signs: May include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or lightheadedness.

Association). Many of those deaths can be prevented by acting fast! Some heart attacks may be sudden and intense, while others start slowly, with mild pain. So, if you or someone near you is experiencing any of the previously mentioned symptoms, call 911 right away and get to a hospital. If you witness a heart attack, and CPR is necessary, you can give CPR until help arrives!

About 325,000 people a year die of coronary attack before they get to a hospital (according to the American Heart

WHY DON’T PEOPLE ACT FAST ENOUGH? According to the AHA, half of all people having a heart attack wait more than two hours before getting help. Some feel that it might be embarrassing if they are having a “false alarm,” while others are so afraid of actually having a heart attack that they deny it. Both of these feelings are easy to understand, but also very dangerous. If you or someone near you suspect a heart attack, call 911 and get help right away! It’s always better to be safe than sorry!

How to Perform CPR The first step is to tap and shout at the victim, if not responding and not breathing, yell for help. Send someone to call 911.

According to the American Heart Association, performing CPR immediately after sudden cardiac arrest can double or even triple a victim’s chance of survival.

However, very few victims receive CPR from a bystander.

Why? Most people have a fear of getting it wrong. So, here is a look at how to perform CPR.

Then begin sets of 30 compressions on the lower half of the breastbone. Some compression guidelines: compress at least two inches deep, give at least 100 per minute, let the chest come back to its normal position before compressing again, try not to interrupt compressions for more than a few seconds.

Next, open the airway by tilting the head back and lifting the chin. Give two quick breaths and watch for the chest to rise as you give each breath. Don’t interrupt chest compressions for more than 10 seconds.

Repeat until help arrives.

One new area of research is hands-only CPR. This means that no breaths are given. As well as being effective, some of the additional potential benefits of this are that people are more apt to provide help to a stranger if they don’t need to give mouth-to-mouth. They are also more confident, since compression only is much less to remember. Giving ANY type of CPR is better than not helping at all!

SIMPLE STEPS SAVE LIVES SAFETY | Issue 2

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LEARN THE DIFFERENCE!

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Stroke The “heart attack” of the brain. When the blood supply to the brain is cut off or restricted, the brain cells that don’t receive the oxygen-rich blood will begin to die.

First Aid Kits and Basics Freedigitalphotos.net

Heart Attack The blood supply to the heart is severely reduced or cut off. It is usually blocked by narrowing arteries or by a blood clot. The lack of oxygen to the heart muscle will damage it and it will begin to die.

First Aid Kits!

Keeping a well-stocked first aid kit at home, or at the workplace, is one of the best things you can do to be prepared. Most at home first aid kits will usually be for treating burns, cuts, abrasions, stings, splinters, and sprains or strains.

Here’s a list of some important items that should be in your kit:

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Cardiac Arrest

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Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating, which prevents the blood and oxygen from getting to the organs.

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EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE

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      WHEN TO GET PROFESSIONAL CARE The following symptoms require IMMEDIATE medical attention: shortness of breath, chest pain, loss of consciousness, severe wounds, fractured bones, poison ingestion, uncontrollable bleeding, severe vomiting, blood is being coughed up, seizures, or any other lifethreatening symptom, be sure to call 911.

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Adhesive tape.

Anesthetic spray or lotion (for bites and rashes that itch) Gauze pads to cover and clean wounds.

Ace bandages to wrap gauze onto a wound or to wrap a sprained/strained joint.

Bandaids.

Benadryl for allergic reactions, itching rashes; Topical antihistamines like creams may worsen rashes.

Gloves for examination, which can then be used as an ice pack if filled with water and frozen.

Antibiotic cream/ointment.

Non-adhesive pads for wounds and burns.

Resealable oven bag for contaminated items.

Scissors.

Traingular bandage and safety pins to make a sling.

Tweezers for splinter, tick, and stinger removal.

List of medical history, medications, doctors, and contact people.

Keep your kit in the kitchen, since most family activities take place there. The bathroom is too humid which can shorten the life of some emergency items. In addition

to a kitchen first aid kit, also plan to have one in your car.

First Aid Basics!

Listed below are some first aid tips for a few selected injuries or at home emergencies.

Cuts and Scrapes: Most small ones can be treated at home, but remember it is important to prevent infection. First, stop the bleeding by applying direct pressure with a sterile cloth, then clean the wound with water and remove any debris. Then use a mild soap to clean AROUND the cut, not in the cut. Dry the area, apply an antibiotic cream, and cover the wound. If the cut is deep, doesn’t stop bleeding or becomes infected, seek medical attention.

Nosebleeds: To stop a nosebleed, have the victim sit/stand UPRIGHT. Do not tip his or her head back. Gently pinch the nose for ten minutes. Seek medical attention if the bleeding continues for more than 20 minutes or if the bleed was due to a head trauma or broken nose.

Burns: To treat minor burns, begin by running cool water over the burn for several minutes (if the skin isn’t broken). Then cover the burn with a clean cloth or bandage. If necessary, take a pain reliever to help with any swelling or pain. Do not place any creams or ice on the burned area. Again, seek help immediately for more serious burns.

SIMPLE STEPS SAVE LIVES SAFETY | Issue 2

What to do if an Adult is Choking If you think someone is choking, ask, “Are you choking?” If he or she nods yes, then tell him/her that you are going to help. Keep in mind that a choking person can’t cough, talk, or make sounds. If they can, then let them cough. Call 911 if worried about their breathing.

First step is to get behind the victim, wrap your arms around so that your hands are in front. Then, make a fist with one hand and put the thumb side of your fist slightly above the belly button and well below the breast bone. Grasp the fist with your other hand and give quick upward thrusts into the victim’s abdomen.

In the case that the victim is large or pregnant, repeat the previous steps, but place wrap your arms around underneath the armpits so your fist is on the lower half of the breast bone. You will give thrusts into the chest, as opposed to the abdomen.

4 Give these thrusts until the object is forced out and he can breathe, cough, or talk, or until the victim stops responding.

If the victim stops responding, check if he/she needs CPR, if yes, give CPR. The only difference here is that you need to check the mouth for objects after each set of compressions. Continue CPR until the victim moves, speaks, breathes, or until help arrives.

What to do if an Infant is Choking This section will explain how to help a choking infant. Note that children are treated the same as adults.

First step, if the infant is severely choking and can’t breathe or make sound, is to hold the infant face down on your forearm.

Support the infant’s head and chin with your hand.

Next give up to five back slaps between the infant’s shoulder blades with the heel of your

hand. If the object still doesn’t come out turn the infant over onto his/her back, while always supporting the head. Then give 5 chest thrusts with two fingers just below the nipple line.

Keep repeating this until the infant can breathe, cough, or cry or until he/she stops responding.

If the infant doesn’t respond, give CPR. CPR on an infant is a bit different. Place the baby face up on a firm, flat surface. Compress the chest with two fingers just below the nipple line for 30 compressions. Open the airway and check the mouth for the object. If you don’t see it, give 2 breaths. Keep repeating for five sets. After five sets, phone 911 if no one is with you.

For infants, always begin CPR first, and then take the baby with you after five sets to call 911 if you are alone and no one else can phone.

Choking Prevention Tips for Children There are few experiences more frightening than seeing your child choking and gasping for air. If you have children you know they are fascinated by all sorts of objects and everything goes straight to their mouth.

To avoid choking, always supervise young children while they are eating and keep small objects that are potential choking hazards out of their reach.    

Do not allow children under age 3 to eat small, round or hard foods, including small pieces of hot dogs, cheese sticks/chunks, hard candy, nuts, grapes and popcorn. Other hazardous food items include raw vegetables, jellybeans, raw unpeeled fruit slices, dried fruits, grapes or chunks of meat.

Cut foods into small pieces and give infants soft foods that they do not need to chew.

Do not let your child eat or suck on anything like candy while lying down or playing. Have children sit in a high chair or at a table while they eat.

Get on the floor on your hands and knees, so that you are at your child’s eye level. Look for and remove small items such as jewelry, coins, buttons, pins, nails and stones.

Make sure toys and other items children play with do not pose a choking hazard: 

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Children should play with safe and age-appropriate toys, as indicated by choking hazard safety labels. Toys that are labeled for children 3 years and older should be kept away from children under age 3. These toys may have small parts and could cause choking if placed in the mouth.

Regularly check toys for damage that may have created loose small parts.

Damaged or dangerous toys should be repaired or thrown away immediately.

Consider purchasing a small parts tester to determine whether toys and objects in your home may present a hazard to young children. If you do not have a small parts tester, you can use an empty toilet paper roll, which is slightly larger in diameter than a small parts tester. Do not let young children play with anything that can fit into these cylinders.