I. First Aid for Ankle Sprains
1. For mild sprains, apply cold compresses to the affected area initially. Switch to warm compresses after 24 hours. Wrap the ankle with a bandage and elevate the foot to alleviate symptoms.
II. Electrical Shock First Aid
① Immediately cut off the power source.
② If the circuit breaker is inaccessible, use an insulated object to pry open or cut the live wire.
③ Quickly move the victim to a well-ventilated area. Loosen clothing and belts. If breathing has stopped, perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation or transport to the nearest hospital immediately.④ Apply saline solution or Vaseline gauze to local burn areas. III. Arterial Bleeding First Aid ① For minor arterial bleeding with small wounds, apply sterilized cotton to the wound and apply pressure bandaging. This usually stops the bleeding. ② If bleeding persists, elevate the injured limb to slow blood flow and aid in stopping the bleeding.>③ For severe limb bleeding, apply a tourniquet above the wound after padding the area with a towel or cloth. Release the tourniquet every half hour, and never leave it on for more than two hours to prevent tissue necrosis. After initial treatment, seek immediate medical attention.
IV. First Aid for Childhood Seizures
1. Upon discovering a child having a seizure, avoid panic and shaking the child, which may worsen the condition. Do not force water or liquids, as this risks aspiration into the airway. Open windows and loosen the child's clothing to ensure breathing passages remain clear. Place a cloth-wrapped chopstick between the upper and lower teeth to prevent tongue biting.For convulsions caused by high fever, apply a cold towel to the forehead. Record the exact time and symptoms of the seizure, then transport the child to the hospital immediately.The biting dog must be isolated. If confirmed as rabid, it should be euthanized immediately.
6. Fracture First Aid
Methods for treating fractures:
① Stop bleeding: Use finger pressure, bandaging, or a tourniquet to control bleeding.
② Bandage: Apply pressure bandaging with sterile gauze to open fractures. Do not push back exposed bone ends.
③ Immobilize: Pad with soft materials like old clothing and apply splints. If splints are unavailable, use wooden sticks as substitutes to immobilize the limb at two joints above and below the fracture.
④ Treat: If possible, apply a cast.③ Immobilization: Apply splints using soft padding like old clothing. If splints are unavailable, substitute with wooden sticks, securing both joints above and below the injury. ④ Treatment: If feasible, perform wound debridement and administer pain relief before transporting to a hospital.
VII. First Aid for Acute Lumbar Sprain
1. For mild sprains, have the patient lie supine on a thick wooden board with a pillow under the lumbar region. Apply cold compresses initially, switching to heat compresses after 1-2 days. Seek immediate medical attention if symptoms persist or the injury is severe.
VIII. Spinal Injury First Aid
If the patient is conscious, ask them to move their limbs. If only the lower limbs are immobile, this indicates severe thoracic or lumbar spine injury. If upper limb movement is also impaired, cervical spine injury is likely. First, lay the patient flat on the ground with both upper limbs straight and together.Place a door panel beside the patient. Four rescuers should crouch on one side: one supporting the back and waist, one supporting the shoulder blades, one supporting the buttocks and lower limbs, and one supporting the head, ensuring the head remains aligned with the body. All four should exert force simultaneously to slowly roll the patient onto the door panel, positioning them supine. Place a small pillow under the lumbar region and another under the back of the neck.Place soft pillows on both sides of the head and secure it with cloth strips. Transport the patient urgently to the nearest hospital.
IX. Leek Treatment for Accidental Ingestion of Metal Foreign Bodies
Take a bunch of leeks, uncut, and blanch them in boiling water until tender. Mix with sesame oil and consume. This can coat accidentally swallowed metal or other foreign objects, facilitating their smooth expulsion.
10. Hemoptysis First Aid
① Have the patient rest in bed in a semi-reclining position, maintaining quiet. Avoid loud speech or forceful coughing.
② Apply a cold towel to the chest while preventing exposure to cold.
③ Administer cough suppressants and expectorants, but avoid aminophylline.
④ Select hemostatic agents such as No. 8 Hemostatic Powder, Notoginseng Powder, Bletilla Powder, or Vitamin K.
③ Administer cough suppressants and expectorants, but avoid aminophylline.
④ Select hemostatic agents such as Hemostatic Powder No. 8, Notoginseng Powder, Bletilla Powder, or Vitamin K.
⑤ Transport to hospital immediately.
XI. Cat Bite First Aid
After a cat bite, apply a tourniquet above the wound, rinse the area with saline or cool boiled water, then cauterize the site with 5% carbolic acid.If experiencing full-body weakness, immediately crawl on the floor toward a door or window, open it, and call for help. If discovering someone else poisoned, immediately open doors/windows and carry the victim to safety. If the victim shows irregular or absent breathing/heartbeat, perform external cardiac massage and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation immediately, then transport to hospital for emergency treatment.
13. Drowning First Aid
① The rescuer should squat down, placing the rescued drowning victim face-down across their lap with the head lower than the body. Rapidly press the victim's back to expel water from the abdomen, clear any foreign objects from the mouth and nose, and simultaneously loosen clothing, pants, and bras.Then perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. For victims with clenched jaws, use mouth-to-nose resuscitation. [Note: Resuscitation must be sustained. Do not stop after a few minutes with no response—this is a common mistake.]
② For cardiac arrest, immediately perform external cardiac massage.
3. Pinch the Renzhong acupoint and use a needle to stimulate the Shixuan acupoint.
4. While performing active rescue, transport the victim to the hospital for emergency treatment as quickly as possible.
14. Pesticide Poisoning First Aid
Within 10–30 minutes after accidental pesticide ingestion, symptoms typically include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, excessive salivation, profuse sweating, unsteadiness, pallor, and incontinence.Before hospital transport, stimulate the throat with chopsticks, feathers, or fingers to induce vomiting. After vomiting, administer egg whites, milk, or concentrated milk powder to protect the gastric mucosa, reduce pesticide irritation to the stomach lining, and delay toxin absorption.
15. Emergency Treatment for Arsenic Poisoning
① Prompt gastric lavage: Administer warm water or 1% sodium bicarbonate solution orally, approximately 200 ml (one teacup) per dose. Stimulate the throat with fingers to induce vomiting, repeating multiple times.
② Immediate medical attention: Transport the patient to the hospital for emergency treatment after gastric lavage.
③ If the hospital is distant, administer dimercaprol or sodium dimercaptopropane sulfonate orally.
④ In poor environmental conditions, grind mung beans into a paste and administer orally.
16. Emergency Treatment for Lead Poisoning
③ If the hospital is distant, administer dimercaptopropanol or sodium dimercaptopropane sulfonate orally first.
4. In limited circumstances, grind mung beans with water and administer to the patient.
XVI. Artificial Respiration Method
For patients with sudden respiratory arrest but persistent heartbeat, perform artificial respiration. Quickly move the patient to a well-ventilated area, ensure warmth, unbutton the collar, loosen belts or bras, and elevate the back or waist. Tilt the head slightly backward, clear the mouth of dentures, dirt, or other obstructions, and place a towel between the teeth to keep the mouth slightly open.The rescuer should support the patient's chin with one hand while pinching the nostrils with the other. After taking a deep breath, forcefully blow air into the patient's mouth. Release the nostrils and repeat this cycle 16–20 times per minute until breathing resumes.
XVII.Emergency Treatment for Snake Entry into the Body
If a small venomous snake enters the body through the mouth, nose, anus, etc., use the following methods:
① Cut off a sow's tail and let the blood drip into the entry point; the snake will retreat.
② Fill the small hole at the snake's tail with ground pepper; the snake will also retreat.
③ Pierce the snake's tail with a stiff blade of grass; this is also effective.
XVIII. Snake Bite First Aid
Lay the patient down with the bitten area elevated. Apply a tourniquet 2–10 cm above the wound using a rope or handkerchief, loosening it every 15 minutes. Sterilize a small knife blade with a match. Make a cross-shaped incision at each fang mark. Suck out the venom from the wound with your mouth and seek hospital treatment immediately.
19. Food Poisoning First Aid
For food poisoning, employ the following methods:
① Induce vomiting: Drink a tablespoon of salt dissolved in warm water. Stimulate the throat with chopsticks to induce repeated vomiting.
② Absorb toxins: For diarrhea caused by poisoning, consume a moderate amount of charred steamed buns.
③ Neutralize toxins: Take egg whites or milk orally. For alkaline toxins, consume vinegar or orange juice. For metal or plant alkaloid toxins, drink strong tea immediately.
④ Antidotes: For snake venom, apply a mixture of honey and vinegar to the affected area. For cobra bites, apply a paste of honey and ginger. For viper bites, apply a paste of honey and garlic.
③ Neutralize toxins: Drink egg whites or milk. For alkaline toxins, consume vinegar or orange juice. For metal or plant alkaloid toxins, immediately drink strong tea.
④ Specific antidotes: Olives counteract alcohol poisoning; olive juice neutralizes pufferfish toxins; raw eggplant treats bacterial food poisoning; pepper alleviates poisoning from fish, crab, or mushrooms.
XX. Emergency Treatment for Acid/Alkali Eye Injuries
If acid or alkali accidentally splashes into the eye, seek immediate treatment:
① Within 2 minutes, repeatedly rinse the eye with clean water. If available, use 2% sodium bicarbonate solution for acid injuries; use 1% acetic acid or 4% boric acid solution for alkali injuries.
② Apply cold compresses on the day of injury; switch to warm compresses on the third day.
③ For severe pain, instill 0.5% decaine hydrochloride eye drops.
④ Take oral antibiotics to prevent infection.
⑤ Consume large doses of vitamins A, B, C, and D to promote recovery.
XXI. Head Trauma First Aid
For head trauma without open wounds but with subcutaneous hematoma, apply pressure bandaging to stop dizziness. If the head shows localized indentation, indicating a skull fracture, cover lightly with gauze only—never apply pressure bandaging to prevent brain tissue damage.
XXII.Dislocation First Aid
① Elbow dislocation: Bend the elbow at a right angle. Use a triangular bandage to support the forearm and elbow, suspending it around the neck.
② Shoulder dislocation: Support the forearm with a triangular bandage suspended around the neck. Use a wide strap to secure the upper arm across the chest, tying it on the opposite side to stabilize the dislocated joint.
③ Hip Joint Dislocation: Transport the patient to the hospital on a stretcher.
Twenty-three. Heart Attack First Aid
① Minimize the patient's mental stress and anxiety.
② Immediately place nitroglycerin or Xiao Xintong (a nitroglycerin-based medication) under the patient's tongue.
③ Position the patient in a semi-sitting position and administer 1–2 Musk Heart-Protecting Pills orally.
④ If the patient feels their heartbeat slowing to the point of stopping, have them cough continuously—once every 3 seconds—to restore the heartbeat.⑤ If cardiac arrest occurs, perform emergency measures as follows: (1) Chest percussive therapy: Place your left palm over the patient's precordial area. Make a fist with your right hand and strike the back of your left hand repeatedly. Effective within 1.5 minutes of cardiac arrest.(2) External cardiac massage: Position the patient supine on a firm surface with head slightly lowered and feet slightly elevated. Place the left palm on the lower third of the sternum, above the xiphoid process. Overlap the right palm over the left, keeping arms perpendicular to the sternum. Apply forceful, rapid downward pressure to depress the sternum 2–3 cm, then release. Repeat continuously at a rate of 60–70 compressions per minute.If breathing also ceases, alternate between artificial respiration and external cardiac percussion until the patient reaches a hospital.>If sudden death occurs during intercourse, the surviving partner should perform the following emergency measures: Place the patient supine with head lower than feet. Perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation with warm breath. Stimulate the Renzhong acupoint (CV8) using a needle or thumb pressure. This may gradually restore breathing. Administer Ginseng-Aconite Decoction orally, or prepare a decoction with 120g Astragalus root, 60g Angelica root, and 15g Aconite root.
Twenty-Five: Chest Trauma First Aid
An open chest wound allows air to enter and exit the thoracic cavity with each breath, and blood may flow out. The patient should remain still to prevent fractured rib ends from piercing the lungs or blood vessels. Immediately cover the wound with gauze or clothing and apply pressure bandaging.
Twenty-six. Self-Help for Hypertensive Crisis
If a hypertensive patient experiences a sudden spike in blood pressure, remain calm, immediately take antihypertensive medication, and move to a shaded area to sit with the upper body and head elevated. If possible, wash the feet with water at 40–45°C (104–113°F), immersing them up to two-thirds of the way up the knee.Apply a cold, damp towel to the head. If the patient experiences nausea, vomiting, or worsening headaches, seek immediate medical attention.
Twenty-seven. Foreign Body Aspiration First Aid
If a foreign object enters the trachea or esophagus, position the patient head-down and strike their back to induce coughing and expulsion, preventing airway obstruction and suffocation. Alternatively, insert a finger behind the tongue to trigger vomiting. If ineffective, transport to a hospital immediately.
Twenty-eight.Infant and Toddler Choking First Aid
If an infant or toddler chokes while feeding or taking medication, immediately lift the child upside down and gently pat their buttocks to dislodge the obstruction from the airway. If an infant or toddler suffocates from being covered by bedding or swaddled too tightly, resulting in cyanosis or cessation of breathing, perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation immediately and rush to the hospital for emergency treatment.[Do not forget to pinch the Renzhong acupoint]
Twenty-nine. First Aid for Fainting
① Lay the patient down with head lower than feet.
② Loosen the patient's collar, belt, and bra.
③ Ensure warmth and quiet.
④ Administer sugar water or hot tea.
⑤ Have the patient inhale low-concentration ammonia solution near the nose.⑥ Press the Hegu acupoint (located at the web between thumb and index finger) with thumb and index finger; alternatively, pinch or needle the Renzhong acupoint with thumb.
⑦ Administer a small amount of wine orally.
⑧ If cardiac arrest occurs, deliver a forceful blow to the left anterior chest immediately, followed by artificial respiration and cardiac massage.
⑨ Transport to hospital after initial treatment.
30. Burn First Aid
① Immediately remove the victim from the heat source to prevent further injury.
② Quickly cut or tear away clothing, shoes, and socks from the burned area.
③ Rinse the burn with cool water to lower temperature.④ For minor burns covering small areas, apply ointments like Bishu Cream or Yushu Oil.
⑤ Cover the burn with a clean towel or sheet and seek hospital treatment promptly.
31. Key Knowledge Points to Memorize
1. A conscious person exhibits clear mental state, coherent speech, and unimpeded movement.If someone appears "unresponsive"—breathing and heartbeat present but unresponsive to pressure or pinching the "Ren Zhong" acupoint—they may be unconscious. The longer the unconsciousness, the more severe the condition. 2. Normal adult body temperature is 36-37°C (97.2-98.6°F). 3. Normal adult pulse rate is 60-100 beats per minute, steady and strong.4. Normal adult respiratory rate: 16-20 breaths per minute, with equal duration for inhalation and exhalation. 5. Normal adult blood pressure ranges from 140/90 mmHg (18.6/12 kPa) to 90/60 mmHg (12/8 kPa).
6. Total blood volume in a normal adult body accounts for approximately 7-8% of body weight.7. Normal adult pupil diameter is 2-4mm, symmetrical and perfectly round;
32. Manual Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Manual CPR is a life-saving technique not exclusive to medical professionals; it is an emergency procedure the general public should learn and master. Manual CPR requires no medical equipment. It is primarily applied to patients experiencing sudden cardiac arrest.First, determine if the patient is experiencing sudden cardiac arrest, characterized by sudden loss of consciousness, absent carotid pulse, cessation of spontaneous breathing, and dilated pupils in both eyes. Position: Place the patient supine on the ground or a board without a pillow or other objects under the head. This is the correct position for CPR. If the patient is prone, gently turn them supine, paying particular attention to the head and neck to avoid excessive force.If the patient lies on a soft bed, place a wooden board under their back. Assess consciousness: No response to verbal calls, no reaction to pinching the Renzhong (CV8) or Hegu (LI4) acupoints, and dilated pupils bilaterally indicate loss of consciousness. Gently tap the patient's shoulder (or face) and call loudly near their ear: "Hey! What's wrong?" to test for response.
33. What is sudden death?
Sudden death occurs when an apparently "healthy" individual or someone with a stable condition suddenly experiences cardiac arrest and respiratory cessation. The World Health Organization defines sudden death as death occurring within 6 hours of symptom onset. The overwhelming majority of sudden deaths result from acute episodes of coronary atherosclerotic heart disease (CHD).Approximately 70% of sudden deaths caused by coronary heart disease occur outside of hospitals. A person experiencing sudden death will lose consciousness, exhibit absent carotid pulse, cease spontaneous breathing, and display dilated pupils in both eyes. Resuscitation is possible for sudden death victims. Immediate on-site manual cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) should be performed. Effective CPR within 4-6 minutes yields a 50% success rate.Open the airway: Perform the head-tilt chin-lift maneuver. First clear oral obstructions (vomit, blood clots, etc.) and remove dentures. Place the index and middle fingers of one hand under the chin, lift the chin to tilt the head backward. Support the neck with the other hand. The optimal tilt angle is when the line connecting the chin and earlobe is perpendicular to the ground; avoid excessive extension.
Assessing Breathing: Look, Listen, Feel.
Look: Observe chest or abdominal rise and fall.
Listen: Check for breath sounds at the mouth and nose.
Feel: Detect airflow escaping from the mouth or nose. Calling for Help: If the injured person shows no response to light taps or calls, indicating loss of consciousness, immediately shout for help at the scene: "Help! Someone, please help!"If others are present, they should first call emergency services before joining in on-site rescue efforts. Organize rescue operations efficiently, with rescuers dividing tasks while coordinating actions. Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation: Pinch the patient's nostrils closed with the thumb and index finger of the hand on the forehead. Cover the patient's mouth with your own, take a deep breath, then deliver two gentle breaths. Avoid blowing too forcefully.If the patient's chest rises after each breath, the ventilation is effective. If the carotid pulse is absent, cardiac arrest can be confirmed (the carotid artery is located 2-3 cm beside the Adam's apple). External Chest Compression: Compression Site: Mid-front of the chest, at the lower half of the sternum. [Refer back to Chapter 1 for organ locations] Compression Rate: 60-100 compressions per minute.Compression depth: 3-5 cm. Technique: Place one palm on the lower half of the sternum, parallel to the bone. Overlap the other hand on top, interlock fingers, and lift them off the chest wall. Keep shoulders straight and positioned vertically above the sternum. Use shoulder and arm strength to press downward.Precautions: 1. Perform chest compressions continuously without interruption. 2. Apply force vertically downward; do not rock side-to-side. 3. Ensure equal time for both compression and release phases. 4. Keep hands in contact with the chest wall during release. If breathing and heartbeat cease, perform rescue breathing and chest compressions simultaneously. Pause compressions to deliver breaths. Do not perform rescue breathing during chest compressions; alternate between the two.Single-rescuer method: Perform compressions at a 15:2 ratio—two breaths followed by 15 chest compressions. Repeat continuously until relieved. Two-rescuer method: Perform compressions at a 5:1 ratio—one rescuer delivers one breath while the other performs five compressions. Stop compressions during breaths. Do not breathe during compressions; alternate between both actions. Continue until professional emergency personnel arrive.While performing self-rescue or mutual aid, immediately call 120. 34. Principles of Emergency Care In real life, the vast majority of true cardiac emergencies and other critical conditions occur outside hospital settings. On-site emergency care is a race against time. Before medical personnel arrive, the "first responder" bears an especially crucial responsibility. The purpose and principles of on-site emergency care are: 1. Save lives and reduce mortality rates.2. Prevent further deterioration of the condition. 3. Alleviate suffering, minimize accidental harm, and reduce disability rates. 1. Remain calm and decisive, meticulous and responsible. Prioritize cases based on severity, urgency, and stability, then implement rescue methods decisively. 2. Treat critically ill patients first, followed by less severe cases. For the same patient, prioritize life-saving measures before addressing localized issues.3. Assess the scene to ensure the safety of both yourself and the patient. 4. Fully utilize available human and material resources at the scene to assist with emergency care. How to Call Emergency Services (120)? The call should be concise and clear, using precise language. State only essential information; avoid irrelevant details to prevent wasting valuable time. Key elements include: 1. Patient's name, gender, and age.2. The patient's most critical condition at present. Examples include unconsciousness, severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, or massive bleeding. Also provide the time and progression of symptoms, any medication taken, past medical history, and factors related to the current episode. 3. The patient's home address or the exact location where the incident occurred, including a phone number and the precise address where the ambulance should be dispatched. It is best to choose a location with a prominent landmark.4. In cases of mass casualties from accidents or emergencies, specify the nature of the injury (e.g., poisoning, traffic accident, drowning, electrocution), the number of injured, the location where they are waiting, and the name and identity of the person calling for help.Key Points for Rescuing Angina Patients Symptoms: Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke) Cerebrovascular accidents include: cerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, cerebral thrombosis, and cerebral embolism. Symptoms: Sudden onset, possibly accompanied by dizziness, headache, vomiting, aphasia, drooling, facial asymmetry, and hemiplegia. Severe cases may present with coma and incontinence.Self-rescue measures: Position the patient on their side without moving them; if relocation is necessary, lift and place gently. Remove dentures and clear oral obstructions to maintain airway patency. Apply an ice pack or cold towel to the forehead to reduce intracranial pressure, while ensuring warmth. Monitor vital signs including pupils, respiration, pulse, and blood pressure; administer oxygen if available. Immediately call 120.