Introduction: First Aid: Merck Manual Home Edition

THE MERCK MANUAL MEDICAL LIBRARY: The Merck Manual of Medical Information--Home Edition

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	Introduction

Section		Accidents and Injuries

Subject		First Aid

Topics		Introduction· Cardiac Arrest· Choking· Emergency First Aid Priorities· Internal Bleeding· Severed or Constricted Limbs or Digits· Soft Tissue Injuries· Wounds

Introduction

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acetaminophen

anaphylaxis

The goal of first aid is to save life, to prevent an injury or illness from worsening, or to help speed recovery. First aid for cardiac arrest, choking, bleeding, minor wounds, and minor soft tissue injuries is discussed in this chapter. Other chapters discuss first aid for near drowning, heat stroke, low body temperature (hypothermia), serious allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), spinal cord injuries, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), poisoning, seizures, stings, bite wounds, burns, chemical burns of the eyes, fractures, frostbite, nosebleeds, sprains, and loose teeth.

Basic First-Aid Supplies

The medicine chest or first-aid kit should be kept well stocked. The following basic supplies are useful to have on hand:

Activated charcoal (a poison control center should be called before using)
Adhesive tape
Antihistamine
Antiseptic ointment (such as bacitracin)
Acetaminophen or ibuprofen
Chewable baby aspirin (in case of symptoms of a heart attack; a doctor should be called before using)
Cold pack or ice bag
Cotton-tipped swabs
Elastic wrap
First-aid manual
Gauze bandages in a roll, 2 or 3 inches (5 or 7 centimeters) wide
Sharp scissors
Soap or instant hand sanitizer
Sterile adhesive bandages in several sizes
Thermometer
Thin, plastic gloves
Tissues
Tweezers

Last full review/revision August 2007 by Justin L. Kaplan, MD

Next: Cardiac Arrest

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