First aid.

Version 1.1 Aug 2006

Carry out procedures below and in the case of MAJOR INJURIES promptly get help by contacting a person trained in FIRST AID or an AMBULANCE (Tel. 0-000). For accidents involving chemicals, supply information about the chemical involved and a copy of the MSDS.

Serious Bleeding - Attempt to control by applying pressure (with a pad) to the area.

Extensive Burns - Wash off any residual chemical. Cover injuries with STERILE gauze, towel or sheet. Leave clothing where it is. Leave neck and head uncovered. Wait for trained help and ambulance. DO NOT apply any oils, creams or jelly.

Minor Burns - Cool the burnt area under running cold water or apply ice-cold pack. Go to Student Health or Hospital Casualty for treatment.

Cryogenic Burns - immediately flush the affected area with water and remove any clothing, gloves and footwear saturated with fluid. If burn is severe, get victim to hospital quickly. DO NOT rub affected area; DO NOT expose to radiant heat.

Eye Injuries - Chemicals splashed in the eye - immediate and prolonged (~ 20 minutes) gentle flushing with water from the nearest tap. DO NOT use neutralising solution. COMPULSORY - take victim by car, taxi or ambulance to EYE AND EAR HOSPITAL. Splinters of glass or metal in the eye - Get medical help as soon as possible.

Chemical Injuries - spillages on skin and clothes. Wash off IMMEDIATELY with copious amounts of cold water (at least 10 minutes). Organic materials can be absorbed through the skin and in these cases follow the cold water washing by a thorough washing with warm water and soap. Contaminated clothing should be removed as soon as possible and thoroughly washed.

Breathing Failure - Call in person trained in First Aid: attempt to restore breathing.

Clothing on Fire - Put the victim on the floor and roll him/her to smother the flames. Use the fire blanket or a laboratory coat if accessible. Douse flames with a safety shower, if immediately accessible, but DO NOT allow the victim to stand, to prevent rising flames from reaching the head. DO NOT use any type of chemical fire extinguisher on a person. If your own clothes are on fire, drop to the floor and smother the flames with a rolling action.

Inhalation of Toxic Vapours - If severe and patient unable to remove himself/herself from danger area, don "canister" breathing mask and remove victim from contaminated area or call a person trained in the use of self-controlled breathing equipment. Loosen victim's clothing. GET MEDICAL HELP QUICKLY. For milder cases of poisoning go to Student Health or Hospital Casualty. Be sure to provide information on the toxic substance involved and treatment given.

Poisons Swallowed - GET MEDICAL HELP PROMPTLY. Meanwhile identify the poison.
POISONS INFORMATION CENTRE 0 131 126
NEVER GIVE ANYTHING BY MOUTH TO AN UNCONSCIOUS PERSON OR TO A PERSON IN CONVULSIONS.

Acid / Alkali or Hydrocarbon Solvents Swallowed - DO NOT induce vomiting; drink about 250 ml of WATER so as to dilute the poison.

Other Poisons Swallowed - induce vomiting, best by tickling the back of the throat with a strip of clean paper or finger. After vomiting give more water. If vomiting not easily induced, give plenty of water.