5.38. First Aid Information

If you come upon an accident, send someone for help. Then apply the three first aid rules:

5.38.1 - Start the Breathing

If the injured person has stopped breathing, start artificial respiration right away. Do not stop until a doctor tells you to stop, or until the victim is breathing normally.

Follow these steps:

• Use your fingers to clear the victim's mouth.
• Place the victim on his or her back, lift the neck, and tilt the head back.
• Hold the victim's nose tightly and blow vigorously through the mouth to make the chest expand once every five seconds (twelve times a minute).
• When the injured person is a small child, do not pinch the nose. Cover the child's nose and mouth with your mouth and blow smaller more frequent breaths, about (20 per minute).

5.38.2 - Stop the Bleeding

Most bleeding can be stopped by pressing down on the wound. If possible you should place a gauze pad over the wound and then press down. If you do not have a gauze pad, a clean cloth or even your fingers will have to be used. Bleeding from an artery should always be stopped first. The blood from an artery will be bright red and will come out of the wound in spurts. If the blood is darker in color and flows evenly, it is from a vein.

5.38.3 - Treat For Shock

Persons who have been injured may go into shock. When someone is in shock, all of the body functions slow down. Shock can be very serious. It can cause death. Shock may develop right after a crash or later. Injured persons must be treated for shock regardless of whether or not they appear to be in shock:

• Reassure the injured person. Your calmness will help. Do not give them anything to drink.
• Cover the person with blankets or coats to hold body heat. Have the person lie flat.
• Keep onlookers back so that the injured person has air.
• Keep their head as low as possible unless there is a head injury.
• Loosen tight collars to make breathing easier.

DO NOT MOVE AN INJURED PERSON WHO CANNOT MOVE OR COMPLAINS OF PAIN IN THE BACK OR NECK. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REMOVE THE HELMET OF AN INJURED MOTORCYCLE RIDER.

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