Emergency

Questions to Ask

Is the person not breathing and has no pulse?
	Do CPR and Get Emergency Care
Is the person not breathing, but has a pulse?
	Do rescue breathing and Get Emergency Care
Is the victim unconscious, but is breathing and does have a pulse?
	Get Emergency Care and give first aid for unconsciousness
of these symptoms come with the chest pain? Pain that spreads (radiates) to the arm, neck or jaw Feeling of pressure, especially on the left side Shortness of breath or trouble breathing Nausea and/or vomiting Sweating Uneven pulse or heartbeat Feeling anxious
	Get Emergency Care. Give first aid for a heart attack before emergency care: Ask the victim if he or she uses heart medicine (nitroglycerin). If yes, ask where it is, find it and place the nitroglycerin tablet under the tongue. Give as many as 3 tablets in a 10 minute time span if necessary. Help the victim get into a comfortable position. Do not have the victim lie down, especially if he or she has breathing problems. A half-sitting position is better - with the legs up and bent at the knees. Put a pillow or rolled towel under the knees. Support the back. Reassure the victim that you have called for help and will stay with him or her until you get help. Loosen any clothing around the victim's neck, chest and waist. Monitor the victim for breathing and pulse. Do CPR or Rescue Breathing, if necessary.
Did the chest pain result from a serious injury?
	Get Emergency Care and give first aid before emergency care. Do CPR if no breathing and no pulse Do Rescue Breathing if no breathing, but victim has a pulse. Stabilize the injured area

For an object stuck in the chest:

Don't try to remove it
Pack the object in place with padding and put tape around the padding so it doesn't move
Keep the object from being hit or moved

For an open chest wound:

(See "Cuts, Scrapes and Punctures" for first aid to control bleeding.)
Cover the wound with gauze, a plastic bag or plastic wrap. Tape in place to seal it except for one corner. (This keeps outside air from getting into the chest cavity, but allows any trapped air to escape.)
Have the victim sit up or at least elevate the victim's head and shoulders. Or, position the victim with the injured side down.
Get the victim to cough a few times every 1/2 hour. (This will help clear the lungs even though it hurts.)
Give the victim a small dose of a pain reliever to help with the pain if he or she can take one.

For a fractured rib:

If the rib has broken through the skin, apply an airtight dressing. Hold the dressing in place with tape and your hand.
Get the victim to lie down

If the broken rib has not pushed through the skin:

Keep the rib from moving. Place a broad bandage, pillow or other soft object against the injured area. Hold or tape in place. The bandaging should not be so tight that it restricts breathing. Have the victim hold the bandaging in place if he or she can.
Get the victim to take deep breaths and to cough a few times every half hour.

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