Hillndale Volunteer Fire Department
Serving Steubenville and Cross Creek Townships since 1948

In any emergency, stay calm and call for help as soon as possible.

First Aid Page
This information is provided as a general reference to and not intended to be medical advice.
Consult a doctor with any questions you may have.
Hillndale VFD is not responsible for any misinterpretation or misuse of this information.


 Symptoms 
Initial Treatment
Allergic Reaction
Call for an ambulance immediately if the victim exhibits signs of itching and hives all over their body.  This can quickly lead to respiratory failure and death if not treated.
Burns
Remove clothing if not stuck and flush with cool water or apply cold cloths.  DO NOT use butter or burn ointment.  For Chemical burns, flush the substance for 20 minutes.  Flush away from other body parts so they are not contaminated.  Call for an ambulance burns are deep or large.
Chest Pain
Call for an ambulance immediately if severe.  This is an indicator of a possible heart attack.
Choking
Ask: "Are you choking?"  If victim cannot breath, cough, or speak perform Heimlich maneuver.  If the victim's airway remains obstructed, call for an ambulance.
Convulsions / 
Seizures
Clear area and loosen tight clothing.  DO NOT try to stop the victim from moving or put anything in their mouth. Call for an ambulance immediately if the convulsions last for longer then 10 minutes or there are two periods of convulsions without a period of responsiveness in between.
Carbon Monoxide 
Poisoning
If possible ventilate the contaminated area and remove the victim to fresh air.  However, DO NOT enter an unventilated area to retrieve an unconscious victim or you could become one yourself.  Also avoid re-entering the area unless it has been verified safe with gas monitoring equipment. 
Click here for more info about carbon monoxide.
Cuts /
Bleeding
Apply direct pressure to the wound with a sterile dressing and elevate it until bleeding is controlled.  Clean minor wounds with mild soap.  DO NOT remove dressings from a severe wound, simply apply more dressings as necessary to control bleeding.
Electric 
Shock
If possible, remotely disconnect electricity source if still energized.  Call for an ambulance and notify the 911 operator if overhead power lines are involved.  DO NOT try to pull or push someone from an electrical source without de-energizing it, you could become a victim too.
Fainting 
(Syncope)
Lay victim on their back and elevate their feet 8-10 inches.  Call for an ambulance if they remain unresponsive when lying down or if pulse is weak and rapid.
Fever
Give Tylenol and extra fluids.  Call a doctor or ambulance if temperature is above 102 degrees.
Fractures
Immobilize injury before moving.  DO NOT move the victim if unconscious but still breathing or if a head or neck injury is possible.  Call for an ambulance and treat for bleeding and shock if necessary.
Frostbite
If the skin in the injury site is soft to the touch, slowly warm injury by immersing in warm (not hot) water.  DO NOT rub the injury or allow it to refreeze.  Keep the victim warm to prevent hypothermia.  If the injury site is large or the skin is frozen to the touch, cal for an ambulance and DO NOT attempt to thaw the injury, this must be done in a controlled setting. 
Heat Stroke
Remove the victim form the hot environment and remove clothing.  If the skin is hot to the touch, begin pouring cool liquid over their body (avoid causing them to shiver).  Call an ambulance immediately.  If the skin is normal or cool and the patient is not nauseated, give half a glass of cool water to drink every 15 minutes.  If the patient is nauseated or vomits, fan them and call for an ambulance.
Hypothermia 
(Cold Exposure)
Remove the victim from the cold environment, remove any wet clothing, and cover with a blanket.  Call for an ambulance immediately so they can be evaluated at the hospital.
Insect Bites /
Stings
Call for an ambulance immediately if victim has a known allergy or if they show signs of widespread itching or hives or trouble breathing.  Scrape off stringer with fingernail if possible and wash with mild soap and warm water.
Nosebleed
Keep head forward and pinch nostrils.  Apply ice if bleeding does not stop in a few minutes, and call for an ambulance if bleeding persists for 15 minutes or more.
Poisoning
Call poison control center immediately for instructions and call for an ambulance.  Do not induce vomiting or give homemade remedies unless directed to do so.
Shock 
(Severe Blood Loss)
Lay victim on their back and elevate their feet 8-10 inches. Put a blanket over the patient to conserve heat.  Call for an ambulance.
Stroke
Call for an ambulance immediately if victim shows signs of paralysis, unconsciousness, difficulty speaking, or blurred vision.
Unconsciousness /
Unresponsiveness
Determine if victim is breathing and has a pulse.  If not, call for an ambulance immediately and begin rescue breathing and CPR if trained.


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When talking to an 911 operator, speak slowly, loudly, and clearly.
Don't hang up until told to do so.