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People who are allergic to the venom of bees, hornets, wasps, and other insects need immediate medical attention; being bitten can be a life-threatening condition for them. For these individuals, call 911 immediately. For most people, however, insect bites are simply uncomfortable. If you are bitten, try to remove the stinger by scraping if off with a credit card or fingernail. Then wash the area with soap and water and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. Use an over-the-counter medication, such as calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream, to reduce itching.

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Call 911 and follow the instructions. Get the person to the hospital as quickly as possible. Keep the victim as still as possible to prevent the venom from spreading through the body. Keep the bitten area at or below the level of the heart. Do not apply heat or ice to the bitten area.

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Flush the eye with lukewarm warm for about 15 minutes. Have the victim blink the eye as much as possible while doing this. Do not rub the eye. Obtain medical assistance as soon as possible.

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Remove any clothing that may have been exposed to the poison. Rinse the skin with water for about 15 minutes before washing with mild soap and water and then rinse again. If you live in an area with poison ivy or poison oak, you can buy a special soap for washing off the oil from these plants if you have been exposed. Over-the-counter medications, such as calamine lotion, may be applied to reducing itching.

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Quickly get the person to fresh air. If the victim is not breathing, start mouth-to-mouth breathing.

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Different poisons affect the body differently, so it's important to call the poison control center to find out the best procedure to follow. You may be told to give the victim milk or water to dilute the poison, or you may be told to induce vomiting. Don't try to get the victim to vomit unless you have been told to do so, because the vomiting could cause problems such as burning the esophagus.

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Here are some common ways poisons enter the body and information about what to do if someone is poisoned:

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Poisons may include household products that are consumed, certain plants such as poison ivy and poison oak, the venom from a snake's bite, or gases in the air, such as carbon monoxide. Therefore, a poison is any substance that causes injury, illness, or death when it enters the human body.

Emergency response. If you suspect someone has been poisoned call your local poison control center to find out what to do. The poison control center is usually listed in the front of your telephone directory along with other emergency numbers.

When you call the poison control center, be prepared to supply the following information:

Give your name, location, and telephone number.

Identify the poison, if possible, and other pertinent factors, such as when and how much was used. If possible, have the container with you when you make the call so you can list the ingredients.

Tell the center about the victim, including his or her age, weight, and physical condition.

Write down the poison control center's instructions and follow them.

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It happens more often than you'd think. There you are, eating dinner in a restaurant, when suddenly someone at the next table begins to clutch her throat with both hands. She may be turning blue or making high-pitched noises. She is choking on a piece of food, and she needs help. Her airway is completely blocked; no air can get in or out. Without help, she will die from a lack of oxygen within a few minutes. Would you know what to do in a situation like that?

Emergency response. First, ask "Are you choking?" If the person can speak, she will be able to cough the object out of her throat. If she cannot reply to your question, her airway is completely blocked. You will need to use the Heimlich maneuver to save her life.

The Heimlich maneuver, named for the doctor who invented it, consists of the steps in the slide show on the right side of the screen. As with CPR, it's not enough just to read the description. If you can, find a course so you can practice the technique and be prepared in case of an emergency.

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When there is not enough blood circulating to the body's vital organs, shock may occur. Shock may be caused by such things as a heart problem, an allergic reaction, an infection, or trauma. Symptoms of shock include anxiety or confusion; pale, clammy skin; shallow breathing; bluish lips and fingernails; heavy sweating; and/or a rapid, weak pulse. Shock is a life-threatening condition and it is critical to obtain immediate medical attention.

Emergency response. If you suspect someone is in shock, call 911 immediately. Check the person's airway (the nose and mouth) to be sure it is clear and that the person is breathing; begin CPR if necessary. If the person is conscious and does not have a head, leg, neck, or spine injury, lay him or her on the back and elevate the legs about 12 inches above the ground. Do not lift the head. Keep the person warm and comfortable until help arrives.

If the person is vomiting or drooling and does not have a spinal injury, turn the head to one side so the person doesn't choke. If you suspect a spinal injury, keep the head, neck, and back in line and roll the whole body to the side.

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Below is a general overview of CPR procedures. It's not enough to read the description; you should have hands-on practice too. Recommendations do occasionally change or vary from one resource to another. You can learn more about how to conduct CPR by attending a class, such as those offered by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross.

Remember C-A-B, which stands for compressions, airway, and breathing. You will check that the airway is clear and perform cycles of chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. If you are not able, are unwilling, or are not trained to give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, it is still helpful to do chest compressions.

1. Try to get a response from the person by shaking his or her shoulder and shouting, “Are you okay?”

2. Call 911 or have someone else call while you remain with the unconscious person.

3. The victim should be on his or her back and on a firm, flat surface.

4. Do compressions. Put the palm of your hand on the center of the unconscious person’s chest. Put your other hand on top and lace your fingers together. Start the chest compressions. (A CPR class will teach the strength, number, and speed of compressions.)

5. Check the airway. Tilt the person’s head back and chin up and listen and watch for breathing for no longer than 10 seconds.

6. Perform mouth-to-mouth breathing. Pinch the victim’s nose. Tightly seal your mouth over the victim’s and perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. (Learn how to perform this procedure in a first-aid course.)

7. Repeat the cycle of compressions and breaths. Do not stop until emergency rescuers arrive or the person shows obvious signs of life and breathing.

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Suppose you were in the kitchen, chatting with your grandfather when he suddenly slumped forward and stopped breathing. He may be having a heart attack. Would you know what to do?

Emergency response. The first thing to do would be to call 911 to get your grandfather emergency medical care. But until the ambulance arrives, it might be up to you to save your grandfather's life. You need to do cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR. CPR is a first-aid procedure that combines mouth-to-mouth breathing with chest compressions. Its purpose is to keep oxygen flowing to the brain and heart until help arrives.

If this situation seems far-fetched to you, keep in mind that most people who have heart attacks are with their family members when the attack happens.

It usually takes an ambulance at least six minutes to arrive, but the brain becomes damaged by lack of oxygen after four minutes. After 10 minutes, brain death typically sets in. Your quick action and knowing how to perform CPR can make a big difference to your relative's survival.

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True emergencies call for quick thinking and making a decision about what to do in the blink of an eye.

If you learn thoroughly what to do in an emergency, you'll be able to act fast to save a life. Read on to practice your emergency response skills.

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Always wash your hands before and after dealing with a wound. If possible, wear protective gloves if you're helping another person in order to prevent the spread of blood-borne diseases, such as HIV and hepatitis.

Wash a cut or scrape with mild soap and water. Then cover the wound with sterile gauze or a clean cloth and press firmly. If the wound is more than abrasion, cover the gauze with a sterile bandage and elevate the wound above the level of the heart, if possible.

If the wound continues to bleed, wrap a bandage tightly enough over the dressing to maintain pressure on the wound.

If the wound still continues to bleed, you need to use pressure-point bleeding control. This procedure involves pressing the main artery against a bone to stop blood supply to the injured area.

A person who needs pressure-point bleeding control is seriously injured. Obtain medical assistance as soon as possible.

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Wounds can range from simple scrapes such as abrasions and cuts to very serious injuries. Here are some common wounds and information about what to do if you experience them.

An abrasion is a scrape of the skin in which tiny blood vessels in the epidermis (outer layer of the skin) break.

A laceration is a cut in which bleeding occurs. If a laceration is not treated promptly, the cut can become infected.

A puncture is a small but deep wound that occurs when the skin is pierced by an object, such as a nail. A puncture wound typically does not have much external bleeding, although internal bleeding may occur. This type of would may become infected if it is not treated properly. The tetanus germ grows in wounds that shut out oxygen, such as a puncture wound. You can prevent this serious disease by having up-to-date immunizations for tetanus.

An avulsion is a wound in which tissue is partly or completely separated from the body. A severed finger is an example of an avulsion. If you experience such an extreme wound, pack the severed part in ice or ice water and seek medical help immediately. It may be possible to surgically reattach the part.

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At the opposite extreme are heat-related emergencies. These may include heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

Heatstroke is the most serious heat-related emergency. Heatstroke is a condition in which the body's temperature rises to about 104°F because it cannot get rid of excessive heat by perspiring.

You may notice that a person with heatstroke has dry, hot, red skin; shallow breathing; and a rapid, weak pulse. He or she may be confused and also may be having seizures (sudden muscle contractions).

First-aid response. For all heat-related emergencies (heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke), move the person from the heat to a cool place where he or she can lie down. Elevate the person’s feet about a foot above the ground. Apply cool, wet cloths to the body, and place a cold compress to the neck, groin, and armpits. Use a fan to reduce the body's temperature. Give the person a half-cup of salt water every 15 minutes. Call 911 if the person loses consciousness, starts having seizures, or shows signs of shock, such as bluish lips and fingernails and reduced alertness.

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During the winter or in areas with very low temperatures, hypothermia becomes a concern. A condition in which the body temperature drops below 95°F is called hypothermia. People with hypothermia will face a worsening situation unless the rate of heat loss can be stopped. Warning signs for hypothermia may start with shivering or shaking; symptoms can end in death.

As body temperature dips, the person suffering from hypothermia may be confused and disoriented. Immediate care is necessary.

First-aid response. If you can't get immediate medical help, submerge the affected areas in warm (not hot) water or apply warm cloths to the affected areas for 20 to 30 minutes. Burning pain, swelling, and color changes may occur during this process. When feeling has returned to the area, apply dry, sterile dressing to the affected areas, remembering to wrap fingers and toes separately. Keep the victim warm and encourage him or her to consume warm drinks.

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Participating in outdoor activities during extreme weather conditions can expose you to some serious injuries.

If it's very cold outside, frostbite can occur. Frostbite is a condition in which body tissues become frozen. The skin in the frostbitten area looks hard, pale, and cold. The affected area may ache and may not be sensitive to touch. As the area thaws, the flesh becomes red and very painful.

An early warning sign of frostbite is frostnip, which is characterized by a whitening of the skin around the nose, ears, fingers, or toes.

First-aid response. Move the person with frostbite to a warmer place and remove any cold, wet clothing. If you have medical supplies on hand, wrap the areas with frostbite in sterile dressings, remembering to separate affected fingers and toes. Get the person to the emergency room as quickly as possible.

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A third-degree burn damages the deepest layer of the skin, called the hypodermis or subcutaneous layer. With a very serious burn like this, muscles, fat, and nerve endings within the skin also may be damaged. The burned skin may appear white or charred, and the person will experience intense pain.

First-aid response. Call 911 immediately. Cover the burned area with a clean, loose dressing and elevate the victim's arms and feet. Do not submerge it in cold water, because that may cause shock. If possible, have the victim drink small amounts of water or other fluids.

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This is a more serious burn, characterized by blisters in the burned area. In a second-degree burn, the dermis (the layer under the surface of the skin) is burned. Extreme redness, pain, and swelling may occur with a second-degree burn, but the burn most likely will heal without scarring.

First-aid response. If the burned area is fairly small (less than 2 to 3 inches), submerge the burned area in cold water for 10 minutes to half an hour and then wrap the burn loosely in a dry, clean dressing. Do not pop the blisters. Elevate the burned area. If the burned area is larger than 2 to 3 inches, it is more serious and should be treated like a third-degree burn.

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This is the least serious of skin burns, and the injury usually heals quickly. In a first-degree burn, only the epidermis (outer layer of the skin) is burned. The skin appears red.

First-aid response. Submerge the burned area in cold water for 10 minutes to half an hour and then wrap the burn loosely in a dry, clean dressing.

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To know how to help someone who has been burned, you need to know something about skin and how badly the skin has been burned. Burns are categorized by degree according to which layer of the skin has been burned. First-aid procedures differ according to which degree of burn has occurred.

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Minor sprains and strains can be treated at home with the RICE procedure:

Rest. Find a comfortable position and avoid moving the injured muscle or joint.

Ice. Apply ice to the injured area to reduce pain and swelling. Use an ice bag or put ice cubes in a plastic bag and wrap it in a towel. Keep the bag on the injured area for 20 minutes, remove it for 20 minutes, and then put it back on for 20 minutes. Repeat this procedure every three hours or so during the next three days.

Compression. An elastic bandage wrapped around the affected area can help reduce swelling.

Elevation. Lifting the affected area to a level about as high as the heart also can help reduce pain and swelling.

A broken bone is called a fracture. To help someone who has a fracture, keep the person as still as possible and call 911. If the person must be moved, keep the broken bone immobile by putting a splint around it. You can make a splint by placing rolled-up newspapers on either side of the bone and wrapping a clean cloth around them. Get professional medical help as quickly as possible.

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or all but the most minor injuries to the muscles, bones, and joints, part of first aid is informing an adult (a coach, teacher, or parent) about the injury.

If you're out jogging and you get a muscle cramp, you can usually get rid of it by stretching the affected muscle, massaging it firmly, and/or applying moist heat to the area.

A more serious injury to the muscle is a strain. A muscle strain occurs when there are small tears in the muscle that often result in pain, swelling, bruising and diminished movement.

Sprains are often caused by a sudden twisting force. A sprain is an injury to a ligament, the tissue that connects one bone to another. When the ligament is stretched or torn, it causes pain and swelling. Serious sprains require a doctor's attention.

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Would you know what to do if you hurt yourself playing sports? Injuries to the muscles, bones, and joints are common among young athletes. It's important to learn what to do when an injury occurs to these parts of the body.

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he information provided in this lesson does not constitute proper training. Do not rely on this information during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. You may want to get training and certification in first-aid procedures.

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When you were a child, someone in your family probably put a Band-Aid® on your knee when it was bleeding. For a child with a skinned-up knee, simple first aid and a kiss to make it better is all that's really needed.

For someone with more serious injuries, first aid is a temporary measure that addresses the immediate needs until a doctor can take a look at the injury and decide on the necessary treatment.

In this lesson, you will learn about common first-aid procedures and when to apply them. The first thing to know about first aid is that it can sometimes be the difference between life and death.