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Basic first aid actions for common emergencies in India
CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)
- Call 108 or 112 immediately
- Place person on firm flat surface
- Push hard and fast in center of chest (100-120 compressions per minute)
- If trained: give 2 rescue breaths every 30 compressions
- Continue until medical help arrives
Severe Bleeding
- Apply direct pressure with clean cloth
- Do NOT remove embedded objects
- Keep the injured part elevated
- Apply tourniquet only as last resort (above wound, note the time)
- Call 108
Burns
- Cool burn under running water for at least 10 minutes
- Do NOT apply ice, butter, toothpaste, or oil
- Cover loosely with clean cloth
- For chemical burns: remove contaminated clothing, flush with water
- Seek medical help for burns larger than palm size
Snake Bite (India-Specific)
- Keep the person calm and still
- Remove jewelry/watches near bite before swelling starts
- Do NOT cut the wound, suck venom, or apply tourniquet
- Do NOT apply ice or traditional remedies
- Immobilize the bitten limb
- Rush to nearest hospital with anti-venom facility
- Call 108
- India's Big 4 venomous snakes: Cobra, Krait, Russell's Viper, Saw-scaled Viper
Heat Stroke
- THIS IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY - call 108 immediately
- Move person to shade/cool area
- Remove excess clothing
- Cool person rapidly: wet sheets, fan, ice packs at neck/armpits/groin
- Do NOT give water if person is unconscious
- Monitor breathing
Drowning
- Call for help - do NOT enter water unless trained
- Throw a rope, branch, or floating object
- Once on land: check breathing
- If not breathing: begin CPR
- Call 108