d bigger than a postage stamp needs medical attention.
DON’T attempt to break blisters or apply adhesive dressings. They may tear the damaged skin when removed.
You witness an epileptic seizure
DO remove all potential hazards from the immediate area and put something soft under the person’s head so they can’t hurt themselves. Call 999, stay calm and simply watch over and reassure them.
Once the seizure is over, put them in the recovery position until the ambulance arrives, advises British Red Cross first-aid expert Joe Mulligan.
Lay them on their side, with one leg higher than the other so they can’t roll back or forwards. Then tilt their chin up to keep their airway open.
DON’T try to restrain them or put anything in their mouth. It could block the airway or damage their teeth and, if the jaw spasms, you could get bitten.
A person collapses in the street
DO If they are unconscious, check their “ABC”, says Clive James. Airway – Ensuring there’s nothing in their mouth, lay them on their back, tilt their head backwards and lift their chin to open the airway.
Breathing – listen for breaths and look to see if their chest is moving. If it isn’t, get someone to call 999.
Circulation – If the person is not breathing, start CPR: with the heel of one hand and the other hand on top, press firmly on the breast bone (where the lower ribs meet in the
middle). Depress the chest by one third of its depth, then release.
Repeat 30 times at a rate of two compressions per second, then give two “rescue breaths”. Pinch their nose, take a big breath, cover their mouth with yours and breathe out. When their chest rises, remove your lips and repeat.
Continue with 30 compressions followed by two rescue breaths until they start breathing or help arrives. If they are conscious and have chest pain, sit them up with their back and knees supported in a comfortable position and reassure them until the ambulance arrives.
DON’T lie them down if you think they’re suffering from a heart attack – it makes it harder to breathe.
A toddler is found face-down in the pond
DO carry them out, still face-down, with their head slightly lower than their chest to allow water to drain from the airway – and ask someone to call 999.
“Check ABC and, if necessary, begin CPR. Start by giving five rescue breaths, then do rapid chest compressions with one hand in the centre of the chest,” says Clive James.
If the child is breathing, remove wet clothes, put them in the recovery position and cover them with a blanket.
DON’T assume they have recovered. Always call an ambulance, as they may suffer from “secondary drowning”, which occurs when the air passages swell up.
An elderly relative is slumped in their chair
DO think “FAST” (face, arms, speech and time). Ask them to smile and raise both arms, advises James. “If their face droops, if they can only raise one arm, or if their speech is slurred or hard to understand, call 999 immediately and explain to the operator that you suspect a stroke.
DON’T wait to see if things improve. Prompt action can prevent further damage to the brain.
See redcross.org.uk/firstaidtips or download the free Red Cross first-aid app at redcross.org.uk/app. St John Ambulance also has a free app with illustrated instructions. See sja.org.uk for this and information on first-aid courses.