In case of a serious accident follow the next steps: 

PROTECTING: we need to make sure that both the injured person and ourselves are out of any danger. Evaluate if it is possible to assist the injured person in the same place or it is necessary to take him/her away from the danger.

INFORM: call the telephone 112 or 900161161 to notify the health emergency services. If possible, do not leave the injured person at any moment.

HELP: keep calm. You have to:

• Recognise the vital signs of consciousness and breathing.
• Do not move the injured person, unless he/she is in imminent danger.
• Calm and keep the person warm.
• Do not feed, or give the person any drink or medicine.
• Facilitate the arrival of emergency doctors.

By contact with chemical substances (caustics):

• Rinse the skin with plenty of water.
• In the case of compounds that react violently with water contact (sulphurs, alkali metals, carbide...) it is necessary to dry the compound with a gauze before the skin touches the water.
• Covering with a clean cloth or gauze.
• Move to a healthcare centre.

Vapour inhalation through the respiratory tract:

• Move away the injured person from the place of the accident.
• Cover the burns with a sterile gauze or cloths.
• If the person does not breathe, initiate artificial respiration.
• If the injured person has no pulse, initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Eye burns

The burn by chemical agent is very severe, the most important factor is the time elapsed before treatment, as the destructive action of the product persists al long as it is not removed.

In the place of the accident, it is important to proceed to wash the eye and the ends of the conjunctival sac with an abundant amount of physiological saline solution or with plenty of tap water, in order to dissolve the toxic product as much as possible.  

Call for medical assistance.

• Extinguish the fire. Pull down the victim to prevent them from running and throw something over that smothers the fire. If you have nothing, make the person roll along the floor.
• Ask for emergency aid.
• Check for breathing and pulse; if there is no breathing or pulse give the person cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
• Loose clothes up without removing anything that is stuck to the skin. (EXCEPT if it is a chemical burn, then you must to remove every impregnated clothing (fabrics, watch, etc.) to avoid contact with skin).
• Cool the burns with cold and clean water.
• Remove all metal objects: glasses, chains, belts...
• Do not give the person anything by mouth, even if the victim is conscious and thirsty.
• Cover the injured with a clean sheet or clothing while the health aid arrives and keep the person warm with blankets.

Intoxication by inhalation

• Immediately taking away the person and let him/her breathe non-stale air.
• If they are unconscious at the first symptom of respiratory distress, practice artificial respiration and move the person urgently.

• Take of the clothes that are soaked with the product.
• Rinse skin with plenty of water, without rubbing.If the eyes were affected, wash them with water for 10 to 15 minutes.
• The victim will be moved to a healthcare centre together with the label of the product.

The most common portable fire extinguishers are those filled with multipurpose powder or ABC powder. As its name implies, they are valid to fight any kind of fire (A, B or C type)

A: Solid matter

B: Flammable liquid fires

C: Gas fire

MAKE SURE THAT THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER IS APPROPRIATE FOR THE TYPE OF FIRE YOU NEED TO EXTINGUISH

Steps to follow for the use of a portable fire extinguisher:

• Make sure that the extinguishing agent is the appropriate for the type of fire to be extinguished.
• Pick up the fire extinguisher.
• Verify that the fire extinguisher is in good condition.
• Remove the seal from the fire extinguisher.
• Fire a small shot to the ground to test it works.
• Approach the fire with the wind behind you.
• Administer the extinguishing agent in zigzag, attacking the base of the flames.
• Fully discharge the fire extinguisher.
• Leave without turning your back to the fire.

THE CHARGE OF A 6 KM FIRE EXTINGUISHER LASTS, APPROXIMATELY, FROM 8 TO 10 SECONDS. DO NOT WASTE IT!

Do not start panicking. Act calmly but with precision.

• Do not run.
• Walk quickly in a single queue, closing the biggest amount of doors and windows as possible, that wat you will prevent the fire from spreading.
• Always descend, the path to follow when escaping a fire must never be ascendant, except in case you are in a basement or subsoil.
• Do not use lifts or service lifts, as you can get trapped.
• If your clothes ignite, do not run, roll on the ground.

Wounds

• When incisions, cover them with a dressing and go to a health centre to suture the skin, if necessary.
• With puncture wounds, it is convenient to facilitate the wound bleeding sweeping along all that might have penetrated with the pointed object.

Haemorrhages

• Apply pressure directly on the wound with a gauze, sterile dressing or bandage.
• Raise the wounded body part. If the wound is on an upper or lower limb, rise it above heart level, while pressing it.
• In the event of a venous haemorrhage (possible with strong abdominal strike, falls from a height, traffic accidents, etc.):
  • Move the victim as soon as possible.
  • Control breathing and pulse every five minutes.
  • Keep the victim warm.

Electric Shock

• Turn off the source of electricity before performing first aid cares.
• If the electricity flow cannot be turned off, stand on a rubber or wood dry surface.
• Move the injured person away from the electric source with a wood or plastic object.
• Do not touch the victim with your hands because you will electrocute yourself.
• Check for breathing and pulse; if there is no breathing or pulse give the person cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Chokings

• When complete obstruction of the airflow, bend the person forward at the waist and give 4 back blows between the shoulder blades. 
• Is the object is still obstructing the airflow, perform the HEIMLICH manoeuvre:
  • Stand behind the person enclosing the victim with your arms.
  • Close one hand and place it between the umbilicus and the sternum covering your fist with your other hand.
  • Exert pressure on the bottom of the diaphragm; repeat it between 6 and 8 times.

Unconscious chokings:

• Look for and remove the object if seen.
• Open the airway. 
• Kneel next to the victim and exert pressure on the thorax (CPR manoeuvre).

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation

If the victim has no breathing and pulse

• Push hard and fast in the middle of the chest until the victim recovers breathing, then control it until the medical aid arrives.
  • At least 100 compressions per minute.
  • Sequence: 30 compressions per 2 breaths.

Fractures

• Do not move the victim, unless it is necessary.
• Do not move the injured body part, do not try to put the bones back into place.
• Cover the injured and wait for the aid.
• If you must move the person, immobilize the member with two padded splints, one at each side of the injured part, and tie it.
• If there is an haemorrhage, follow the instructions in case of an haemorrhage.

Epileptic seizure

• Call the medical service.

• Help the person lay down where they cannot get hurt (something soft where they cannot hurt their head). If there are objects around, separate them so that they do not hit them.

• Do not hold them.

• Do not put anything in their mouths.

• If they are still, put them in recovery position (on the left side).

• Monitor their breathing and pulse.

Hypoglucemy

 • Call the medical service.

• If the person is conscious, give them between 10 and 20 grs of sugar orally. 10gr of sugar are equivalent to:

1 glass of fruit juice

2½  tablespoons or two cubes of sugar

1 sugar packet 

2 pieces of candy

2 spoons of honey 

1 glass of soda (orange or coke)

• If they cannot swallow or they are unconscious, do not supply them food or liquid.

• Put them in recovery position (on the left side).

• Monitor their breathing and pulse.

Emergency Telephones