CPR + First Aid + BBP Certification Manual: Common First Aid Mistakes
- 1. CPR Introduction
- 2. Recognizing Cardiac Arrest
- 3. Positioning & Pulse Check
- 4. Compressions for Adults
- 5. Compressions for Infants & Children
- 6. Ventilation Equipment
- 7. Ventilations for Adults
- 8. Ventilations for Infants & Children
- 9. AED Usage
- 10. AED Special Circumstances
- 11. Common CPR Mistakes
- 12. CPR Conclusion
- 13. First Aid Introduction
- 14. Get to Know Your First Aid Kit
- 15. Recognition & Protective Gear
- 16. Medical Emergencies
- 17. Medical Emergencies II
- 18. Trauma Emergencies
- 19. Trauma Emergencies II
- 20. Choking
- 21. Choking Procedures for Adults & Children
- 22. Choking Procedures for Infants
- 23. Aftercare
- 24. Common First Aid Mistakes
- 25. First Aid Conclusion
- 26. Bloodborne Pathogens Introduction
- 27. Protection from Pathogens
- 28. Protective Gear
- 29. Transmission
- 30. Exposure
- 31. Cleaning Exposed Areas
- 32. Reporting an Incident
- 33. Common BBP Mistakes
- 34. Bloodborne Pathogens Conclusion
- MyCPR Now™ Glossary
Common First Aid Mistakes
Avoiding common first aid mistakes can help prevent additional injury and unnecessary delays in care.
General Mistakes
Avoid:
- Entering an unsafe scene
- Failing to call 911 for a life-threatening condition
- Delaying care while searching for unnecessary equipment
- Providing care beyond your level of training
- Unnecessarily moving a seriously injured person
- Failing to monitor for changes in condition
Wound and Bleeding Mistakes
Avoid:
- Cleaning a wound before controlling serious bleeding
- Repeatedly removing blood-soaked dressings
- Using a tourniquet over a joint
- Loosening or removing a properly applied tourniquet
- Removing embedded objects
- Pouring harsh chemicals into wounds
Burn Mistakes
Avoid:
- Applying ice directly to a burn
- Applying butter, grease, or home remedies
- Intentionally breaking blisters
- Pulling away clothing or material stuck to a burn
- Touching a person exposed to electricity before the electrical source is safe
Bone and Joint Injury Mistakes
Avoid:
- Attempting to straighten a visibly deformed limb
- Attempting to relocate a dislocated joint
- Forcing an injured area through its range of motion
- Applying ice directly to the skin
Seizure Mistakes
Avoid:
- Restraining the person
- Putting an object in the person's mouth
- Trying to stop seizure movements
- Giving food or drink before the person has fully recovered
Choking Mistakes
Avoid:
- Performing choking maneuvers on a person who can cough forcefully
- Performing abdominal thrusts on an infant
- Performing a blind finger sweep
- Continuing to use the responsive choking sequence after the person becomes unresponsive
Poisoning Mistakes
Avoid:
- Entering a contaminated area without considering your own safety
- Inducing vomiting unless specifically instructed
- Giving home remedies
- Guessing at treatment without identifying the substance
Remember
Prioritize:
Safety → Recognition → Call for Help → Address Life Threats → Monitor → Transfer Care