The ABC's up to this point assume that an ambulance is on the way or the hospital is not far. Sometimes, however, you're on your own for much longer. If that's the case, now's the time to treat simple injuries.
Injuries that need immediate care:
Exposure injuries (too hot or too cold) that need immediate treatment:
- Heat illness (heat exhaustion and heat stroke)
- Hypothermia
Injuries that can wait, unless you absolutely have to treat them:
- Frostbite (do not thaw unless no chance of being frozen again)
- Broken bones (only splint if you have to move the victim)
Dress wounds as needed (focus on the big stuff; little things can wait).
Sources:
Field JM, Hazinski MF, Sayre MR, Chameides L, Schexnayder SM, Hemphill R, Samson RA, Kattwinkel J, Berg RA, Bhanji F, Cave DM, Jauch EC, Kudenchuk PJ, Neumar RW, Peberdy MA, Perlman JM, Sinz E, Travers AH, Berg MD, Billi JE, Eigel B, Hickey RW, Kleinman ME, Link MS, Morrison LJ, O'Connor RE, Shuster M, Callaway CW, Cucchiara B, Ferguson JD, Rea TD, Vanden Hoek TL. "Part 1: executive summary: 2010 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care." Circulation. 2010;122(suppl 3):S640-S656.
Markenson D, Ferguson JD, Chameides L, Cassan P, Chung K-L, Epstein J, Gonzales L, Herrington RA, Pellegrino JL, Ratcliff N, Singer A. "Part 17: first aid: 2010 American Heart Association and American Red Cross Guidelines for First Aid." Circulation. 2010;122(suppl 3):S934 -S946.
