Not medical advice. This site is general information only. In an emergency call your local emergency number. For advice about your own health, speak to a doctor, pharmacist or other qualified health professional.
FAQ
Should I do CPR on someone who is breathing?
No. CPR is for people who are not breathing normally and unresponsive. If someone is unconscious but breathing normally, place them in the recovery position and monitor continuously until help arrives.
Can I hurt someone with CPR or an AED?
Ribs may crack during effective compressions, this is expected and survivable. An AED will not deliver a shock unless the heart rhythm requires it. The real risk is doing nothing: cardiac arrest is fatal within minutes without intervention.
Should I put butter or ice on a burn?
No. Use cool running water for 20 minutes. Butter traps heat and ice causes further tissue damage. Simple cool water limits how deep the burn becomes better than anything else available at home.
What if I break ribs doing CPR?
Continue. Rib fractures during properly performed CPR are common and treatable, while interrupted compressions mean death. Push hard and fast, allow full recoil, and minimize interruptions.
Should I remove a knife or impaled object?
Never. Embedded objects may be plugging severed blood vessels. Removal can cause catastrophic bleeding. Stabilize the object in place and get emergency care.
Is this site a substitute for first aid training?
No. Reading builds knowledge, but hands on training builds reflexes. Take a certified course from the Red Cross, St John Ambulance, or equivalent organizations in your country. In a real emergency, call your local emergency number first.