10 Practical Skills to Learn Before an Emergency Occurs

Personal health preparedness is more than just gathering supplies. Improve emergency preparedness. Learn practical skills you can use to help yourself and others. In no particular order, here are 10 skills you can learn to respond to emergencies.

1. How to wash your hands properly. Hand washing is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs. Clean hands help stop respiratory and diarrhea infections from spreading from person to person. Follow these five steps to wash your hands the right way every day, including in emergencies.

2. How to perform CPR. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can help save a person’s life if breathing or the heart stops. You don’t need special certification or formal training to perform CPR, but you do need education. Manual CPR is simple to learn and memorize. 3.

3. how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED) The AED provides step-by-step voice commands, but training is still recommended. Classes can teach you how to recognize the signs of cardiac arrest, when to call emergency medical services, how to perform CPR, and how to use an AED. 4.

4. How to use a portable generator. Portable generators produce a poisonous gas called carbon monoxide (CO). The risk of carbon monoxide poisoning increases after an emergency. Sixteen of the 129 deaths from Hurricane Irma in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina were due to carbon monoxide poisoning. (1) If you use a generator during a power outage, remember to always

o Place it outside, at least 20 feet from any windows, doors, or vents. o Operate it in a dry area. o Keep it in a dry place.

o Operate it in a dry area.

o Use a battery-powered or battery backup CO detector.

5. how to give first aid. The risk of injury during and after an emergency such as a natural disaster is high. Prompt first aid can help heal small wounds and prevent infection. It is important to know how to care for cuts, burns, and other types of injuries. Keep a well-stocked and well-maintained first aid kit that includes an emergency first aid reference guide.

6. How to stop severe bleeding. Serious injuries can cause heavy bleeding. A person who is bleeding may die from blood loss within five minutes. If you are a bystander in a medical emergency, you are the helper until professional help arrives. Learning what to do in a bleeding emergency, including how to use a tourniquet, can save a person’s life. If applying pressure does not stop the bleeding, a tourniquet is a last resort.

7. How to help a choking person. Quick action can save the life of a choking person. Young children are at especially high risk of choking. They can be choked by foods such as hot dogs and grapes and by small objects such as toys and coins. Learn when and how to administer back blows and abdominal shocks.

8. How to turn off utilities. Home utilities can pose a potential health and safety threat after an emergency. Learn where and how to turn them off after a natural disaster such as an earthquake. If in doubt, contact your utility provider.

9. How to use a fire extinguisher. Use fire extinguishers only on small fires. Remember the acronym PASS when using a fire extinguisher:

o Pull the pin.

o I at the base of the fire.

o S Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.

o S Move the nozzle from one side to the other. (2)

0. how to call 9-1-1. while it is easy to make a call, you may not know what to expect when you call. Be prepared to answer questions about yourself and the emergency. Your answers will help the operator get you the right help. Also, do not hang up until the operator instructs you to do so. Many 911 centers can tell you how to help until professional help arrives. (3)