Treating External Bleeding

• 1). Introduce yourself to the victim and ask for his or her consent to have you provide first aid.
  
  
• 2). If you do not have plastic gloves readily available, place clean plastic bags over your hands and tie at the wrists. The plastic bags will act as a substitute barrier between your hands and any blood-born pathogens that may be present in the victim's blood. If plastic bags are not available, search your surroundings for another substitute barrier. It must be a material that will repel rather than soak up blood.
  
  
• 3). Place a clean dressing or item of clothing over the wound and apply pressure until paramedics arrive. If the wound is on a limb, elevate the limb while applying pressure in order to slow bleeding.
  
  

Performing Continuous Chest Compression CPR

• 1). This new form of CPR is both easier and more effective than the previous form. Also, it does not require mouth-to-mouth breathing, so no personal protective equipment is required. First place the victim on his or her back on a flat surface.
  
  
• 2). Check for responsiveness by shouting, shaking the victim and rubbing the center of the victim's chest with your knuckles. If unresponsive, continue with the next step.
  
  
• 3). Have someone call 911 as you begin chest compressions. Place the heel of one hand on the center of the victim's chest and place the heel of your other hand on top of the other. Lock your elbows and position your shoulders directly over the victim's chest.
  
  
• 4). Begin compressions, pushing the chest down 2 inches each time. It is crucial to lift your hands off the chest after every compression in order to create a vacuum in the chest. Pump rapidly, 100 times per minute. In order to help you keep the correct compression rate, pump the chest in rhythm with a disco song such as "Stayin' Alive" by the Bee Gees.
  
  
• 5). Continue compressions until paramedics arrive. Do not stop for anything, not even to check for a pulse.