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Panic

Panic makes pain and fear worse, and hinders first aid. Give as much reassurance to the casualty as you can.

Poisoning involving household chemicals is one of the most preventable of emergencies. Poisons can enter the body through the mouth or skin, or they may be inhaled (see Chemicals inhaled). They can do temporary or permanent damage, and may be fatal. Corrosive poisons...

Shock

Sets in when blood flow through vital organs becomes inadequate due to loss of body fluids (see Bleeding, Internal bleeding, Fractures, Burns and scalds), Heart attack, or a sudden drop in blood pressure in response to an allergen or infection (anaphylactic shock)....

Slipped Disc

Slipped disc occurs when an intervertebral disc impinges on a ligament or narrows the space through which a nerve leaves and enters the spine; overuse or degenerative change precedes most disc problems, the awkward bend or twist being the final straw. In most cases...

Spinal Injury

Since the spinal cord consists of nerves which carry messages from the brain to the body and vice versa, injury at any point in its course through the canal formed by the vertebrae is potentially serious. Fracture or dislocation of the vertebrae can cause loss of...

Splinters

The main danger from splinters of wood or metal is tetanus. If the splinter is protruding from the skin, remove it carefully with tweezers. If it is just underneath the slain, heat a needle tip (this sterilises it), let it cool, then gently slit the skin over the end...