Aquinnah Community Emergency Response Team

Aquinnah Community Emergency Preparedness Survey - https://arcg.is/vyGjS

This survey for Aquinnah town residents will help our emergency services personnel and Community Emergency Response Team core group members know your needs, and any special skills or equipment you have that could assist, in an emergency situation. We are hoping that all town residents, year-round and seasonal, will complete this survey. None of the information given here will be shared beyond the CERT core team or town emergency services personnel. Please contact aquinnahcert@gmail.com with any questions.

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Our Aquinnah Community Emergency Response Team wants to help you be ready for weather-related emergencies.  Included here is a map of how to access important resources during storm events, and on the reverse is further information about what to do before, during, and after major storms. 

Click Here for the MAP

AQUINNAH CERT – FIRST AID – QUICK TIPS

• IF YOU ARE DEAD OR HURT, YOUR ABILITY TO HELP SOMEONE IS GREATLY DIMINISHED.  (YOUR SAFETY IS YOUR FIRST PRIORITY.)
• A NON-PERFECT PLAN IS USUALLY PERFERABLE TO NO PLAN AT ALL.
• SLOW IS FAST – FIRST GEAR IS YOUR FRIEND.  (RELAX TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND THINK FOR A FEW SECONDS BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING).
• PERFECTION IS THE MORTAL ENEMY OF GOOD. (LEAVE PERFECTION FOR THE ER AND DOCTORS).  DON’T GET YOUSELF IN A TIZZIE TRYING TO BE PERFECT BUT DO STRIVE TO BEING GOOD.
• REMEMBER IN MANY FIRST AID SITUATIONS YOU ARE 911.
• IF IT IS BLEEDING - STOP IT.
• IF IT IS BROKEN OR SPRAINED – STABILIZE IT.
• IF IT IS COLD – WARM IT.
• IF IT IS HOT – COOL IT
• IF IT IS NOT BROKEN-DON’T TRY TO FIX IT.
• UP IS USUALLY BETTER THAN DOWN.  REMEMBER PRESSURE IS YOUR FRIEND ESPECIALLY IN BLEEDING SITUATIONS.
• IN REGARD TO HAZARDOUS MATERIALS – IF YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT IT IS – IT WILL PROBABLY HURT OR KILL YOU.
• IN REGARD TO HAZARDOUS MATERIALS – EVEN IF YOU DO KNOW WHAT IT IS, THERE IS STILL A GOOD CHANCE IT COULD HURT YOU ARE KILL YOU.  FOR THE MOST PART LEAVE THE HANDLING OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TO TRAINED PROFESSIONALS.

AQUINNAH CERT FIRST AID GUIDE

Bleeding (External)

SYMPTOMS

(Bleeding from Veins): Steady flow of dark red blood.

(Bleeding from Arteries): Spirting red blood from wounds. Often rapid and profuse. More Critical often leading to a greater blood loss.

TREATMENT

Cover wound with a clean compress and press firmly. Elevate injured area above level of heart (only if wound is not associated with a broken bone). Apply bandage once the bleeding stops, not to tight that it cuts off circulation.  Keep limb elevated if bleeding continues and add clean compresses as necessary.

If bleeding cannot be stopped by these methods consider applying a tourniquet .  Apply the tourniquet between the wound and the next major joint proximal to the body, i.e. the next joint between the heart and the wound.  Once the tourniquet is applied write down the time it was applied and do not remove it.  (Removal of an applied tourniquet should only be done by train medical staff).

BLEEDING (INTERNAL)

SYMPTOMS

Vomit is red: coughing up blood; black stool or blood in stool; paleness; cold skin; rapid and weak pulse; lightheadedness; swollen abdomen; restlessness; bruises.

TREATMENT

For minor bleeding, apply cold packs to impacted area, (if known), to reduce pain and swelling. For serious injuries seek professional medical attention immediately.  Maintain an open airway and restore breathing if necessary

FRACTURES (SIMPLE)

SYMPTOMS

Pain; swelling; deformity; inability to move limb

TREATMENT

Support above and below fracture; apply well padded splints and secure splints with bandages away from, and on either side of fracture point.   Do not apply bandages directly over fracture site.

FRACTURES (COMPOUND)

SYMPTOMS

Open wound: possibly bone protruding; bleeding.

TREATMENT

Apply sterile compresses to wound; apply splints in a manner that does not engage the protruding bone.  Leave setting of the bone to medical professionals.

FRACTURES (SKULL)

SYMPTOMS

Possible bleeding from eyes, nose and mouth; Potential discharge from ears.

TREATMENT

Raise head, dress wound, do not give stimulants; seek professional medical help immediately.

BURNS (THERMAL)

SYMPTOMS

Redness; pain; blisters; swelling; skin damage

TREATMENT

Put impacted area in cool water or apply soaked towel (1^st and 2^nd degree burns only).  Gently dry. Cover with dry, non-fluffy bandage. Do not break blisters.  Do not use spray or ointments for 2^nd or 3^rd degree burns.  For 3^rd degree burns cover lightly with sterile, dry bandages.  Seek immediate medical attention.

BURNS (CHEMICAL)

SYMPTOMS

Redness; Pain.

TREATMENT

In most cases, (but not all), flush with water for 10-15 minutes. Cover with a non-fluffy sterile bandage.  Do not use ointment, spray, antiseptics. It is important to try and ascertain the exact  chemical causing the burn as soon as possible. Contact the fire department and medical personnel immediately.

STINGS

SYMPTOMS

Pain; itching, swelling (red); potential allergic reactions, i.e. difficulty breathing or swallowing.

TREATMENT

Do not squeeze stinger.   Scrape gently with dull blade or credit card to remove.  Wash and apply cold compress to the wound.  If victim is having trouble breathing or swallowing call for medical professionals immediately.

ELECTRIC SHOCK

SYMPTOMS

Victim unconscious: breathing is difficult; burns at contact point; potential muscle spasms.

TREATMENT

Do not begin treatment until you are sure that all electrical power is turn off.  Do not try to remove electrical cables or wires from victim if they are visible.  Do not touch victim until you are positive they are not engaged with the wire. Seek medical attention immediately.  Start CPR if needed.

FAINTING

SYMPTOMS

Temporary unconsciousness; sometimes blurred vision,

nausea; paleness; sweating.

TREATMENT

Lay victim on back, loosen tight clothing; if victim vomits, tilt head to side, gently bathe face with cool water.

GAS POSIONING (CARBON MONOXIDE)

SYMPTOMS

Yawning; giddiness, weariness, rapid pulse and bad headache.  Skin around lips and under fingernails may be a blueish color.

TREATMENT

Move victim to fresh air; maintain an open airway, loosen tight clothing. Immediately seek professional medical assistance.

HEAT EXHAUSTION

SYMPTOMS

Fatigue; pale skin; rapid pulse; shallow breathing; cold sweat, clammy skin.

TREATMENT

Move victim to a cool area, loosen clothing; give victim sips of cool water, fan and use wet towels to cool victim

SUN STROKE

SYMPTOMS

Extremely high body temperature; hot, red, dry skin; absence of sweating; extremely rapid pulse; potential convulsions. 

TREATMENT

Raise head; reduce temperature by   wrapping victim in cool wet sheets or towels.  If available, wrap ice packs in towels and place under victim’s arms and in groin area.  Call for medical assistance immediately