Opiate drugs are an increasingly common cause of deaths from accidental and deliberate overdose. In the United States, the CDC describes opiate overdoses as an “epidemic” which claimed more than 47,000 lives in 2017....

The abdomen can be divided into four quadrants. Dividing up the abdomen in this way can help when assessing a patient with abdominal pain. The location of the abdominal pain can give first responders...

CPR is made up of performing chest compressions and rescue breaths to help a victim in cardiac arrest. Chest compressions work by compressing the heart and pushing blood around the body. CPR buys vital...

The commonest cause of a blocked airway occurs with loss of consciousness when the muscles that support the tongue become relaxed and the tongue drops back into the throat. Since the tongue muscles are...

Testicular pain and injuries are an unusual but important first aid presentation to consider. Many individuals presenting with this complaint may feel uncomfortable discussing this with a stranger or even close family member. There...

A seizure (fit) is caused by a disturbance of electrical activity in the brain. It usually results in uncontrolled movements and impaired consciousness. A seizure can be very alarming to witness, especially if it...

Any open wound – one where there is a break in the skin – should be covered with a dressing to help prevent infection until new skin has had a chance to form over...

When treating open wounds it is important to protect both yourself and the patient from any risk of infection. The most likely source of contamination is body fluids – saliva, vomit or other secretions...

Shock in a medical sense is quite different from emotional or psychological shock. It means that the body’s circulation has failed, and insufficient blood supply is reaching vital organs. Shock, if progressive, can be...

The bones of the leg can be broken by impact, twisting or direct blows. Knees are commonly injured in sporting accidents and falls. The femur or thighbone is the strongest bone in the body...

The most common form of hip injury is a fracture of the neck of the femur (thigh bone) within the hip joint. The pelvis itself is usually injured by an indirect force such as...

A fractured collarbone is a common injury, usually resulting from a blow or fall on to the shoulder or a fall onto the outstretched hand. The clavicles or collarbones join the shoulder blades to...

Any head injury is potentially serious because of the risk of skull fracture or damage to the brain. There is also a risk of associated neck and spinal injury. A head injury can trigger...

People can develop an allergy to anything. Common causes include drugs and medicines, foods, pollen and insect bites or stings. An asthma attack may be triggered by an allergic reaction. The most common foods...