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Home > Safety Guidelines > Tips for First Aid
 
 
 
 First Aid for Airway
Partial airway obstruction
In cases where victim is breathing, induce them to continuously cough, and even if foreign object is discharged, contact 119 immediately if the victim continues to cough.
Complete airway obstruction : When the patient is conscious
When the choking victim is conscious but cannot cough during treatment for airway obstruction, perform the Heimlich maneuver. Stand behind the victim, hold their waist in your arms, and support yourself by placing one leg between the victim's legs.
Make a fist. Place the thumb of the fist halfway between the navel and the bottom of the sternum.
Grasp the fist with your other hand and thrust it upwards.
Continue until the foreign object is expelled or the victim loses consciousness.
Complete airway obstruction : When the patient is not conscious
>For an unconscious patient with complete airway obstruction, conduct CPR.
Infant airway obstruction
For victims under one year of age, or weighing 10kg or less, regardless of age:
1. Put the baby over your forearm with the face to the right side, and secure the babys head and neck with your hands.
2. Then turn the babys body with the other arm while the face is directed downward, and support the baby with your hand holding the chin.
3. Successively pat the back between the babys shoulder blades with the palm of the other hand, 5 times in a row.
4. Turn toward the front and place two fingers on the breastbone just under the nipple line (one finger even with the nipple line).
5. Apply pressure by thrusting quickly 5 times.
6. Remove any foreign object from the mouth.
7. Unless a foreign object is expelled, continue patting the back.
 CPR for Adults
Check whether the victim is conscious.
Gently shake the victim and ask them how they are.
Call for help in a loud voice and contact 119.
Move the victim, being sure to transfer head and body simultaneously, and lay the victim face up on a firm and level surface (e.g., the floor).
Clear the airway.
Gently tilt the head back and lift the chin forward to open the airway.
- Remove any foreign object in the throat or mouth. (Be careful! The foreign object may become further lodged when attempting removal.)
Lean close to the victims mouth and observe the chest for any rising and falling movement.
- To check for breathing, monitor breathing for no more than 10 seconds. (see, hear, and feel)
Maintain the respiration.
Administer mouth-to-mouth resuscitation if necessary while keeping the airway open.
- Pinch the patient's nose then blow into the mouth twice. The chest should rise, indicating that air is getting in.
See whether or not the patient's breathing is normal within 10 seconds; unless there is breathing, it must be assumed that the heart has stopped, so CPR is required.
- Unless there is normal breathing, breathe into the mouth 10-12 times per minute until the victim is breathing on his own.
Chest compressions and respiration
If the heart has stopped, perform external chest compressions in the following way.
- Place the heel of the hand in the center of the chest, between the nipples. Do not let the hand touch the ribs.
- Place your other hand on top of the first hand.
- Stretch out your arms, and push straight down to compress the victims chest (at a depth of about 4-5cm), and then stop applying pressure.
- Perform 30 chest compressions at a rate of 100 compressions per minute. Do not take your hands away from the chest during the procedure.
Administer two rescue breaths through mouth-to-mouth respiration.
- Tilt back the head to open the airway, and pinch the nose.
Every time you complete 30 chest compressions, administer two rescue breaths; check for breathing, coughing, or movement after the first minute and every five cycles.
When the victim starts to breathe, cough, or move, immediately stop chest compressions and monitor breathing.
- Unless the victim is breathing, continue mouth-to-mouth resuscitation until the victim is breathing on his own.
 CPR for Infants
Check for responsiveness.
If spinal damage is suspected, do not move the infant unless otherwise necessary.
Tap the shoulders lightly.
Summon help by calling 119 or other persons nearby.
If nobody else is nearby, perform CPR for one minute and then call 119.
Slowly administer two breaths.
Clear the airway (tip the head back/lift the chin).
Cover the babys mouth and nose with your mouth.
Slowly and gently administer two breaths (1-1.5 seconds each).
If the chest doesnt rise, tilt the head back again and slowly administer two breaths.
Pat the back 5 times.
Place the thumb and fingers on the babys chin and support the babys head and neck with your hand.
Put the baby over your forearm with the face directed downward.
Place the head below the chest.
Secure the arm holding the baby against your thigh.
Pat the babys back between the shoulder blades with the palm of the other hand, 5 times in a row.
Push the chest 5 times.
Support the back of the infant's head.
Hold the infant between your arms face up.
Place the head below the chest while supporting the baby's back.
If you are petite, support the arm holding the baby on your knee.
Imagine a horizontal line between the nipples.
Place three fingers on the sternum, with the ring finger positioned on the imaginary line.
Remove the ring finger from the chest, and feel for V-shaped section at the end of the sternum, then move upward slightly.
Place the index and middle fingers on the sternum (breastbone), and perform 5 chest compressions, but at a slower rate compared to standard CPR.
When pushing the chest, do not remove the fingers from the chest.
Eliminate foreign objects from the mouth.
Using the thumb and other fingers, lift the babys chin and tongue.
If there is a foreign object, sweep out the inside of the mouth using your little finger.
Bend the finger to sweep out any foreign object.
Do not go to extremes to attempt to remove a foreign object that is out of reach.
Make sure that the foreign object does not become further lodged inside the mouth.
Repetition
Administer breaths slowly.
Pat the back 5 times.
Push the chest 5 times.
Check for foreign objects in the mouth, and if one appears, remove it directly using your finger. Repeat this process until the foreign object is expelled or an emergency rescuer arrives. If there is nobody around to help, or if the foreign object cannot be removed even after one minute of CPR, stay with the baby and contact 119.
 Burns
Burns and scalds from fire, steam, oil, hot water, and cookware affect many people, primarily children and youth.
Hold the burned area under cold running water for at least 10 minutes.
Carefully remove rings, watches, belts, etc., before swelling occurs. (Do not remove clothing.)
The burned area should be cleaned, and if possible, covered with a sterile gauze bandage.
If the face is burned, cover it with permeable gauze enabling the victim to breathe.
Do not break blisters or forcibly remove matter adhering to the burned areas.
Do not apply lotions, ointments, or oils.
Rapidly transport the victim to the hospital.
 Prevention of Heat-induced Diseases
Drink water frequently even before feeling thirsty.
Drink as much liquid as possible, except liquor.
When drinking ion beverages, do not take salt separately.
Put on a cap, avoid clothes that cover the neck, and wear loose clothes.
Work during cool periods of the day, if possible.
Heat cramps
- Heat cramps usually occur during hot weather or after strenuous exercise, affecting the hands, feet, and the abdomen through sweating and changes in the bodys electrolytes. This sometimes leads to dizziness and fainting.
- Move the victim to a shady and cool place. If the victim remains conscious, have them drink an electrolyte beverage.
Sunstroke
- The most prevalent among heat-related injuries, sunstroke occurs after exercising hard in a hot place or being exposed to the sunlight for a long time. Its symptoms include nausea, dizziness, headache, cramps, temporary fainting, etc.
- After moving the victim to a cool place, lay them down in a comfortable position and remove some of their clothing. Give them an electrolyte beverage or some water. However, if the victim is unconscious, do not try to give them anything by mouth.
- Sunstroke, in most cases, improves when the patient is stabilized in a cool place, but not everyone feeling overheated or losing consciousness is having sunstroke. Therefore, ensure that anyone who is unconscious is examined by a doctor.
Heatstroke
- Although it does not occur frequently, heatstroke is very dangerous if left untreated. It occurs chiefly during strenuous physical activity or in enclosed spaces, and sometimes, to children left in closed vehicles. Victims have hot, dry, and red skin and may not be perspiring.
- Move the victim to a cool place, remove their clothes, cover them with a wet towel or blanket, fan them, and most importantly, lower their body temperature. Transport the victim to the hospital and administer medical treatment right away.
The basic cause of heatstroke is when the core temperature is elevated higher than the surface of the body. As such, using ice water to lower the patient's body temperature causes blood vessels on the surface of the body to constrict, making emission of body heat inefficient. Instead, wipe the victims body with slightly cool water and let air in to help heat dissipate.
 Snake bite
Place the injured part below chest level, avoid folk remedies, seek help as soon as possible, and transport the patient to a medical institution.
First, move the patient to a safe place.
Summon help by contacting 119 or 1339.
Stabilize the victim and position the affected limb lower than their heart.
Wash the bite wound with soap and water. Soap may inactivate the toxin.
Within 15 minutes of being bitten, perform the following treatment:
- Use a broad strap or pieces of cloth 2cm wide to bind the limb 10cm above the bite wound (closer to the heart). Dont bind it too tightly, leaving it loose enough that a finger can be inserted.
- If the hospital is far (at least 1 hour away), the venom may be extracted using a vacuum pump or may be sucked out by another person. A person who has an open sore inside the mouth or a missing tooth should not suck out the venom.
Carefully monitor the victim and do not give them water or food. If the victim complains of dizziness, let them lie down; if vomiting occurs, position their body on its side.
Treatments not to administer
Do not cut the injury with a knife. It may damage blood vessels, nerves, etc. and what is worse, this would involve more risk of secondary infection or tetanus.
Do not apply folk remedies like cigarette ashes or bean paste to the bite wound.
Do not try to catch the snake.
Do not directly put ice on the injury. Cold pack may mitigate pain to some degree but it does not delay absorption of poison. It can also aggravate the injury.
 Bee Sting
If the stinger remains in the stung area, remove it with a needle or knife. Otherwise, scrape it with a credit card to remove it and then wash with soap and water to prevent secondary infection.
Move the patient to a safe place and contact 119 or 1339.
If the stinger remains in the skin, gently push it out with a credit card. If you use tweezers, any residual venom in the stinger may be inadvertently squeezed out and pumped inward.
Wash the injury with soap and water, and if the pain is severe, wrap ice in a pouch (without directly contacting the skin) and apply it to the affected part.
If an allergic reaction occurs, transport the victim to a hospital right away. While waiting for the ambulance to arrive, the victim should lie face up and should not ingest anything by mouth.
 First Aid for Hyperventilation Syndrome
Hyperventilation involves chest pain during breathing or cramping of the upper and lower limbs, and the victim gasps for breath.
If one of these symptoms occurs, lay the victim face up and loosen the clothes.
Urge the victim to take deep, slow breaths, and have them inhale through the nose and slowly exhale through pursed lips.
If the symptoms become more serious, place a plastic bag loosely over the nose and mouth and have the victim breathe into it, making sure the plastic bag is not too closely sealed to the face.
Use a light plastic bag so that the patient feels comfortable. Do not hold it too tightly, allowing the patient to breathe in a certain amount of the external air.
Artificial respiration may be fatal to a hyperventilating person. Therefore, carefully observe the symptoms prior to giving first aid.
If symptoms do not improve, immediately contact 119 or a nearby hospital.
Hyperventilation syndrome is a feeling of tightness for no reason, leading to an agitated condition, and sometimes fainting. With excessive respiration, CO2 in the body excessively gets out of the body. The main causes for this syndrome are a feeling of uneasiness, stress, etc. It is particularly common in sensitive women.
 Medicines for Home Medical Care
Consult with a pharmacist and stock your home with necessary emergency and first-aid medications.

 Learn First Aid in Advance.
Inexperienced first-aid treatments may aggravate injuries.
- You can easily learn about first aid in a nearby specialized institution, including your local fire department, the National Fire Service Academy, or a local fire service academy (Seoul, Busan, Gwangju, Gyeonggi, Chungcheong, Gyeongbuk)..
Fire Departments & Fire Service Academies
Category Tel Homepage  Remarks 
Seoul Metropolitan Fire and Disaster Management Department 02-3706-1723 fire.seoul.kr  
Busan Fire Department 051-760-3112 119.busan.go.kr  
Daegu Fire Department 053-350-4056 119.daegu.go.kr  
Incheon Metropolitan Fire 032-870-3113 119.incheon.go.kr  
Gwangju Metropolitan Fire 062-613-8133 www.fire119.gjcity.net  
Daejeon Fire Department 042-600-5192 www.dj119.go.kr  
Ulsan Fire Department 052-275-6119 fire.ulsan.go.k  
Gyeonggi Provincial Fire and Disaster Headquarters 031-230-2933 www.fire.gyeonggi.kr Southern Gyeonggi area
Gyeonggi Provincial 2nd Fire and Disaster Headquarters 031-849-2942 2ndfire.gyeonggi.kr Northern Gyeonggi area
Gangwon Fire Headquarters 033-249-5132 fire.provin.gangwon.kr  
Chungbuk Fire Headquarters 043-710-7243 www.cb119.net  
Chungnam Fire Service Headquarters 042-220-3723 www.cn119.go.kr  
Jeonbuk Fire Service 063-280-3852 www.sobang.kr  
Jeonnam Fire Department 061-286-0882 www.jnsobang.go.kr  
Gyeongbuk Fire Service Headquarters 053-950-2566 www.gb119.go.kr  
Gyeongsangnam-do Fire Department 055-211-5387 www.gnfire.go.kr  
Jeju Fire & Disaster Management Department 064-710-3533 www.jeju119.go.kr  
National Fire Service Academy 041-550-0994 www.fire.or.kr  
Seoul Fire Service Academy 02-3491-4119 www.fire.seoul.kr/~school  
Busan Fire Service Academy 051-760-5960 edu119.busan.go.kr  
Gwangju Fire Service Academy 062-943-6033 fa.gjcity.net/index.jsp  
Gyeonggi Fire Service Academy 031-329-0331 www.fire.sc.kr  
Chungcheong Fire Service Academy 041-554-5503 academy.cn119.go.kr  
Gyeongbuk Fire Service Academy 054-822-6123 www.gfa.go.kr  
Seoul Citizen Safety Training Center 02-2049-4012 safe119.seoul.go.kr  

phone information Information : Administrative Management Division / Woo So-Young / banya01@korea.kr
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