Page 158 - Participant Manual

Box D-1. Developing an Emergency Action Plan

Emergencies happen quickly. There may not be ■ The steps for responding to the emergency,
time to consider what to do, only time to react. and who is responsible for each step.
Having an emergency action plan in place and
being familiar with the procedures it contains can ■ The procedure for calling 9-1-1 or the
save precious minutes when every minute counts. designated emergency number and
To create an emergency action plan: directing emergency medical services
(EMS) personnel to the scene.
1. Identify the types of emergencies that could
occur. Think about potential injuries, illnesses, ■ What follow-up actions should be taken,
weather events and other situations (such as if any.
power failures) that are likely to occur in your
specific setting. 3. Identify equipment that is needed to respond to
the potential emergencies you have identified
2. Develop and write down the procedure that is and stock it in an easily accessible place.
to be followed in the event of each emergency.
Include: Review the emergency action plan with family
members, and practice it regularly so that the
■ The signal that will be used to indicate procedures it contains become second nature.
that the emergency action plan should be Periodically review the emergency action plan and
activated (such as a whistle blast). update it as necessary.

Vehicle Safety

■ Do not use alcohol or drugs while operating a ■ Always wear your seat belt.
motor vehicle.
■ Always have infants and children younger than
■ Do not drive distracted. Texting, emailing or 12 years ride in the back seat in safety seats
talking on a mobile phone; eating or drinking; that are approved for the child’s age and size
talking to passengers; reading; using navigation (Figure D-1). The amount of force created by a
systems; operating audiovisual equipment; deploying airbag can kill or severely injure an infant
daydreaming; and putting on makeup are or child occupying the front seat, even if the infant
hazardous activities when you are behind the or child is in a rear-facing safety seat. Make sure
wheel. that the safety seat is installed correctly in your
vehicle. Visit the National Highway Traffic Safety
■ Do not drive drowsy. Lack of sleep affects your Administration website (nhtsa.gov) for information
ability to operate a vehicle safely, even if you about choosing an appropriate child safety seat
do not actually fall asleep at the wheel. When and using it correctly. If you need help installing
you are not well rested, your reaction time is the safety seat or want to be sure that you have
slowed and your judgment is impaired. Know installed the seat correctly, visit safecar.gov to find
the warning signs that you are too tired to a nearby child safety seat inspection station.
drive: yawning or blinking frequently, drifting © 2011, 2016 The American National Red Cross. All rights reserved. © 2011, 2016 The American National Red Cross. All rights reserved.
from your lane, missing an exit or not being ■ Never leave a child alone in a car, even for a
able to recall driving for the last several miles. few minutes, and always check the backseat
Pull over to rest or change drivers. Opening the of the vehicle before you lock it and walk away.
window for fresh air or drinking a caffeinated Temperatures inside the car can reach deadly
beverage will not keep you alert enough to levels quickly, even when the temperature
continue driving. outside is moderate.

Appendix D Injury Prevention | 150 | First Aid/CPR/AED Participant’s Manual Appendix D Injury Prevention | 151 | First Aid/CPR/AED Participant’s Manual