First aid training is necessary to prevent and treat sudden illness or accidental injury. The primary objective of first aid is to save lives. This objective is achieved with the following:

• Preventing heavy blood loss
• Maintaining breathing
• Preventing further injury
• Preventing shock
• Getting the victim to a physician or Emergency Medical Service (EMS)

People who provide first aid must remember the following:

• Avoid panic.
• Inspire confidence.
• Do only what is necessary until professional help is obtained.

Student Health Center

The Student Health Center is available to the staff and faculty for treatment of common (minor) injuries occuring in the course and scope of performing your duties.

For personnel with injuries requiring emergency care, versus first aid the university is serviced by both the Hays County and San Marcos Mobile Intensive Care Units (EMS) providing emergency treatment and transport to the Central Texas Medical Center . Call 911 from any telephone to obtain the EMS Service.

Initial First Aid

If you are the first one on the scene of a medical emergency, your first priority is to remain calm. Your action will vary depending upon the nature of the situation, but the following four rules apply to any medical emergency:

1. Assess the Situation:

• Can you safely approach the victim? If not, what can you do to help without threatening your own safety?
• Determine what is wrong with the victim.

2. Set Priorities:

• Is the victim conscious?
• How serious is the emergency?
• Can someone else call EMS , if necessary? If no one else is available, decide if it is more important to administer first aid immediately or to call EMS and leave the victim unattended.

NOTE:
Never leave a victim in a life-threatening situation without first trying to help.

Snake Bites

Most snakebites are not fatal. If a snake bite occurs, follow these steps:

1. Have the victim move as little as possible.

2. Apply a constricting bandage (not a tourniquet) between the wound and the heart.

3. If possible, call EMS . In rural locations, transport the victim to the nearest hospital immediately. If necessary    and possible, carry the victim to transportation. Do not let the victim walk.

4. If you cannot obtain medical attention:

• Do not make any incisions or suck out the poison.
• Do not cool the bitten area.
• Every fifteen minutes, loosen the constricting bandage for a few seconds and then reapply it.