DeSoto Parish EMS Community Awar

The information on this page is not intended to replace or deter from seeking trained medical help. This information is intended to help you in the early moments of an emergency. When in doubt do not hesitate dial 911.

Please make sure your address is marked clearly so it can be easily seen from the road. This will help EMS, Fire and Police locate you in your time of need.

9-1-1: What to Say

When approached by an emergency vehicle running with lights and sirens state law requires you to yield the right of way. So when possible in a safe manner decrease your speed, yield to the right.

If your loved one has been involved in an accident and you are going to the hospital remember DO NOT follow directly behind the ambulance, DO NOT pass vehicles that have yielded to the ambulance, DO NOT proceed through intersections with red lights. Remember to drive safe and take your time because doing any of the above mentioned is not only against the law but also can cause a very serious accident.

One of the most important decisions you will have to make is "Should I Evacuate?"

If you are asked to evacuate, you should do so without delay. But unless you live in a coastal or low-lying area, an area that floods frequently, or in manufactured housing, it is unlikely that emergency managers will ask you to evacuate. That means that it is important for you and your family to HAVE A PLAN that makes you as safe as possible in your home.

Disaster prevention includes modifying your home to strengthen it against storms so that you can be as safe as possible. It also includes having the supplies on hand to weather the storm. The suggestions provided here are only guides. You should use common sense in your disaster prevention.

With the hot humid summer months fast approaching be sure to drink plenty of water it is recommended you drink 8 to 10 glasses of water a day. By doing this you will help prevent dehydration. Dehydration occurs when your body loses too much fluid. This can happen when you stop drinking water or lose large amounts of fluid through diarrhea, vomiting, sweating, or exercise. Not drinking enough fluids can cause muscle cramps. You may feel faint. Usually your body can reabsorb fluid from your blood and other body tissues. But by the time you become severely dehydrated, you no longer have enough fluid in your body to get blood to your organs, and you may go into shock, which is a life-threatening condition. Dehydration can occur at any age, but it is most dangerous for babies, small children, and older adults.

Immediate first aid for burns

First, stop the burning to prevent a more severe burn.
- Heat burns (thermal burns): Smother any flames by covering them with a blanket or water. If your clothing catches fire, do not run: stop, drop, and roll on the ground to smother the flames.
- Liquid scald burns (thermal burns): Run cool tap water over the burn for 10 to 20 minutes. Do not use ice.
- Electrical burns: After the person has been separated from the electrical source, check for breathing and a heartbeat. If the person is not breathing or does not have a heartbeat, begin rescue breathing and CPR (only if you are properly trained in CPR).
- Chemical burns: Natural foods such as chili peppers, which contain a substance irritating to the skin, can cause a burning sensation. When a chemical burn occurs, find out what chemical caused the burn. Call 911. Call your local Poison Control Center or the National Poison Control Hotline (1-800-222-1222) for more information about how to treat the burn. Louisiana Poison Control 1-800-256-9822.
- Tar or hot plastic burns: Immediately run cold water over the hot tar or hot plastic to cool the tar or plastic.
Next, look for other injuries. If you or the person who is burned was involved in an accident that caused the burn, other serious injuries may have occurred.
Remove any jewelry or clothing at the site of the burn. If clothing is stuck to the burn, do not remove it. Carefully cut around the stuck fabric to remove loose fabric. Remove all jewelry because it may be difficult to remove it later if swelling occurs.

First Aid For Snake Bites

1. Keep the person calm, reassuring them that bites can be effectively treated in an emergency room. Restrict

movement, and keep the affected area below heart level to reduce the flow of venom.

2. If you have a pump suction device follow the manufacturer's directions.

3. Remove any rings or constricting items because the affected area may swell. Create a loose splint to help restrict

movement of the area.

4. If the area of the bite begins to swell and change color, the snake was probably poisonous.

5. Monitor the person's vital signs -- temperature, pulse, rate of breathing, and blood pressure if possible. If there are

signs of shock (such as paleness), lay the victim flat, raise the feet about a foot (unless that is where the site of the

bite is located), and cover the victim with a blanket.

6. Get medical help immediately.

7. Bring in the dead snake only if this can be done without risk of further injury. Do not waste time hunting for the

snake, and do not risk another bite if it is not easy to kill the snake. Be careful of the head when transporting it -- a

dead snake can bite from reflex for up to an hour.

DO NOT allow the victim to become over-exerted. If necessary, carry the victim to safety.

DO NOT apply a tourniquet.

DO NOT apply cold compresses to a snake bite.

DO NOT cut into a snake bite with a knife or razor.

DO NOT try to suction the venom by mouth.

DO NOT give the victim stimulants or pain medications unless instructed to do so by a doctor.

DO NOT give the victim anything by mouth.

DO NOT raise the site of the bite above the level of the victim's heart.

Remember accidents happen, remain calm and stay smart so you do not become a victim.