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1. Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) -

Myth: AEDS are complicated to use.

AEDS are small, portable electronic devices that might look complicated but are actually easy to use.

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1. Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) -

They can diagnose life-threatening heart conditions and treat them with an electric shock with defibrillation, helping to bring back the heart rhythm.

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1. Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) -

If the person being treated does not need a shock, the defibrillator won't do it. In other words, it's not possible to harm someone if they don't need it. But if they do, you increase their chances of survival significantly.

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2. Fainting -

Myth: If someone feels faint, they should put their head between their knees.

There's a risk the person who's feeling faint could fall and injure themselves in the process of doing this.

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2. Fainting -

A person who is about to faint will typically become nauseous, dizzy, pale, and sweaty. It's best for them to lie down completely.

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3. Heart attack -

Myth: If someone is having a heart attack, you must lie them down.

It's not necessary to make the person lie down if they are having a heart attack, they should find a comfortable position: whether seated or lying.

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3. Heart attack -

Leaning against a sturdy object (i.e. the wall or a chair) makes it less likely they will injure themselves if they collapse. Call the emergency medical services, and if they're not allergic to aspirin, get them take 160-325mg.

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3. Heart attack -

Any aspirin they take needs to be thoroughly chewed and swallowed. Chest medication such as nitroglycerin can also be administered. Give the person reassurance, to try to reduce their anxiety.

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4. Nosebleed -

Myth: Leaning backward stops a nosebleed.

Actually, it just makes the blood flow down into the throat rather than out of the nose, which can cause problems.

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4. Nosebleed -

If someone has a nosebleed, they should sit with their head slightly forward. The nose should be pinched below the bony bridge (unless they have a severe head injury), and tissue should not be placed inside the nasal cavity.

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5. Sprain -

Myth: You should apply heat to speed up healing.

Heat causes blood vessels to increase in size, bringing more blood to the affected area, i.e. more swelling and inflammation.

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5. Sprain -

In contrast, cold constricts blood vessels. Applying a cold pack to a sprain initially for 20 minutes will help to slow down nerve impulses. This will relieve some of the pain, however if the injury is more serious you should contact emergency medical services.

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6. Frostbite -

Myth: You should rub the frozen area or apply snow.

Rubbing snow on frostbite will only make things worse, but rubbing frostbite by itself can damage the tissues if there are ice crystals inside the cells.

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6. Frostbite -

Remove any jewelry, if possible, and run the frostbitten area under warm water (38-40 degrees Celsius max.) or place under body heat (on the abdomen or under the armpits of another person). Thawing frostbite can be extremely painful, and afterwards any blisters shouldn't be broken.

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7. Hypothermia -

Myth: A shot of alcohol can warm a person with hypothermia.

Alcohol dilates the blood vessels which leads to the loss of heat from the body. It interferes with the onset of shivering, which is something that increases heat when someone is hypothermic.

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7. Hypothermia -

When a person's body heat is dangerously low, call emergency services. Lie the person down gently, remove any wet clothing, and add new warm clothing to their body (focusing on the core). Give them warm, sweet fluids if possible.

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8. Burns -

Myth: Apply ice or butter to heat burns.

Doing this will actually worsen the burn. It can damage the skin even further, as it drives the burn into the flesh.

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8. Burns -

Instead, the affected area should be cooled with water or a clean, cool (not ice-cold) compress. It should then be loosely covered with a sterile, thin dressing. Medical treatment should be sought for serious burns.

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9. Hyperventilation -

Myth: A hyperventilating person should breathe into a paper bag.

Unfortunately, many medical conditions mimic hyperventilation—such as asthma or heart attacks—during which breathing into a paper bag can be fatal as too much carbon dioxide is inhaled. 

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9. Hyperventilation -

Encouraging slow, calm, measured breaths is the best way to talk a person through hyperventilation, without endangering them in the case of it being something more serious.

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10. Seizure -

Myth: To stop someone from swallowing their tongue during a seizure, place something between their teeth.

This can place the person in further danger by creating a choking hazard.

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10. Seizure -

It's not possible to swallow the tongue, but the person having the seizure could bite down on their tongue which causes a bleed. This is less serious than potentially having their airways blocked by a foreign object.

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11. Snake bite -

Myth: Cutting the wound or using suction, ice, or a tourniquet can help to stop the spread of venom.

These measures do not stop the spread of venom, but could cause injury.

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11. Snake bite -

Call emergency services, and make sure the snake is no longer nearby. Keep the bite below the level of the heart and clean it with water. Remove any jewelry or clothing near the site, and cover the wound with a clean, dry dressing.

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12. Jellyfish sting -

Myth: You should pee on a jellyfish sting.

Peeing on a sting actually makes the stinger release more venom, increasing the pain. Flushing the area with vinegar, applying a paste of baking soda and water, or flushing with ocean water if the sting was from a Portuguese man-of-war will help to remove the toxin.

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12. Jellyfish sting -

Use gloves to remove tentacles or parts of the animal from under the skin. Afterwards, immerse the area in water as hot as the person can tolerate, until the pain lessens.

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13. Fever -

Myth: Rubbing alcohol reduces a fever.

Placing alcohol on the skin might make it feel cooler, but it doesn't actually lower your temperature.

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13. Fever -

In the case of children, it's dangerous and could lead to alcohol poisoning. Instead, give fever-reducing medication such as ibuprofen and call a healthcare provider if the fever doesn't go down.

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14. Getting sued for doing first aid -

Myth: You could get sued for giving CPR.

If someone goes into cardiac arrest, they are already dying. By doing CPR, you increase their chances of survival until emergency services arrive.

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14. Getting sued for doing first aid -

Staying with an injured person and helping them as best you can with the training you have, before paramedics arrive, is seen as reasonable action to help save someone's life. This is generally protected by law.

Sources: (YourTango)

See also: Pet first aid: a basic guide to dealing with a pet emergency

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