If someone has an accident he is likely to suffer from shock. This is a medical condition when somebody looks 1 or feels weak and sick. A victim in a state of shock always has a weak but 2 heart beat. If you see someone suffering from shock, ask them to sit or lie down.
He may want to put his head between his legs for a short time. Then check the clothes—there should be 3 close-fitting clothes round his neck. If the shock is not serious, 4 the victim a cup of warm, sweet tea to drink. This will make him feel better. But if he looks really ill, call 5 emergency help immediately. Meanwhile lift his legs up so that the blood will flow to his 6 which will help him feel better. If you have a blanket, put it round the victim to keep him 7. This will stop him from getting cold and shivering, which can happen when he suffers shock. Do not move the victim far 8 a good reason and do not allow him 9. If the person finds 10 difficult to breathe, put him in the recovery position.
To 1 with a serious leg wound, first of all, it is important to get the victim to lie down. Then remove any clothes from around the wound. Look at the wound and look for any 2 in the wound such as a piece of wood. If there are not any objects, press down hard on the wound. Use a clean cloth to do this. Then, if possible, lift the damaged area. In this case, you need to 3 the leg. Place the damaged leg on something like a box. This will slow down the flow of blood to the wound. Keep the pressure on the wound. Do this for ten 4. Then place a piece of clean cloth over the wound and tie the cloth firmly around the leg. Do not remove the cloth. If blood comes through the cloth, simply place 5 cloth on top. Take the victim to the nearest doctor or hospital.
With more and more people swimming at beaches every year, the problem of sharks (鲨鱼) takes on new importance. There are people who still insist that sharks never attack human beings unless they are bleeding or wounded, but this belief has not been clearly proved. In the past few years, on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, there have been cases of shark attacks which resulted in death. And just how many of the swimmers who have disappeared were victims of shark attacks will never be known. Clearly, these violent fish can be dangerous. Several species are known to attack human beings, and it is believed by some experts that certain sharks, once having tasted human blood, develop a taste for it.
The chances that one will come across a shark are small, but certain precautions should be taken by everyone. (A precaution is something you do in order to prevent something dangerous or unpleasant from happening.) Putting hands or legs over the side of a boat in warm waters is to be avoided. Swimming far out from beaches is inviting trouble. No swimmer should go great distances from shore alone, or go into the water when nobody else is about. Skin divers, particularly those who go deep down in the water or among rocks and ledges (暗礁) that serve as hiding places for sharks, are taking unnecessary risks.
If one is in a boat that is rubbed against by a shark, he should remember the creature is not trying to upset his boat; it is probably trying to rub off sea lice (海虱). A blow, especially on the nose, will drive it off. If a swimmer comes across a shark, he should swim away as quietly as possible, trying to avoid making it angry. He should also head for shore (岸) as quickly as possible.
It's best to plan ahead and there is no better way than to prepare for an emergency before it happens. For example, the time to plan for a fire emergency is before it happens. This is when everyone is calm and clear-thinking. This is when decisions about safe escape routes can be discussed and made. Have a family talk. Don't delay. Planning won't help after a fire starts.
Knowing ahead of time how to get out during a fire can save needed seconds. The best way out in a fire is the route you use to go in and out every day. Yet, in a fire this route may be blocked. Be sure to plan other escape routes.
Take each person to his or her room and describe what to do in case of fire. Give everyone a job. Older children should take care of younger ones. Plans may have to be made for anyone who cannot escape without help. Adults who can't walk should sleep on the first floor. Small children should sleep near older persons who can help them. Only healthy, able persons should sleep in hard-to-reach places such as attics or basements.
Practice your escape plan at night when it is dark. Be sure that your plan is good and will work. For example, make sure that a child can actually open the window he is supposed to use for his escape. Teach children to close their bedroom doors. Tell them to wait by an open window until someone can reach them from outside. If an adult cannot be wakened, children should understand that they must leave by themselves.
Choose a meeting place outside. This way you can tell if everyone is safely out of the building. Know where nearby telephones or fire alarm boxes are found.
If you live in an apartment, try to get everyone out. Learn where the fire alarm is in the building. Your family should know what the fire alarm bell sounds like. They should know what to do when they hear it. Try to get the other families in your building together to have fire drills. Write down the telephone number of the fire department. Stick the number to each phone.
Early warning is the key to a safe escape. It has been shown time and time again that a family can escape if warned early enough.
