First Aid in the Restaurant

Ben E. Keith feels that you and your customer’s safety are as important as the services you provide, so we are providing these first aid procedures for your convenience.

These lifesaving techniques require training, skill and practice. The untrained may cause serious damage to the patient. To be prepared for an emergency, at least one member staff member should seek instruction from the local Red Cross, Heart Association, or other local agencies. Ask at your local hospital where to go.

  • Heimlich Maneuver



    If a person older than 1 year is choking:
    • Stand or kneel behind the person and wrap your arms around his or her waist. If the person is standing, place one of your feet between his or her legs so you can support the person if he or she faints.
    • Make a fist with one hand. Place the thumb side of your fist against the person’s belly, just above the belly button but well below the breastbone. See Illustration A.


    • Grasp your fist with the other hand. Give a quick upward thrust into the belly. This may cause the object to pop out. You may need to use more force for a large person and less for a child or small adult.
      See Illustration B.
    • Repeat thrusts until the object pops out or the person faints.







    If a baby younger than 1 year is choking:


    • Put the baby facedown on your forearm so the baby’s head is lower than his or her chest.
    • Support the baby’s head in your palm, against your thigh. Don’t cover the baby’s mouth or twist his or her neck.
    • Use the heel of one hand to give up to 5 back slaps between the baby’s shoulder blades. See Illustration C.
    • If the object does not pop out, support the baby’s head and turn him or her faceup on your thigh. Keep the baby’s head lower than his or her body.
    • Place 2 or 3 fingers just below the nipple line on the baby’s breastbone and give 5 quick chest thrusts (same position as chest compressions in CPR for a baby). See Illustration D.
    • Look for an object in the baby’s mouth. If you can see one, remove it. Then give 2 rescue breaths. To give rescue breaths:
      • Place one hand on the baby’s forehead, and tilt the baby’s chin up to keep the airway open.
      • Then place your mouth over the baby’s mouth and nose and slowly blow air in until the baby’s chest rises.
      • Between breaths, remove your mouth, take a breath, and watch for the baby’s chest to fall.




    • If the object does not come out with these steps, call 911 or other emergency services.
    • Continue with back slaps, chest thrusts, looking for the object, and rescue breaths until the baby coughs up the object and starts breathing on his or her own, or until helps arrives.












  • CPR - Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation





  • Cuts


    Cuts without severe bleeding that do not involve tissues deeper than the skin should be cleansed thoroughly. There will be some contamination, and it should be removed before the injury is dressed and bandaged, especially if medical attention is delayed. Removal of foreign materials in muscle or deep tissue should always be carried out by a physician.


    • To cleanse a wound, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Use ordinary hand soap or mild detergent.
    • Wash in and around the victim’s wound to remove bacteria and other foreign matter.
    • Rinse the wound thoroughly by flushing with clean water, preferably running tap water.
    • Blot the wound dry with a steril gauze pad or a clean cloth.
    • Apply dry sterile bandage or clean dressing and secure it firmly in place.
    • Caution the victim to see a physician promptly if evidence of infection appears.


  • Burns


    First Degree burns – the usual signs are –
    • Redness or discoloration.
    • Mild swelling and pain.
    • Rapid healing.



    Second Degree burns are those resulting from a very deep sunburn, contact with hot liquids, and flash burns from gasoline, kerosene, and other products. Second-degree burns are usually more painful than deeper burns in which the nerve endings in the skin are destroyed. – the usual signs are –
    • Greater depth than first-degree burns.
    • Red or mottled appearance.
    • Development of blisters.
    • Considerable swelling over a period of several days.
    • Wet appearance of the surface of the skin, due to the loss of plasma through the damaged layers of the skin.

    The objective of first aid for burns is to relieve pain, prevent contamination, and treat for shock. Usually, medical treatment is not required.

    A. First-degree burns
    1. Apply cold water applications, or submerge the burned area in cold water.
    2. Apply a dry dressing if it is necessary.

    B. Second-degree burns
    1. Immerse the burned part in cold water (not ice water).
    2. Apply freshly ironed or laundered cloths that have been wrung out in ice water.
    3. Blot dry, gently.
    4. Apply dry, sterile gauze or clean cloth as a protective bandage.
    5. Do not break blisters or remove tissue.
    6. Do not use an antiseptic preparation, ointment, spray or home remedy on a severe burn.
    7. If the arms or legs are affected, keep them elevated.