BCC accounts for approximately 80% of non-melanoma skin cancers in the United States. It originates from basal cells in the epidermis, the skin's outermost layer. These cells can undergo DNA mutations when exposed to UV radiation, leading to uncontrolled growth. 

Which of the following is the most common form of skin cancer in the U.S.?

UV radiation damages the DNA in skin cells, leading to mutations that can result in uncontrolled cell growth, forming these types of skin cancers. 

UV radiation from the sun and tanning beds

Which factor most commonly causes both basal and squamous cell carcinomas?

Food, particularly perishable items, should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours. If the temperature is above 90°F (32°C), this time limit should be reduced to one hour.

Food should NOT be left out at room temperature for more than:

USCG approved life jackets meet specific safety standards, ensuring reliability and effectiveness. It's important to choose a life jacket that fits properly and is appropriate for the intended activity and water conditions.

While boating, kayaking, or if you’re a weak swimmer

When should you wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket?

Ice constricts blood vessels, which traps venom and concentrates tissue damage, and it can mask visible symptoms needed for medical evaluation.

You should apply ice to the area of a snake bite.

Nausea and vomiting are signs of heat exhaustion because they indicate the body's struggle to regulate temperature and maintain fluid balance. When exposed to high heat, especially during physical activity, the body loses water and electrolytes through excessive sweating. This depletion can impair normal bodily functions, leading to symptoms like nausea and vomiting.

Which of the following is a sign of heat exhaustion?

A warning sign for melanoma is a mole that exhibits uneven color. This color variation indicates that the mole is not uniform and may be a cause for concern. 

Multiple shades of brown, tan, or black, possibly with red, white, or bl

What color changes in a mole should be considered a warning sign for melanoma?

This allows you to quickly extinguish any stray sparks or fires that may occur. This practice is recommended by safety organizations to reduce the risk of fire-related accidents. 

Always keep a bucket of water or garden hose nearby

Which of the following is a recommended safety tip for fireworks use?

Both spiders are medically significant because their venoms cause distinct and serious health issues:  Black widow bites primarily cause systemic neurotoxic effects.  Brown recluse bites tend to cause local necrosis and possible systemic illness.

Which two spiders in the U.S. are considered the most dangerous to humans?

These cleaning agents effectively remove dirt and bacteria, minimizing the chance of introducing harmful microorganisms into the skin.

After removing a tick, what should you clean the bite area with?

Heat can help inactivate the venom and relieve pain; cold packs are generally not advised for jellyfish stings.

Soak or apply heat (not ice) to reduce pain

Leave the wound uncovered for faster healing

After rinsing with vinegar and removing visible tentacles, what is the recommended next step?

This rule assists individuals in recognizing early signs of melanoma, which is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment.

Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter and Evolution

Abnormality, Border, Color, Diameter and Evolution

Area, Border, Color, Diameter and Evolution

Apperance, Border, Color, Diameter and Exposure

What do the ABCDEs of melanoma stand for?

Attempting to rescue a drowning person without proper training can lead to both the rescuer and the victim being at risk. Panicked individuals may unintentionally pull rescuers under the water in their desperate attempts to stay afloat. 

What is the safest way to help a drowning person?

This higher incidence is primarily due to chronic inflammation and scarring, which are significant risk factors for SCC in people with darker skin tones.

Which type of skin cancer is the most common among people with darker skin tones?

Vinegar helps neutralize the venom of many jellyfish species; fresh water can cause more stingers to fire.

Rinse the area with vinegar or salt water

What is the first step in treating a jellyfish sting in most cases?

Sunburns cause DNA damage to skin cells, which can lead to cancer. Even without visible sunburn, unprotected sun exposure still increases skin cancer risk. Protecting your skin with sunscreen, protective clothing, and avoiding peak sun hours can significantly reduce this risk.

Your risk of melanoma doubles if you've had how many or more sunburns?

aw meats, poultry, seafood, and eggs can harbor harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria. If these bacteria come into contact with ready-to-eat foods like fruits, vegetables, or bread, they can cause serious illness. This practice ensures that bacteria from raw foods do not transfer to foods that won't be cooked before consumption.

Use separate cutting boards for meat and produce

What is one way to prevent cross-contamination when preparing food?

The characteristic "bull's-eye" rash associated with Lyme disease, known as erythema migrans, typically appears within 3 to 30 days after a tick bite. This rash often starts as a red spot at the site of the bite and expands outward, sometimes developing a central clearing that resembles a target. The rash is usually not painful or itchy and may be warm to the touch.

Ring-shaped, expanding rash (bull’s-eye)

What does the early Lyme disease rash usually look like?

Fireworks contain combustible materials that can remain hazardous even after failing to ignite. If improperly disposed of, these materials can reignite, posing significant risks. You should not call 911 to report fireworks unless there is an immediate emergency, such as a fire or injury.

According to CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commision), how should you handle malfunctioning fireworks?

Moving someone with heat stroke to a cool place and calling 911 are vital steps in preventing severe health consequences and ensuring the person's safety.

What should you do if someone shows signs of heat stroke?

The bacteria responsible for Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi, are located in the tick's gut and require time to migrate to its salivary glands during feeding.

How long does a tick generally need to be attached to transmit Lyme disease?

 Sucking out the venom is not only ineffective, but it can make things worse by causing infection or spreading the venom.

Which of the following should you NOT do for a snake bite?

When urushiol contacts the skin, it penetrates the outer layer and binds to proteins, altering their structure. The allergic reaction doesn't occur immediately; it typically develops 12 to 72 hours after exposure.

Contact with urushiol oil on the plant surface

What is the primary cause of the allergic skin reaction caused by poison oak, ivy, and sumac?

Monitoring for symptoms for 30 days after a tick bite is crucial because Lyme disease symptoms can appear anytime between 3 to 30 days post-exposure. If left untreated, Lyme disease can progress to more severe stages, affecting the nervous system, heart, and joints.

Rash, fever, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, joint swelling

What symptoms should you watch for in the 30 days following a tick bite?

Water competency is a comprehensive approach to water safety that goes beyond swimming ability, incorporating essential skills and knowledge to prevent drowning and ensure safe participation in aquatic activities.

You can float on your back for 10 minutes

You have swimming skills, water safety knowledge, and can help others

What does it mean to be water competent?

Using fine-tipped tweezers is the recommended first step in tick removal because they allow for a firm grip on the tick's mouthparts, minimizing the risk of breaking them off and leaving them embedded in the skin. It's crucial to avoid using home remedies like petroleum jelly, nail polish, or heat to remove ticks, as these methods can irritate the tick, potentially causing it to release more pathogens into the skin .

Squeeze the tick's body to remove it quickly

Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick close to the skin & pull gently

Cover the tick with petroleum jelly and wait for it to detach

What is the most important first step after discovering a tick attached to your skin?

The abdominal spasms and soreness experienced by the outdoor worker, especially when working in the heat, strongly suggest heat cramps. This is the mildest form of heat illness, characterized by painful muscle spasms and contractions, often occurring in the legs, arms, or stomach. 

An outdoor worker, working in the heat, starts noticing spasms and soreness in his abdominal muscles. This is likely a sign of:

This elevated temperature indicates that the body's cooling mechanisms are overwhelmed, leading to potential damage to vital organs such as the brain, heart, kidneys, and muscles.

At what body temperature is heat stroke suspected?

The CDC advises that if the mouthparts remain and cannot be easily removed, leaving them alone is acceptable, as the body will eventually shed them during the healing process. 

Leave it and clean the area with alcohol or soap

What is the recommended action if a tick’s mouthparts remain in the skin?

2,000°F is hot enough to melt metals like aluminum and gold. This intense heat can cause severe burns, including third-degree injuries that may require skin grafts, lead to permanent scarring, or result in loss of function in the hands or fingers. Such burns can also cause blindness if they affect the eyes.

Sparklers can burn at temperatures of about how many degrees Fahrenheit?

Calling 911 immediately after a snake bite is crucial because venomous snake bites can lead to rapid and severe symptoms. Antivenom treatments are most effective when administered soon after the bite. Tourniquets restrict blood flow but do not halt lymphatic circulation, allowing venom to continue spreading. By concentrating venom in a localized area, tourniquets can exacerbate tissue destruction, leading to severe pain, swelling, and necrosis. This can result in permanent damage to the affected limb.

What should you do first if someone is bitten by a snake?

Cleaning a spider bite with soap and water is your best first step because it removes surface bacteria and venom, reducing infection risk. 

What should you do first after a suspected spider bite?

This is due to the body's instinctive drowning response, where the individual focuses solely on keeping their mouth above water to breathe. s a result, they are unable to call out, wave for help, or make noise. The body remains upright, with minimal or no leg movement, and the arms are extended sideways or pressed down to lift the mouth above water. Drowning can be quick and silent. 

Which of these is a sign that someone may be drowning?

This temperature is sufficient to destroy harmful bacteria like Salmonella and Campylobacter, which are commonly found in raw poultry and can cause foodborne illnesses.

What internal temperature should all poultry, including ground chicken and turkey, be cooked to?

High-risk groups include pregnant women, older adults, young children, and people with weakened immune systems (such as those with chronic illnesses or taking immune-suppressing medications).

Which of the following groups is NOT considered at high risk for serious food poisoning?

In extreme heat, your heart works harder and faster due to your body's need to regulate temperature. To cool down, blood vessels near the skin dilate, increasing blood flow to the skin's surface. This process, known as vasodilation, allows heat to dissipate but also lowers blood pressure. To compensate, the heart beats faster and pumps more forcefully.

The heart must pump harder and beat faster

Why does extreme heat put additional stress on the heart?

Maintaining the limb below heart level helps slow the systemic spread of venom. Elevating the limb above heart level can exacerbate swelling by promoting fluid accumulation in the affected area.

Where should you keep the bitten area of a snake bite in relation to the heart?

This pattern reflects the venom’s localized destruction of cells and the body’s inflammatory response around the bite site.  Typically, within the first day or two you see a pale (blanched) center surrounded by a bluish–purple area, then a red outer ring. A blister may form, followed by tissue death and possible ulceration. Healing often takes weeks to months.    

A bullseye pattern that turns into a black scab