In an emergency situation, it is important to assess the victim's airways, breathing and circulatory system before performing CPR. This procedure is also known as ABC. You can assess these things by doing the following: Check the victim's airway. Look for any obstructions or signs of damage. Watch to see if the victim is taking spontaneous breaths. Observe the victim to see if he or she is breathing normally. To do this, put your ear close to the victim's nose and mouth and listen for any breathing. Never perform CPR if the victim is breathing or coughing. Start CPR if the victim is not breathing. If the patient is not breathing, then you will have to start CPR right away. Although medical professionals will assess the victim for signs of disability, you may find it helpful to identify the victim's level of responsiveness and pass this information on to the emergency response team. Disability is often graded as one of four categories: A for alert. This means that the victim is awake, able to talk, and aware of his or her surroundings. V for voice responsive. This means that the victim can respond to questions, but he or she may not seem too alert or aware of what is going on. P for pain responsive. This means that the victim is showing some sort of response to the pain. U for unresponsive. This means that the patient is unconscious and not responding to questions or reacting to pain. If the victim is unconscious, you may proceed with the application of CPR. Do not apply CPR techniques to a person who is already breathing and conscious. You, and the victim, will need to be in the proper position to perform CPR. Follow these steps to ensure you are both in the right position for compression: Put the person on her back and tilt the head back. Kneel down next to the victims shoulders. Place the heel of one hand over the center of the person's chest, between the nipples. Place your other hand on top of the first hand. Keep your elbows straight and position your shoulders directly above your hands. After positioning yourself properly you may now begin compressions. Compressions can help keep the person alive, keeping oxygenated blood flowing to the brain. Use your upper body weight , not just your arms, as you push straight down on the chest. Push at least 2 inches (approximately 5 centimeters). Push hard, at a rate of about 100 compressions a minute. Continue until the victim is breathing again or emergency services arrive.

Summary: Remember to check ABC. Assess the victim for signs of disability. Get in position. Begin compressions.

If your friends spend time around the guy in question, see if they'll help you figure out how he really friends. For instance, you could ask them to bring you up when you're not around, and see if he has anything to say. For example, your friend might say, "I think Jamie looks really nice today. Sam, what do you think?" If he jumps on the chance to talk about you, he probably has a crush. If he rolls his eyes or says anything unkind, he probably doesn't. If you really want to know what he's thinking but you haven't quite worked up the courage to ask, try asking his closest friends. Of course, they're probably going to tell him as soon as they talk to him, but it can give you a little insight. You might try saying, "Hey, Stephen, I was wondering if Chris likes me. We hang out a lot, but I'm too shy to ask him." Chances are, if you ask a guy up-front about his feelings, he'll probably tell you. However, try to do it when it's just the two of you, because if he feels put on the spot in front of other people, he might feel too embarrassed to answer. If you're hanging out with a group of people, you might say something like, "Hey Damon, will you walk with me to get a drink?" When you're out of earshot, you could say, "Lately I've been wondering where we stand. Do you like me as more than a friend?" If you're ready to find out for sure what the guy is feeling but you don't want to just come out and ask him directly, find a time when the two of you are alone, and let him know how you feel about him. If you tell him that you like him, he'll probably tell you whether he feels the same or not. If you'd rather keep things platonic, you might say, "Hey Josh, I just wanted to tell you... We've been hanging out a lot, and you're a really great friend. But, some of my friends think I have a crush on you, and I don't see you that way. I just wanted to let you know." If you like him, try saying something like, "So, I'm not sure exactly how you feel, but I like you a lot, and not just as a friend." Sometimes talking to someone in person can seem intimidating. If you're having trouble working up the courage to ask him, try writing him a note or sending him a text, instead. That way, you can plan out exactly what you want to say, and he'll have time to think about his response, too. Try keeping it short and sweet by saying something like, "I really like you, and I was wondering if you like me too?"

Summary: Ask your friends what he says about you when you're not around. Talk to his friends if you're not ready to ask him yourself. Be straightforward and ask him if you want a definite answer. Tell him your feelings for an indirect approach. Send him a note or text if you're feeling shy.

Symptoms of work-related skin disorder can be varied, as varied as the causes themselves. In general, the hands, fingers, wrists, forearms, forehead, face, and V of the neck (or any place on the body in which skin may have come in direct contact or the dust or fumes of an allergen) are the most at risk of developing contact dermatitis, so look for symptoms on these areas first. Most often the symptoms will be isolated to a specific area of the skin. Symptoms may be immediate, or they may linger for a few days. Look for symptoms such as the following: Rash. Itching. Swelling. Bumps or blisters, sometimes filled with clear fluid. Hot or tender skin. Lesions. Burns. Skin discoloration. There are several predisposing factors that may make one more susceptible to work-related skin disease. Age. In general, younger workers are more inexperienced and more likely to take risks on the job site, which leaves them more prone to come into contact with harmful pathogens on the job site. Skin type. In general, lighter skin color is more susceptible to pathogens on the job site than a darker skin color. Pre-existing conditions. Pre-existing conditions may weaken your bodies immune system against unwanted pathogens. In addition, employees with chronic skin conditions (such as acne or rosacea) are more likely to develop skin reactions. Extreme temperatures and humidity. Very low or high humidity and extreme heat or cold can cause chapping and dryness of the skin, thus weakening your skin's natural barriers against pathogens. Working conditions. A clean workplace is less likely to be contaminated with toxic or allergenic chemicals. In some industries, working conditions may expose you to chemicals, such as agriculture, mining, and manufacturing. Because work-related skin diseases are varied, each occupation carries its own risk. For example, medical professionals are more likely to develop immediate skin reactions from harmful agents such as radiation or solvents, and less likely to develop skin reactions that can take a long time to develop, such as exposure to sunlight or heat. Know the particular causes and risks associated with your profession, and the accompanying symptoms. For example, wearing rings is not advised for employees in so-called "wet work" (work that involves extensive exposure to moisture) because water and soap can collect under the rings and become a breeding ground for bacterial and fungal infections.
Summary: Recognize the symptoms. Understand predisposing factors. Know the risks associated with your particular profession.