The Badge Archive

2011 – Cadette First Aid: Red Cross Info

  • Fulfills all five steps of Cadette First Aid badge requirements.

How the American Red Cross covers each requirement for the Cadette GSUSA level of First Aid: (All information below is grounded in Red Cross sources.)

Learn how to use different pieces of a first aid kit

Read about First Aid Kit Supplies and their use based off information from the Red Cross and other trusted online sources (links to original sources provided).

Learn the conscious choking response

Red Cross choking steps for adults and children:

  • Recognizing choking signs (weak or no cough, inability to speak, pale/blue skin, panicked expression).
  • Calling 9‑1‑1 if the airway is severely blocked.
  • Giving care using the standard choking protocol (back blows and abdominal thrusts per updated guidelines).

Learn how to treat musculoskeletal injuries outdoors

Red Cross guidance on muscle, bone, and joint injuries includes:

  • Types of injuries:
    • Strain (muscle/tendon overstretch)
    • Sprain (ligament damage)
    • Dislocation (bone out of joint)
    • Fracture (broken, chipped, or cracked bone)
  • General Red Cross care steps:
    • Check the scene and obtain consent.
    • Check for signs and symptoms.
      • Signs requiring emergency care: Deformity, numbness, bone protruding, head/neck/spine involvement, severe pain, or shock
    • Call 9‑1‑1 if severe
    • Give Care:
      • Limit use of body part and rest without moving or straightening it.
      • R.I.C.E. (Rest, Immobilize, Cool, Elevate) for sprains/strains.
      • Immobilize using splints or slings (triangular bandage, SAM splint).
      • If wound is open, apply direct pressure to control bleeding.
      • Give care for shock, if necessary.

Learn signs and symptoms of seizures and how to help

Red Cross seizure information includes:

  • Causes: epilepsy, fever, infection, diabetic emergency, heat stroke, brain injury
  • General Red Cross care steps:
    • Check the scene and obtain consent.
    • Check for signs and symptoms.
      • Blank staring
      • Lip smacking or repetitive movements
      • Aura before seizure
      • Convulsions (requires immediate emergency care)
      • Loss of consciousness (requires immediate emergency care)
      • Seizure lasting >5 minutes or multiple seizures in a row (requires immediate emergency care)
      • Injury from seizure (requires immediate emergency care)
      • Seizure in water or first seizure episode (requires immediate emergency care)
      • Cardiac arrest after seizure (requires immediate emergency care)
    • Call 9‑1‑1
    • Give Care During Seizure:
      • Keep the person safe; remove nearby objects.
      • Do not restrain them.
      • Do not put anything in their mouth.
      • Turn them onto their side into a recovery position if possible to do so without injury to them or you.
    • Give Care After Seizure:
      • Roll them onto their side to keep the airway clear if unresponsive and breathing, or responsive but not fully awake.
      • Give care for shock, if necessary.
      • Call 9‑1‑1 if it’s their first seizure, lasts >5 minutes, or they are injured.

Learn signs and treatment of heat stroke, frostbite, hypothermia, and hyperthermia

Heat Stroke (life‑threatening)

  • General Red Cross care steps:
    • Check the scene and obtain consent.
    • Check for signs and symptoms.
      • High body temperature, hot/red/dry skin, headache, dizziness, rapid pulse, confusion, possible unconsciousness, body temp over 104 degrees F.
    • Call 9-1-1
    • Give Care:
      • Move to a cool area and loosen/remove clothing
      • Pour water over a sheet or clothes, fan, or sponge with cool water.
      • Do not give water.

Hypothermia

  • General Red Cross care steps:
    • Check the scene and obtain consent.
    • Check for signs and symptoms.
      • Shivering, numbness, glassy stare, confusion, impaired judgment, possible unconsciousness
    • Call 9‑1‑1
    • Give Care:
      • Move to warm place and remove any wet clothing and dry them.
      • Warm slowly with blankets. Rapid rewarming can be dangerous for the heart.
      • Warm the core first, not extremities. Wrap the person in blankets and cover the person’s head.
      • If far from medical care: Position near a heat source or apply heating pads or water bottles filled with warm warm water. Wrap the pads or bottles in thin dry cloths to protect the person’s skins. Never apply directly to skin.
      • Offer sips of a warm liquid like broth or warm water, never caffeinated liquids.
      • Give care for shock, if necessary.

Frostbite

  • General Red Cross care steps:
    • Check the scene and obtain consent.
    • Check for signs and symptoms.
      • Numbness, cold to the touch, waxy or discolored (white, yellow, blue, or red) skin
      • Blisters, black skin, and signs of hypothermia (requires immediate emergency care)
    • Call 9‑1‑1
    • Give Care:
      • Do not rub the area or break any blisters.
      • Move to warm place and remove any wet clothing or jewelry.
      • Rewarm only if no chance the body part will refreeze.
      • Use skin-to-skin contact or soak in warm (not hot) water (100–105°F) for 20-30 min until normal color and warmth return. Then loosely bandage.
      • Seek medical care and keep person from getting cold or overheated.

Hyperthermia

(General overheating of the body; includes heat exhaustion and heat stroke.)

  • General Red Cross care steps:
    • Check the scene and obtain consent.
    • Check for signs and symptoms.
      • Heavy sweating, pale/cool skin, nausea, headache, fainting, muscle cramps
    • Call 9‑1‑1 if vomiting, symptoms continue over an hour, or they have heart/kidney problems.
    • Give Care:
      • Move to cool area and rest (possibly with legs elevated).
      • Loosen clothing and place a cool, wet cloth on body.
      • Drink water or a sports drink every 20 minutes.

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For More Fun Ideas and Plans

Join the Girl Scout Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Leader Help Facebook Group
(Not an official GSUSA Group)

Join the Girl Scout Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Leader Help Facebook Group
(Not an official GSUSA Group)

See other Recommended Facebook Groups for some Scouting Organizations
(No official Groups)

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Published on December 29, 2025, by:

Tia Kennard

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Disclaimer: The information published on The Badge Archive is built from the references listed below. These sources demonstrate that our content is grounded in facts and research, not opinion or speculation. Readers may consult them directly when looking for additional material.

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Short Link:

Tia Kennard