What should you do first when assisting a person with an embedded object in the eye?

When assisting a person with an embedded object in the eye, the first step is to stabilize the object to prevent additional injury. This approach minimizes movement, which can potentially worsen the situation by causing further damage to the eye and surrounding tissues.

Stabilizing the object ensures that it does not shift or move while you seek medical help, which is essential since removal of the object can be complex and requires professional medical assistance. Attempting to remove the object yourself, whether with tweezers or any other means, can lead to complications such as increased bleeding or damage to the eye structures. Similarly, encouraging the person to rub their eye could exacerbate the injury by pushing the object deeper into the eye, while applying pressure to the object could increase discomfort and harm.

Overall, stabilizing the object is a critical and appropriate first response when dealing with such an emergency to ensure the safety and well-being of the individual until trained personnel can take over.