First Aid
Principles of Providing First Aid Immediate care that is provided to the victim of injury or illness to minimize the adverse effects until experts take over. Proper first aid can mean the difference between life and death. When you encounter an emergency: REMAIN CALM Before care wash your hands. During hand washing, you should rub the surfaces of your hands together for at least 20 seconds.
The first step is to be alert to the signs of an emergency: Screams Calls for help Breaking glass Screeching tires Empty medicine bottle Damaged electrical wires Smoke or fire Blood Spilled chemicals Difficulty breathing Clutching chest or throat Abnormal skin color Confusion Drowsiness Distress
Once you determine an emergency exists, take steps to help the victims: Check the scene and make sure it is safe to approach. IF the scene is not safe, call for medical help do not endanger yourself or others. IF the scene is safe, approach the victim and determine consciousness by gently tapping and calling to him/her. Never move an injured victim unless the victim is in danger. Call the EMS as soon as possible 911. Be prepared to describe location, telephone number (where you are calling from), assistance required, # of people involved, etc. Try to obtain victim s permission before providing care. (If parent is present and victim a child, get parent s permission.) If a person with an injury or illness refuses care you should stay with the person until someone with more advanced training takes over.
Wounds Injury to soft tissue Open: Break in the skin or mucous membrane Closed: No break in skin, injury to underlying tissues Opening wounds can result in bleeding, infection, or tetanus First aid directed toward controlling bleeding and preventing infection Abrasion - skin scraped off, bleeding limited Incision cut with sharp object such as knife, scissors, razor blade, etc., if cut is deep, bleeding can be heavy, also can have damage to muscles and nerves. Laceration tearing of tissues from excessive force, jagged edges, bleeding may be heavy. Deep lacerations may become infected
Wounds cont. Puncture Caused by sharp object (pin, nail, etc.) External bleeding minimal, may lead to infection or tetanus. Avulsion Tissue torn or separated from the body, bleeding is heavy, important to preserve the body part because a surgeon may be able to reattach it. Amputation Body part cut off or separated from the body, bleeding can be extensive, important to preserve separated part for reattachment. Wrap part in cool, moist dressing (sterile water or saline preferred) and place in plastic bag. Keep bag cool or in ice water and transport with the victim. (Don t place the body part in direct contact with the ice
Control Bleeding First Priority Control the bleeding! Arterial bleeding is bright red in color and life threatening. person with a nose bleed press both sides of the person s nose while the person sits and leans forward. Control bleeding by: Direct pressure Elevation Pressure bandage Pressure points Use protective barrier to control bleeding (gloves) or thick layers of dressings. Avoid direct contact with blood. Wash hands after providing first aid.
Shock When caring for bleeding/wounds, or any other injury or illness, be alert for signs of shock. Clinical set of signs and symptoms associated with inadequate supply of blood to body organs, especially the brain and heart. If not treated, shock can lead to death, even when the victim s injuries or illness is not life threatening. A person in shock would be pale, cold, clammy skin and feel weak, dizzy, and thirsty.
Shock caused by: Hemorrhage Excessive pain Infection Heart Attack Poisoning by chemicals, drugs or gases Lack of oxygen Psychological trauma Dehydration from burns, vomiting, or diarrhea SHOCK Cont.
Get Medical help right away. If possible: 1. Eliminate the cause of shock 2. Improve circulation to the brain and heart. What position would you place the victim if not contraindicated? 3. Provide oxygen 4. Maintain body temperature 5. Positioning patient depends on injuries 6. If someone is in shock phone the EMS (911) and then help the person lie down and cover them with a blanket.
Trauma If a coworker is struck in the abdomen has a bruise and has signs of shock you should suspect that there is bleeding you can t see. Which is internal bleeding.
Providing First Aid for Burns Caused by fire, hear, chemicals, radiation or electricity First Degree (superficial) Involves only the epidermis Heals in 5-6 days No scarring Skin red, mild swelling Victim feels pain Usually caused by the sun, hot objects or steam or exposed to weak acid/alkali
Second Degree burn Epidermis and dermis Blister or vesicle forms Skin red and mottled with swelling Surface appears wet Very painful Usually caused by sun, sunlamp, contact with hot or boiling liquids, contact with fire.
Third-degree (Full thickness) Injury to all layers and underlying tissue Area had white or charred appearance Can be extremely painful or painless (if nerve endings destroyed) Usually caused by flames, prolonged contact with hot objects, contact with electricity, immersion in hot or boiling liquids
Treatment for Burns Remove source of heat Cool affected skin area Cover the burn Relieve pain Observe and treat for shock Medical care should be obtained if more than 15% of adult body burned (10% of a child)
TX Cont. DO NOT apply cotton, tissues, ointment, powders, oils, grease, butter, or other substances to the burned area unless you are instructed to do so by a physician DO NOT break open blisters (Why?) Be alert to signs of shock Remain calm and reassure burn vicitm Call for help immediately if 3 rd degree burns Dehydration can occur quickly with burns. When you help someone with a small burn you should wear PPE, cool the burn with cold water until it does not hurt, and then cover it with nonstick dressing.
Bone and Joint Injuries Fracture Break in a bone Closed or simple does not break the skin Compound or open accompanied by open wound on skin
Main Facts regarding Fractures 1. Signs and symptoms vary 2. Common signs and symptoms include deformity, limited (loss of) motion, pain and tenderness at fracture site, swelling an discoloration, protrusion of bone ends 1. Victim may have heard a snap or feel a grating sensation 2. Treatment includes immobilizing above and below fracture, treat for shock 3. You should suspect a neck or spine injury if someone has fallen and injured their head.
Heart Attack Also called coronary thrombosis, coronary occlusion or myocardial infarction Blood supply to heart is blocked If heart stops beating CPR must be preformed S&S may include- chest pain or pressure, pain radiating to shoulders, arms, neck, or jaw SOB Victim weak and apprehensive May also have N&V, diaphoresis, loss of consciousness When assisting someone who may be having a heart attack you should keep the person calm and call 911.
Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke) Also called CVA, apoplexy, or cerebral thrombosis Either a clot in a cerebral artery or hemorrhage of a blood vessel in the brain Signs/symptoms include numbness, paralysis, pupils unequal in size, sudden trouble seeing, mental confusion, slurred speech, nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing and swallowing, and loss of consciousness
Always remember that although the patient may be unable to speak or may be unconscious, he/she may be able to hear and understand what is going on!
Fainting Temporary reduction of blood supply to the brain Victim regains consciousness after being in a supine position Fainting is a short period when someone stops responding for less than a minute and then seems fine. Early signs- dizziness, extreme pallor, diaphoresis, coldness of the skin, nausea, numbness and tingling of hands and feet When symptoms noticed, help the victim sit with head at the level of the knees If the victim loses consciousness, try to prevent injuring, loosen clothing, maintain open airway