First Aid

Responding to a Medical Emergency

The 3 Cs (in order)
Check
Call
Care
Steps to Take:
Survey the scene; look for hazards; is it safe? DO NOT RISK YOUR
OWN SAFETY IN ORDER TO RESCUE OR PROVIDE FIRST AID.
Determine cause of injury or nature of illness.
Number of victims
Victim is unresponsive, seek medical help.
Victim is responsive, obtain consent to touch.
Check the ABCs (airway, breathing, circulation).
Give First Aid for life threatening conditions.
Seek medical Help if not done previously
Stay with victim until help arrives.





Precautions
Suspect Head or Spinal Cord Injury DO NOT
allow the head or neck to move. Remain with
victim until help arrives.
UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS are a set of
procedures used to avoid contact with body fluids
and to reduce the risk of spreading HIV and other
diseases. To protect from infection, wear
protective gloves; use a barrier device when
administering rescue breathing; wash hands
before and after giving care, even if you wear
gloves.

Breathing?

How do I check for breathing?
Head tilt/chin lift, watch chest rise and fall.
How do I check if the Airway is blocked?
If the person is TALKING or CRYING the airway is
OPEN.
If the person CANNOT talk but is alert and awake,
they might have a blocked airway if this is the
case, administer abdominal thrusts.


911 Call
The American Red Cross recommends the following
information be given to emergency medical personnel
when placing a 911 call.
Location of the emergency. Exact address, city or town,
nearby intersections, landmarks, name of building, floor,
apartment or room number.
Telephone number from which the call is being made.
The callers name.
What happened.
The number of victims.
The condition of the victim(s).
The First Aid being given.

Shock

What is Shock? It is an emergency situation when some
body organs are NOT getting enough oxygenated blood.
Many types of TRAUMA can cause a person to go into shock
which can be LIFE-THREATENING.
SYMPTOMS of shock:
Appear anxious, restless or combative
Be lethargic, difficult to arouse, or unconscious
Have pale, cold and clammy skin
Become nauseated or vomit
Experience increased pulse and breathing rates
Have a bluish tinge to the skin
Be thirsty
Have dilated pupils






What to do if someone is in shock:

Check the ABCs
Lay victim on their back
Raise legs 8 -12 inches
Cover with a blanket
Call 911
DO NOT give victim any food or drink.
Choking
This occurs when the windpipe (Trachea) is partly or completely
blocked.
The UNIVERSAL SIGN a victim gives when choking is putting their
hands up to their throat.
To HELP a victim that is choking perform the HEIMLICK
MANUEVER (Abdominal Thrusts) until the victim expels the object
or goes unconscious.
Special Situations:
Unconscious victim
Large or obese victim
Pregnant victim
Alone
Infant (child under 1 year)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnrjSPZeU
Rg
Wounds and Bleeding
A wound is a break or tear in the soft tissues
of the body.
An OPEN wound breaks the surface of the skin
and can result in EXTERNAL BLEEDING.
A CLOSED wound does NOT break the skin and
results in BRUISES and INTERNAL BLEEDING.
How to care for a MINOR wound:
Wash your hands, and use Latex Gloves as a
barrier device.
Wash the wound with soap and water.
Place a sterile or clean cloth and apply DIRECT
PRESSURE to STOP the bleeding.
After the Bleeding has stopped, remove dressing
and apply antibiotic ointment to the wound.
Cover the wound with a clean bandage or
dressing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LYU7eeJe
Jc
How to care for a SERIOUS wound or
SEVERE bleeding
Seek Medical Help IMMEDIATELY.
Lay the victim down, and elevate the feet and legs.
Head wound place them in a seated, reclined position.
FIND the wound expose it if it is covered with clothing.
Place a clean dressing and APPLY DIRECT PRESSURE.
If the wound is on an arm or leg raise that body part
ABOVE HEART LEVEL.
If Bleeding continues apply pressure at PRESSURE
POINTS.
Secure with a bandage when bleeding stops, WAIT for EMS.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wA4ps2Bw
1e0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4R9GSah
93g

Pressure Points

A Pressure Point is a place where an artery near the
skins surface lies over a bone. Using your hand to
PRESS the Artery against the bone reduces blood flow.
Use the pressure point that lies between the heart and
the wound while maintaining pressure on the wound
itself. ( Arteries leaves the Heart carries oxygenated
blood and is red in color. Veins go toward the Heart
carries deoxygenated blood and is blue in color).
When the bleeding stops release the pressure point
and secure dressing with a bandage. DO NOT REMOVE
any dressing. Place new dressings on top of the blood-
soaked ones.

What are the different kinds of
wounds?
INCISION STRAIGHT cut caused by a sharpened object such as a
knife or a razor.
LACERATION A cut that causes a JAGGED or IRREGULAR TEARING
of the skin.
AVULSION A wound in which skin or other body tissue is RIPPED
or TORN.
ABRASION A wound caused by rubbing or scraping away of the
skin.
PUNCTURE when a POINTED instrument pierces the skin.
EMBEDDED OBJECTS LEAVE IN!
BRUISE damage to the soft tissue causes bleeding under the skin.
CONTUSION Bruise raised The raised area of the contusion is
the result of blood and fluid leaking from the injured blood vessels
into the tissue.

Heat and Cold related emergencies
Hyperthermia when the bodys internal temperature is
higher than normal.
Heat Exhaustion A condition in which the body becomes
heated to a higher than normal temperature. It happens
when people exercise in hot, humid places and body fluids
are lost through heavy sweating.
SYMPTOMS:
Cold, moist skin, exhaustion, nausea, extreme fatigue
TREATMENT:
Move to a shady place or air conditioning; remove clothes apply
cool wet towels; fan; give something cool NOT cold to drink
glass every 15 minutes; observe closely for changes gets worse
seek medical help.

Heatstroke
This is a MEDICAL EMERGENCY LIFE THREATENING
SEEK MEDICAL HELP IMMEDIATELY! This is a condition
in which the body loses its ability to cool itself. The
victim is also suffering from dehydration.
SYMPTOMS:
Hot, dry skin (victim is not sweating), high body
temperature, rapid pulse, shallow breathing, disorientation
and possible loss of consciousness.
TREATMENT:
Life threatening seek medical help immediately!
While waiting can move to a cool place cool victim
gradually; immerse in cool NOT COLD water/bath; if
vomiting or unconscious DO NOT give water or food.
Frostbite
A condition in which the body tissues become
frozen. Ice forms within the cells of the tissue
and cuts off circulation to the area.
SYMPTOMS:
Change in skin color to white, gray or blue. Numbness
in the extremities. When warmth is restored it can be
very painful.
TREATMENT:
Warm the affected body part SLOWLY in WARM water.
DO NOT rub the area this can destroy the cells.
Handle the area gently and remove wet or tight
clothing.
Hypothermia
This is a MEDICAL EMERGENCY!!! It is a condition in
which the internal body temperature gets dangerously
low because the body losses heat faster than it can
generate it. The brain loses its ability to function and
body systems shut down.
SYMPTOMS:
Stiff muscles, shivering, weakness, dizziness, cold skin and
slow breathing and pulse.
TREATMENT:
1
st
seek shelter, remove cold and wet clothing, wrap the
person in blankets or towels. If able to swallow can offer
WARM food and drink. Do NOT use hot drinks, hot water
or electric blankets. Call 911 immediately.
Bone, Joint & Muscle Injuries:
Injuries to the bones, muscles
ligaments and tendons.
Fractures A crack or break in a bone.
Closed fracture skin unbroken
Open fracture skin broken
Treatment Splint - stabilize (hold) body part. Take to Doctor or
Hospital or call 911 depending on severity of break.
Dislocation An injury in which the bone has been forced
out of its normal location.
Sprain injury in which the ligaments of a joint are
stretched to far or torn.
Strain an injury in which the muscle or tendon has been
stretched to far or torn.
R. I. C. E. (Acronym) Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation.
First Aid treatment for soft tissue injuries to the ankle; aim
to manage discomfort and internal bleeding (bruise).
Different kinds of fractures
Open Fracture
R.I.C.E.
R.I.C.E. (Acronym) Rest, Ice, Compression,
Elevation. First Aid treatment for soft tissue injuries to
the ankle; aim to manage discomfort and internal
bleeding (bruise).
Rest dont use the injured area.
Ice reduces swelling, inflammation and pain. Do NOT
place ice directly on skin ice 20 min. of each hour or
ice/no ice for 15-20 min. for a 24 -48 hour period.
Compression wrap with an elastic bandage to reduce
swelling and movement.
Elevation raise above heart level when lying or sitting
down. Gravity helps reduce swelling, draining excess fluid.
http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=ZF-tgnFD0WE
Burns
Injuries to the skin and other tissues caused by heat, chemicals, electricity
or radiation.
Burns are classified in 3 Degrees.
1
st
Degree Burn:
The LEAST severe. Only affects the outer layer of skin. Looks pink or red, ex.
Sunburn. Treatment- applying cool water and moisturizing lotion.
2
nd
Degree Burn:
Extends into the inner skin layer. Looks red, swollen, and blistered. Treatment
includes applying a sterile dressing, seek medical treatment. No water or
ointment. Will scar if not treated properly; usually takes less than 3 weeks to
heal.
3
rd
Degree Burn:
Full-thickness burns, they penetrate all layers of the skin. lOOKS charred,
white, tan. Seek MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY. Treatment cover with
a clean, dry cloth, treat victim for shock. DO NOT remove burned or charred
clothing. This is LIFE-THREATENING AND CAN BE FATAL; No immediate pain
because of damage to nerves severe pain later; need skin grafts; scarring.


First Degree
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ns1DPvXVO6I

Second Degree
Third Degree
3 Major Sources of Burns
Thermal Burns
Caused by contact with open flames, hot liquids or
surfaces or other sources of heat.
Chemical Burns
Contact with certain chemicals burn the skin.
Electrical Burns
Direct exposure to electricity.
Thermal Burns
Chemical Burns
Electrical Burns
Poison
A substance that can cause illness or death when taken into the
body.
Ways poison can enter the body:
Swallowed (Ingested)
Inhaled
Absorbed through the skin by contact
Bites, stings from insects and animals
Types of poisoning and their possible sources:
Inhalation possible sources paints, solvents, toxic gases, gasoline,
glue
Bites and Stings spiders, insects, wasps, bees, snakes, hornets,
scorpions etc.
Contact Chemical exposure, plants (poison ivy etc)
Ingestions Medications, household products, chemicals, certain
plants, etc.


How poison enters the body
Types of Poison
Poison cont.
What to do if someone is poisoned:
Take away from poison- take to fresh air; If child, make
sure they cant take anymore - look in mouth.
Seek Medical attention immediately
Call Poison Control Center 1 800-222-1222. Post by phone,
on refrigerator.
SAVE the Container if possible; have when you make the
call; give to Medical help.
Check ABCs if unconscious.
How can I prevent poisonings from occurring in my
home?
Mark containers; keep poisons away from children.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lzEya4A_4
Where poison is in the home