P.E.

3:
FIRST
AID
AND
WATER
SAFETY
COURSE
DESCRIPTION

First Aid and Water Safety deals with the study of

Standard First Aid with the basic principles of first aid in
emergencies; application of Basic Life Support,
treatment of shock; first aid in cases involving burns,
bone injuries, poisoning, strokes, fainting and
convulsion, immobilizing and transferring the victim to a
safe place, and transporting the injured to the hospital.
It also includes a special instruction in swimming and
forms of rescue operation, resuscitation in the recovery
of submerged victims, safety measures and accident
prevention.
WHAT IS FIRST AID?
FIRST- AID-
preceding all to provide what
others in time or is useful or
order. necessary.

FIRST AID- is an immediate care given

to a person who has been injured or
suddenly taken ill. It includes self-help
and home care if medical assistance is
not available or delayed.
 GOALS OF FIRST AID?

PREVENT
ALLEVIATE FURTHER PROLONG
SUFFERING INJURY OR LIFE
DANGER

First aid
Also sometimes measures aim to
One of the main
called prevent the preserve and
objectives is to be
condition from sustain life. Also
able to help
worsening, or to save victims
reduce or totally
danger of further from imminent
alleviate suffering
injury danger.
 ROLES OF FIRST AID?

 It is the bridge that fills the gap between the

victim and the physician.
 It is not intended to compete with, or take the
place of the services of the physician.
 It ends when the service of the physician
begins.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD
FIRST AIDER?

GENTLE

First aider should not

cause, add pain to the
patient.
 RESOURCEFUL

Makes the best use of

things at hand.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD
FIRST AIDER?
 CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD
FIRST AIDER?

OBSERVANT

Should notice all signs.

Aware what is
happening and what
may happen.
 TACTFUL

Handling the victim with

utmost care and in
calm manner.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD
FIRST AIDER?
CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD
FIRST AIDER?

EMPHATIC

Should be comforting.
 RESPECTABLE

Maintains a
professional and caring
attitude.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD
FIRST AIDER?
 GENERAL GUIDELINES
ADMINISTERING FIRST AID
 GETTING STARTED:

• PLANNING OF ACTION

Established based on anticipated needs and

available resources.
- Ex: Getting to know where the first aid
kits are located as well as other emergency
equipment such as fire extinguishers, fire
alarm switches and fire exits, Also by being
aware of the emergency numbers such as
ambulance providers, hospital emergency
room, fire department and police stations.
 GETTING STARTED

• GATHERING OF NEEDED
MATERIALS

Preparation of equipment and

personnel.
• INITIAL RESPONSE
(SEQUENCE OF ACTION)

ASK FOR HELP

INTERVENE. GIVE APPROPRIATE

INTERVENTIONS

DO NOT FURTHER HARM

GETTING STARTED
 EMERGENCY ACTION
PRINCIPLES

 Survey the scene

 Do a primary survey of the victim
 Activate medical assistance/transfer facility
 Do a secondary survey of the victim.
• SURVEY THE SCENE

- Is the scene safe? Safe for the

patient and for the rescuer?
- What happened?
- How many people are injured?
- Are there someone who can
help?
- Get consent before giving first
aid care.
Do a primary survey
of the victim
check for vital body
functions:
AIRWAY,
BREATHING AND
CIRCULATION BY
FOLLOWING THE
ABC STEPS
 Is the victim conscious?
 If the victim is conscious, assess
breathing as describes in B.
 If the victim is unconscious, start
immediately airway management
(Open the Air way refer to CPR)
 Is the victim’s breathing?
 If the victim is breathing –
 Is it shallow or deep?
 Does he appear to be choking?
 Is he cyanotic, suggesting poor
oxygenation?
 If the victim appears to have difficulty
breathing, immediately support his
breathing (maintain adequate open airway).

 If the victim is not breathing – provide

initial ventilation
 Is the victim’s heart beating?

 If it is, then how it is? (Assess pulse)-

provide other care necessary. If not perform
CPR.
 Is he severely bleeding?
 Activate medical assistance or transfer
facility.
Information to be
remembered in
activating medical
assistance:
What happened

Number of person injured

Extent of injury and first aid

given

The telephone - Person who

activated
number from medical
assistance
where you are must drop the
calling. phone last.
DO THE SECONDARY SURVEY OF THE VICTIM

 Interview the victim:

 Check the vital signs:
THE GOLDEN RULES OF EMERGENCY CARE:

 What to do:
 What not to do:
CARDIO-PULMONARY
RESUSCITATION
CARDIO-PULMONARY
RESUSCITATION

- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
(CPR) is a lifesaving technique
useful in many emergencies,
including heart attack or near
drowning, in which someone’s
breathing or heartbeat has stopped.
- This is a combination of chest
compressions and rescue breaths.
STEP BY STEP PROCEDURE
ON ADMINISTERING CPR
• SURVEY THE SCENE

- Is the scene safe? Safe for the

patient and for the rescuer?
- What happened?
- How many people are injured?
- Are there someone who can
help?
- Get consent before giving first
aid care.
 PRIMARY SURVEY

CONSCIOUSNESS

AIRWAYS

BREATHING

CIRCULATION
CONSCIOUSNESS
AIRWAYS
BREATHING
CIRCULATION
 CONDITIONS WHEN CPR IS
NEEDED

• The victim is UNCONSCIOUS.

• PULSE is WEAK or NO PULSE.
• NO BREATHING/ Difficulty in breathing.

Cardiac Arrest caused by Coronary Heart Disease, Respiratory

arrest, Electrocution, Drowning, Choking, and Trauma.
CHEST COMPRESSIONS
 CHEST COMPRESSIONS

• A cycle of chest compression is composed of

30 compressions at rate of 80-100 per minute.

• After a cycle, 2 Rescue breaths are

administered.
RESCUE BREATHS
 CPR CYCLES

• 5 Cycles composed of:

CYCLE 1:
- 30 compressions
- 2 rescue breaths

CYCLE 2:
- 30 compressions
- 2 rescue breaths
And so on and so forth until the 5th cycle.
 CPR CYCLES
• Re assess the victim after 5 cycles using the
primary survey.

CONSCIOUSNESS AIRWAYS BREATHING CIRCULATION

WHEN TO STOP THE CPR

Spontaneous signs of circulation restored

Turned over to medical services or authorized

personnel

Operator is already exhausted and cannot

continue CPR

Physician assumes the responsibility

CARE OF THE VICTIM AFTER
SUCCESSFUL CPR
• Transfer in a secured place.
• Place in a side lying position- Recovery position.
• Wait for the emergency response unit and continuously monitor
the victim.
SOFT TISSUE INJURIES
 WOUNDS

WHAT IS WOUND?

- It is the break of the

continuity of a tissue of the
body either internal or
external.
 CLASSIFICATIONS OF
WOUNDS
CLOSED WOUND

- It is the break of the continuity

of a body tissue without the skin
is being broken down.
CAUSES:
- Blunt object result in
contusion or bruises.
- Application of external
force.
 CLOSED WOUND

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:

• Pain and tenderness

• Swelling
• Discoloration
• Hematoma
CLOSED WOUND
FIRST AID MANAGEMENT:
Rest the affected area. Movement mat aggravate the closed
wound condition.

Ice compress. Apply ice compress to the affected areas. It

promotes vasoconstriction and it has an anesthetic effect.

Compression. Application to firm pressure. To avoid further

hematoma.

Elevate the affected area. (for extremities) To promote

venous return of blood and avoid pooling in the area.

Splinting. For immobilizing the affected area. This helps in

avoiding unnecessary movements.
 CLASSIFICATIONS OF
WOUNDS
OPEN WOUND

- It is an injury involving an
external or internal break in
body tissue, usually involving
the skin.
 CLASSIFICATIONS OF
WOUNDS
PUNCTURE WOUND- usually caused
by sharp object. (examples; needle, ice
pick, nail, and low caliber bullet.
 DANGERS OF AN OPEN
WOUNDS

• HEMORRHAGE- Severe bleeding.

• INFECTION- introduction of bacteria/
parasites.
• SHOCK- decreased in circulatory
(blood) volume. (a fatal condition)
 FIRST AID MANAGEMENT
FOR OPEN WOUNDS
• For wounds with severe bleeding.

INSPECT

Inspect for foreign object lodged in

the wound area. It can be removed
manually by hand or by using pick
up forceps. Flushing with normal
saline solution or just clean water is
so applicable.
 FIRST AID MANAGEMENT
FOR OPEN WOUNDS
• For wounds with severe bleeding.

CONTROL BLEEDING

Done by applying a sterile absorbent

gauze pad over the bleeding site
while applying a firm pressure.
Dressing can be secured with a
bandage and splints.
 FIRST AID MANAGEMENT
FOR OPEN WOUNDS
• For wounds with severe bleeding.

REFER TO A PHYSICIAN

It is essential in severe bleeding

wounds. Further medical/surgical
management may be needed like
suturing or administration of
medications that control bleeding.
 FIRST AID MANAGEMENT
FOR OPEN WOUNDS
• For wounds with severe bleeding.

CONTINOUS ASSESSMENT AND

OBSERVATION FOR SHOCK

Signs and Symptoms:

Pale/Cyanotic. Cold and Clammy
skin. Irregular breathing.
Weak/Rapid pulse. Weakness.
Thirsty sensation.
FIRST AID MANAGEMENT
FOR OPEN WOUNDS
• For wounds with mild to moderate bleeding.

CLEAN

Clean with mild soap

and water
FIRST AID MANAGEMENT
FOR OPEN WOUNDS
• For wounds with mild to moderate bleeding.

DISINFECT

Apply topical
antiseptics. Povidone
Iodine or Topical Anti-
bacterials (Mupirocin,
Fusidic Acid)
FIRST AID MANAGEMENT
FOR OPEN WOUNDS
• For wounds with mild to moderate bleeding.

DRESS

Apply sterile gauze pad

with dressing. Secure
with adhesive tapes.
 FIRST AID MEASURES

ELEVATION – raising the injured part above the heart

level.
FIRST AID MEASURES
FIRST AID MEASURES
FIRST AID MEASURES
FIRST AID MEASURES
 FIRST AID MEASURES

WHERE TO PLACE TOURNIQUET:

• Place the tourniquet around the limb between the
wound and the heart. It should be placed 2-4”
above the injury site.
• Mark the casualty’s head with a “T” preferably his
blood whenever possible.
• Do not cover the tourniquet, leave it in full view.
• Record the time of application.
 FIRST AID MEASURES

•Use padding in the application of tourniquet.

•If the limb is missing, apply a dressing to the

stamp.

•Clamping - this can be done by the use of

forceps.

•Fluid Replacement – giving IV fluids like whole

blood, dextrose of plasma volume expander.

•Packing
 FIRST AID MEASURES
DRESSING – a sterile pad, a compressed sponge that is
applied directly to cover the wound.

USES OF DRESSING:
•To control Bleeding.
•To cover wound and keep out dirt and bacteria
which may cause infection.
•To absorb excess fluid.
•To maintain temperature around the wound.
•To apply medication.
 RULES FOR APPLYING DRESSING:

•Apply dressing directly over the wound.

•Avoid contamination.
•Use the tail of a dressing as bandage whenever
possible.
•If the dressing is secured by tying, place the knots
where they are easy to see and react, never tie
knots over the wound.
•Following dressing is applied, it should not be
disturbed or replaced unless hemorrhage recurs or
dressing exposes the wound.
Is an injury involving the skin, including
muscles, bones, nerves and blood vessels.
This results from exposure to direct heat
(fire) , chemicals, electricity, solar or other
forms of radiation.
 THERMAL BURNS

THERMAL BURNS-
caused by direct or
indirect hot objects,
steams or liquids.
Classified in to 3 according to depth and
severity

Affects only the first layer (epidermis) of the

skin. Very painful and skin is red.
Classified in to 3 according to depth and
severity

Affects only the first and second layer

(epidermis and dermis) of the skin. Blisters
are expected to form.
Classified in to 3 according to depth and
severity

Affects only the first and second layer (epidermis and

dermis) of the skin and may extend up to the
proximal subcutaneous tissues. Usually less painful.
For First and Second Degree Burns.
RELIEVE PAIN

Relieve pain by immersing

burned area into a deep clean
tap water/ iced water for
maximum of 5 minutes for iced
water and 10 minutes for tap
water. Prolonged exposure to
extremely cold temperature may
cause total numbness due to
extreme vasoconstriction
For First and Second Degree Burns.

COVER

Cover the burned area with

clean cloth or dressing (if
available) and make sure that it
is non-sticking. If blisters are
forming, do not attempt to pop it
out to prevention infection.
Always maintain cleanliness on
the burned area. Apply burn
ointment if available.
For Third Degree Burns.

COVER

Cover the burned area with

a dry and non-sticking
dressing. Do not apply
anything unto the skin.
Immersing into water is not
advisable.
For Third Degree Burns.

PREPARE FOR
EMERGENCY TRANSFER

Continuously monitor for

signs of dehydration and
shock. Keep the victim
warm by covering blankets
during transfer. Extend the
flexed burned extremities to
avoid contractures .
Burns caused by direct contact of chemical into skin.

• Car battery solutions

• Hydrochloric Acid (Muriatic)
• Bleach
• Ammonia
Immediately remove the chemical by flushing with water.
Remove victim’s contaminated clothing. Use mild soap for
the final rinse.
Pat dry area using clean cloth and apply dressing into
affected area.
If the chemical is in the eye, flush for at least 20 minutes
using low pressure.
Seek medical attention immediately for chemical burns.