Chapter 1 part 3 Life-Threatening and Non-Life Threatening Conditions.

Chapter 1Chapter 1part 3part 3

Life-Threatening andLife-Threatening andNon-Life ThreateningNon-Life Threatening

ConditionsConditions

Checking for Life Checking for Life Threatening Threatening ConditionsConditions

An emergency situation is rarely An emergency situation is rarely clear cut.clear cut.

The exact steps you take will vary The exact steps you take will vary depending on what you find when depending on what you find when you reach the victim.you reach the victim.

In every emergency, follow the In every emergency, follow the emergency action steps. emergency action steps.


STAY STAY CALMCALM CHECK CHECK the scene, then the scene, then CHECK CHECK

the the victim. victim. CALLCALL 9—1—1 or the local 9—1—1 or the local

emergency number. emergency number. CARE CARE for the victim until EMS for the victim until EMS

personnel arrive. personnel arrive.


During the During the CHECK CHECK step, check the step, check the victim first for any life- threatening victim first for any life- threatening conditions. conditions.

Conditions that are an Conditions that are an immediate immediate threat to life include— threat to life include— • Unconsciousness. • Unconsciousness. • Not breathing. • Not breathing. • No heartbeat (or pulse). • No heartbeat (or pulse). • Severe bleeding. • Severe bleeding.


A victim who can speak or cry is A victim who can speak or cry is conscious, breathing, and has a heartbeat. conscious, breathing, and has a heartbeat.

However, the person may still have a life-However, the person may still have a life-threatening condition that requires calling threatening condition that requires calling EMS personnel. For instance, a person EMS personnel. For instance, a person may have difficulty breathing, persistent may have difficulty breathing, persistent chest pain, or may drift in and out of chest pain, or may drift in and out of consciousness. consciousness.

When possible, the victim should always When possible, the victim should always be checked in the position in which he or be checked in the position in which he or she is found. For a conscious infant or she is found. For a conscious infant or child, this may be in the arms of a parent child, this may be in the arms of a parent or caregiver. or caregiver.

Checking an Checking an Unconscious VictimUnconscious Victim

Start by checking consciousness. Then check Start by checking consciousness. Then check the airway, breathing, and circulation. (ABC)the airway, breathing, and circulation. (ABC)

Sometimes the victimSometimes the victim’’s position may make s position may make checking for breathing impossible. In this checking for breathing impossible. In this case, you must carefully roll the victim onto case, you must carefully roll the victim onto his or her back, but avoid twisting the spine.his or her back, but avoid twisting the spine.

Then complete the check for life-threatening Then complete the check for life-threatening emergencies. emergencies.

Critical Thinking Critical Thinking ScenarioScenarioAs you ride along the bike trail on As you ride along the bike trail on

your way home, you are tired but your way home, you are tired but relaxed. You must have ridden at relaxed. You must have ridden at least 10 miles. Then as you round a least 10 miles. Then as you round a sharp curve you abruptly swerve. A sharp curve you abruptly swerve. A person is sprawled facedown person is sprawled facedown across the trail. You stop your bike. across the trail. You stop your bike. It is very quiet. The person lies It is very quiet. The person lies motionless on the pavement. motionless on the pavement.

Critical Thinking Critical Thinking QuestionsQuestions

1.1. What might you do to make the What might you do to make the scene safe for you to check the scene safe for you to check the victim?victim?

2.2. What kind of injuries or other What kind of injuries or other problems might the victim on the problems might the victim on the bike trail have?bike trail have?

3.3. If the victim on the bike trail does not If the victim on the bike trail does not respond when you tap, what would respond when you tap, what would your next step be? Why?your next step be? Why?


Checking a conscious person has two Checking a conscious person has two basic steps: basic steps: 1.1. Interview the victim and bystanders. Interview the victim and bystanders. 2.2. Check the victim from head to toe. Check the victim from head to toe.

When possible, the victim should When possible, the victim should always be checked in the position in always be checked in the position in which he or she is found. For a which he or she is found. For a conscious infant or child, this may be conscious infant or child, this may be in the arms of a parent or caregiver. in the arms of a parent or caregiver.

Checking A Conscious Checking A Conscious VictimVictim

When possible, remember to identify When possible, remember to identify yourself and get consent to help. yourself and get consent to help.

Begin interviewing by asking the victim four Begin interviewing by asking the victim four simple questions to help you determine simple questions to help you determine what happened and the victimwhat happened and the victim’’s condition. s condition. These include— These include—

1.1. What happened? What happened? 2.2. Do you feel pain anywhere? Do you feel pain anywhere? 3.3. Do you have any allergies? Do you have any allergies? 4.4. Do you have any medical condition or are you taking Do you have any medical condition or are you taking

any medications? any medications?


If the victim feels pain, ask the victim:If the victim feels pain, ask the victim: 1.1. To describe it. To describe it. 2.2. When the pain started. When the pain started. 3.3. How bad the pain is. How bad the pain is.

If the victim is unable to give you any If the victim is unable to give you any information, ask family members, information, ask family members, friends, or bystanders. friends, or bystanders.


Do a head-to-toe examination. Start at the Do a head-to-toe examination. Start at the victimvictim’’s head, checking for changes in s head, checking for changes in consciousness and breathing. Then check the consciousness and breathing. Then check the victimvictim’’s skin. If you do not suspect an injury s skin. If you do not suspect an injury to the head, neck, or back, determine if there to the head, neck, or back, determine if there are any other specific injuries. are any other specific injuries.

Ask the victim to tell you if any areas hurt. Ask the victim to tell you if any areas hurt. Avoid touching any painful areas or having Avoid touching any painful areas or having the victim move any area that is painful. the victim move any area that is painful.


When checking a conscious child or infant, follow the When checking a conscious child or infant, follow the same general steps as for an adult. In addition,— same general steps as for an adult. In addition,—

Start by checking toe-to-head. This will ease Start by checking toe-to-head. This will ease the child's comfort level.the child's comfort level.

Communicate clearly with the child and parent Communicate clearly with the child and parent or caregiver. or caregiver.

Get at eye level and talk slowly and in a Get at eye level and talk slowly and in a friendly manner.friendly manner.

Ask simple questions the child can answer Ask simple questions the child can answer easily. easily.

When you begin the examination, begin at the When you begin the examination, begin at the toes instead of the head to give the child an toes instead of the head to give the child an opportunity to adjust to the process. opportunity to adjust to the process.


Use your senses—sight, sound, Use your senses—sight, sound, touch, and smell—to detect anything touch, and smell—to detect anything abnormal. abnormal.

Remain constantly aware of the Remain constantly aware of the victimvictim’’s level of consciousness. If the s level of consciousness. If the victim becomes unconscious at any victim becomes unconscious at any time, stop your check and call time, stop your check and call 911 911 or the local emergency number. or the local emergency number.

You are the Citizen You are the Citizen ResponderResponder

Scenario 1Scenario 1

You see a car veer off the road, You see a car veer off the road, striking a utility pole. The pole striking a utility pole. The pole splinters, dropping wires onto the splinters, dropping wires onto the vehicle. You decide to help. How vehicle. You decide to help. How would you respond? would you respond?



You arrive at your grandfatherYou arrive at your grandfather’’s s home and find him motionless home and find him motionless in the backyard. You hear a in the backyard. You hear a neighbor in the yard next door. neighbor in the yard next door. You decide to help. How would You decide to help. How would you respond?you respond?



While jogging, you notice a bike While jogging, you notice a bike rider fall as she rounds a corner rider fall as she rounds a corner on a rain-slick road. She is lying in on a rain-slick road. She is lying in the road moaning, with her the road moaning, with her crumpled bike nearby. You decide crumpled bike nearby. You decide to help. How would you respond?to help. How would you respond?



During a softball game, a ball is hit During a softball game, a ball is hit between two players. Both go for between two players. Both go for the ball. They collide, falling to the the ball. They collide, falling to the ground. One player is holding his ground. One player is holding his arm, screaming in pain. The second arm, screaming in pain. The second player lies motionless. You decide player lies motionless. You decide to help. How would you respond?to help. How would you respond?

Checking The Victim Part Checking The Victim Part 22

ClosingClosing CALL CALL 9—1—1 or the local emergency number 9—1—1 or the local emergency number

immediately if you determine a life-threatening immediately if you determine a life-threatening condition exists, condition exists, To provide care until EMS personnel arrive, follow To provide care until EMS personnel arrive, follow these general guidelines: these general guidelines:

Do no harm. Do no harm. Monitor breathing and consciousness. Monitor breathing and consciousness. Help the victim rest in the most comfortable Help the victim rest in the most comfortable position. position. Keep the victim from getting chilled or Keep the victim from getting chilled or overheated. overheated. Reassure the victim. Reassure the victim. Provide any specific care needed. Provide any specific care needed.

ShockShock Shock is a life-threatening condition in which Shock is a life-threatening condition in which

an insufficient amount of blood is being an insufficient amount of blood is being delivered to all parts of the body and can delivered to all parts of the body and can result from injury or illnessresult from injury or illness

Shock is likely to develop after any serious Shock is likely to develop after any serious injury or illnessinjury or illness

A person showing signs of shock needs A person showing signs of shock needs immediate medical attentionimmediate medical attention

Body systems and organs begin to failBody systems and organs begin to fail The goals of first aid are to get help quickly The goals of first aid are to get help quickly

and give care to minimize shock while caring and give care to minimize shock while caring for the illness or injuryfor the illness or injury

http://www.instructorscorner.org/media/videos/a5.html

Signals of shockSignals of shock

Restlessness Restlessness Altered level of consciousnessAltered level of consciousness Nausea or VomitingNausea or Vomiting Pale, Ashen, Cool, Moist skinPale, Ashen, Cool, Moist skin Rapid breathing Rapid breathing Rapid, weak pulseRapid, weak pulse Excessive thirstExcessive thirst

Caring For ShockCaring For Shock

Call 9-1-1Call 9-1-1 Have the person lie downHave the person lie down

– Most comfortable positionMost comfortable position Control External BleedingControl External Bleeding Help maintain normal body TemperatureHelp maintain normal body Temperature Do not give the person anything to eat or Do not give the person anything to eat or

drinkdrink Reassure the personReassure the person Continue to monitor Airway, Breathing, & Continue to monitor Airway, Breathing, &

CirculationCirculation

Chapter 1 part 3 Life-Threatening and Non-Life Threatening Conditions.

Documents

Transcript of Chapter 1 part 3 Life-Threatening and Non-Life Threatening Conditions.