First Aid

◊ The immediate, temporary care given to an ill or injured person until professional medical care can be provided.

◊ Check the surrounding environment. ◊ Your safety is the 1st priority!

C’s of Emergency Care

Check – Call - Care

◊ Check the victim for life-threatening conditions. Only move the victim if he/she is in direct physical danger.

◊ Call 911. Leave the scene if necessary.

◊ Care for the victim. Ask permission to help. Unconsciousness implies consent.

Good Samaritan Laws

◊ Statutes (laws) that protect rescuers from being sued for giving emergency care

◊ You may not provide care beyond your level of training

◊ You must be acting in the best interest of the victim

Universal Precautions

◊ Steps taken to prevent the spread of disease through blood and other bodily fluids.

◊ Chemical resistant gloves (usually latex)

◊ Wash hands immediately after providing First Aid

◊ Use mouth piece or rescue mask when providing rescue breathing/CPR.

Universal Precautions

◊

Types of Wounds

Abrasion: (scrape) Injury to the top layer of skin. Chief concern is bacterial infection. Clean and protect.

Types of Wounds

Laceration: (cut) caused by sharp objects slicing through skin. Severe lacerations may require stitches and a tetanus booster.

Types of Wounds

Punctures: A small but deep hole caused by a sharp narrow object. High risk of infection. Usually does not cause heavy bleeding.

Types of Wounds

Avulsions: Occurs when skin or tissue is partly or completely torn away. If possible wrap the severed body part in a sterile, cold, moist towel to preserve the tissue.

Controlling Bleeding

◊ Raise wound above the level of the heart.

◊ Cover with sterile gauze or cloth.

◊ Use direct pressure to stop the bleeding

◊ Once bleeding stops secure gauze with a bandage. Seek medical attention if needed.

Types of Burns

◊ First degree burns: Involves the outermost layer of skin (epidermis).

◊ Redness, Swelling and Pain

◊ About 1 week

healing time

Types of Burns

◊Second degree burns: Involves epidermis and underlying layers of skin (dermis). Skin becomes very red, swollen, and develops blisters

Types of Burns

◊Third degree burns: Involve all layers of skin. The skin may be charred black or appear white & dry. The burn may damage nerve cells so the victim may not experience pain.

First Aid for 1st & Minor 2nd Degree Burns

◊ Cool the burned area by holding under cold running water for 5 minutes. Wrap in cold wet cloths. Do not use ice!

◊ Cover the burn loosely with sterile gauze.

◊ 3rd degree burns require immediate medical attention – Call 911

Chain of Survival

◊ A sequence of actions that maximize the victim’s chances of survival

◊ Survey the scene

◊ Check the victim for consciousness

◊ Call 911 (if needed)

◊ Provide necessary Care 3 C’s

CPR

(Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)

◊ A first aid procedure that combines rescue breathing and chest compressions to supply oxygen to the body.

◊ Defibrillator: A device that delivers an electrical shock to the heart to restore normal its normal rhythm. (Automated External Defibrillator - AED)

Chain of Survival

CPR for Adults

◊Survey the scene

◊Check for Consciousness (Are you OK!)

◊Call 911

◊CABs

◊Chest Compressions

◊Airway

◊Breathing

CPR for Adults

CPR for Adults

CPR for Adults◊Perform 30 chest compressions first

◊Followed by 2 breaths of air– repeat this process until more advance medical help arrives.

CPR for Infants and Children(under 8 years old)

◊Children

◊Give shallower breaths

◊Give compressions with heel of one hand on the sternum.

◊2 breaths:30 compression

CPR for Infants and Children(under 8 years old)

◊Infants

◊Take pulse on brachial artery

◊Give shallower breaths (puff of air)

◊Give compressions with middle & ring finger

◊30 Compression: 2 breaths

First Aid for Choking

◊ Conscious adult

◊ Stand behind victim, wrap arms around their waist.

◊ Make a fist with one hand and grasp it with your other hand.

◊ Quick upward thrust. “J” shape movement

◊ Repeat until object is dislodged.

First Aid for Choking

◊ Unconscious adult:

◊ Lower victim to the ground and try to clear airway.

◊ Reach into mouth and sweep object out with one finger.

◊ If object can not be dislodged, begin CPR. Chest compressions may dislodge object.

Xiphoid Process

First Aid for Choking

◊ If you are Alone:

◊ Perform abdominal thrust on yourself.

◊ Position abdomen over rigid structure (countertop, back of chair).

◊ Press against the object to thrust your abdomen upward and inward.

First Aid for Shock

◊ A life threatening condition which the heart is not delivering and adequate supply of blood to the body.

◊ Symptoms include: cold, clammy skin that may appear pale or grayish. Weak, rapid pulse and altered breathing. Dilated pupils. Weakness, confusion, or loss of consciousness.

First Aid for Shock

◊ Call 911

◊ Lie the victim down and raise feet 12 inches. Keep warm.

◊ Loosen constricting clothing, and keep calm. Roll victim to side if they begin to vomit.

◊ Do not give victim anything to eat or drink. Do not move victim if you suspect an injury to the head, neck, or spine.

Muscle & Joint Injuries

◊ Strain: A tear in the muscle or tendon .

◊ Sprain: An injury to the ligaments around a joint.

◊ Symptoms include pain, stiffness, swelling, limited mobility, and bruising around the area.

Muscle & Joint Injuries (P.R.I.C.E.)

◊Protect-wrap with bandage or splint

◊Rest-rest injured area for at least 1 day.

◊Ice-to reduce swelling and pain. 10-15 minutes, three times a day.

◊Compress-wrap firmly with a bandage.

◊Elevate-raise above the heart.

Fractures & Dislocations

◊Fracture: A break in a bone

Tibial Fracture & Fibular Fracture

Humeral Fracture

Fractures & Dislocations

◊Dislocations: a separation of a bone from its normal position in a joint.

Dislocated elbow

Fractures & Dislocations

◊Symptoms of fractures and dislocations include pain, stiffness, swelling, limited mobility, and bruising around the area.

First Aid for Fractures & Dislocations

◊Call 911. Keep victim still & calm ◊If skin is broken rinse to prevent infection. ◊Cover with sterile dressing. ◊Immobilize area. ◊Apply ice. ◊If injury doesn’t affect head, neck, legs, or spine…Treat for Shock.

Unconsciousness

◊Unconsciousness is the condition of not being alert or aware of surroundings.

◊ Risk of choking.

◊ Call 911.

◊Use “Recovery Position” if victim is breathing and you do not suspect head, neck, or spine injury.

Fainting

◊Occurs when not enough blood is flowing to the brain.

◊ Try to prevent victim from falling.

◊ Lay victim on the floor and elevate legs. Loosen tight or constricting clothes.

◊ If the person vomits, roll him/her into the “Recovery Position”

Recovery Position

Fainting

◊ If victim doesn’t regain consciousness within few minutes…Call 911

◊ If the victim regains consciousness keep the person lying still for at least 10-15 minutes.

Concussion

◊ A jarring injury to the brain that can cause unconsciousness. (Bruise on the brain)

◊ Symptoms include: memory loss, confusion, and pupils that are non-reactive to light. If present…Call 911

Animal Bites

◊ Possible transmission of viral disease (Rabies).

◊ A vaccine can prevent

Rabies if given within

two days of

exposure

◊Treat as an open wound

Nosebleeds

◊ Caused by injury or by irritation of the lining of the nose

Nosebleeds

◊ Use protective barrier when caring for someone else.

◊ Sit down and pinch the end of nose with thumb and finger.

◊ Lean forward and breath through mouth. Apply ice to the bridge of nose.

Poisoning

◊ Poison: A substance that causes injury, illness, or death when it enters the body.

◊ Call the National Poison Control Hotline : 1-800-222-1222

Snakebite

◊Venom: A poisonous secretion injected by some type of snakes.

◊Rattlesnakes, Copperheads, Cobras, Coral snakes, and water moccasins.

First Aid for Snakebites

◊ Call 911

◊ Keep victim still. Keep affected area below the level of the heart.

◊ Remove constricting items as swelling may occur.

◊ Use snakebite suction kit if available.

First Aid for Snakebites

◊ DO NOT: apply tourniquet, use cold compresses, cut into area with blade, suck venom out with mouth, or give any medication without consent of a physician.

Insect & Spider bites or Stings

Insect & Spider bites or Stings

◊ If allergic…Call 911

◊ Remove stinger by scraping with firm, straight edged object.

◊ Pinch or use tweezers if necessary.

◊ Wash with soap and water

◊ Apply ice. 10-15 mins. Once an hour for first 6 hours.

Insect & Spider Bites / Stings

◊ Anti-histamines may be helpful.

◊ Severe reactions include: weakness, swelling of the face and neck, and difficulty breathing. If these signs are present… call 911

Poisonous Plants

◊ Wash area immediately with soap & water.

◊ Wash contaminated clothing.

◊ Pre-washes can be helpful

◊ Antihistamines can be helpful (oral or topical)

Poisonous Ivy

Poison Sumac

Poison Oak

http://z.about.com/d/firstaid/1/0/F/-/-/-/allergies.jpg

Hypothermia/Frostbite

In conditions of prolonged cold exposure, your body sends signals to the blood vessels in your arms and legs telling them to constrict (narrow). By slowing blood flow to the skin, your body is able to send more blood to the vital organs, supplying them with critical nutrients.

Frostbite occurs when tissues freeze. This condition happens when you are exposed to temperatures below the freezing point of skin.

The nose, cheeks, ears, fingers, and toes (your extremities) are most commonly affected.

Hypothermia/Frostbite

Frostbite is caused by 2 different means: cell death at the time of exposure and further cell deterioration and death because of a lack of oxygen.

In the first, ice crystals form in the space outside of the cells. Water is lost from the cell’s interior, and dehydration promotes the destruction of the cell

Hypothermia/Frostbite

In the second, the damaged lining of the blood vessels is the main culprit. As blood flow returns to the extremities upon rewarming, it finds that the blood vessels themselves are injured.

STAGES OF HYPOTHERMIA

98 - 95 degrees - Sensation of chilliness, skin numbness; minor impairment in muscular performance, especially in use of hands; shivering begins.

95 - 93 degrees - More obvious muscle in coordination and weakness; slow stumbling pace; mild confusion and apathy. Skin pale and cold to touch.

93 - 90 degrees - Gross muscular in coordination with frequent stumbling and falling and inability to use hands; mental sluggishness with slow thought and speech; retrograde amnesia.

90 - 86 degrees - Cessation of shivering; severe muscular in coordination with stiffness and inability to walk or stand; incoherence, confusion, irrationality.

86 - 82 degrees - Severe muscular rigidity; patient barely arousable; dilatation of pupils; weak heartbeat and pulse. Skin ice cold.

82- 78 degrees and below - Unconsciousness; death due to cessation of heart action

 

Water Temperature Expected Time Before Exhaustion or Unconsciousness

Expected Time of Survival

(°F) (°C)    

32.5° 0.3° < 15 minutes 45 minutes

32.5–40° 0.3–4.4° 15 – 30 minutes 30 – 90 minutes

40–50° 3.3–10° 30 – 60 minutes 1 – 3 hours

50–60° 10–15.6° 1 – 2 hours 1 – 6 hours

60–70° 15.6–21.1° 2 – 7 hours 2 – 40 hours

70–80° 21.1–26.7° 3 – 12 hours 3 hours – indefinite

> 80° > 26.7° Indefinite Indefinite

How long can a person survive in cold water?

Heat Exhaustion/Stroke

♦Physical stress placed on the body by overheating.

♦Symptoms: heavy sweating, cold, clammy skin, confusion/dizziness, nausea, weak, rapid pulse.

♦Treat by removing person from heat source. Use a fan or cold water to bring body temperature back to normal.

Heat StrokeA dangerous condition in which the body loses its ability to cool itself through perspiration

105or Higher

Safety at Home The accident chain: a sequence of events that leads to injury.

Unsafe situationUnsafe habit Unsafe action The accidentThe consequences

Safety at Home Preventing Fires

Common causes: candles, smoking, faulty electrical wiring, kitchen fires.

Don’t leave candles and cooking food unattended. Clean stove.

Follow operating instructions for space heaters Don’t smoke in the house

Safety at Home Electricity

Overloading systemInspect electrical cords Keep cords free of debris (furniture, rugs, toys…)

Don’t nail or staple cords down Don’t use electrical devises near water Cover unused electrical outlets

Safety at Home Falls Keep stairways clear of clutter and well lit

Fasten area rugs Window guards Keep electrical cords out of walkways