First Aid. What is an accident? Accidents happen every day, but what are they? Accidents are any...
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Transcript of First Aid. What is an accident? Accidents happen every day, but what are they? Accidents are any...
First Aid
What is an accident? Accidents happen every day, but what are
they? Accidents are any event that was not intended
to happen
What are some examples of events that are accidents?
What is first aid? Immediate temporary care given to an
injured or ill person until her or she can get professional help.
Why is it important to know basic first aid?
Can prevent further injury Can speed recovery Knowing how to correctly give first aid can
be the difference between life and death
First-Aid Supplies The following supplies
are typically found in a first-aid kit… Tweezers Scissors Thermometer Cotton swabs Cold pack Antiseptic ointment
More first-aid kit supplies… Guaze pads Adhesive tape Adhesive bandages Tissues Hand cleaner Disposable gloves Plastic bags
What is EMS? Emergency Medical Services A network of police, fire and medical
personnel, and other community resources
The EMS System The chain of command: 5 links
1. Citizen responder (YOU) Recognizes emergency and calls 9-1-1
2. EMS dispatcher Answers your call, directs police/EMTs to scene Keeps citizen responder calm.
3. 1st Responder First official on scene, usually police. Takes control, gives higher level of care
4. EMT (emergency medical technician) Medically trained personnel, give care at the scene Transports injured person to hospital
5. Hospital Doctors, nurses, and emergency staff
How do you fit in to the EMS system?
Your role as the Citizen Responder includes four steps: Recognize that an emergency exists Decide to act Activate the EMS Give care until help arrives
STEP 1: Recognizing Emergencies Often signaled by something unusual that
catches your attention Use your senses! (hearing, sight, smell) Look for…
Unusual sights Unusual appearances or behaviors Unusual odors Unusual noises
Unusual Sights Car run off the road Downed electrical wires Person lying motionless Smoke or fire Spilled medication Broken glass
Unusual Appearances or Behaviors Unconsciousness Trouble breathing Unusual skin color Clutching chest or throat Confused behavior or speech Unable to move body part
Unusual Odors Stronger than usual smells Gasoline fumes Chemical smell at home
If there is an unusual or very strong odor, LEAVE THE AREA because some fumes are POISONUS!
Unusual Noises Screaming, yelling, moaning or calling for
help Breaking glass Screeching tires Sudden loud or strange sounds (falling
ladders, collapsing of building) Unusual silence
STEP 2: Decide to act You may feel hesitant or want to back away
if… There are other people around Don’t feel comfortable with the injury Fear of catching a disease Fear of doing something wrong Fear of being sued Unsure of when to call 911
Good Samaritan Laws Give legal protection to people who willingly
provide emergency care to ill or injured people without accepting anything in return
Act like a “reasonable and prudent person” Move a person only if their life is in danger Ask a conscious person for permission before giving care Check for life-threatening conditions Call 9-1-1 Give care until more highly trained personnel arrive
Spread of Disease Infectious diseases develop when germs
invade the body and cause illness. Most common germs - bacteria and viruses
Spread through touching, breathing and biting
Universal Precautions WASH YOUR HANDS AFTER GIVING FIRST AID! Avoid contact with blood or other body fluids Use protective breathing barriers Use bandage to cover any of YOUR cuts, sores, scrapes or
skin conditions Use gloves Don’t eat, drink, or touch your mouth, nose or eyes until you
have washed your hands Do not touch personal items until hands are washed Do not touch blood soiled objects Tell EMS personnel if you came into direct contact with any
blood or body fluids
Step 3: Activate EMS system Call 9-1-1 Describe the emergency to the operator
Include where you are (address or describe location)
Stay on phone until told to hang out
Operator will alert police, fire, etc…
Step 4: Provide care until help arrives
Stay with victim until help arrives Loosen tight clothing Use coat or blanket to keep them warm Provide shade if the weather is warm
HIV and AIDS AIDS – Acquired immune deficiency syndrome
Condition caused by HIV HIV damages the immune systems that fight
infection Weakened immune systems allow infections to
develop People with HIV might not look or feel sick People with AIDS develop life-threatening
infections, which lead to death NO VACCINE FOR HIV, PREVENTION IS BEST
Transmission of HIV during First Aid Unprotected direct contact with infected blood.
Infected blood/fluids from one person enter another person through entry sight (eyes, mouth)
Ex) blood splashes from infected person into the responders eye
Unprotected indirect contact with infected blood Touch an object that contained infected blood/fluids and
the infected blood/fluids enter body through entry site Ex) responder picks up blood soaked bandage with bare
hand and the infected blood enters through a cut in the skin
Testing If you think you put yourself at risk for
contracting HIV, get tested! Questions?
Can call the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) national AIDS hotline:
1-800-342-2437