12/5/2014 1

Emergency First AidDr. Hafez Alsumairy

Diagnostic & Molecular Microbiology2014-2015

12/5/2014 2

Emergency First AidTRAINING IN FIRST AID• Person qualified to teach First

Aid• A certificate of competence• Refresher courses should be

held every 3–4 years

First Aid equipment• First Aid box and eyewash• Recommended contents1. Clear instructions on how to apply

emergency treatment (illustrated).2. Sterile un-medicated dressings to

cover wounds.3. Absorbent cotton wool.4. Triangular and roll bandages and

safety pins.5. Sterile adhesive waterproof

dressings in a variety of sizes

12/5/2014 3

Emergency First AidFirst Aid equipmentRecommended contents6. Sterile eye pads with attachment bandages.7. Roll of adhesive tape.8. Scissors.9. Sodium bicarbonate powder and boric acid powder.10. Equipment for person giving First Aid (mouthpiece, gloves).

12/5/2014 4

Emergency first aid procedures

Should include emergency management of the following1. Cuts, needle stick injuries2. Electric shock3. Bleeding4. Heat burns5. Resuscitation6. Chemical burns7. Fainting8. Poisoning

12/5/2014 5

Emergency treatment of cuts and bleeding

• If the cut is small:1. Wash with soap and water.2. Apply pressure with a piece of

cotton wool.3. Disinfect the area with a skin

antiseptic.4. Cover with a water-proof

dressing.

• If there is serious bleeding from alimb:

1. Raise the injured limb to reducethe bleeding.

2. Apply pressure with a cleandressing backed with cottonwool.

3. Bandage the dressing in position.4. Immediately seek medical

assistance

12/5/2014 6

Emergency treatment of cuts and bleeding

• Bleeding from the nose1. Seat the person upright with the head slightly forward.2. Tell the person to pinch firmly the soft part of their nose for about

10 minutes and breathe through their mouth.3. If the bleeding does not stop, seek medical advice.

12/5/2014 7

Emergency resuscitation when a person stopsbreathing• Artificial respiration (ventilation)

must be applied as soon aspossible

• Heart compressionMouth-to-mouth respiration(ventilation)1. Lie the unconscious person on

the floor. Supporting the neck,tilt the head backwards withthe chin pushed upwards

12/5/2014 8

Emergency resuscitation when a person stopsbreathing2. If the person does not start to

breathe, begin immediatelymouth-to-mouth respiration

12/5/2014 9

Emergency resuscitation when a person stopsbreathing2. Heart not beatingIndications that the heart hasstopped beating are:1. Person remaining or becoming

grey-blue.2. No carotid pulse being felt3. Pupils of the eye appearing

widely dilated.

12/5/2014 10

Emergency resuscitation when a person stopsbreathing

12/5/2014 11

Emergency resuscitation when a person stopsbreathing4. Once natural breathing has

been restored and the heart isbeating, place the person inthe recovery

5. Obtain further medicalassistance at the earliestopportunity

12/5/2014 12

Emergency treatment when someone faints• Lay the person down and raise the

legs above the level of the head• Loosen clothing at the neck, chest,

and waist• Make sure the room is well

ventilated• Reassure the person as

consciousness is regained• Gradually raise the person to the

sitting position. Sips of drinkingwater may be given

12/5/2014 13

Emergency treatment when someone iselectrocuted• Immediately turn off the electricity from the mains• If the person has collapsed, send immediately for medical help and if

the person is not breathing, give artificial respiration until assistancearrives.

• Cool any burns with water

12/5/2014 14

Emergency treatment of heat and chemicalburns• Heat burns1. If clothing is alight, smother the flames using a fire blanket.2. Remove the person from the danger area.3. Immediately plunge the burnt area into cold water or apply a pad

soaked in cold water (or any other non-flammable liquid) to theaffected part for 10 minutes.

4. Cover with a dry dressing.5. Remove any constricting articles such as rings or bracelets before

the affected area starts to swell and becomes blistered.6. Provide frequent small cold drinks.

12/5/2014 15

Emergency treatment of heat and chemicalburnsChemical burns of the skin1. Wash immediately in running water for several minutes, remove

any contaminated clothing.2. Neutralize with a suitable chemical as follows:

• If an acid burn, neutralize with sodium bicarbonate powder.• If an alkali burn, neutralize with boric acid powder.

3. Seek medical attention.

12/5/2014 16

Emergency treatment of heat and chemicalburnsChemical injury to the eye1. Wash the affected eye as quickly as possible under running tap

water or with water from an eye wash-bottle.2. Neutralize with a suitable chemical as follows:

• If an acid injury, neutralize with 5% sodium bicarbonate solution.• If an alkali injury, neutralize with 5% acetic acid or vinegar diluted 1 in 5.

3. Immediately seek medical attention.

12/5/2014 17

Emergency treatment for poisoning

Swallowing of an acid or alkali1. Immediately rinse the mouth well with water.2. Neutralize with a suitable chemical as follows:

• If acid has been swallowed, neutralize by drinking 8% w/v magnesiumhydroxide suspension (milk of magnesia) or milk.

• If an alkali has been swallowed, neutralize by drinking lemon juice or 1%acetic acid.

3. Drink three or four cups of water.4. Seek medical attention.

12/5/2014 18

Emergency treatment for poisoning

Swallowing of other poisonous chemicals1. Rinse out the mouth well with water.2. Depending on the chemical swallowed, take a suitable chemical

antidote under medical supervision.Swallowing of infected material1. Immediately seek medical treatment.2. If required provide follow-up tests.• Mouth-pipetting: This is the main cause of the accidental

swallowing of chemicals or infected material in laboratories.12/5/2014 19

Thank you

12/5/2014 20

12/5/2014 21