NLCC Syllabus – First AidBleeding and Broken Limbs

Taken from:

Syllabus Part III

Lessons 6 and 7

http://www.nellis.af.mil/RedCross/emblem.htm

Did you know?The Geneva Conventions, as the original and subsequent

related international humanitarian treaties are called, limit the use of the Red Cross emblem and the words "Red Cross" and "Geneva Cross" in both war and peacetime to identify the following: facilities for the care of the wounded and sick members of the military; armed forces medical personnel and equipment; military chaplains; the International Committee of the Red Cross; the League of Red Cross Societies; and the various national Red Cross societies, including the American Red Cross.

Blood

Blood is the vital fluid which carries oxygen to all parts of our bodies, including the heart, and transports waste materials to the liver and kidneys for disposal.

Blood…continued

The average human body contains about five quarts of blood. Most people can lose up to one pint without severe adverse effects, but loss of two or more pints can result in shock and eventually death.

Pressure Points

Tourniquet

As a last resort, when everything else fails and serious bleeding persists, you may apply a tourniquet. Keep in mind that it cuts off the flow of blood completely and can result in gangrene, together with the loss of an arm or leg.

Tourniquet…continued:

A tourniquet is simply a constricting band which cuts off the blood supply to an injured limb. Do not loosen a tourniquet after it has been applied.

Mark Victim’s Forehead “T”

Be sure to mark victim’s forehead

with a red “T”

so that professional personnel will be aware of tourniquet. ALSO, note time it was applied and write that info if possible.

Internal Bleeding

Signs of internal bleeding include thirst, restlessness, unexplained fear and shock.

If you suspect that an injured person is bleeding internally, treat the victim only for shock (but without food or drink), and get medical help immediately.

For more information:

http://www.cnrc.navy.mil/Dep_guide/Dep/firstaid.htm

SHOCK

Every time you injure yourself you experience some form of shock, however mild. Minor injuries usually result in lesser degrees of shock, seldom noticed. Shock doesn’t always appear right away, but may be delayed for several hours. If unattended, shock can result in death.

SHOCK…continued:

Shock has a number of visible symptoms caused by the disturbance of blood circulation.

The pulse becomes weak and rapid. Breathing may be shallow, rapid and irregular. Skin may feel cool to the touch, but the victim will perspire (cold sweat).

SHOCK…continued:

The victim may appear to be pale but the skin and mucous membranes on the inside of the mouth or under the eyelid or under the nail bed may also become bluish or reddish in color instead of a healthy pink.

SHOCK…continued:

The pupils of the eyes dilate (grow larger). If the victim is conscious, the person may be thirsty and feel faint or dizzy. The victim may also appear to be restless or frightened. Anyone who is injured can develop shock.

Treatment for Shock

Begin treatment as quickly as possible. Keep the victim lying down, keep an injured person warm enough for comfort, but do not let the victim become overheated. Keep the feet about one foot higher than the head when possible, but not in the case of serious head injuries.

FIRST AID

Remember you are giving FIRST AID, call for help as soon as possible.

Fractures

Put simply, a fracture is a broken bone. All fractures are serious; the severity depends on the part of the body affected, the type, and the amount of tissue (skin and flesh) damaged.

Presence of Fractures

Fractures are not always apparent. However, certain signs reveal their presence:

• Pain and tenderness• Inability to use or move a

limb• Creaking or grating noise• Movement at points other

than joints• Swelling or deformity• Discolored skin

Types of Fractures:

What to do:

• If you suspect that a victim has a fracture, treat the injury as such. Get medical help at once and unless there is clear danger to the victim, do not move him. Begin treatment for shock.

• Never try to locate a fracture by pressing the ends together, nor try to set a broken or dislocated bone.

Be smart…get help!

End of Lesson