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BASIC FIRST AID. Basic Signs and Procedures. Universal Response. Determine nature of emergency Call for medical help (911) Avoid moving the person Assess the person’s condition and provide necessary assistance. Medical Emergency.
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BASIC FIRST AID Basic Signs and Procedures
Universal Response • Determine nature of emergency • Call for medical help (911) • Avoid moving the person • Assess the person’s condition and provide necessary assistance
Medical Emergency A Medical Emergency exists when the injury or sudden illness is assessed to be “life threatening” or one that requires immediate advanced medical attention.
Cardiac arrest Stopped breathing Choking Heavy bleeding Burns Heart attack Broken bones poisoning Shock Dislocated joints Stroke Status Epilepticus Anaphylactic Shock Examples
Communication Guidelines • Begin communicating as soon as you approach • Keep trying to communicate • Ask what happened • Tell the person what happened • Tell the person you will help • Tell the person what you are doing
Bleeding • There are approximately 4 quarts of blood in the human body.
Control External Bleeding • Place clean barrier on wound • Apply direct pressure • Maintain direct pressure and protect the wound. • Elevate unless a broken bone is suspected. • If bleeding persists use a pressure point in addition to direct pressure. • Call 911; Stay until help arrives, monitor breathing and circulation
Heavy Bleeding • If bleeding continues AND is life threatening, Use a tourniquet to stop the bleeding. • Call 911 Stay until help arrives, monitor breathing and circulation Use of a tourniquet is when you must sacrifice a limb for a life.
Head, Neck, Back Injuries • Do not move the victim • Keep them calm and comfortable • Report the injury • Report any unusual behavior • Call for medical help – bleeding or fluid from nose or mouth or ears • Stay until help arrives, monitor breathing and circulation
Nose Bleed Usually occur when there is a blow to the nose. • Apply Direct Pressure – firmly pinching the nostrils with the thumb and forefinger • Have the victim tilt their head forward DO NOT pack the nose with cotton or gauze. Ice will help reduce inflammation.
Shock Shock is not a specific disease or injury, but a physical state that is potentially fatal. It is a failure of the cardiovascular system to keep adequate blood circulating to the vital organs of the body. Shock is most commonly caused by a loss of blood, exposure to an allergen, or poorly managed diabetes.
Signs of Traumatic Shock • Acting restless but feels weak • Usually unable to explain symptoms to you • Confused behavior • Very fast or very slow breathing and pulse rate • Cool, moist skin • Weakness in arms and legs
First Aid - Shock • Keep victim calm and quiet • Have them lie on their back – feet slightly elevated • Maintain normal body temperature • Call for medical help (911) • Stay until help arrives, monitor breathing and circulation
Anaphylactic Shock Caused by a severe allergy (insect stings, usually wasp or bee stings, or injections or reactions of some medications). Medical help must be obtained immediately because the condition can only be treated with medication.
Signs of Anaphylactic Shock • Flushing, itching, or burning skin • Hives or swelling • Difficulty breathing, wheezing • Swelling around mouth, tongue, lips
First Aid – Anaphylactic Shock • Stay with the person who has been stung by a bee or wasp for 5-10 minutes to observe for signs of shock. • Call for medical help (911) immediately if they develop symptoms • Stay until help arrives, monitor breathing and circulation
Insulin Shock Insulin shock occurs when the brain does not get the amount of sugar it requires. Insulin shock can occur when a diabetic patient takes too much insulin, takes a regular dose of insulin without having eaten enough or has exercised and uses up all available glucose.
Signs of Insulin Shock • Irritable, aggressive or unusual behavior • Shaking • Skin is cold and damp, sweating, pale color
First Aid – Insulin Shock • Give sugar (I.e. sugar, honey, fruit juice, soda with sugar, etc.) • Call for medical help (911) • Stay until help arrives, monitor breathing and circulation
Temperature Extremes • Photosensitivity Certain medications used to treat medical symptoms may make a person extra sensitive to sunlight and can cause dehydration in extreme heat.
Heat Exhaustion Occurs when a person begins to feel the effects of extreme heat and sunlight. Signs • Pale clammy skin • Profuse perspiration • Extreme tiredness or weakness • Headache, nausea, dizziness
First Aid – Heat Exhaustion • Move the person to a cooler place (shade, indoors) • Cool the body • Bed Rest • Salt Solution (1/2 teaspoon salt in ½ glass water every 15 minutes • Stay until help arrives, monitor breathing and circulation • Seek medical care for extreme heat exhaustion
Heat Stroke • Occurs when a person’s temperature control system stops working properly or fails – no perspiration to cool the body • Body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result
Signs of Heat Stroke • Hot dry, red skin • Very small pupils • Very high body temperature • Decreased consciousness/alertness
First Aid – Heat Stroke • CALL 911 immediately • Move person to a cooler place (indoors) • Immerse in cool bath or wrap in cool, wet sheets or towels • Treat for shock • Stay until help arrives, monitor breathing and circulation If victim is conscious and responsive, have them sip a salt/water solution.
Hypothermia Occurs when a person is subjected to cold conditions over an extended period of time. Shock will occur if body is not returned to a normal temperature and the person may slip into a coma or possibly even die. May even occur on a hot day – submerged in extremely cold water for an extended period of time. Water can lower body temperature 8 times faster than air. 76 degree water temperature can cause hypothermia in as little as 20 minutes.
Signs of Hypothermia • Shivering – uncontrollable muscle contractions designed to increase internal temperatures • Decreased consciousness • Weakness, decreased coordination
First Aid - Hypothermia • Move person to a warmer area (indoors, out of cold water, etc.) • Provide warm DRY clothing and/or blankets • Try to keep the person awake and conscious • Call 911 Immediately • Stay until help arrives, monitor breathing and circulation
Burns • Vary in severity – depending on depth and location • face • hands • genitals • Very young and elderly people – high risk
Classifications of Burns • First Degree Burn – damage to top layer of skin; red and dry; heals 5-6 days – Sunburn • Second Degree Burn – damage is deeper; red with blisters, skin may look wet; very painful and slow to heal 3-4 weeks – may result in scarring • Third Degree Burn – severe damage to layers of skin/tissue; life threatening; skin is brown or black; very painful or no pain because nerve endings damaged; extensive healing time is needed
3rd Degree Burns Call 911 immediately (notify Nurse and supervisor on call) Treat for shock Cover with DRY, STERILE dressing Elevate burn above heart level DO NOT rinse blisters with water 1st & 2nd Degree Burns Small burns – no blisters – rinse with large amounts of COOL water Cover with DRY STERILE dressing Elevate burn above heart level Notify Nurse First Aid
Poisoning • Medications • Household cleaners • Petroleum products and by-products • Paint, polish, auto products • Pesticides • Plants • Make-up, hair spray, toiletries, etc. • Vitamins • venom
Poison Absorption • Ingested (swallowed) • Inhaled • Skin contact • Eyes • Insect sting or spider bite • Animal bite
Signs/Symptoms - Poisoning • Vomiting and/or heavy labored breathing • Deep sleep • Eye pupils that are very large or very small
First Aid - Poisoning Notify Nurse and on-call supervisor Poisons taken orally: • Call 911 or Poison Control immediately • Identify the poison if possible • Stay until help arrives, monitor breathing and circulation DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING, unless instructed to do so by emergency technicians.
First Aid - Poisoning Notify Nurse and on-call supervisor Skin Contact • Remove clothing contaminated by the poison • Flood skin with water until the burning sensation stops • EYES – flush eyes with water – nose outward – 15 minutes • Call 911 • Stay until help arrives, monitor breathing and circulation
Injury to Bones Diagnosis is usually impossible without X-Rays. First aid is intended to prevent further injury or harm until they can receive medical attention.
Closed Fracture Injury beneath the skin; Difficult to detect without x-ray Signs • Swelling • Pain • Deformity • Discoloration/bruising
First Aid - Fracture • Call 911 • Immobilize injury • Stay until help arrives, monitor breathing and circulation
Open Fracture • Fracture associated with open wound • Broken bone tears through skin • More serious than closed fracture • Call 911 • Immobilize injury, control bleeding and protect from infection • Stay until help arrives, monitor breathing and circulation
Sprain Injury to tendons, ligaments, or cartilage; result of forcing limb beyond the normal range of motion. • Ankles • Fingers • Wrist • Knees Must have X-Ray to rule out broken bone.
Signs - Sprain • Swelling • Tenderness • Pain on motion • discoloration
First Aid - Sprain • Seek medical attention • Immobilize the injury • Elevate the joint and apply cold, wet cloths or ice pack on injury during the first ½ hour after accident to slow swelling DO NOT elevate if you suspect a fracture
Strain Injury to the muscle; fibers may be stretched or torn – overexertion of a muscle. • Rest • Apply warm wet applications • Ibuprofen or aspirin • Seek medical attention Back strain – lie on hard, flat surface
Dislocation Displacement of a bone end from a joint; caused by falls or blows and may be accompanied by a fracture. Signs • Swelling • Pain • Deformity • Discoloration/bruising
First Aid - Dislocation • Call 911 • Immobilize injury • Stay until help arrives, monitor breathing and circulation
Insect Bites/Stings • Wash with soap and water • Cold pack on area to reduce swelling/pain • Place stung area below heart level (reduce circulation of venom) • DO NOT try to remove stinger by squeezing or using tweezers (release more venom into blood • May use hard plastic card to draw out stinger • See medical attention if serious
Systemic Allergic Reactions Occurs when people are allergic to poisonous bites or stings LIFE THREATENING! • Pain • Swelling of the throat, tongue, hands or face • Difficulty breathing (wheezing) • Redness or discoloration at the site • Severe itching (hives, rash) • Decreased consciousness
Other Bite Wounds Animal or Human • Wash well with soap and water • Alert authorities (pet control, if animal); call nurse and supervisor on call • Apply clean, dry dressing; control bleeding if necessary Practice all Universal Precautions.
First Aid • Call 911 • Treat for shock • Stay until help arrives, monitor breathing and circulation