Post Disaster First Aid

1. Post Disaster First Aid

2. Trauma Shock Concussion Contusion Internal Bleeding Deep Wounds Broken Bones Long Term Concerns Types of Health Concerns

3. Trauma • Level 1- Immediate care • Definition- An often serious and body altering physical injury, such as the removal of a limb.

4. Types of Trauma • Physical Trauma • Psychological Trauma • Blunt Force • Penetrating Trauma

5. Shock- • Level 1- Immediate Care • Definition - Shock is life-threatening and occurs when the body is not getting enough blood flow. Shock can damage multiple organs. • Shock requires immediate medical treatment and can get worse quickly.

6. Symptoms of Shock • Anxiety or agitation • Confusion • Pale, cool, clammy skin • Low or no urine output • Bluish lips and fingernails • Dizziness, light-headedness, or faintness • Profuse sweating, moist skin • Rapid but weak pulse • Shallow breathing

7. First Aid for Shock • Call 911 for immediate medical help. • If necessary, begin rescue breathing and CPR. • Continue to check rate of breathing at least every 5 minutes until help arrives. • If the person is conscious and DOES NOT have an injury to the head, leg, neck, or spine, place the person in the shock position. Lay the person on the back and elevate the legs about 12 inches. DO NOT elevate the head. If raising the legs will cause pain or potential harm, leave the person lying flat. • Give first aid for other injuries. • Keep the person warm and comfortable. Loosen tight clothing.

8. Concussion • Level 1 or Level 2 Trauma • A concussion is a trauma-induced injury to the brain occurring after a blow to the head. It can cause confusion, amnesia and loss of consciousness. • The duration of unconsciousness and degree of confusion are very important indicators of how sever the injury is.

9. Aid for a Mild Concussion • A grade one or two concussion • The patient remains conscious and other symptoms disappear within one week • Treat with rest and continued observation. • Worsening of symptoms, or continuation of any symptoms beyond one week may indicate the need for a CT or MRI scan.

10. Aid for Severe Concussion • A grade three concussion (involving any loss of consciousness, no matter how brief) should be examined by a medical professional either on the scene or in an emergency room.

11. Second Impact Syndrome • It is important that a patient who has sustained a concussion of any severity avoid the possibility of another blow to the head until after all symptoms have cleared to prevent second impact syndrome. • Second impact syndrome occurs when a person with a concussion, even a very mild one, suffers a second blow before fully recovering from the first. • The brain swelling and increased pressure on the brain can potentially be fatal.

12. Cerebral Contusion • More serious than a concussion, a cerebral contusion is a bruise of the brain tissue • A contusion disrupts normal nerve functions in the bruised area and may cause loss of consciousness, hemorrhage, edema, and even death.

13. Contusion Causes • It is also seen in child, spouse, and elder abuse. • A cerebral contusion can occur when the force of a fall or blow causes the brain to rebounds (hit) against the skull.

14. Signs and symptoms of Contusion • Severe headache • Dizziness • Vomiting • Increased size of one pupil • Sudden weakness in an arm or leg. • The person may seem restless, aggitated or irritable. • Often, the person may have memory loss or seem forgetful. • Any period of loss of consciousness or amnesia of the head injury should be evaluated by a health-care professional. • If the person is difficult to awaken or passes out, medical attention should be sought immediately.

15. Broken Bones • Broken bones can be a level 1, 2, or 3 emergency. It all depends on the type and severity of the fracture.

16. Diagnosing Broken Bones • The only way to diagnose a fracture definitively is through medical examination and x-rays. • In other words, the ability to use an arm or leg does not necessarily mean that the bone is not broken. .

17. Treating Broken Bones • If a fracture is suspected immobilize the bone with a temporary splint or a brace, as soon as possible.   • The injured part of the body should be elevated to reduce swelling and bleeding. • Seek medical attention as soon as possible.

18. Internal Bleeding • Level of Urgency 1-2 (variable upon severity) • Severe internal bleeding is a potentially life-threatening condition.

19. Internal Bleeding Risks • While the blood may not be obvious it is still lost from the circulatory system. • The patient is very likely to go into shock. • If untreated internal bleeding can cause loss of consciousness and lead to death. • It can happen to any part of the body but the stomach, liver and the spleen have a high risk. • Internal bleeding is likely to accompany some broken bones.

20. Signs and Symptoms of Internal Bleeding • Signs and symptoms of shock • Bruising • Boarding - this most commonly occurs where there is bleeding into the stomach area; the quantity of blood combined with swelling result in a rigidity to the tissues • Swelling • Bleeding from body orifices (nose, mouth)

21. First Aid for Internal Bleeding • Treat for shock. • Keep the casualty warm. • Place him in a comfortable position, preferably lying down with the legs slightly raised. Reassure him. • Treat any external bleeding or bleeding from orifices. • Call for an ambulance as soon as possible and explain what has happened.

22. Deep WoundsLevel of Urgency 1-3 (variable upon severity) • Lacerations (cuts) go through all layers of the skin and into the fat or deeper tissues. Bleeding may be severe. • Severe blows, falls against a hard surface, or contact with a sharp object are the most common causes of lacerations.

23. Wound Self-Care at Home • 1st, check to see that nothing is left in the wound • Check to see if the object that caused the wound is intact. If a piece is missing, it may be stuck in the wound. • Allow the wound to bleed freely, but if bleeding is heavy or squirting out, apply pressure until it stops. • If bleeding won’t stop, you will need emergency care.

24. When to go to the hospital • If the wound is in the head, chest, or abdomen, unless it is very small • If there is loss of feeling, numbness, or inability to move an arm or leg below the wound • If the wound is more than 24 hours old and you develop signs of infection, such as redness at the area of the wound, swelling, pus drainage, fever over 100°F, or red streaks coming away from the wound • If the wound does not stop bleeding after pressure is applied for 5 minutes • If the wound has part of an object remaining in it, such as a pencil tip, nail, or piece of glass • If a lot of dirt remains in the wound • If the wound is gaping or there is white tissue (fatty tissue) or muscle visible • If you have a chronic medical condition, such as diabetes, or if you take steroids

25. Long Term Concerns • Poor living conditions after a disaster lead to additional health concerns. • diarrhea

26. What is diarrhea? • Loose, watery stools • May pass stool more than 3 times a day; may pass more than a quart of stool a day • Acute diarrhea usually lasts 1 or 2 days and goes away on its own without special treatment. • Prolonged diarrhea persisting for more than 2 days may be a sign of a more serious problem and poses the risk of dehydration. Chronic diarrhea may be a feature of a chronic disease. • Diarrhea can cause dehydration • Dehydration is particularly dangerous in children and older people. People of all ages can get diarrhea and the average adult has a bout of acute diarrhea about four times a year.

27. What causes Diarrhea? • Acute diarrhea is usually related to a bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection. Chronic diarrhea is usually related to functional disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease. More common causes of Diarrhea include: • Bacterial Infections • Viral Infections • Food Intolerances • Parasites • Reactions to Medicines • Intestinal Diseases • Functional Bowel Disorders

28. How is diarrhea treated? • Replace lost fluid • Take over the counter medication only if not caused by bacteria, virus, or parasite. • If the cause is a bacteria or parasite a doctor must prescribe an antibiotic. • Viral infections are either treated with medication or left to run their course, depending on the severity and type of virus.

29. Diarrhea Prevention • Stress may weaken your immune system\ • Drink bottled water only • Carefully prepare food • Perishables that cannot be kept cold must be discarded

30. Sources • http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/diarrhea/index.htm • http://www.homemademedicine.com/diarrhea.html • http://www.health-care-clinic.org/first-aid/internal-bleeding.html • http://www.emedicinehealth.com/wound_care/page2_em.htm • http://firstaid.webmd.com/puncture_wound_treatment_firstaid.htm • http://www.hmc.psu.edu/healthinfo/c/concussion.htm • http://medicalcentereast.client.web-health.com/web-health/topics/GeneralHealth/generalhealthsub/generalhealth/bones&joints&muscles/Fractures/fractures.html