Basic Life Support (BLS) ABCs - Airway, Breathing, Circulation

1. Basic Life Support (BLS)ABCs - Airway, Breathing, Circulation • Steps to follow in BLS • 1. Check the responsiveness of the victim • 2. Call for Emergency medical health • 3. Position victim on his or her back • 4. Open the airway • 5. Assess breathing • 6. Assess circulation • 7. Stay with the victim until help arrives.

2. BreathingMouth-to-Mouth Ventilation Children and Adults • Steps to follow in Mouth-to-Mouth • 1. Place victim on their back • 2. Open the airway • 3. Check the victim’s breathing • 4. If no breathing, start artificial ventilation • 5. If chest doesn’t rise, airway may be blocked • 6. Take 5-10 seconds to check for a pulse • 7. If breathing is restored, remain in position

3. Choking • Steps to follow if consciousvictim is choking: • 1. Call for emergency help • 2. Open the airway, don’t give up • 3. Use the Heimlich Maneuver

4. Choking • Steps to follow if unconscious victim is choking: • 1. Call for emergency help • 2. Open the airway, don’t give up • 3. Lay victim face up on a hard surface • 4. Assess responsiveness and breathing • 5. Perform Heimlich Manuever

5. Circulation (CPR) • CPR is combination of artificial ventilation and artificial circulation. • It should only be done by a qualified person • Periodic retraining is required

6. Allergic Reactions • Signs of allergic reactions include difficulty breathing (wheezing), swollen lips, tongue, and ears, hives, skin swelling and itching • Treatment • 1. Contact Medical Help • 2. Keep victim quiet in a comfortable position • 3. If victim stops breathing, give artificial ventilation.

7. Bites and Stings (General) • Treatment • 1. Lie victim down and immobilize limb • 2. Cold application on all bites except snakes • 3. Flush snakebite with water • 4. 2” wide cloth to provide a band near bite • 5. Band should not be too restricting • 6. Transport victim to hospital • 7. Provide non-alcoholic liquid to victim

8. Bites and Stings (Bees) • Treatment • 1. Do not remove stinger with a tweezer • 2. Remove stinger with a flicking motion • 3. If victim shows signs, treat for allergic react.

9. Bites and Stings (Animal) • Treatment • 1. Seek medical attention • 2. If skin is broken, wash with soap and water

10. Bleeding • Treatment • 1. Call for medical help • 2. Keep victim lying down • 3. Place pad directly over wound • 4. Apply direct pressure firmly with both hands • 5. Raise bleeding part higher than rest of body

11. Bleeding (Tourniquet) • Use on arms or legs only • Is usually not necessary • Do not attempt to use unless you are specially trained. • Should be placed between injury and heart

12. Burns • Object is to prevent shock and contamination. • All burns should be attended to by a physician • Do not apply ointments, grease, or baking soda

13. Burns (Thermal) • Treatment • 1. Cool quickly with water • 2. Place clean cloth over burned area • 3. Keep victim lying down • 4. Give no fluids • 5. Call for medical health • 6. Place head and chest lower than rest of body • 7. Raise legs if possible

14. Burns (Chemical) • Treatment • 1. Flush with plenty of water for 5 minutes • 2. Remove clothes if needed • 3. Place clean material over burns • 4. Call for medical help • 5. Lie victim down, provide lots of liquids • 6. Place head and chest lower than rest of body • 7. Raise legs if possible

15. Cuts and Abrasions • It’s important to prevent infections • Never put your mouth over a wound • Don’t breath on a wound • Don’t touch with dirty fingers or cloths • Treatment • 1. Cleanse wound with soap and water • 2. Hold sterile pad firmly over wound • 3. Continue to cover wound if bleeding persists

16. Fractures • First aid should do no more than prevent further injury • A fracture should be assumed if body part does not have normal look and function • Treatment • 1. Unless in danger, don’t move victim • 2. Leave the limb in the position you found it • 3. Apply a splint

17. Frostbite • Signs include skin that is pink just before frostbite and changes to whit or grayish-yellow as it develops, initial pain, numbness and cold.

18. Frostbite • Treatment • Cover area with warm hand of woolen material • If hands, hold them in armpit • Bring victim inside • Place area in warm water (101-103 F) • Don’t use hot water, water bottle, or heat lamp • Don’t rub frostbitten area • Let circulation reestablish naturally, exercise • Give them something warm to drink • See a doctor

19. Heat Exhaustion • Signs include pale and clammy skin, profuse perspiration, rapid pulse, weakness, headache, nausea, cramps in abdomen and limbs. • Treatment • Contact emergency medical help • Have victim lie down, elevate feet • Move victim to shade or cool place • Give victim diluted salt water

20. Heat Stroke • Signs include flushed hot and dry skin, rapid, weak pulse, confusion and unconscious • Treatment • Get medical help, delays could be fatal • Cool body by spraying or sponging with cool water • Liquids, but no alcohol

21. Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac • Signs include itching, redness, or blisters • Treatment • Cut clothing from exposed area (use gloves) • Avoid contact with contaminated area • Wash exposed area with soap water (no soap) • Wash yourself after treating • Apply commercial products • If blisters develop, see doctor

22. Seizures and Convulsions • A seizure is not a medical emergency. It usually ends in a few minutes. If it lasts more than 15 minutes, get medical help. • Treatment • Remove objects that may injure a person • Do not restrain victim • Do not slap victim or douse with water • Do not place finger or hard objects in the mouth • When seizure ends, take victim to comfortable area and allow them to sleep if they wish

23. Shock • Signs include cold, clammy skin with beads of perspiration on forehead and palms, pale skin color, a cold feeling, shaking chills, nausea, vomiting, shallow, rapid breathing • Usually accompanies severe injury

24. Shock • Treatment • Get medical help • Correct the cause of the shock • Keep victim’s airway open • If victim vomits, prevent choking • Elevate victims legs • Keep victim comfortable and warm • Give water to the victim (unless abdominal) • Reassure victim

25. Spine or Neck Injuries • Do not move victim unless needed • Get medical help • Do not move head except to keep airway open • If victim vomits, roll to their side. Don’t turn head • Monitor breathing

26. Sprains or Strains • Treat as though it were a fracture • Place injured part at rest • Elevate injured part if possible • Apply cold compress or ice to prevent swelling • Contact a doctor • Don’t apply heat for at least 24 hours