1. First Aid for Colleges and Universities 10 Edition Chapter 1 © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Introduction to First Aid Care Slide Presentation prepared by Randall Benner, M.Ed., NREMT-P

2. Learning Objectives Identify the need for properly prepared First Aiders. Identify the principal aims of first aid. Identify skills performed by a First Aider. Understand the legal aspects of first aid and emergency medical care. Explain the factors constituting negligence. Understand how infectious diseases are transmitted. © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.

3. Understand the infectious diseases of concern in an emergency setting. Describe ways to prevent the spread of infectious diseases in an emergency setting. Learning Objectives © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.

4. First Aiders are the first (trained) people on an emergency scene who can initiate life-saving measures, including –Airway and respiratory intervention –Cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillation –Bleeding control –Special wound care –Stabilization of spinal injuries –Splinting of fractures Introduction © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.

5. Responsibilities of a first aider: Preserve life and provide initial emergency care and treatment to sick or injured people Protect the unconscious Prevent a casualty’s condition from becoming worse Promote the recovery of the casualty.

6. What is First Aid? Temporary and immediate care given to a person who is injured or who suddenly becomes ill. First aid includes recognizing life-threatening conditions and taking effective action to keep the injured or ill person alive and in the best possible condition until medical treatment can be obtained. A primary principle is to active the EMS (emergency care system) in all cases of serious injury. © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.

7. Principal Aims of First Aid Care Recognize life-threatening situations. Activate the EMS system. Supply artificial ventilation and circulation. Control bleeding. Minimize further injury and complications. Prevent infection. Make the victim as comfortable as possible. © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.

8. General Procedures Basic plan of action –Observe the scene upon approach. –Keep yourself and others at the scene safe. –Activate the EMS system. –Gain access to the victim, and determine immediate threats to life. –Provide basic life support to those whose lives are threatened; provide care to those most seriously injured first. © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.

9. Aspects of First Aid Identify the fundamental skills performed by a First Aider: Control an accident scene to prevent further injury Gain access to victims in the easiest and safest ways possible Open a victim’s airway Perform rescue breathing Provide one- and two-rescuer cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillation

10. Control bleeding by direct pressure, elevation, pressure points, and tourniquets Detect and care for shock Detect and care for soft-tissue and internal injuries Perform basic dressing and bandaging techniques Detect and care for open and closed fractures

11. Detect and care for poisoning, including poisoning by alcohol or drugs Detect and care for heart attack, stroke, diabetic conditions, and seizures Detect and care for facial and head injuries and chest injuries (including fractured ribs, flail chest, and penetrating chest wounds)

12. Detect and care for superficial, partial- and full-thickness burns and smoke inhalation Detect and care for heat- and cold-related injuries Assist in childbirth and care of the newborn Give psychological support to victims of crises and disasters Perform emergency and nonemergency moves

13. Legal aspects Understand the legal aspects of first aid and emergency care, including Duty to Act, Good Samaritan Laws, Reasonable- Man Test, and Right to Refuse Care.

14. Basically, the First Aider’s duty can be legally defined as follows: The First Aider should not interfere with the first aid being given by others. The First Aider should follow the directions of a police officer and do what a reasonable First Aider would do under the circumstances. The First Aider should not force help on a victim who is unwilling to be treated unless the situation is life threatening.

15. First Aider should not leave the scene or stop the care until relieved by a qualified and responsible person who renders care at the same or a higher level of care. The First Aider should follow accepted and recognized first aid care procedures taught in first aid texts. The First Aider should respect the victim’s privacy and should not disclose confidential information.

16. Any First Aider involved with a victim at a crime scene should document and preserve evidence and should comply with state laws requiring the reporting of specific criminal incidents (such as abuse, rape, and gunshot wounds).

17. Infectious Disease Transmission An infectious (communicable) disease can be transmitted from person to person, or from animals or the environment to people. All body fluids should be considered potentially infectious. –Saliva –Blood –Vaginal secretions –Semen –Amniotic fluid –Fluids that lubricate internal organs, the spine, joints, and tendons © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.

18. Infectious Disease Transmission For disease to spread, three things must happen –Infecting organisms (such as bacteria and viruses) must survive outside their hosts. –An infecting organism must then move from one place to another (i.e., be transmitted). –An infecting organism must then invade a new host’s body and multiply there. © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.

19. Infectious Disease Transmission All of the following symptoms should be considered potentially infectious –A rash or skin lesion –An open sore –Diarrhea –Vomiting –Coughing or sneezing –Draining or oozing wounds –Headache with a stiff neck –Yellowish skin or eyes © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.

20. Infectious Disease Transmission © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.

21. Diseases of Concern in an Emergency Setting Of greatest concern in emergency settings are bloodborne pathogens, or diseases that are caused by microorganisms that are carried in the blood. Three bloodborne diseases are of particular concern. –Hepatitis B: Most common type of hepatitis; a viral infection of the liver; symptoms resemble the flu. –Hepatitis C: Caused by a different virus than Hepatitis B; can lead to permanent liver damage or cancer. –HIV: This virus suppresses the immune system; may lead to AIDS, which is eventually fatal. © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.

22. Diseases of Concern in an Emergency Setting Other diseases of concern include –Herpes: Highly contagious infection of the skin and mucous membranes. –Tuberculosis: Severe lung infection. –Meningitis: Infection of the membranes in the brain and spinal cord. © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.

23. Protection from Infection Keep immunizations current. Take body substance isolation precautions. Wash hands thoroughly after providing care. Avoid touching your mouth, nose, eyes, or personal items until after hand washing. Cover abrasions with protective clothing or gloves. Wear a mask. Seek immediate care if you’re exposed to blood or body fluids. © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.

24. If you are required to clean up spills of blood or body fluid: wear the same protective equipment you would wear when treating a patient. Use paper towels or absorbent wipes to pick up all visible fluids. Use a 1:100 bleach-to-water solution to clean the area. Allow to air dry. Dispose of all cleaning products in a manner that will not cause additional exposure to others and as required by local rules.

25. Safety at the Scene Staying safe is your first priority. Don’t enter an unsafe situation without proper training and equipment. In addition to activating EMS, you may need to request specialized personnel to deal with fire, unstable structures, motor vehicle accidents, electrical hazards, water emergencies, or incidents involving hostility and violence. © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.

26. Summary First aid is temporary, immediate care for a person who is injured or who becomes suddenly ill. It does not replace the care of a physician, nurse, or paramedic. A primary principle is to activate the EMS system. © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.

27. Summary First Aiders should be able to recognize life- threatening situations; apply artificial ventilation, circulation, and defibrillation; control bleeding; prevent further injury; and minimize complications. Care should always be provided to the most seriously injured victims first. A First Aider should be familiar with and understand key legal aspects including Duty to Act, Good Samaritan Laws, Reasonable-Man Test, and Right to Refuse Care. © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.

28. Summary Infectious diseases are of particular concern in an emergency setting. You should minimize your risk of infection by following key guidelines including wearing protective gear, thoroughly washing hands, and avoiding touching your face or personal items until after hand washing. © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.