Do Now: Think of a situation that you have seen where someone needed medical assistance. What was the incident (brief description)? What did you do? What were other people doing? What could you have done?

This situation can be you lying on the ground needing medical assistance.

Figure 1.1

Number of deaths: 2,423,712 Death rate: deaths per 100,000 population Life expectancy: 77.9 years Infant Mortality rate: 6.75 deaths per 1,000 live births Number of deaths for leading causes of death: Heart disease: 616,067 Cancer: 562,875 Stroke (cerebrovascular diseases): 135,952 Chronic lower respiratory diseases: 127,924 Accidents (unintentional injuries): 123,706 Alzheimer's disease: 74,632 Diabetes: 71,382 Influenza and Pneumonia: 52,717 Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and nephrosis: 46,448 Septicemia: 34,828 Suicide : 32, Updated Stats from CDC

However given the number of injures and sudden illnesses that occur in the United States each year, you might have to deal with an emergency situation someday. The Chances:

The Facts: This all starts with who? Over 40 million injury-related visits were made to U.S. hospitals Injuries resulted in 160,000 deaths Unintentional injuries cause the most childhood deaths

YOU! Play a role in the emergency medical service system to work effectively. YOU! Need to call YOU! Need to recognize that there is an emergency.

How do you know that an emergency exists? By using your three senses Hearing Seeing Smelling Step 1: Recognizing an Emergency Exists:

Stopped vehicle on the side of the road Broken glass downed electrical wires Spilled medicine container Sparks, smoke, fire Unusual Sights

Odors that are stronger than usual Unrecognizable odors Inappropriate odors Unusual Odors

Screaming, yelling, moaning, and calling for help. Breaking glass, crashing metal, and screeching tires Sudden, loud, or unidentified sounds Unusual silence Unusual Sounds

Slurred, confused or hesitant speech Clutching chest or throat Unconsciousness Trouble breathing Inability to move Unusual Appearances or Behaviors

“In order to help you must act” There are many ways you can help in an emergency Step 2: Decide to Act!

Have them call Meet the ambulance and direct them to the location Have them keep the area clear Help them give care. Blankets or other supplies Get Bystanders Involved!

Types of Injuries or Illness Blood Vomit Deformed body parts Burned Skin Bad odors

Fear of... Catching a Disease It is possible for diseases to be transmitted in a first aid situation, however it is extremely unlikely that you will catch a disease this way.

Fear of... Doing something wrong Making matters worse Being sued Hurting yourself Assuming someone else will take action

What if something does goes wrong?!

Good Samaritan Laws Protects a citizen who acts the same way that a “reasonable and prudent person” would if that person were in the same situation How would a reasonable and prudent person act?

Acting reasonable and prudent Move a person only if the person’s life were in danger Ask a conscious person for permission, also called consent, before giving care Check the person for life-threatening conditions before giving further care Call or the local emergency number Continue to give care until more highly trained personnel take over

Good Samaritan Laws Developed to encourage people to help others in emergency situations These laws protect the responder from financial responsibility Even if you decide not to help you should at least call 9-1-1

Step 3: Activating The EMS System Emergency Medical Service Network of community resources Police Department Fire Department First Aid Activate it by calling 9-1-1

Step 4: Give Care Until Help Arrives Before you act you must ask Child/Infant ask guardian No consent Call Unconscious

Appropriate care until… You see an obvious sign of life, such as breathing Another trained responder or EMS personnel take over You are too exhausted to continue The scene becomes unsafe …Giving first aid can be the difference between life and death

Getting permission to give care People have the right to accept or reject emergency care To get permission from a conscious person, you must… –Tell the person who you are –How much training you have –What you think is wrong and what you plan to do –Then ask if you may give care

Conscious person When a conscious person who understands your questions and what you plan to do gives you permission to give care it’s expressed consent DO NOT TOUCH OR GIVE CARE TO A CONSCIOUS PERSON WHO REFUSES IT If a person refuses, step back and call more advanced emergency personnel

Unconscious person At times adults might not be able to give consent People who are unconscious or unable to respond, confused, mentally impaired, seriously injured or seriously ill In this case, the law assumes that if the person could respond he or she would agree to care it’s implied consent

Child or Infant Permission to give care must be obtained from a parent or guardian when one is available If the condition is life threatening, permission or consent is implied if a parent of guardian is not present If the parent or guardian does not give consent, do NOT give care. Instead call or the local emergency number

Disease Prevention Avoid contact with blood and other body fluids Use a protective CPR breathing barriers Use barriers, such as disposable gloves Before putting on personal protective equipment (gloves) cover your own cuts, scrapes with a bandage. Do not eat, drink, or touch your mouth, nose or eyes when giving care or before you wash your hands after care has been given. Cleaning up body fluids use a 1/9 bleach solution

Removing Gloves Step 1 Step 1B Step 2 Step 3