Background Information

Why Is First Aid Important? You are likely to be faced with a decision to help in an emergency someday. It is better to know first aid and not need it than to need first aid and not know it.

What Is First Aid? The immediate care for victims of injuries or sudden illness. Does NOT replace the need for medical care © Corbis/age fotostock

First Aid Supplies

First Aid and the Law Good Samaritan laws provide immunity. –If you act the same way a reasonably prudent person would, with the same level of training, you have immunity for a lawsuit Duty to act –Lay rescuers are not required to give first aid.

First Aid and the Law Consent –Expressed or implied is needed. Abandonment –Once care is started, do not leave. Negligence –Cause no further harm.

Prevention Practices Three areas of intervention –Education –Enforcement –Engineering Intervention examples –Swim lessons (education) –Seat belt laws (enforcement) –Air bags (engineering)

Action at an Emergency

Recognizing Emergencies Bystanders are a vital link between EMS and the victim.

© Berta A. Daniels Deciding to Act Size up the scene –Are there any hazards? –What happened? –How many victims are there?

When to Call 911 Fainting Chest pain or discomfort Difficulty breathing Sudden severe pain anywhere in the body Severe or persistent vomiting Drug overdose Suspected head or spine injury Bleeding that does not stop after minutes Changes in level of consciousness Severe burns poisoning

Seeking Medical Care For serious situations, call EMS right away. To receive emergency assistance, dial in most communities. © Berta A. Daniels

Call (1 of 2) Dispatcher will ask for: –Your name and phone number –Victim’s location –What happened –Number of victims –Victim’s condition

Call (2 of 2) Do not hang up unless the dispatcher tells you to. Dispatcher may advise you how to provide care.

Disease Transmission (1 of 2) Rescuers should understand the risk. Precautions can help protect against bloodborne and airborne diseases. –Bloodborne: Hepatitis and HIV/AIDS –Airborne: Tuberculosis

Disease Transmission (2 of 2) Protection –Hepatitis B vaccine –Personal protective equipment (PPE) Medical exam gloves, protective eyewear, mask, and breathing devices –Hand washing

Disease Transmission Bloodborne Diseases –Hepatitis and HIV/AIDS are serious bloodborne diseases. Airborne Diseases –Tuberculosis is a serious airborne disease.

PPE Protection –Employers are required to offer a free vaccine series for hepatitis B to all employees who may be at risk of exposure. –Reduce the chance of disease transmission by following standard practices that involve precautions. –Assume that any body fluid is a possible risk for exposure. –Wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE). –PPE can include medical exam gloves, protective eyewear, mask, and breathing devices. –Wash thoroughly with soap and water immediately after providing care, or use an alcohol-based sanitizer

Protection Whenever possible, use medical exam gloves as a barrier. When performing CPR use a face mask or shield

Rescuer Reactions (1 of 2) Stressful events can be overwhelming. –Witnessing severe injury –Seeing a victim suffer

Rescuer Reactions (2 of 2) Posttraumatic stress –Depression –Flashbacks Discussing your feelings after an event is helpful. –Relieves anxiety

Finding Out What’s Wrong

Scene Size-up Quick survey prior to providing care Scene safety Number of victims Injury or illness –Two things a bystander usually notices that alerts them something is wrong. 1.A person’s appearance of behavior. 2.The surroundings suggest something may be wrong. © Ingram Publishing/age fotostock

Primary Check Responsiveness –Tap and shout. Breathing –Check at same time as responsiveness. –Look at chest and face. –Abnormal sounds? Check for severe bleeding.

Positioning the Victim Unresponsiveness –Position on the back. Vomiting/secretions –Position on the side. Recovery position

Secondary Check (1 of 3) Physical check Look and feel for abnormalities. Use D-O-T-S: Deformity Open wounds Tenderness Swelling © Jonathan Noden-Wilkinson/ShutterStock, Inc.

Secondary Check (2 of 3) Gather information. Use SAMPLE: –Signs/Symptoms –Allergies –Medications –Past medical history –Last oral intake –Events leading to the injury or illness

Secondary Check (3 of 3) Medical information tags may identify allergies, medications, or medical conditions. © LiquidLibrary

What to Do Until EMS Arrives Recheck the victim’s condition. Record any changes in the victim’s condition. Report your findings and care to EMS when they arrive.

Bleeding and Wounds

External Bleeding (1 of 2) Three types –Capillary (oozing) –Venous (flowing) –Arterial (spurting)

External Bleeding (2 of 2) Open wounds –Abrasion –Laceration –Incision –Puncture –Avulsion –Amputation

Care for Minor External Bleeding Wash with soap and water. Flush with water. Apply antibiotic ointment. Cover wound. Seek medical care for wounds with high likelihood of infection.

Care for Serious External Bleeding (1 of 2) Wear gloves if available. Expose wound. Cover with clean cloth or gauze. Apply direct pressure.

Care for Serious External Bleeding (2 of 2) Apply a pressure bandage. DO NOT remove any blood-soaked dressings.

Wound Infection Signs of infection — Swelling — Reddening — Warmth — Throbbing — Pus discharge Seek medical care for infected wounds. Get tetanus booster shot every 10 years.

Care for Amputations Control bleeding. Care for shock. Recover amputated part. Keep clean, dry, cool. Transport the part with the victim.

Care for Impaled Objects Expose area. Do NOT remove the object. Control bleeding around the object. Stabilize the object. © E. M. Singletary, M.D. Used with permission.

Wounds That Require Medical Attention Arterial bleeding Uncontrolled bleeding Deep wounds Large or deeply embedded objects Human or animal bite Possibility of noticeable scar Cut eyelid Serious internal bleeding Uncertain how to treat Requires a tetanus shot

Internal Bleeding Skin is not broken and blood is not seen. Recognizing internal bleeding –Bruising –Painful, tender area –Vomiting or coughing up blood –Black or bright red stool

Care for Minor Internal Bleeding Bruised arm or leg –Apply ice for 20 minutes. –Apply compression for 2 hours. –Elevate if there is no fracture.

Care for Serious Internal Bleeding Call Care for shock. If vomiting occurs, roll victim onto his or her side.

Dressings and Bandages Dressings Bandages

Dressings Functions –Absorb blood –Prevent infection –Protect the wound Types –Gauze pads –Adhesive strips –Trauma dressings –Improvised dressings

Bandages Functions –Hold dressing in place –Apply pressure to control bleeding –Prevent or reduce swelling –Support and stabilize an extremity or joint Types –Gauze roller bandages –Elastic roller bandages –Triangular bandages