Identifying Injuries Without training or X-rays, it is difficult to assess an injury Therefore, treat any injury as serious!

Pair and Share How would you treat the following injuries? Strain, sprain, fracture, dislocation, bleeding, cramps, shock Do you know what REWARD, RICE and RED stand for?

Strain A muscle strain, or pulled muscle, occurs when your muscle is overstretched or torn. This usually occurs as a result of fatigue, overuse, or improper use of a muscle. Strains are most common in your lower back, neck, shoulder, and hamstring, which is the muscle behind your thigh. (https://www.healthline.com/health/strains)

Sprain A sprain is a stretch or tear in a ligament. Ligaments are bands of fibrous tissue that connect bones to bones at joints. Sprains usually happen when a person falls, twists, or is hit in a way that forces the body out of its normal position. Most common – sprained ankle (inversion sprain) (https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/understanding-sprains-strains#1)

Fracture A fracture is any loss of continuity of bone. Anytime the bone loses integrity—whether it's a hairline crack barely recognizable on an x-ray, or the shattering of bone into a dozen pieces—it's considered a fracture. A broken bone is a fractured bone and vice versa. (https://www.verywell.com/whats-the-difference-between-a-fracture-and-a-break-1298211)

Dislocation A dislocation is an injury to a joint — a place where two or more bones come together — in which the ends of your bones are forced from their normal positions. This painful injury temporarily deforms and immobilizes your joint. (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dislocation/symptoms-causes/syc-20354113)

Bleeding and Cramps Bleeding is fairly self-explanatory A cramp is a sudden, involuntary muscle contraction They can cause significant pain and is usually sudden Usually resolves itself over a period of several seconds, minutes or hours. Stretching can help. Skeletal muscle cramps may be caused by muscle fatigue or a lack of electrolytes (low mineral amounts) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cramp)

Shock Shock is a life-threatening medical condition and is a medical emergency. The main symptom of shock is low blood pressure. Other symptoms include rapid, shallow breathing; cold, clammy skin; rapid, weak pulse; dizziness, fainting, or weakness. (https://www.medicinenet.com/shock/article.htm)

REWARD – first aid for shock Rest – lie down, don’t move Encourage – the victim to share what happened, how he/she feels Warmth – keep the victim warm ABC – check the airway, breathing, and circulation Reassure – keep them calm, all will be OK Drive – Call ambulance to get victim to hospital

RICE – for muscle injuries Rest – sit/lie down and relax Immobilize – stay put, don’t move the victim Cold – put ice on injury to avoid swelling Elevate – keep injury up to avoid swelling

RED: First Aid for bleeding Rest – ask victim to sit/lie down Elevation – keep injured part elevated to help reduce bleeding Direct pressure – using a sterile dressing and gloves, apply pressure to the wound.

What could happen? Pick a card and discuss what could happen in this location (possible dangers) with a partner. Then list ways to help. For eg., kitchen – cut with knife. Help by getting clean dressing and applying pressure to the cut.

On the Spot Pick a card with an injury on it. Pick from the items in class to choose an appropriate object to help.