First Aid and CPR

Leading Causes of Death (Ages 0 - 44) Accidents Cancer Heart disease Suicide Homicide

EMS System Steps Recognize that an emergency exists Decide to Act Activate the EMS system Give Care until help arrives

Recognizing Emergencies Unusual Noises Scream, yell, moan, breaking glass, screeching tires Unusual Sights Stalled vehicle, broken glass, smoke or fire Unusual odors Smell or something burning Unusual appearances or behaviors

Emergency Action Steps Decide to Act Reasons that hinder your decision Presence of other people Uncertainty that an emergency exists Uncertainty about the victim Type of injury or illness Fear of catching the disease Fear of doing something wrong Fear of being sued Unsure when to call 911

Protecting Yourself Good Samaritan Law Obtaining Consent Preventing disease transmission Avoid contact with…. Use protective equipment Wash hands immediately

Good Samaritan Laws Laws give legal protection to people who gratuitously provide emergency care to ill or injured persons Only if person acts as a reasonable and prudent person would

Examples Move a person only if their life is in danger Ask permission before giving care Check for life-threatening conditions before giving further care Call 9-1-1

You are not protected Abandoning a victim after starting care Reckless responders Taking unnecessary measures to give care Negligent responders Moving a person without cause

Emergency Action Steps Check The scene, then the victim Call 9-1-1 Care

Taking Action

Check Is the scene safe? What happened? How many victims are there? Can bystanders help?

Checking the Victim Unconsciousness Persistent chest pain or discomfort Not breathing, or having trouble breathing No signs of circulation (normal breathing, coughing or movement in response to rescue breaths and a pulse) Severe bleeding Seizures

What to NOT Do Do not move a seriously injured victim Unless there is an immediate danger The victim has no circulation and you have to perform CPR

Call This is often the most important action that is made to help the victim Describe the victim’s condition thoroughly Always hang up AFTER the dispatcher does Whenever possible have the bystander call for you

When to call Call First….. An unconscious adult or child 12yrs or older An unconscious infant or child known to be at high risk for heart problems More than likely cardiac emergencies (time factor is very critical)

When to call cont… Care First… Victims are likely to be breathing, bleeding and other non-cardiac emergencies When alone provide care for 1 min. Unconscious victim less than 12 yrs old Victim of submersion or near drowning Victim of cardiac arrest assoc w/ trauma Victim of drug overdose

Why is Timing so Important 0 min – breathing stops, heart will soon stop beating 4-6 min – brain damage possible 6-10 min brain damage likely Over 10 min – irreversible brain damage certain

Situations of when to call 911 Victim becomes unconscious Has trouble breathing Chest discomfort, pain or pressure Severe bleeding Pain in abdomen Vomiting or passing blood Seizure that lasts more than 5 min

(when to call) cont… Has a seizure and is pregnant Seizure and is diabetic Severe headache or slurred speech Appears to have been poisoned Injuries to neck, head or back Has possible broken bones

Moving the Victim Move victim only if… The scene becomes unsafe You have to reach another victim who may have a more serious injury or illness You need to move a victim to provide proper care

The Walking Assist

The two-person seat carry

Blanket Drag

Clothes Drag

Ankle Drag

Pack-Strap Drag