Providing First Aid Chapter 28.1 Notes

First Aid Administered in the seconds and minutes following an emergency. Can reduce the number of people who sustain further injury or die.

Universal Precautions Protect both the caregiver and the victim from coming into contact with blood and other body fluids that may contain pathogens. Strategies such as wearing protective gloves when there is a possibility of touching blood or other body fluids. Includes washing hands before and after providing first aid. “If it’s wet and not yours, Don’t Touch It!”

Responding to an Emergency Be able to recognize an emergency. Indicators include: unusual sights, sounds, odors, and behaviors. Remain calm!

Check, Call, Care Check the scene and the victim. Call for help. Be sure the scene is safe. Determine number of victims. Unless there is immediate danger, don’t move the victim. Call for help. Call as soon as possible, time is vital in an emergency. Provide care for the victim. Get permission first, if possible. Address life threatening emergencies first. Unconscious, not breathing or trouble breathing, no signs of circulation, severe bleeding. Tap and shout, “Are you okay?”

Types of Injuries Not all injuries are emergencies. Other injuries are life threatening or cause serious physical damage.

Open Wounds Abrasions Lacerations Scrapes Important to clean the wound, prevent infection Lacerations Cut caused by sharp objects, like a knife. Usually has smooth edges. Accompanied by bleeding, can damage nerves.

Puncture Avulsion Small, deep hole caused by a pin, nail, fang. Not much external bleeding, but may cause internal bleeding. High risk of infection, including tetanus. Avulsion Tissue is partially or completely separated from the body. Partially avulsed skin may remain attached, but hang like a flap. Heavy bleeding is common. Body parts may be severed. Pack it in ice or ice water, to preserve the tissue.

First Aid for Bleeding Protect yourself first. Control the bleeding with a cloth or gauze. Clean the wound with soap and water or saline. Protect the wound, covering it with gauze or sterile dressing. Use a pressure bandage if bleeding won’t stop. Call for help or get medical attention, if necessary.

Pressure Point Bleeding Control Used if elevation of the wound and applying pressure do not work. Press the main artery against a bone to stop blood supply to the injured area. Use only when necessary. Serious injury Possibly in shock

Burns Heat, radiation, chemicals, and electricity can burn skin and soft tissues. Heat is the most common type of burn. First-degree burn Only outer layer of skin is burned and turns red. Cool with water for a minimum of 10 min. Clean, cold, wet towel will help reduce pain.

Second-degree burn Third-degree burn Top several layers of skin are damaged. Blisters and blotchy skin appears Cool with cold water (not ice), elevate area. Wrap with loose, sterile dressing. Don’t pop blisters or peel loose skin. Third-degree burn Deeper layers of skin and possibly fat, muscle, nerves, and bone are damaged. Cool with large amounts of cold water (no ice). Cover with dry, sterile dressing. Call for professional medical help immediately.