First Aid in Schools

Alcohol/Drug OD Approach in a calm, professional, sympathetic manner; gain confidence Try to find out type and amount of drug Universal precautions If vomiting, place in recovery position and protect airway Monitor breathing Call Call parents

Allergic Reactions Sneezing, coughing, wheezing, watery eyes, swelling of face mouth and throat, difficulty breathing, weak and rapid pulse, tight chest, severe itching, cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness Call Give CPR If the child has an Epi-Pen assist with it Treat for shock by reassuring

Animal or Human Bites Universal precautions Control bleeding Wash with soap and water and cover with dressing Inform parents and notify animal control if applicable Get medical help if any animal bite breaks the skin Could be an “assault” if human bite

Asthma Comfortable position, sitting upright leaning slightly forward Encourage controlled slower breathing Reassure and comfort; don’t leave alone Nothing to drink Assist with bronchodilator if they have one prescribed to them Call parents If child cannot speak or breathing is terribly distressed, call 9-1-1

Bleeding If severe, call Apply direct pressure with clean cloth or pressure bandage If soaked, place new OVER existing If still not stopping, apply direct pressure and elevate area above the heart If foreign object in wound, do not remove, apply pressure around it

Burns and Scalds Remove rings, bracelets, footwear before swelling Immerse briefly in cold water; if not possible, apply cool cloth soaked in cool water If severe, get medical help

Dental Emergencies Toothache – rinse mouth with warm saltwater, apply cold compress Cut or bitten tongue, lip, cheek – apply ice and direct pressure with clean gauze Broken tooth – place cold compress; if pieces can be found, save them Knocked out tooth – handle by crown, try to place back in socket and have child hold in place with clean gauze; if necessary put tooth in cold milk or saline or wrapped in plastic with child’s saliva Broken braces – cover with gauze and get to dentist

Diabetic Emergencies If unconscious, call and begin CPR Have child take sugar, sugary drink or prescribed medicine if child is alert, knows what is wrong and is conscious and able to follow commands If child is confused, give something sweet to drink and get medical help

Eye Injuries If object can be removed by flushing with water, do so for 15 min or more If object cannot be removed, cover with gauze and get to ER; cover both eyes Don’t apply direct pressure to the eyeball, even if bleeding; you can apply to eyelids or surrounding areas

Fainting If feeling faint, lie on back, raise feet, fresh air, loosen clothing at neck, chest, and waist If actually faints, put into recovery position on side with top knee and bottom arm extended to keep from rolling onto stomach If not breathing begin CPR and call If no pulse, begin CPR and call 9-1-1

Fractures, Sprains, and Strains Don’t move if you suspect spinal injury Don’t allow child to move injured area Goal is to immobilize fracture site as well as joint above and below site Apply SAM Splint if you are trained how to do so Apply cold pack 10 min on and 10 off Get to ER

Head Injuries and Concussions Don’t move Call Don’t leave alone If unconscious, begin CPR Note duration of unconsciousness Monitor for seizures

Heat Injuries Take to cool area If conscious, offer lightly salted water or sports drink Loosen clothing and remove excessive clothing If not sweating or if incoherent, call

Insect Bites and Stings Scrape with fingernail or edge of credit card/DL Ice pack If an allergic reaction, call 9-1-1, assist with Epi-pen if they have one; begin CPR if unconscious

Nosebleeds Child should sit up, lean forward, have child pinch nose for 10 minutes and not blow nose for a few hours Cold pack on nose bridge can help If does not stop, call 9-1-1

Seizures Protect child from injury by removing objects that are hard or sharp Don’t try to restrict movements Loosen clothing Onlookers leave Do not put anything into mouth Place child on side in recovery position Call if secondary seizure or no history of seizures or becomes unconscious Note duration and number of seizures