Basic First Aid Additional Applied Science

Objectives You need to know how to deal with injuries and the aims of the treatment given. You need to know how to deal with injuries and the aims of the treatment given. You must also be able to recall EMS (emergency scene management). You must also be able to recall EMS (emergency scene management). Dealing with injuries can be very frightening – in the workplace, there will always be colleagues trained to deliver first aid. Dealing with injuries can be very frightening – in the workplace, there will always be colleagues trained to deliver first aid.

Dealing with injuries Heat burns and scalds Heat burns and scalds Chemical burns Chemical burns Injuries caused by breathing in fumes or swallowing chemicals Injuries caused by breathing in fumes or swallowing chemicals Electric shock Electric shock Cuts and damage to the eyes from particles or chemicals Cuts and damage to the eyes from particles or chemicals

Heat burns and scalds Accidental contact with hot objects frequently causes burns and scalds. Accidental contact with hot objects frequently causes burns and scalds. The aims of treatment are to reduce the effect of heat on the affected area, The aims of treatment are to reduce the effect of heat on the affected area, to prevent any infection from entering the wound, to prevent any infection from entering the wound, and to relieve pain. and to relieve pain.

How to achieve the aims of treatment Cool the burn immediately. Immerse the burn in cold water, or pour cold water on to the area, or cover with a clean wet cloth to relieve pain. Cool the burn immediately. Immerse the burn in cold water, or pour cold water on to the area, or cover with a clean wet cloth to relieve pain. Loosen or remove anything on the burned area that is tight, such as jewellery, or tight clothing, before swelling begins. This is to prevent the stopping or reducing of blood flow. Loosen or remove anything on the burned area that is tight, such as jewellery, or tight clothing, before swelling begins. This is to prevent the stopping or reducing of blood flow.

Do not remove anything on the burned area that is stuck to the area. Do not remove anything on the burned area that is stuck to the area. Do not break blisters or move any loose skin. Do not break blisters or move any loose skin. Both of the above would risk introducing micro- organisms. Both of the above would risk introducing micro- organisms. When the pain has lessened, cover the area with a clean, non-fluffy dressing. When the pain has lessened, cover the area with a clean, non-fluffy dressing. Do not use adhesive dressings. Do not use adhesive dressings.

Chemical burns Many substances used in labs are irritating to the skin and may harm tissue. Many substances used in labs are irritating to the skin and may harm tissue. The first sign of a chemical burn is usually when the casualty complains that the skin is stinging or feeling hot. The first sign of a chemical burn is usually when the casualty complains that the skin is stinging or feeling hot. The skin will often appear red. The skin will often appear red.

The aim of treatment To identify and remove the harmful chemical as quickly as possible. To identify and remove the harmful chemical as quickly as possible.

How to achieve the aims of treatment Flush the affected area with cool water for at least 10 minutes. Flush the affected area with cool water for at least 10 minutes. Remember to carefully flush the water away as it may b e contaminated with the substance which caused the burn. Remember to carefully flush the water away as it may b e contaminated with the substance which caused the burn. Remove all jewellery that has been contaminated. Remove all jewellery that has been contaminated. Monitor the casualty for shock and seek medical assistance. Monitor the casualty for shock and seek medical assistance.

Injuries caused by breathing in fumes or swallowing chemicals Many people come into contact with hazardous chemicals or gases as a result of the type of work they do. Many people come into contact with hazardous chemicals or gases as a result of the type of work they do. Workplaces using dangerous gas are required to display notices that detail what to do in the event of an accident. Workplaces using dangerous gas are required to display notices that detail what to do in the event of an accident.

Anyone suffering from the effects of gas or toxic fumes needs air, the area should then be well ventilated and medical assistance requested. Anyone suffering from the effects of gas or toxic fumes needs air, the area should then be well ventilated and medical assistance requested. When a substance has been swallowed, it must be identified and medical assistance requested. When a substance has been swallowed, it must be identified and medical assistance requested. Never give anything by mouth, unless instructed to do so by a medical officer. Never give anything by mouth, unless instructed to do so by a medical officer.

Electric shock Anywhere that electricity is used can result in this. Anywhere that electricity is used can result in this. Water is a good conductor of water and so using electrical appliances with wet hands or whilst standing on wet floors can often cause injury. Water is a good conductor of water and so using electrical appliances with wet hands or whilst standing on wet floors can often cause injury.

Electric shock is caused when an electrical current passes through the body. Electric shock is caused when an electrical current passes through the body. Before helping a person who has had a shock, it is important to make sure that the person is no longer in contact with the source of electricity. Before helping a person who has had a shock, it is important to make sure that the person is no longer in contact with the source of electricity. The mains electricity should be shut off and the plug removed from the socket. The mains electricity should be shut off and the plug removed from the socket.

Electricity may cause burns, and these should be treated as described. Electricity may cause burns, and these should be treated as described. The person may become unconscious and suffer shock – medical assistance must be sought. The person may become unconscious and suffer shock – medical assistance must be sought.

Cuts and damage to the eyes from particles or chemicals Any eye injury is dangerous as particles may perforate the eyeball, resulting in internal damage and possible infection. Any eye injury is dangerous as particles may perforate the eyeball, resulting in internal damage and possible infection. The most common problems are caused by small particles e.g. dust and grit. The most common problems are caused by small particles e.g. dust and grit. Never attempt to remove anything on the iris (coloured part of the eye) or anything embedded in the eye. Never attempt to remove anything on the iris (coloured part of the eye) or anything embedded in the eye.

Treatment Cover both eyes with sterile dressings to immobilise them and prevent infection. Covering both eyes will minimise movement of the damaged eye. Do not rub or apply pressure to the eye and do not wash the eye of there is blood in the eye (it may be seen as a dark red behind the eye – inside it). Ice must never be applied to the eye ball directly.

A person with a particle in their eye will complain of some pain or itchiness in the eye. The eye will often be red and may water. The casualty’s vision may be affected. If a particle is not embedded, sterile eye wash may be used – but very gently and the eye should never be pulled open. Always wash with the injured eye down to prevent the other eye being contaminated. Contact lenses are removed to prevent material getting behind them after washing.