NLCC Syllabus - Supplemental First Aid Breathing, Bleeding and Shock Taken from: Syllabus Part III Lesson 6

What is First Aid? First Aid is emergency treatment only, to keep an accident victim alive until proper medical care arrives. You should use First Aid only when absolutely necessary, and unless danger to the victim is clearly present (fire or other immediate hazard), you must never move a victim.

Three (3) Primary Tasks Although it is unlikely that you will encounter a situation which requires a number of first aid actions, you should review the basic priorities for treatment. In administering first aid, you have three primary tasks: 1.maintain breathing 2.stop severe bleeding 3.prevent or reduce shock

The Primary First Aid Rules Are: SAFETY SAFEMake sure the scene is safe. You don’t want to become part of the problem. It does no good for anyone to become injured themselves while trying to administer First Aid.

The Primary First Aid Rules Are: A, B, C’s AIRWAYThe human brain tissue starts to die after three to six minutes with no oxygen. Airway should be checked first, look at chest movement, then listen for sounds of breathing.

The Primary First Aid Rules Are: A, B, C’s BREATHING Once it has been established that the airway is clear, make sure the victim is breathing at all times. Normal respiration rate is times a minute.

The Primary First Aid Rules Are: A, B, C’s CIRCULATIONFeel for a pulse at the wrist, neck or elbow. Another way to check for circulation is to pinch the fingernails so that the color leaves the nail. If the color returns within two seconds, then capillary refill is normal.

The Primary First Aid Rules Are: SHOCK SHOCK“Shock” is caused by various reasons the most probable is fluid loss (blood or other body fluid). Raise feet if there are no fractures in the legs, and call for immediate medical assistance.

The first step… The first step, of course, is to determine the victim’s injuries. Work quickly, but do not rush around frantically. Do the best you can with whatever is at hand and send for medical help as soon as possible.

Keep CALM…soon, you’ll be on your way.

Artificial Ventilation for Respiratory Failure A person who has stopped breathing is not necessarily dead, but is in immediate critical danger. The heart may continue to beat and blood containing a small supply of oxygen may still continue to circulate to the body cells for some time after breathing has stopped.

Respiratory Failure So for a very few minutes, there is some chance that the person’s life may be saved. A person who has stopped breathing but who is still alive is said to be in a state of respiratory failure. The first aid treatment for respiratory failure is called artificial ventilation.

Artificial Ventilation The purpose of artificial ventilation is to provide a method of air exchange until natural breathing is re- established. Artificial ventilation should be given only when natural breathing has stopped. It MUST NOT be given to any person who is still breathing.

There are several ways to provide ARTIFICIAL VENTILATION: MOUTH to MOUTH Clear the mouth of all obstructions (false teeth, foreign matter), if any.

MOUTH to MOUTH…continued Place one hand under the victim’s neck, the heel of the other hand on the victim’s forehead.

MOUTH to MOUTH…continued Close the nostrils with your thumb and forefinger. Take a deep breath and blow into the victim’s mouth. Allow the victim to exhale then repeat the process as necessary.

MOUTH to NOSE Use this method when facial or dental injuries are present or if the victim is very young.

CPR Mask It is not uncommon for rescue crews to have CPR Masks as standard equipment.

CHOKING If the victim is standing, get behind him and wrap your arms around his waist (DO NOT attempt on pregnant women). Grasp your own wrist, thumbs against the victim’s abdomen, just below the rib cage. Give a quick upward thrust, repeating until the object is dislodged.

Choking victims can’t speak!

Other Heimlich Maneuvers:

HEAT STROKE: Heat stroke occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature: the body's temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. Body temperature may rise to 106°F or higher within minutes. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not given.

Recognizing Heat Stroke Warning signs of heat stroke vary but may include: an extremely high body temperature (above 103°F, orally) red, hot, and dry skin (no sweating) rapid, strong pulse throbbing headache dizziness nausea confusion unconsciousness

What to do: If you see any of these signs, you may be dealing with a life threatening emergency. Have someone call for immediate medical assistance while you begin cooling the victim: Get the victim to a shady area.

What to do: Cool the victim rapidly using whatever methods you can. For example, immerse the victim in a tub of cool water; place in a cool shower; spray with cool water from a garden hose; sponge with cool water; or if the humidity is low, wrap the victim in a cool, wet sheet and fan him or her vigorously.

What to do: Sometimes a victim's muscles will begin to twitch uncontrollably as a result of heat stroke. If this happens, keep the victim from injuring himself, but do not place any object in the mouth and do not give fluids. If there is vomiting, make sure the airway remains open by turning the victim on his or her side.

911 If emergency medical personnel are delayed, call the hospital emergency room for further instructions. Get medical assistance as soon as possible.

The End of this Lesson… …COULD be the beginning of someone’s LIFE.