Chapter Three Checking an Ill or Injured Person

Objectives 1. Describe the age groups used for first aid purposes. 2. List three questions you would first ask the victim or bystanders in an interview. 3. Describe how to perform a check for life threatening conditions for an adult. 4. Describe how to check infants and children for life threatening conditions. 5. List the five body cavities and the body organs found in each. 6. List three conditions that can result in shock. 7. List the three organs that blood is a priority for during shock and why. 8. List five signs and symptoms of shock. 9. Explain what care can be given to minimize shock.

For first aid purposes - Adult = age 12 or older Child = between the ages of 1 and 12 Infant = less than one year old When using pediatric AED equipment, a child is someone between the ages of 1 and 8 or weighing less than 55 pounds

Conscious Ill or Injured Person - no immediate life threatening conditions Two Basic Steps – Step One Interview the person and bystanders 1. What happened? 2. Do you feel pain or discomfort anywhere? 3. Do you have any allergies? 4. Do you have any medical conditions or are you taking any medication?

Conscious Ill or Injured Person - no immediate life threatening conditions Two Basic Steps – Step Two Check from Head to Toe 1. Do not move areas of the body that hurt. 2. Look for cuts, bruises, bumps, and depressions. 3. Watch for changes in consciousness and breathing. 4. Notice how the skin looks and feels. 5. Look over the body. 6. Look for a medical ID tag.

Body Cavities Knowing the general location and relative size of major organs in each cavity will help you assess a victim’s injury or illness.

Cranial Cavity Brain Skull

Spinal Cavity Spinal Cord Vertebrae

Thoracic Cavity Heart Lungs Ribs

Abdominal Cavity Liver Intestines Stomach Kidneys This area is not protected by any bones, the organs within it are especially vulnerable to injury

Pelvic Cavity Bladder Rectum Reproductive Organs Pelvic bones

Checking an Unconscious Person If a person is found unconscious and has been called, find out if there are other life threatening emergencies. Check to see if the person – Has an open airway. Shows signs of life. Is bleeding severely.

Checking an Unconscious Person As easy to remember as ABC! Airway – open the airway Breathing – check for movement or breathing Circulation – check for signs of life (including a pulse for a child or infant) and severe bleeding.

Checking the Airway & Breathing Head Tilt/Chin Lift Moves the tongue away from the back of the throat, allowing air to enter

Checking the Airway & Breathing Look, listen, and feel for breathing for no more than 10 seconds. If the person is not breathing, give 2 slow rescue breaths with each breath lasting 1 second.

Checking for Signs of Circulation in Children and Infants Check for a pulse for no more than 10 seconds Children – carotid artery Infants – brachial artery

Shock A condition in which the circulatory system fails to circulate oxygen rich blood to all parts of the body. When vital organs do not get oxygen rich blood they do not work properly.

Shock Three conditions must be present for adequate blood flow – The heart must be working well. An adequate amount of oxygen-rich blood must be circulating in the body. Blood vessels must be intact and able to adjust blood flow.

Three Types of Shock Anaphylactic Life threatening allergic reaction May cause airway to swell Cardiogenic Occurs with heart attacks Heart fails to effectively circulate blood Hypovolemic Severe bleeding or loss of blood plasma Occurs with internal & external bleeding or with severe fluid loss from vomiting or diarrhea

Signs & Symptoms of Shock Restlessness or irritability Rapid and weak pulse Rapid breathing Pale, ashen, or bluish, cool, moist skin Excessive thirst Nausea and vomiting Drowsiness or loss of consciousness

Care for Shock Do no further harm. Monitor breathing and consciousness. Make the victim as comfortable as possible. Keep the victim from getting chilled or overheated. Reassure the victim. Provide any specific care needed.

Put the following actions in order - Call EMS if no one responds to your call for help. Check for breathing. Check the scene. Check for severe bleeding. Check for consciousness. Shout for help.