Chapter 3: Before Giving Care

2 AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITION Copyright © 2006 by The American National Red Cross All rights reserved. Preventing Disease Transmission  Elements of infectious disease  Conditions for transmission:  A pathogen is present.  Enough of the pathogen is present to cause infection.  The pathogen passes through an entry site (eyes, mucus membranes, open cuts in skin).  A person is susceptible to the pathogen.  Direct and indirect contact transmission

3 AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITION Copyright © 2006 by The American National Red Cross All rights reserved. Preventing Disease Transmission  Give care to minimize risk.  Use standard precautions to prevent exposure.  Use good personal hygiene (hand washing).  Use personal protective equipment to avoid direct contact.

4 AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITION Copyright © 2006 by The American National Red Cross All rights reserved. Removing Disposable Gloves  Partially remove the first glove by pinching the glove at the wrist, being careful to touch only the glove’s outside surface.  Pull the glove toward the fingertips without completely removing it.  The glove is now partially inside out.  With the partially gloved hand, pinch the exterior of the second glove.  Pull the second glove toward the fingertips until it is inside out and then remove it completely.  Grasp both gloves with your free hand, touching only the clean interior surface of the glove.  Discard the gloves in an appropriate container.  Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

5 AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITION Copyright © 2006 by The American National Red Cross All rights reserved. Obtaining Consent to Give Care Conscious adult  To get consent, you must tell the victim:  Who you are  Your level of training  The care you would like to give  Do not give care to a conscious victim who refuses it. Unconsious adult  Assume implied consent. Special consideration for infants and children

6 AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITION Copyright © 2006 by The American National Red Cross All rights reserved. Good Samaritan Laws All states have enacted Good Samaritan laws to protect citizen responders who are willing to provide emergency care to injured or ill persons without accepting anything in return.  Care must reflect: Common sense Within the scope of training To prevent further injury and death  Liable if: Will-full or gross negligence Abandoned after care was initiated

7 AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITION Copyright © 2006 by The American National Red Cross All rights reserved. Reaching and Moving Victims  You should move a victim only when you can do so safely and when there is an immediate danger.  Before you act, consider the following limitations to ensure moving one or more victims quickly and safely:  Dangerous conditions at the scene  The size of the victim  Your physical ability  Whether others can help you  The victim’s condition

8 AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITION Copyright © 2006 by The American National Red Cross All rights reserved. Emergency Moves  Four common types of emergency moves are:  Walking assist.  Pack-strap carry.  Two-person seat carry.  Clothes drag.

9 AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITION Copyright © 2006 by The American National Red Cross All rights reserved. Closing  Consider your own safety.  Protect yourself from disease transmission.  Check the scene for safety.  Obtain consent.  If you must move a victim, be sure to do so in a manner that is safe for you and will not cause the victim any further harm.  Questions?