1. Emergency care
A first aid awareness course

2. What is emergency care? Simple, effective management or
care given to a casualty of injury
or sudden illness until more
advanced care can
be provided.
© RLSSA

3. Aims of emergency care Preserve life Protect the unconscious casualty
Prevent the condition worsening and relieve pain
Promote recovery

4. Priorities: primary survey
Danger
Response
Send for help
Airway
Breathing
Circulation
Defibrilation
Check:

5. Priorities: secondary survey
For a conscious casualty:
obtain history
check for vital signs
note casualty symptoms

6. Factors in controlling bleeding Pressure Elevation
Rest and reassurance
© RLSSA

7. Shock Prevent further injury Control bleeding
Reassure and rest casualty
Maintain normal body temperature
Elevate casualty’s legs if possible
Do not give anything to eat or drink
Call ambulance

8. Burn Do: cool burns under cold gently running water remove jewellery
cover burn with sterile non-stick dressing
treat for shock.

9. Burns Don’t: break blisters apply lotions, ointments or creams
apply ice
remove clothing that sticks to the burned area.

10. If the casualty able to breathe:
Choking
If the casualty able to breathe:
allow to cough without interference
Effective?
allow to recover
arrange for medical care.

11. Choking If casualty is not able to breathe: Effective Ineffective
position head low
give four back blows
reassess breathing
© RLSSA
Effective Ineffective
allow to recover
place on side
arrange for medical care
give four lateral chest thrusts
continue previous steps
monitor ‘ABC’

12. Asthma attack 1
Step 1 Sit the casualty upright, remain calm and provide reassurance. Do not leave the casualty alone.
Step 2 Give four puffs of a blue reliever puffer (Airomir, Amsol, Bricanyl or Ventolin), one puff at a time, preferably through a spacer device. Ask the casualty to take four breaths from the spacer after each puff.
Step 3 Wait four minutes.
Step 4 If there is little or no improvement, repeat steps 2 and 3.

13. Asthma attack 2
If there is still little or no improvement, call an ambulance immediately (dial 000).
Continue to repeat steps 2 and 3 while waiting for the ambulance.

14. Diabetes If conscious: - give sugar If unconscious:
- call for medical assistance
- monitor ABC
- do not give sugar by mouth

15. Seizures Call an ambulance if the casualty: is an infant or child
remains unconscious
is injured
is pregnant
has diabetes
has repeated seizures
has no previous history of seizures
has seizure in water
has the seizure longer than a few minutes.
Remember:
Clear the area (especially sharp objects)
Do not restrain unless to avoid injury
If on a hard surface, protect the casualty's head with clothing
Do not place anything in the mouth
Place on the side as soon as possible after the seizure and maintain an open airway

16. Poison A poison can enter the body via: ingestion absorption
inhalation
injection
Patient conscious
Patient unconscious
Contact the Poisons Information Centre (PIC) for advice first.
D R A B C

17. Envenomation Poison through bites and stings
Snakes and funnel web spiders
PIT (pressure immobilisation technique)

18. Envenomation Poison through bites and stings
Insect bites and red back spider:
apply ice pack
apply PIT immediately if an allergic reaction occurs or if casualty is known to be allergic
© RLSSA

19. Envenomation poison through bites and stings marine stingers:
hot water for scorpion or stone fish
cold packs for jellyfish or bluebottles

20. Sprains, strains and bruising
Rest
Ice
Compression
Elevation
Referral

21. Fractures Prevent further movement Support or immobilise injured part
You will not need to use a splint if you are in a metropolitan area

22. Exposure to heat Rest and reassure Gradually cool body surface
Give cool water

23. Exposure to cold Cover affected area with dressing
Gradually warm body surface
Give warm fluids