First Aid- Is the provision of initial care for and illness or injury.

Accident/Mishap- Is an unforeseen and unplanned event or circumstance, often with lack of

intention or necessity.

AIMS:
Preserve life- the overriding aim of all medical care, including first aid,
is to save live.

Prevent further harm- also sometimes called prevent the condition from worsening, or danger of
further injury.

Promote recovery- first aid also involves trying to start the recovery process from the illness or
injury, and in some cases might involve completing a treatment.

ABC- Airway, Breathing, Circulation.

D- Deadly Bleeding or Defibrillation
3Bs- Breathing, Bleeding, and Bones.
4Bs- Breathing, Bleeding, Brain, and Bones.

WOUNDS:
Wound- s a type of injury in which skin is torn, cut, or punctured (an open wound), or where
blunt force trauma causes a contusion (a closed wound).

A. Open
Open wounds can be classified according to the object that caused the wound.
The types of open wound are:

Incisions or incised wounds- caused by a clean, sharp-edged object such as a knife, a razor, or a
glass splinter.
Lacerations, irregular tear-like wounds caused by some blunt trauma.
Lacerations and incisions may appear linear (regular) or stellate.
(irregular). The term laceration is commonly misused in reference to
incisions.

Abrasions (grazes), superficial wounds- in which the topmost layer

of the skin (the epidermis) is scraped off. Abrasions are often caused.
by a sliding fall onto a rough surface.

Puncture wounds- caused by an object puncturing the skin, such as a

nail or needle.

Penetration wounds- caused by an object such as a knife entering.

and coming out from the skin.

Gunshot wounds- caused by a bullet or similar projectile driving into

or through the body. There may be two wounds, one at the site of
entry and one at the site of exit, generally referred to as a "through and through.”

B. Closed
Closed wounds have fewer categories but are just as dangerous as open.
wounds. The types of closed wounds are:

Contusions- more commonly known as bruises, caused by a blunt force trauma that damages
tissue under the skin.

Hematomas- also called a blood tumor, caused by damage to a blood. vessel that in turn causes
blood to collect under the skin.
Crush injury- caused by a great or extreme amount of force applied over a long period of time.

Management- The treatment depends on the type, cause, and depth of the wound as well as
whether other structure beyond the skin is involved.

Cleaning- For simple lacerations cleaning can be accomplished using several different solutions
including tap water, sterile saline solution, or antiseptic solution. Infection rates may be lower
with the use of tap water in regions where water quality is high.

Closure- If a person presents within 6 hours of a laceration they are typically closed immediately.
After this point in time however there is a theoretical concern of increased risks of infection if
closed immediately.

DRESSING and BANDAGES:

Dressings and bandages are the basic tools used for first aid. As a first aider it is important to
know some of the products on the market as well as how to improvise with materials on hand at
an emergency scene.

Dressings - are protective coverings to treat wounds, to control bleeding and

cover from possible spread and infection (contamination).

Dressings should be:

As clean as possible, sterilized when possible.

Able to cover wounds.

Absorbent

Thick and soft – to cater to excessive bleeding and to apply even, pressure on a wound.
Lint free and a non-stick material such as gauze, linen, and cotton.

Improvising dressing:
Use any available material that is lint-free sterile or clean, preferably white. A
towel, sheet, pillow slip, even a clean sanitary pad can be used as a dressing, where commercial
products are not at hand.

Applying dressings:
Use the cleanest material, wear gloves and wash hands before and after care to avoid
contamination.

Bandages - are any materials that hold the dressing in place, hold pressure on
a wound, as support or to secure a splint. Like dressings, bandages can be bought or improvised.

Using bandages
a. Apply firmly so bleeding is controlled.

b. Check the circulation beyond the bandage often to make sure the bandage is not too tight

c. Make sure bandages are not used as padding or dressings, Examples of improvised bandages:
Tie, belt, scarf, cloth (rolled or folded), fabric. cut into a triangle and folded to make a broad or
narrow bandage etc.

Head bandage- Stand behind the casualty, using a triangular bandage with a narrow hem folded
along the base, placing the center in the middle of the forehead.

Knee or elbow bandage- A triangular bandage with a narrow hem is used to bandage an elbow or
leg. Place the base on the leg, cross over the point, tie off, and press the dressing. Fold it down,
secure with a safety pin, or tuck under the knot.
Foot or hand bandage- A triangular bandage is used to cover a casualty's foot or hand, ensuring it
is fully covered. The point is placed on the foot or hand, and the ends are crisscrossed around the
ankle or wrist. Extra bandage is wrapped before tying off, and if necessary, the point is extended.

Roller bandages- Roller bandages are gauze-like materials used to hold dressings and secure
splints. They can be applied in a spiral, starting at the narrow part of the limb, anchoring the
bandage, wrapping around the injured part, folding the corner, and overlapping each turn. Secure
with a safety pin, adhesive tape, or cut and tying.

Slings – Slings offer arm support and protection, which can be improvised with sturdy materials
like scarfs, belts, neckties, or placing the hand inside a buttoned jacket or pinning the sleeve to
clothing.

DIRECT PRESSURE AND ELEVATION:

Direct Pressure- Pressure on a wound can constrict blood vessels, reducing blood flow. The type
and direction of the wound can affect pressure application. Patients can apply pressure directly to
their wound, but sterile gauze should be used to reduce infection risk. Protective gloves are
advised for third parties. Direct pressure can be used with foreign objects, using padding to push
in and seal the wound.

Elevation- Maintaining the wound above the heart level reduces pressure and bleeding,
especially for limbs and the head, as torso movement is impractical and breaking limbs may
exacerbate the injury.

FRACTURE:

Fracture- A fracture occurs when a bone breaks due to injury, accident, or fall, causing symptoms
like snapping sound, deformity, protrusion, grating sensation, abnormal movement, tenderness,
pain, swelling, difficulty in movement, and discoloration.

Two Kinds of Fractures:

Hairline fracture- A bone fracture occurs when a crack passes through it, causing immense pain
but reducing the likelihood of an operation.
Compound fracture- A fracture occurs when a bone breaks apart and ruptures through the skin,
causing pain and potentially causing blood loss.

DISLOCATION:
A dislocation is when the bone has come out from the socket. This also results in acute pain,
swelling, an inability to carry any weight and an inability to move the injured limb. The first aid
administered in case of a dislocation is also the same.

SPRAIN AND STRAINS

Sprain- Sprain is an injury in a joint caused by ligament stretching beyond its capacity, often
affecting the ankle and wrist. Muscle tears are called strains. Immobilization and surgical repair
may be necessary.

Espraindre- Middle French term, to squeeze.

RICE- Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevate

Rest- The sprain should be left unrested, and no additional force should be applied, especially in
cases like a sprained ankle, limiting walking.

Ice- Ice should be applied to sprains immediately to reduce swelling and pain, 3-4 times daily,
and combined with a wrapping for support and minimizing swelling.

Compression- Dressings, bandages, or ace-wraps are recommended for immobilizing and

supporting a sprain. Applying more pressure at the far end and decreasing towards the heart
facilitates fluid flushing and circulation.

Elevate- Dressings, bandages, or ace-wraps are recommended for immobilizing and supporting a
sprain, with pressure applied at the far end and decreasing towards the heart for fluid flushing
and circulation.
Cold compression therapy- minimizes swelling and pain in sprains, while careful management is
crucial for healing. Exercises should be resumed within 1 to 3 days, with special exercises
needed for strength regain and reducing risk of ongoing issues. Joint support may be necessary.

Strain- A strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon caused by overstretching, resulting in muscle

fiber tears. Symptoms include localized pain, stiffness, discoloration, and bruising. Strains can
occur in everyday tasks and are more common in athletes.

FAINTING

Fainting- Fainting is a temporary loss of consciousness followed by full wakefulness, often

accompanied by muscle tone loss. Causes include heart failure, insufficient blood flow to the
brain, insufficient blood or fluid within blood vessels, or a combination of these factors.

POISONING

Poisons- Poisons cause disturbances to organisms through chemical reactions or molecular

activity. They are distinguished from toxins and venoms, which are produced by biological
functions. Treatment for recently ingested poisons may involve gastric decontamination,
activated charcoal, gastric lavage, whole bowel irrigation, or nasogastric aspiration. Routine use
of emetics, cathartics, or laxatives is no longer recommended.

Activated charcoal- Charcoal is a commonly used treatment to prevent poison absorption, but is
ineffective against metals, alcohols, and corrosive chemicals, and not recommended for ingestion
in emergency rooms.

Whole bowel- Irrigation uses a polyethylene glycol solution to cleanse the bowel, flushing out
the entire gastrointestinal tract. It's used for ingestion of sustained release drugs, toxins, and drug
packets, not absorbing activated charcoal.

Gastric lavage- A stomach pump, or lavage, is a common treatment for poisoned patients,
involving a tube inserted into the stomach and water or saline administered, but a recent review
suggests no benefit, only used if life-threatening.
Nasogastric aspiration- The procedure involves inserting a tube into the stomach, removing
contents through suction, primarily used for liquid ingestion where activated charcoal is
ineffective, like ethylene glycol poisoning.

Emesis- Emesis is no longer recommended for poisoning situations due to ineffective vomiting.
Cathartics, such as saline and saccharin, are used to decrease absorption but do not improve
patient outcomes.

Cathartics- Emesis is no longer recommended for poisoning due to ineffective vomiting, and
cathartics like saline and saccharin decrease absorption but do not improve patient outcomes.

BURNS

Burn- Skin injuries, involving muscles, bones, nerves, and blood vessels, can result from heat,
chemicals, electricity, or solar radiation.

Care of First-degree and Second-degree Burns- relieve pain by applying a wet, cold cloth. If cold
water is unavailable, use any cold liquid you drink to reduce the burned skin's temperature.

Care for Third-degree Burns- Cover the burn with a dry, non-sticking sterile dressing or clean
cloth. Treat the victim for shock by elevating the legs and keeping the victim warm with a clean
sheet or blanket.

1.Immediately remove the chemical by flushing with water.

2. Remove the victim's contaminated clothing while flushing with water.

3. Flush for 20 minutes or longer. Let the victim wash with a mild soap before a final rinse.

4. Cover the burned area with a dry dressing or, for large areas, a clean pillowcase.
5. If the chemical is in the eye, flood it for at least 20 minutes using low-pressure.

6. Seek medical attention immediately for all chemical burns Chemical Burns. Chemicals will
continue to cause tissue destruction until the chemical agent is removed.

Electrical Burns. The injury severity from exposure to electrical current depends on the type of
current (direct or alternating), the voltage, the area of the body exposed, and the duration of
contact.

1.Unplug, disconnect, or turn off the power. If that is possible, call the power company or ask for
help.

2. Check the ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation). Provide Rescue Breathing (RB) or
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) if necessary.

3. If the victim fell, check for spine injury.

4. Treat the victim for shock.