FIRST AID

BASIC FIRST AID TECHNIQUES

• Aims of first aid

• First aid and the law.
• Dealing with an emergency.
• Resuscitation (basic CPR).
• Recovery position.
• Initial top to toe assessment.
• Hygiene and hand washing.
• First aid overview flow chart
 AIMS OF FIRST AID
• to preserve life,
• to prevent the worsening of one’s medical condition,
• to promote recovery, and
• to help to ensure safe transportation to the nearest healthcare facility.

A first aider is the term describing any person who has received a
certificate from an training body indicating that he or she is qualified to
render firstaid.
 FIRST AID AND THE LAW

• INDIAN GOOD SAMARITAN PROTECTION GUIDELINES

A Good Samaritan in legal terms refers to “someone who renders aid in
an emergency to an injured person on a voluntary basis”.
• DUTY OF GIVING CARE
• CONSENT OF THE PERSON IN NEED
• PRIVACY
• NEGLIGENCE
• HYGIENE AND HAND WASHING
PRESSURE POINTS
Where the artery passes over a bone close
to the skin
• DEALING WITH AN EMERGENCY

Emergency situations vary greatly but there are four main steps that always apply:

1. Make the area safe.

2. Evaluate the injured person’s condition.

3. Seek help.

4. Give first aid

Choking
 SHOCK
TREATMENT
CAUSES
• Lie victim down if possible
•Blood loss
•Heart attack • Face is pale-raise the tail
•Allergic reaction
•Loss of body fluids
•Massive infection
• Face is red-raise the head
•Damage to spinal nerves
• Loosen tight clothing
RECOGNITION: • Keep victim warm and dry
– (adrenaline causes)
• Rapid pulse • Do not give anything by mouth
• Pale gray skin • No stimulants
• Cold clammy skin
• Sweating
ANAPHYLAXIS: Relieve Breathing AND Epi-pen
Anxiety
Blotchy skin
Swelling of face
Swelling of neck
Puffiness around eyes
Breathing difficulties HEART ATTACK
Rapid pulse
Your aims are;
Angina Pectoris: Recognition • Make casualty comfortable
•Relieved by rest or medication • Phone for ambulance
•Previous history
•Central chest pain
• Monitor vital signs
may radiate to arms, • Reassure
Jaw
•CHEST PAIN THAT PERSISTS IS HEARTATTACK • Prepare to resuscitate
if necessary
Cardiac Arrest Occurs when the
Heart Stops Beating
• Diagnosis:
• Unconscious
• No breathing
• No pulse

• Commence C.P.R. Immediately

Types of Bleeding
Capillary Control of Bleeding
Artery
Oozing
Spurting Direct Pressure
Elevation

•Veins
Cold Applications Pressure bandage
Steady flow

Internal Injuries
Tourniquet
Absolute last resort in controlling
bleeding Remember - Life or limb

Once a tourniquet is applied, it

is not to be removed , only by a
doctor
 FAINTING
CAUSES:
Temporary reduction of blood flow
to the brain
Reaction to pain or fright
Emotional upset • TREATMENT
Exhaustion
Lack of food
• Raise and support lower limbs
Long periods of standing • Fresh air, open window
• As they recover reassure casualty
• RECOGNITION • Assist casualty to sit up
• Brief loss of consciousness • Treat any injuries
• Fall to the floor • CALL FOR AMBULANCE
• Slow pulse
• Pallor
Snake & Spider bites
Rattlesnake Copperhead Black Widow Brown Recluse

Limit activity
Constricting bandage above
Cold application
Advanced medical attention
Burns
Cool application Don’t break blisters Dry sterile dressing, treat for shock

RAPID TRANSPORT!!!
 Severe Burns and Scalds
Treatment:
Cool the burn area with water for 10 to 20 minutes.
Lay the casualty down and make him as comfortable as possible, protecting burn area from ground contact.
Gently remove any rings, watches, belts or constricting clothing from the injured area before it begins to
swell.
Cover the injured area loosely with sterile unmedicated dressing or similar non fluffy material and bandage.
Don't remove anything that is sticking to the burn.
Don't apply lotions, ointments, butter or fat to the injury.
Don't break blisters or otherwise interfere with the injured area.
Don't over-cool the patient and cause shivering.
If breathing and heartbeat stop, begin resuscitation immediately,
If casualty is unconscious but breathing normally, place in the recovery position.
Treat for shock.
Send for medical attention and prep for transport.
Heat Stroke Hypothermia

• Recognition • General cooling of body

• Hot dry red skin
• Rapid Lowered level of
consciousness • Mild Hypothermia
• Nausea and/or vomiting – Shivers - Cool body
• Body temperature above 40ºC – < 98.6 temperature
(104ºF)
• Severe Hypothermia
• Treatment – No Shivers
• Remove from offending – Sluggishness
environment
– Lowered level of
• Dial 999 for an Ambulance consciousness
• Cool patient with cold, wet sheets
• Nothing by mouth
 Head Injuries
A sharp blow to the head could result in a concussion, a jostling of the brain inside its protective, bony covering.
A more serious head injury may result in contusions, or bruises to the brain.

OTHER SYMPTOMS TO LOOK FOR IF YOU SUSPECT A VICTIM MAY HAVE A BRAIN INJURY:
1. clear or reddish fluid draining from the ears, nose, or mouth
2. difficulty in speaking
3. headache
4. unequal size of pupils
5. pale skin
6. paralysis of an arm or leg (opposite side of the injury) or face (same side of the injury)

PROPER CARE:
1. While waiting on help to arrive, keep the victim lying down in the recovery position
2. Control any bleeding, and be sure that he is breathing properly.
3. Do not give the victim any liquids to drink.
4. If the victim becomes unconscious for any amount of time, keep track of this information so that you can report it
when medical help arrives.
Neck & Spinal Injuries
CARE AND TREATMENT
ABC
extreme care in initial examination — minimal
movement
urgent ambulance transport
apply cervical collar
treat for shock
treat any other injuries
maintain body heat
if movement required, 'log roll' and use assistants
always maintain casualty's head in line with the
shoulders
 Dislocations
The most common dislocations occur in the shoulder, elbow, finger, or thumb.

LOOK FOR THESE SIGNS:

1. swelling
2. deformed look
3. pain and tenderness
4. possible discoloration of the affected area

IF A DISLOCATION IS SUSPECTED...
1. Apply a splint to the joint to keep it from moving.
2. Try to keep joint elevated to slow bloodflow to the area
3. A doctor should be contacted to have the bone set back into its socket.
Hypoglycaemia - Treatment
Conscious Patient;
• Establish A, B, C
• Help patient to lie or sit
down
• Give sugary foods, drinks
etc.
• Advise to See their Doctor
Unconscious Patient
• Establish A, B, C
• Place patient in recovery
position
• Monitor vital signs
• Prevent chilling
• Look for other causes
• Urgent removal to hospital
 RECOVERY POSITION
• Put the person on the floor if he is
not there already.
• Remove the person’s spectacles if
necessary.
• Kneel down by the side of the
casualty.
• Make sure both of his legs are
outstretched.
• Place the nearest arm (the one on
the side you are kneeling next to) at
right angles to
• his body.
• Bend the forearm upwards with
palm facing up.
These are symptoms of what?

• Uncomfortable pressure , squeezing, • Pain

fullness or dull pain in the chest or • Swelling
upper abdomen
• Shortness of breath • Bruising
• Pain in shoulders, arms, neck or jaws • Distortion of limb
What type of burn is this?
1. The first way to control bleeding is?

2. The best place to check for a pulse is?

3. If you find an unconscious victim, you should first?

4. You cannot be successfully sued as a first aider because of?

• After an accident, immediately move the victim to a comfortable position. F

• If a person is bleeding, use a tourniquet. F

• Signs of a heart attack include shortness of breath, anxiety, and perspiration. T

• All burns can be treated with first aid alone; no emergency medical attention is
necessary. F
• THANKU