Basic First Aid Introduction Course Young Hearts Education “Confidence in Knowledge” Basic First Aid Introduction Course Provided by Young Hearts Education

Most important to remember Personal Safety Everything you do starts here Activate EMS EMS = Emergency Medical Services

Young Hearts Education “Confidence in Knowledge” First Aid

Primary Assessment – Responsive Diminished level of responsiveness Difficulty in breathing Check for bleeding Check tissue color Check skin temperature Ongoing Assessment Emergencies can change at any time Remember, activate EMS Once you are involved, continue to monitor until EMS arrives

Secondary Assessment Deformities Open injuries Tenderness Swelling Look at the Person Briefly assess the body from head to toe. Look and feel for signs of illness and injury (DOTS). Deformities Open injuries Tenderness Swelling

Control of Bleeding Activate EMS Apply Direct Pressure Use bandage or gloved hand If blood soaks through bandage, apply a new one while leaving the initial one in place Apply a pressure bandage Do not wrap too tight Keep patient calm and comfortable Demonstrate and Practice

Impaled Object Activate EMS Do not remove Keep the person still to prevent movement Stabilize the object and control bleeding Keep person calm and comfortable and assess regularly until EMS personnel arrive

Open Chest Injury A puncture injury through the chest wall can disrupt the chest’s ability to draw air into the lungs Activate EMS Remove clothing to expose the injury site Check for exit wound and treat the most serious

Open Chest Injury Check for Air Movement & Treat A provider may hear a sucking sound or see foamy, bloody bubbles Quickly cover the wound with an air tight dressing leaving one side open for trapped air to escape Keep person calm and comfortable and assess regularly until EMS personnel arrive

Managing Shock Shock develops when poor blood flow creates a shortage of oxygen to body tissues Any serious illness or injury has the potential to cause shock If not treated early, it can get worse and become life threatening Most mistreated emergency in the world.

Shock Early Signs Progressive in nature May simply appear uneasy, restless, or worried Other more serious signs can emerge gradually over time Responsiveness may diminish The skin may become pale, cool, and sweaty

Managing Shock Activate EMS Ensure an open and clear airway Control any external bleeding Maintain a normal body temperature Insulate on top and underneath to prevent heat loss Give nothing to eat or drink, even if the person asks for it Keep person calm and comfortable and assess regularly until EMS personnel arrive Lose ability to regulate body temperature; you will need to regulate temperature for the victim.

Head Neck and Back Injuries Muscle and Bone & Joint Injuries Young Hearts Education “Confidence in Knowledge” Head Neck and Back Injuries Muscle and Bone & Joint Injuries

Suspect Spinal Injury? Activate EMS If at any time you suspect spinal injury, immediately provide spinal motion restriction by manually stabilizing the head Keep person calm and comfortable and assess regularly until EMS personnel arrive

Spinal Motion Restriction Activate EMS Stabilize Head Get into a comfortable position behind the person Cup your hands on both sides of the head, without covering the ears Keep the head, neck, and spine in line. Minimize any movement Keep person calm and comfortable and assess regularly until EMS personnel arrive Have students do both roles – patient and provider. Demonstrate and Practice

Spinal Motion Restriction If fluids are collecting in mouth and airway, OR If you are alone and need to leave to get help Roll person into a recovery position and protect the airway

Head, Neck or Back Injury Assessment Ask about how injury occurred Look for any obvious injury to the head, neck, or back Ask about numbness, tingling, burning, or loss of sensation in the arms or legs The lack of obvious injury does not mean that the spine is not injured Do not move the person unless an airway needs to be established Keep person calm and comfortable and assess regularly until EMS personnel arrive

Muscle, Bone or Joint Injury Swelling, pain, and discoloration If injury seems serious, or you are not sure, activate EMS as early as possible Encourage person to not use injured limb Keep person calm and comfortable and assess regularly until EMS personnel arrive

Muscle, Bone or Joint Injury Local Cooling Local cooling can help decrease bleeding, swelling, and pain A plastic bag filled with a mixture of ice and water Place a thin cloth between the bag and skin to prevent cold related problems Limit application to 20 minutes or less Activate EMS if the severity of a person’s condition is unclear Can use cool water from stream.

Swollen, Painful, Deformed Limb Cover Open Wounds Cover open wounds with a clean absorbent pad Gently control bleeding Never push a bone back under the skin Stabilize Limb Leave limb in position it was found Use padding in gaps underneath to provide a stable and comfortable spot for limb to rest Place your hands above and below the injured area to help immobilize the limb

Young Hearts Education “Confidence in Knowledge” Burns

Minor Burns  Quickly cool the burn with cool water to reduce pain, swelling, and depth of injury Continue cooling until pain is relieved Do not apply ice Leave blisters intact Cover with a loose sterile pad

Treatment of Critical Burns Make sure it is safe for you to help Activate EMS Expose affected area by cutting away clothing. If stuck to the burn, do not remove If present, remove any jewelry near burned area Separate fingers or toes with dry, sterile, non-adhesive dressings

Young Hearts Education “Confidence in Knowledge” Bites and Stings

Bites and Stings  Most are not serious and cause only minor swelling, redness, pain, and itching Wash the site with soap and water Remove jewelry from the affected area Apply an antibiotic ointment and cover Apply local cooling to reduce swelling and pain (except snake bites)

Venomous Bites Treatment is focused on slowing the absorption of venom into the body and quickly getting further medical help. Venomous pit vipers, such as Cottonmouths, Copperheads, and Rattlesnakes strike once and leave a characteristic bite with single or double fang marks. Pit viper bites can cause an intense, burning pain and local swelling. Swelling may involve the entire limb within a few hours.

Venomous Bites Treatment Have the person sit still Activate EMS Control any bleeding with a clean pad and direct pressure Immobilize the injured part and keep it below heart level Move the person only if you have to Keep person calm and comfortable and assess regularly until EMS personnel arrive

These treatments are not effective and may be harmful Warning Do not apply local cooling Do not cut through a snakebite wound Do not apply suctioning Do not use a tourniquet These treatments are not effective and may be harmful

Environmental Emergencies Heat and Cold Young Hearts Education “Confidence in Knowledge” Environmental Emergencies Heat and Cold

Heat-Related Emergencies An active body creates heat. When exposed to hot, humid temperatures, sweating occurs to evaporate and cool the body. Heat-related problems occur when the body’s normal temperature reducing mechanisms get overwhelmed, especially during vigorous physical activity, and become inefficient or stop working.

Recognizing Heat Exhaustion Signs of heat exhaustion include: Heavy sweating Pale, cool skin Nausea and vomiting Headache Dizziness; weakness Without treatment it could progress to heat stroke Heat exhaustion can develop from the combination of an increased internal temperature and the excessive loss of fluids to the environment, typically from sweating

Treatment for Heat Exhaustion Move to a cooler place Loosen or remove excess clothing Lie down and raise his legs six to twelve inches Spray water or apply cool, wet cloths to head and torso Use a fan to speed evaporation Encourage to drink fluids preferably a sports drink with carbohydrates and electrolytes If condition worsens, activate EMS

Recognizing Heat Stroke Altered mental status Skin may be red, very warm, or hot, and be completely dry Heavy sweating may be present, especially when exertion is the cause May collapse and have a seizure Heat stroke can occur due to overexertion in a hot humid environment or as the result of a breakdown in the body’s ability to shed heat. Heat stroke is a life-threatening medical emergency.

Treatment for Heat Stroke Activate EMS Immediately begin aggressive cooling: Spray or pour and fan Apply ice packs to the neck, groin, and armpits Cover with a wet sheet and continue to fan The best method is immersion up to the neck in cool water Keep person calm and comfortable and assess regularly until EMS personnel arrive If body temperature rises significantly, it can quickly cause permanent damage to sensitive organs, including the brain and spinal cord

Treatment for Heat Stroke Con’t If unresponsive, place on side in recovery position Do not force to drink Never give an unresponsive person anything by mouth Continue cooling until EMS providers arrive With early recognition and immediate cooling, survival approaches 90%

Cold-Related Emergencies Cold, wet temperatures can result in a lowering of the internal body temperature. Hypothermia and frostbite are the most dangerous cold-related conditions.

Recognizing Hypothermia Pale, cold skin Uncontrollable shivering Loss of coordination Difficulty speaking An altered mental status Generalized cooling of the body to a internal core temperature of 95° F or less

Treatment for Hypothermia Move to a warmer place Remove wet clothing and cover Cover the head and neck to retain body heat Activate EMS and be prepared to perform CPR Keep person calm and comfortable and assess regularly until EMS personnel arrive It is best to recognize and treat hypothermia early. The chance for survival decreases as the condition progresses

Treatment for Hypothermia Con’t If far from professional medical care, begin actively re-warming Place near a heat source Put containers of warm, but not hot, water in contact with skin

Recognizing Frost Bite Develops when skin freezes Body parts that are exposed to extreme cold, such as fingers, toes, earlobes, cheeks, and nose, are the most likely to be affected Pins-and-needles sensation and throbbing Loss of feeling in the affected part Firm, pale, cold, numb skin

Treating Frostbite Minor frostbite can be treated with simple re-warming using skin-to-skin contact, such as a warm hand. Do not try to re-warm the frostbitten area when EMS is available, or if there is any chance that the part may refreeze.

Treating Frostbite Con’t Remove jewelry from the affected areas Place clean pads between frostbitten fingers and toes Wrap the affected part with a clean towel or pad Activate EMS Do not rub or massage the affected area or disturb blisters on frostbitten skin

Treating Frostbite Con’t If far from professional medical care, and there is no chance refreezing will occur, re-warm the affected part Immerse the frostbitten area in warm water for 20 to 30 minutes The water should be warm, not hot – just above normal body temperature Check and maintain the water temperature often Severe burning pain, swelling, blistering, and color changes may occur Do not use the affected part after it is thawed Get to professional medical care as soon as you are able

Young Hearts Education “Confidence in Knowledge” Poisoning

Common Inhaled Poisons and Symptoms Common Types Carbon monoxide from smoke or engine exhaust Natural gas Solvent fumes Chemical vapors Symptoms Headache, nausea, dizziness, difficulty breathing, altered mental status Suspect inhaled poisoning if sudden illness occurs in an enclosed space

Response Ensure PERSONAL SAFETY If you can do so without risk to yourself, immediately move the person to fresh air Activate EMS Allow the person to find a comfortable position Keep person calm and comfortable and assess regularly until EMS personnel arrive

National Poison Help Hotline Call the U.S. National Poison Help Hotline at 1-800-222-1222 for additional directions on care

Young Hearts Education “Confidence in Knowledge” Drowning

The Instinctive Drowning Response A drowning victim cannot call for help mouths alternately sink below and reappear above the surface of the water cannot wave for help cannot voluntarily control their arm movements can only struggle on the surface of the water from 20 to 60 seconds before submersion occurs

Care for Suspected Drowning With personal safety as a priority, get the victim out of the water as soon as possible DO NOT attempt to remove water from the airway or lungs using abdominal thrusts If breathing is gasping or absent, provide two rescue breaths and begin CPR Attach AED if one is available. Dry the chest before applying pads Be prepared for vomiting

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