CHECKING AN ILL OR INJURED PERSON Chapter 1

When checking an ill or injured person…  If you are not sure whether someone is unconscious, tap him or her on the shoulder and ask if they are ok.  Use the persons name if you know it  Speak loudly  Infant  Tap the bottom of their foot and/or  Tap the infants shoulders  Shout to see if the infant responds

Steps to take when checking  Interview the person and bystanders  Remember to get consent  Keep interviews simple and ask questions to learn more about what happened What happened? Do you feel pain or discomfort anywhere? Do you have any allergies? Do you have any medical conditions or are you taking any medicine?

Check the person from head to toe  When checking a conscious person  Do not move areas in which they have discomfort  Check the persons head by examining the scalp, face, nose, ears, and mouth  Look for cuts, bruises, or bumps  Watch for changes in consciousness  Look for changes in the persons breathing  Notice how the skin looks and feels  Look for a medical identification/alert tag

Shock  When the body is healthy, 3 conditions are needed to keep the right amount of blood flowing…  1. The heart must be working well  2. An adequate amount of oxygen-rich blood must be circulating in the body  3. The blood vessels must be intact and able to adjust blood flow.  SHOCK is a condition in which the circulatory system fails to deliver oxygen-rich blood to the body’s tissues and vital organs.

Shock  When the body's organs, don’t receive this blood, they fail to function properly.  This triggers shock  Signals of shock  Restlessness or irritability  Altered level of consciousness  Nausea or vomiting  Pale, ashen, cool, moist skin  Rapid breathing and pulse  Excessive thirst

Caring For Shock  1. Call 911 or the local emergency number immediately  Shock can not be managed effectively by first aid alone.  2. Have the person lie down  This is often the most comfortable position.  Helping the person rest comfortably is important because pain can intensify the body’s stress and speed up the progression of shock.  3. Control any external bleeding  Elevate the persons legs about 12 inches, unless you suspect head, neck, or back injuries

Do not…  Give the person anything to eat or drink, even though they will be thirsty.  Shock may require surgery and its best for the stomach to be empty

Checking an unconscious person  Always check that the person has an open airway and is breathing normally  Look, Listen, and Feel  Do this for no longer than 10 seconds Think of the ABC’s Airway – open the airway Head-tilt / Chin-lift Breathing – check for movement or breathing Give 2 rescue breaths Circulation – check for signs of life Begin CPR

Recovery position.  If the person is unconscious but breathing normally.  Some situations you may need to place a person in recovery position.  Situations may include:  If you are alone and need to leave for help  The person vomits or has fluids in them This will help keep the airway clear. See hand out.

Recovery Position