First Aid

What is first aid? The immediate, temporary care given to an ill or injured person until professional medical care can be provided.  Prevention from more severe injuries

Taking Precautions Universal precautions are actions taken to prevent the spread of disease by treating all blood and other body fluids as if they contained pathogens.  Use gloves  Mouthpiece  Washing hands before and after

Responding to an Emergency The 3 C’s  Check  Call  Care Check the scene and victim  Look around make sure the scene is safe  If there is no immediate danger don’t move the victim

Call  Call 911  If possible ask someone to call 911 so that someone remains with the victim  If no one is around to help make phone call to authorities as quickly as possible Care  Ask for permission before taking action  Take care of life threatening emergencies first  If you are unsure if the victim is conscious ask “if they are ok”

Open Wounds Abrasion  A small scrape on the surface  Must clean abrasion because of the close encounter with dirt and bacteria

Laceration  A cut that can slice through layers of skin  All lacerations are accompanied by bleeding

Puncture  A small but deep hole caused by any object that pierces the skin  Not very much external bleeding with punctrues

Avulsion  When tissue is partially or completely separated from the body  Heavy bleeding is common

First Aid for Bleeding Clean the wound and put on gloves Cover the wound with gauze or cloth Try and elevate above the heart Put sterile tape or dressing over the gauze Call for Help

Pressure Point Bleeding Control If elevating the wound and applying pressure do not stop the bleeding. You may use Pressure Point Bleeding Control.

Burns First-degree burns  Outer layer of the skin is burned  Cool the burn with cold water (not ice)

Second degree  top several layers of skin are damaged.  Skin will have blisters  Cool burn with cold water (not ice)  Wrap loosely with a dry dressing  DON’T POP BLISTERS

Third degree  Serious burn in which deeper layers of skin and possibly, fat muscle, nerves, and bone are damaged  Cool down burn with cold water (not ice)  Cover with a dry cloth

Different Types of Burns

Shock A failure of the cardiovascular system to keep an adequate supply of blood circulating to the vital organs of the body  Symptoms include: restlessness, nausea, altered consciousness, pale skin, rapid breathing or heart beat Call 911 Control any External bleeding Elevate the legs about 12 in. Do NOT give the victim anything to eat or drink. * This may cause Vomiting

Muscle Cramps The sudden and painful tightening of a muscle  Stretch out the affected muscle to counteract the cramp  Massage the cramped muscle firmly  Apply heat  Drink water/gatorade  Get medical help if pain persists

Strains Sprains Injury to the muscle Injury to ligaments Strains and Sprains

R.I.C.E. Rest- Avoid any movement they may cause pain Ice- Ice for 20 minutes on and off for 3 hours over a 3 day period  Ice helps reduce pain and swelling Compression- Light pressure from wearing an elastic wrap to reduce swelling Elevation- Raising the affected limb above the level of the heart to reduce swelling

Bone Fractures Fractures are breaks in the bones First Aid includes  keep the victim still and call 911  If the victim needs to be moved, keep fractured area immobilized by using a splint  Clothes, cloth, ACE wrap, newspaper or heavy cardboard

Dislocations If a joint is under extreme stress, it may dislocate or disconnect. Keep the joint immobilized Seek professional help

Fainting Occurs when blood supply to the brain is temporarily inadequate  Loss of consciousness is brief Put the person in the recovery position  Only if you know for sure the victim doesn’t have head or neck injuries

Concussions A jarring injury to the brain that affects normal brain function.  Dizziness, in and out of consciousness and vomiting  watch?v=fFkWTGKNLT8

Poisons Many household products Venom- substance secreted by a snake, spider, scorpion or other animals Poison control center  24 hour hot line that provides emergency medical advice on treating poisoning victims

Snakebites and Insect Bites Snakebite  A bite can cause pain, loss of function and in rare situations loss of a limb and death  Get professional medical care immediately Insect stings  Remove stinger (finger nail/tweezers)  Clean area with mild soap, ice can help reduce swelling  Can be life threatening to some  Call 911 or use Epi-pen