First Aid Lacordaire Academy

First Aid Basics Remember: Never touch another person’s blood - give them a dressing or tissue while you put on vinyl gloves If you are concerned that a student may have a fracture or significant head or neck injury - be sure NOT to move the student before medical help arrives Find out who the people in your building are who know CPR Memorize the phone number or extension of the person who will help you in an emergency

Cuts (Lacerations) Use vinyl gloves before touching open wounds Small lacerations: Wash with soap and water and rinse Cover with bandage Notify Health Office and parents as needed Large lacerations: Apply dressing, press firmly and elevate site to stop bleeding Do not remove dressing - refer to Health Office for further care If unavailable, seek emergency care

Sprains and Fractures Important - treat a significant injury with care! SPRAINS: Do not move injured part - apply cold to injury Notify the Health Office for assistance FRACTURES: Do not move injured part - Notify the Health Office immediately - if unavailable, obtain emergency care Observe for signs of shock and treat by keeping the student warm and laying down

Burns MINOR BURNS: Place under cold running water immediately Notify Health Office or parents as needed SEVERE BURNS: Cover with a dry, sterile cloth Notify Health Office immediately - if unavailable, obtain emergency care Observe for signs of shock and treat by keeping the student warm and laying down

Head Injuries Do not move the student! Notify Health Office and parents immediately Watch for the following signs: Severe headache Excessive drowsiness Nausea and/or vomiting Double or blurred vision, unequal pupils Loss of muscle coordination Convulsions or seizures Unusual behavior: dizziness, confusion, irregular breathing Bleeding or discharge from the ear Seek medical care with these symptoms!

Nosebleeds Hand student a dressing or several tissues Have student sit in upright position Have student apply direct pressure to nose by squeezing outside of nostrils with thumb and index finger for 5-10 minutes Do not lean head back Notify your nurse or supervisor if you have been exposed to another person’s blood!

Choking Ask the victim, “Are you choking?” If the victim can speak, breathe or cough, stay with the victim and encourage him/her to cough If the victim cannot speak breathe or cough - CALL FOR EMERGENCY HELP IMMEDIATELY! For a conscious victim that cannot speak or cough - perform the Heimlich maneuver

How to Do the Heimlich Maneuver The Heimlich Maneuver® for CHOKING ADULT OR CHILD OVER 1 YEAR A choking victim can't speak or breathe and needs your help immediately. Follow these steps to help a choking victim: From behind, wrap your arms around the victim's waist. Make a fist and place the thumb side of your fist against the victim's upper abdomen, below the ribcage and above the navel. Grasp your fist with your other hand and press into their upper abdomen with a quick upward thrust. Do not squeeze the ribcage; confine the force of the thrust to your hands. Repeat until object is expelled. UNCONSCIOUS VICTIM, OR WHEN RESCUER CAN'T REACH AROUND VICTIM: Place the victim on back. Facing the victim, kneel astride the victim's hips. With one of your hands on top of the other, place the heel of your bottom hand on the upper abdomen below the rib cage and above the navel. Use your body weight to press into the victim's upper abdomen with a quick upward thrust. Repeat until object is expelled. If the Victim has not recovered, proceed with CPR. The Victim should see a physician immediately after rescue. Don't slap the victim's back. (This could make matters worse.)

The Heimlich Maneuver for CHOKING (ONESELF) When you choke, you can't speak or breathe and you need help immediately. Follow these steps to save yourself from choking: Make a fist and place the thumb side of your fist against your upper abdomen, below the ribcage and above the navel. Grasp your fist with your other hand and press into your upper abdomen with a quick upward thrust. Repeat until object is expelled. Alternatively, you can lean over a fixed horizontal object (table edge, chair, railing) and press your upper abdomen against the edge to produce a quick upward thrust. Repeat until object is expelled. See a physician immediately after rescue.

Successful First Aid Management Know who to call in an emergency Never touch another person’s blood Manage bleeding incidents with gloves and dressings Know the personnel in your building who are CPR certified Do not move an injured student if you have any concerns about a neck injury, head injury or fracture

For more information - see your school nurse!