FIRST AID First Aid immediate care, helps to minimize the adverse effects of illness or injury 1 st aid can make the difference between life and death When you encounter an emergency: REMAIN CALM!!!! Avoid panic

FIRST AID The first step is to be alert to the signs of an emergency: Difficulty breathing Clutching chest or throat Empty medicine bottle Damaged electrical wires Smoke or fire Blood Spilled chemicals Abnormal skin color Confusion DrowsinessDistress Screams Calls for help Breaking glass Screeching tires

FIRST AID Once you determine an emergency exists, take steps to help the victims: 1.Check the scene and make sure it is safe to approach. 2.Call for medical help 3.Approach the victim and determine consciousness by gently tapping and calling to him/her. 4.Never move an injured victim unless the victim is in danger

FIRST AID 5. Be prepared to describe location: -telephone number/where you are calling from -assistance required -number of people involved, etc. 6. Try to obtain victim’s permission before providing care. If person refuses care, do not proceed. 7. Always attend to life-threatening emergencies first. (TRIAGE)

FIRST AID WOUNDS Injury to soft tissues Open: break in the skin or mucous membrane Closed: no break in skin, injury to underlying tissues i.e. bruise First aid directed toward controlling bleeding and preventing infection

FIRST AID Abrasionskin scraped off Incisioncut with sharp object such as knife, razor blade Laceration tearing of tissues from excessive force, jagged edges. Puncturecaused by sharp object (pin, nail, etc.) external bleeding minimal Tetanus is a concern.

FIRST AID Avulsion tissue torn or separated from the body. Amputationbody part cut off or separated from the body. preserve separated part for reattachment wrap part in cool, moist dressing and place in plastic bag. Keep bag cool or in ice water and transport with the victim. (Don’t place the body part in direct contact with the ice.)

FIRST AID FIRST PRIORITY in wound care: CONTROL THE BLEEDING! Arterial bleeding is bright red in color and life-threatening Venous bleeding is slower and dark red

FIRST AID Control bleeding by: Direct pressure Elevation Pressure bandage Pressure points STOP! Use protective barrier to control bleeding (gloves) if possible

FIRST AID The other concern for wounds is: Infection Signs and symptoms of wound infection: Swelling Heat Redness Pain Fever Pus Red streaks

FIRST AID Tetanus bacterial infection, most common in puncture wounds. Object in wound? If on the surface, remove with tweezers. If object embedded, let a physician remove it. This is called an “impaled object”

FIRST AID Closed Wounds If a bruise, apply cold Signs of internal bleeding: pain, tenderness, swelling, deformity, vomiting blood, blood in urine or feces.