Checking an Ill or Injured Person Chapter 3

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 alert tag

Check the person from head to toe Checking an unconscious person 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 child/infant only Circulation – check for signs of life Begin CPR 2 rescue breaths

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

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