Prepared by Marilyn Rausch Indiana State Association DAT Program

Disaster Awareness begins at home… We need to recognize impending problems in ourselves. We need to recognize impending problems in others. Indiana State Association FCRV DAT Program

IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE AVAILABLE Names of all your MEDS (Rx & OTC) Names and phone numbers of your DOCTORS List of ALLERGIES Name and number of CONTACT PERSON KEEP IN REFRIGERATOR OR BEHIND DRIVER’S LICENSE!!

First steps in Basic Life Support Recognizing conditions and needed first steps Strokes.Heart attacks. Diabetic Emergencies Falls Use of an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) Indiana State Association FCRV DAT Program

First Steps: Basic life support. Identifying conditions and taking first steps. Strokes Heart Attacks Diabetic Emergencies Falls Use of an Automatic External Defibrillator.

Indiana State Association FCRV DAT Program

Assess The Situation CALL FOR HELP. Assess Rescuer Safety ABCs AirwayBreathingCirculation Indiana State Association FCRV DAT Program

View area… are there hazards to your safety (fire, downed power lines, moving traffic, etc.) Indiana State Association FCRV DAT Program Ask the victim: “Are you okay?”

 Shout out loud “I need help.”  Use Cell phone to call 911.  Leave scene to get to telephone.  Send someone to get help. Indiana State Association FCRV DAT Program

AA  Open Airway BB  Breathing CC  Maintain Circulation DD  Defibrillate (AED) Indiana State Association FCRV DAT Program

 Align head and shoulders UNLESS possible neck injury.  Head tilt or Chin Thrust.  Clear Vomit or other foreign body from mouth. Indiana State Association FCRV DAT Program

 Watch for rise and fall of chest.  Place cheek next to nose to see if air is felt.  If not, hold victim’s nose closed, place barrier over mouth and give two breaths.  Heimlich maneuver if necessary. Indiana State Association FCRV DAT Program

 Feel for a pulse at the carotid artery.  If none is felt, begin chest compressions.  If AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) is available, prepare to use it as directed. Indiana State Association FCRV DAT Program

 Recognizing possible stroke.  Recognizing possible Heart Attack.  Recognizing Diabetic Emergencies.  Falls Indiana State Association FCRV DAT Program

 Early recognition is essential.  To limit brain damage, treatment needs to begin within 3 hours of the onset of symptoms. Indiana State Association FCRV DAT Program

 Symmetry of smile. “Show me your teeth.”  Clarity of speech. “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”  “Pronator Drift”. Hold arms out at shoulder height with palms up and eyes closed. It is not normal if one arm drifts downward.  Any localized areas of weakness, numbness. Indiana State Association FCRV DAT Program

 Waste no time.  Call 911.  ABCDs  If possible, get bottles of all medications to take to emergency room Indiana State Association FCRV DAT Program

 Pain, pressure or heaviness under the breastbone.  Radiation of pain into the neck, back, or arms.  Shortness of Breath  Sweating for no apparent reason. Indiana State Association FCRV DAT Program

 More common in WOMEN.  Sudden and severe fatigue.  Non-classic location of pain (stomach, back, jaw or neck) Indiana State Association FCRV DAT Program

 Call 911 (do not wait to see if the symptoms will “go away”.)  Aspirin (one regular or 4 baby aspirin chewed)  ABCDs Indiana State Association FCRV DAT Program

 Confusion, irritability, aggressiveness  Weakness, dizziness  Pale, cold, clammy or sweating  Rapid pulse.  Poor coordination, staggering.  Headache, Nausea, Vomiting  Seizures  Loss of Consciousness. Indiana State Association FCRV DAT Program

 ABCDs  If conscious, give some form of sugar: Juice with added sugar, Honey, Regular (not diet) soft drink, Glucose tablets.  If unconscious, place sugar or honey under tongue.  Call 911 Indiana State Association FCRV DAT Program

 If over 65, most common injury causing hospitalization and long-term disability.  More common if on more than 4 medications, or had been hospitalized in last year.  More common in those with other long-term health conditions… stroke, heart problems, problems with balance or gait. Indiana State Association FCRV DAT Program

 Good lighting.  Avoid clutter (toys, scatter rugs, electric cords, etc.)  Hand rails or other steadying objects. Indiana State Association FCRV DAT Program

 Let them lay.  If serious fall, Call 911.  If unconscious, do ABCD’s Indiana State Association FCRV DAT Program

 Have some idea of basic life support.  If possible, contact your local Red Cross to take a basic Life Support course (usually 4-8 hours to get certification.)  If available, know where AEDs are located. Indiana State Association FCRV DAT Program

 STROKES  HEART ATTACKS  DIABETIC EMERGENCIES  FALLS Indiana State Association FCRV DAT Program

 CALL FOR HELP  DON’T DELAY CALLING 911, even if the symptoms seem mild. Waiting to see if things “get better” may result in tragedy.  ABCDs  Be ready to help, but DON’T BECOME A VICTIM YOURSELF! Indiana State Association FCRV DAT Program

 Analyzes heart rhythm.  Recognizes shockable rhythm.  Advises operator whether rhythm should be shocked.  Delivers a shock ONLY if it is indicated Indiana State Association FCRV DAT Program

 POWER ON the AED first.  ATTACH the AED to the victim’s chest with electrode pads  ANALYZE the rhythm.  SHOCK if indicated Indiana State Association FCRV DAT Program

While first rescuer begins ABCDs, second gets AED and places it to victim’s left side. AED should be turned ON before attaching to victim Indiana State Association FCRV DAT Program

ATTACH the AED pads to the patient’s bare chest. Follow the directions that are listed on the pads themselves. Indiana State Association FCRV DAT Program

Operator “clears” the victim. (No one should be touching the victim.) Operator pushes “ANALYZE” button on AED. Indiana State Association FCRV DAT Program CLEARCLEAR

The AED will indicate verbally and in writing if a shock is indicated. If a shock is indicated, CLEAR the patient again and push SHOCK button. Indiana State Association FCRV DAT Program

NO SHOCK WILL BE DELIVERED IF IT IS NOT INDICATED Indiana State Association FCRV DAT Program

 Check for signs of circulation (pulse).  If present, Check breathing… assist if necessary.  If not present, continue CPR for 1 minute Then Reanalyze with AED. Indiana State Association FCRV DAT Program