Emergency First Aid Guidelines for California Schools An Overview of Content And How to Use

Purpose To serve as a basic “what to do in an emergency” for school staff with or without medical training. To serve as a basic “what to do in an emergency” for school staff with or without medical training. The guidelines were created as a recommended procedure. The guidelines were created as a recommended procedure. In a true emergency situation use your best judgment. In a true emergency situation use your best judgment.

It is strongly recommended… …that staff who are in a position to provide first-aid to students complete an approved first-aid and CPR course. …that staff who are in a position to provide first-aid to students complete an approved first-aid and CPR course. …that you familiarize yourself with the format of the guidelines prior to the actual emergency situation. …that you familiarize yourself with the format of the guidelines prior to the actual emergency situation. …that you use the guidelines for reference before, during and/or after an event. …that you use the guidelines for reference before, during and/or after an event.

What do the Guidelines address? Emergency procedures Emergency procedures When to call When to call Basic information on infection control Basic information on infection control Information on emergency planning Information on emergency planning Planning for persons with special needs Planning for persons with special needs Recommended first-aid equipment Recommended first-aid equipment Emergency phone numbers Emergency phone numbers

The Design Alphabetical order with tabs Alphabetical order with tabs Flow charts guide you through decision steps to treat common illnesses and injuries Flow charts guide you through decision steps to treat common illnesses and injuries Flow charts use color-coded shapes to clarify steps Flow charts use color-coded shapes to clarify steps

Key to Shapes and Colors This note provides background information. This type of box should be read before emergencies occur. START HERE

Key to Shapes and Colors ? Question Being Asked? You need to choose based on person’s condition. Follow the pathway for your answer. NO YES Provides First-Aid Instructions

Key to Shapes and Colors STOP HERE. This is the final instruction. Final instruction for the algorithm. In some emergencies, multiple algorithms may be used. Additional Information or Signs and Symptoms

Key to Shapes and Colors TIME TO CALL There may be additional directions to continue care or see another algorithm.

Don’t Delay When Needed Have someone contact the 911 system, as soon as possible, after it is known that their assistance is needed. Delay in accessing the 911 system could result in worsening of a person’s condition and may lead to additional injury. Have someone contact the 911 system, as soon as possible, after it is known that their assistance is needed. Delay in accessing the 911 system could result in worsening of a person’s condition and may lead to additional injury.

Direct Fire/Ambulance Have someone meet fire or ambulance response units Have someone meet fire or ambulance response units Give directions to location of person. Give directions to location of person.

Always Remember ABCs A A irway – Open the airway – 1st No Air in, all else is lost. B B reathing – Ensure Breathing – 2nd You may need to breath for the person or do CPR C C irculation (i.e., bleeding) – 3rd Heart beating or CPR – Nothing else matters Control Bleeding – Prevent the loss of blood

Call For: Blocked Airway Unable to get air into lungs (i.e., choking) Difficulty Breathing Absent or labored breathing Wheezing due to an allergic reaction (i.e., after a bee sting) Near drowning – even if awake and appears ok water can have a delayed effect on lungs

Call for Uncontrollable Bleeding – you can’t stop it Unconsciousness After any injury If person has history of Diabetes Unexplained reason Head Injury Possible Poisoning

Call Immediately GET ADVANCED MEDICAL HELP ASAP Answer Questions Follow Instructions Do Not Hang Up Stay Calm Provide First Aid until ambulance arrives

WHAT TO DO FIRST CHECK FOR RESPONSIVENESS If Unresponsive, send someone to call AIRWAY ENSURE AIRWAY IS OPEN. If patient is unconscious use head tilt-chin lift or jaw thrust

WHAT TO DO NEXT B REATHING ENSURE PERSON IS BREATHING LOOK, LISTEN, AND FEEL for breathing. If no breathing, SEE CPR and Give Rescue Breaths C IRCULATION CHECK FOR SIGNS OF CIRCULATION (Pulse, movement, breathing, color). If no signs of circulation, SEE CPR. CONTROL BLEEDING

D ISABILITY - TREAT INJURIES/ILLNESS THAT MAY RESULT IN DISABILITY. (Head injuries, spine injuries, and fractures will need medical attention) DO NOT FORGET THESE F IRST AID / MEDICAL AID Provide first aid and medical support to most serious injuries/illness risks first.

Which One First? Scenario Child falls from bleachers Dirty, abrasions Bleeding scalp Unconscious, then awakes Remember ABC’s 1. Unconscious due to injury – call Is awake, therefore airway open & breathing 3. Bleeding, See “Bleeding” apply direct pressure 4. Abrasions, See “Cuts, Scratches & Scraps”

Ready to Try One?

Try this One Child is holding hand and tells teacher he was bitten by a dog. There is some blood oozing from several small punctures/scrapes. Child otherwise is crying and looks normal.

BITES (Human & Animal) Wear disposable gloves when exposed to blood or other body fluids Hold bite area under running water for 2-3 minutes Wash with soap and water If wound bled, apply clean bandage Is the person bleeding? CALL See “Bleeding”  Press firmly with a clean dressing/cloth on bleeding site  “See Bleeding” Check immunization record for DT, DPT (tetanus). See “Tetanus” for more information. Is bite from a human? If bite is from a snake, scorpion or other reptile, hold the bitten area still and below the level of the heart. Call POISON CONTROL CENTER See “Snake Bite”, if appropriate  Don’t try to catch or touch the animal  Get description and location of animal  Report to Animal Control or proper authority, usually the local Health Department, so that animal can be caught & watched for rabies Contact responsible school nurse or administrator and parents/legal guardians. Inform if a human bite that both the person bitten and the person biting may have been exposed to blood from other person. ENCOURAGE IMMEDIATE MEDICAL CARE File Incident Report Is bite large or gaping? Is blood spurting? Is bleeding uncontrolled? The Whole Thing Yes No Yes No

BITES (Human & Animal) Wear disposable gloves when exposed to blood or other body fluids Is the person bleeding?  Press firmly with a clean dressing/cloth on bleeding site  See “Bleeding” YES Yes decision Leads to action box Check second protocol for additional help

BITES – First Aid Is bite large or gaping? Is blood spurting? NO Is the person bleeding?  Hold bite area under running water for 2-3 minutes  Wash with soap and water  If wound bled, apply clean bandage NO First Aid Steps YES Press firmly with a clean dressing/cloth on bleeding site See “Bleeding”

BITES (Con’t)  Press firmly with a clean dressing/cloth on bleeding site  See “Bleeding” Is bite large or gaping? Is blood spurting? CALL See “Bleeding” YES NO Different Action steps GET HELP! Emergent condition, do you need 9-1-1?

Is bleeding uncontrolled? BITES – Next Steps Bandage NO YES Is bite from a human? YES Decision, what type? If bite is from a snake, scorpion or other reptile, hold the bitten area still and below the level of the heart. Call POISON CONTROL CENTER See “Snake Bite”, if appropriate. Use Poison Control, and follow directions

BITES – Last Steps  Don’t try to catch or touch the animal  Get description and location of animal  Report to Animal Control or proper authority, usually the local Health Department, so that animal can be caught & watched for rabies Check immunization record for DT, DPT (tetanus). See “Tetanus” for more information. Contact responsible school authority and parents/legal guardians. Inform if a human bite that both the person bitten and the person biting may have been exposed to blood from other person. ENCOURAGE IMMEDIATE MEDICAL CARE File Incident Report The END

BITES (Human & Animal) Wear disposable gloves when exposed to blood or other body fluids Hold bite area under running water for 2-3 minutes Wash with soap and water If wound bled, apply clean bandage Is the person bleeding? CALL See “Bleeding”  Press firmly with a clean dressing/cloth on bleeding site  “See Bleeding” Check immunization record for DT, DPT (tetanus). See “Tetanus” for more information. Is bite from a human? If bite is from a snake, scorpion or other reptile, hold the bitten area still and below the level of the heart. Call POISON CONTROL CENTER See “Snake Bite”, if appropriate  Don’t try to catch or touch the animal  Get description and location of animal  Report to Animal Control or proper authority, usually the local Health Department, so that animal can be caught & watched for rabies Contact responsible school nurse or administrator and parents/legal guardians. Inform if a human bite that both the person bitten and the person biting may have been exposed to blood from other person. ENCOURAGE IMMEDIATE MEDICAL CARE File Incident Report Is bite large or gaping? Is blood spurting? Is bleeding uncontrolled? The Whole Thing Yes No Yes

Implementing the Guidelines Review the Guidelines in advance Write down your local emergency phone numbers Make available to all who might use Provide training to staff. Encourage all school staff to take 1 st Aid and CPR training. Check with designated first aid person and local policies.