Before Giving Care and Checking an Injured or Ill Person Chapter 1 Before Giving Care and Checking an Injured or Ill Person

Chapter 1 - Objectives Move an ill or injured person with the proper technique Utilize and remember the steps for initial care of a victim Understand and utilize the Good Samaritan Law Know and perform the proper techniques for overcoming barriers Discuss universal precautions for preventing disease transmission

Your Role in the EMS System Step 1: Recognize that an Emergency Exists Step 2: Decide to Act Step 3: Activate the EMS System Step 4: Give Care Until Help Arrives

Recognize that an Emergency Exists Unusual Noises Screaming, moaning, yelling, or calls for help Unusual silence Unusual Sights Downed Electrical Wires Spilled Medication or empty container Unusual Odors Odors that are stronger than usual Sulfer Smell Unusual Appearances or Behaviors Unconsciousness Sudden collapse, slip, or fall

Decide to Act Overcoming Barriers to Act Panic or Fear of Doing Something Wrong Being Unsure of the Person’s Condition and What to do Assuming Someone Else Will Take Action The Type of Injury or Illness Fear of Catching a Disease Fear of Being Sued Good Samaritan Law Being Unsure When to Call 9-1-1

Good Samaritan Law Law that protect people against claims of negligence when they give emergency care in good faith with out accepting anything in return. Usually protect citizens who act the same way a “reasonable and prudent person” would in that same situation.

Activate the EMS Call 9-1-1or other local emergency number Emergency Call Taker will ask for: Your address Your phone number Location of the emergency Questions to determine if you need the police, fire or medical assistance Do NOT hang up until the call taker does FIRST

Give Care Until Help Takes Over You see an obvious sign of life Another trained responder or EMS takes over You are too exhausted to continue The scene becomes unsafe Getting Permission to Give Care Permission to give care if the person is conscious Tell them: who you are, how much training you have, what you think is wrong, what you plan to do Implied Consent Given if: unconscious or unable to respond, confused, mentally impaired, seriously injured, or seriously ill

Disease Transmission Bacteria Live outside of the body and do not depend on other organisms for life Viruses Depend on other organisms to live

Prevention of Disease Transmission While Giving Care Avoid Contact with blood and other bodily fluids Use protective CPR breathing barrier Use other barriers Gloves Cover your own cuts Cleaning up Spills Clean immediately Wipe with absorbent material Use 1part bleach to 9 parts water to clean and disinfect the area Dispose of in a biohazard container

Taking Action: Emergency Action Steps Check - Call - Care

CHECK Check the Scene and the Person

Look over the Scene and Ask: Is it safe? Is immediate danger involved? What happened? How many people are involved? Is anyone else available to help? What is wrong?

Checking the Victim: Check to see if the victim is conscious: Adult victim 12yrs + Child Victim 1 – 12 yrs Infant Victim Birth to 1yr.

CALL Call 9-1-1 or The Local Emergency Number

IF YOU ARE ALONE: CALL 9-1-1 FIRST IF: 2 MIN. OF CARE FIRST: Any adult or child who is unconscious A child or infant who you witnessed suddenly collapse Unconscious child or infant known to have heart problems 2 MIN. OF CARE FIRST: Unconscious child who you did not see collapse Any drowning victim

CARE Once you have checked the person and called 9- 1-1, you may have to give care until EMS personnel take over.

To do so Follow these Guidelines: Do no further harm Monitor the person’s breathing and consciousness Help the person rest in the most comfortable position Keep the person from getting chilled or overheated Reassure the person Give any specific care as needed

When can you move the victim? When the scene becomes unsafe When you need to get to another victim who is more injured. When you need to give care to the victim.

Moving an Ill or Injured Person: Techniques on Land: Walking Assist Two-Person Seat Carry Pack-Strap Carry Clothes Drag Blanket Drag Ankle Drag Techniques for Water: Reaching Assists Throwing Assists Wading Assists

Checking a Conscious Victim Interview the person and bystanders Obtain consent from the victim or parent/guardian Check the person from head to toe Toe to head for children

Shock A condition in which the circulatory system fails to deliver enough oxygen-rich blood to the body’s tissues and vital organs

Checking an Unconscious Person A,B,C’s Airway Breathing Circulation

Special Situations: Air in the Stomach Vomiting Mouth-to-Nose Breathing Mouth-to-Stoma Breathing Head, Neck, and Spinal Injuries Drowning Victims

Recovery Position H – High A – Arm IN E – Endangered S – Spine