First Aid H Text H H Power Point: H Yellow card H 20 minutes from hospital H National Safety Council H Red Cross H American Heart Association

Course Information H Practical H Prevention H Easy Class? Easy A? H Concern for the victim H Advanced training?

First Aid H In the U.S. every year: –2 million hospitalized due to injuries –140,000 die from injuries –500,000 die from heart attacks –150,000 die from strokes

Injuries H The leading cause of death and disability in children and young adults H Brain and spinal cord injuries: 80,000 unnecessary and permanently disabled H Disabling injuries from unintentional causes: –One disabling injury every 2 seconds –One fatality every 6 minutes

Expenses Related to Unintentional Injuries H billion dollars each year H Prevention is much less expensive

Leading Injury Related Deaths H Motor vehicle crashes H Falls H Poisoning H Drowning H Fires, burns

Heart Problems H 1 of every 4 Americans has a heart problem

Emergency Frequency H ASU: 10,000 students H Student in this class

The Golden Hour

Why Learn First Aid H What is First Aid? –First aid is the immediate care given to the injured or suddenly ill until more advanced care is obtained

Goals of First Aid H Keep victim alive H Prevent victim from getting worse H Help promote recovery H Ensure victim receives medical care

First Aid H Proper procedures may mean the difference between: –Life and death –Rapid or slow recovery –Hospitalization –Temporary disability or permanent injury

Lawsuit Society

Legal Aspects H No one is required to render first aid unless: –You have already begun first aid procedures –Designated by employer –Pre-existing responsibility

Legal Aspects #2 H Once first aid has begun, you are not to leave until: –The victim is under the care of someone with equal or greater training –The victim refuses treatment or transportation

Legal Aspects #3 H If you do leave, you may be charged with: – ABANDONMENT

Standard Of Care H What type of first aid care is appropriate and acceptable? H If you act reasonably and with the same amount of training as others who would deal with similar circumstances

Scope of Care H If you follow recommendations identified by the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, National Safety Council, etc. you fall under: Published Recommendations

Consent H Expressed Consent: – Nod, oral, or written permission (parents / guardian of incompetent individuals) –Do not withhold first aid from a minor just to obtain consent H Implied Consent: –Deals with the unconscious –Deals with conscious who does not resist help

Consent #2 H Touching another person without permission is unlawful! (battery)

Right To Refuse Care H Why might someone refuse care? –(student didn’t believe in going to the doctor) H Try to convince victim that they need care

If Victim Refuses Care: H DO NOT give aid or transport H Make note of witnesses H Document events (put all info in writing)

If Parents Refuse Help For A Child: H Convince otherwise H Call police H Document events in writing H Identify witnesses

If Intoxicated Or Belligerent And Refuse Care H Convince otherwise H Document events in writing H Identify witnesses H Drugs and alcohol may mask injury

Protect Yourself from a Law Suit H Act only as you have been trained H Get consent H Do not move victim unnecessarily H Call for professional help H Continue care until help arrives

Good Samaritan Laws H Vary from state to state H Protects those acting in good faith without gross negligence or willful misconduct. H Your protection consists of proper training and application of skills

Confidentiality

Rescue Doctrine H In some cases, the injured rescuer has the right to recover for injuries sustained while attempting to help –(amputated leg) –(downed power line - sued power company)

Will You Help?

Consider The Following H Consider your health as well as the victim’s H Try to decide ahead of time if you will help H Are you bothered by blood, HIV risks, Hepatitus B and C? H Calm yourself, take deep breaths

Will You Help? #2 H Protect yourself by wearing gloves –(victim in street) H Glove removal

Will You Help? #3 H All human blood and body fluids should be considered infectious –Wash hands extremely well –Clean spills with diluted bleach

Will You Help? #4 H If you don’t think you can handle a situation, call EMS –Do not call a friend or relative first –Teach children to call 911

The Dying Victim H Avoid negative statements H Assure victim that family will be located H Allow for some hope H Use a gentle voice

The Dying Victim #2 H Use the victim’s name H Reassure by touching the victim H Do not pronounce death –Even paramedics can’t pronounce death

Grieving H For the victim’s family and for yourself H Don’t tell survivors everything at once H Counseling (paramedics- Westside)