EMERGENCY PLAN – FOR INJURIES PROCEDURE
MATERI PENDUKUNG – PERTEMUAN 07 – A
First Aid for Specific Injuries
A burn can be defined as an injury resulting from heat, chemical agents, or
radiation and a burn can be classified according to the depth or degree of
skin damage.
First-degree burns are those that result from overexposure to sunlight, skin
contact with hot object, or scalding by hot water or steam.
Second-degree burns can result from very deep sunburns, contact with hot
liquids and flash burns from gasoline, kerosene, and other petroleum
products.
Third-degree burns can result from ignited clothing, immersion in hot water,
contact with hot objects, and electricity.
First Aid for Burns
For first-degree burns, submerge the burned area in cold water and then
cover it with a dry dressing.
For-second-degree burns, immerse the burned area in cold water (not ice
water) until the pain subsides and then apply freshly ironed or laundered
cloths that have been wrung out in ice water.
For third-degree burns, do not remove particles of charred clothing.
Chemical Burns
First aid steps for chemical burns of the skin are as follows:
• Flood the affected area with large quantities of water for at least 5
minutes.
• If the victim’s clothing is contaminated with chemicals, gently remove
the clothing.
• The exact procedures for first aid after contact with a chemical depend,
to a large extent, on the specific nature of the chemical. If appropriate
procedures are available, apply them after washing the area with water.
The material safety data sheet (MSDS) is a good source of first aid
procedures for specific chemicals.
• Cover the affected area with a dressing bandage, and get medical help.
Eye Injuries Due to Foreign Objects
To remove a foreign object from the eye, follow the steps outlined below:
• Determine whether the object lies on the inner surface by gently
pulling down the lower lid.
• Remove the object with a clean tissue if it lies on the inner surface.
Cotton should not be used for removal of objects from the eye because
it can stick to the surface of the eye and can result in further
complications.
• If the foreign object is beneath the upper lid, grasp the lashes of the
upper lid and gently pull forward and down over the lower lid, this
may result in tears that dislodge the foreign object.
• If the foreign object has not been dislodged, lift the upper lid with a
matchstick and remove the object with a clean tissue.
• Flush the eye with water.
External Bleeding
The preferred method for the control of severe bleeding is direct pressure by
hand over a dressing. Direct pressure prevents loss of blood from the body
without interference with normal blood circulation. I the control of severe
bleeding, direct hand pressure over a thick pad of clothing causes the blood
to clot and on many occasions bleeding stops.
Head Injuries
For head injuries, first aid should be given as follows:
• Make no attempt to clean wounds, as this could result in severe
bleeding and/or contamination of the brain.
• Control the bleeding by elevating the victim’s head while exercising
caution not to bend the neck, in case a neck injury has occurred.
• Place a clean dressing over the wound while avoiding excessive
pressure, in case there is a fracture to the bone.
• After bleeding is under control, apply a bandage to hold the dressing
in place.
Hand Injuries
For hand injuries, first aid should be given as follows :
• Elevate the victim’s hand above the level of the heart. This is the most
important first aid because it reduces further swelling of tissues due to
gravity. (Only after snake bite and stings should the hand be kept
hanging down after injury).
• Do not attempt to cleanse a serious wound.
• To control bleeding, apply pressure over a sterile bandage.
• Separate the fingers by gauze or cloth dressing material, and cover the
entire hand with a sterile towel.
• During transportation to receive medical care, elevate the victim’s
hand in a sling or on pillows.
Bone Fractures
The following general guidelines should be used in trying to help someone
suspected of having a bon fracture injury :
• Make no attempt to set (or reduce) a fracture or to push a protruding
bone end back.
• Make no attempt to move a victim unless conditions are immediately
dangerous to life or health.
• In lifting a victim who is unconscious, always assume that the person
has an injury to the neck or spine.
• For a protruding bone, cover the entire wound a large clean pad.
• Do not replace bone fragments.
Shock
The following guidelines should be used when trying to provide first aid to a
shock victim.
• The victim should be asked to lie down and should be covered enough
to prevent the loss of body heat.
• Although the appropriate position depends on the injuries, the victim
should be placed in such a way as to improve blood circulation.
• The victim should not be moved in any way if injuries to the neck or
lower spine are suspected.
• An unconscious victim be positioned face down to ensure that airways
remain open.
• Although administering fluids by month could be helpful, no attempt
should be made to give any fluid to a victim who is unconscious,
vomiting, or likely to have surgery.
Overexposure to Heat
In industrial situations, there are occasions when a worker may be
overexposed to heat. Possible results are heat stroke, heat cramps and heat
exhaustion.
Heat Stroke
The following steps should be followed for a victim from heat stroke:
• The victim’s clothes should be removed and the body temperature
reduced by sponging the skin with water or rubbing alcohol, or by
placing the victim in a cold water bathtub.
• The victim should be dried and placed in a cool area to promote body
cooling. Monitor the body temperature and if it goes up, repeat the
cooling process. No attempt should be made to give stimulants to the
victim of a heat stroke.
Heat Cramps
The first cramp symptoms usually appear in the muscles of the for heat
cramps is to exert firm pressure or message the affected muscles to relieve
spasm. The victim can be given sips of salt water at the rate of half a glass
every 15 minutes for a period of one hour.
Heat Exhaustion
Although the victim of heat exhaustion may have a normal body temperature,
this condition usually is accompanied by pale skin, profuse sweating,
weakness, headache and dizziness.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
CPR is an emergency first aid procedure that combines, artificial respiration
with artificial blood circulation – a combination of mouth-to-mouth
breathing, which supplies air to the lungs and chest compression, which
provides blood circulation.
Positioning the Victim
• Tap or gently shake the victim’s shoulder. Ask “Are you O.K?” If
there is no response, get help from someone nearby.
• CPR must be performed with the victim lying on the back on a firm
surface with the head lower than or level with the heart.
Mouth-to-Mouth Breathing
• Place one head on the victim’s forehead and push it back firmly.
• If there is no breathing, give the victim two full breaths in a row.
• Check the victim’s pulse and breathing for 5 to 10 seconds. To do
this: Keep the head tipped with your hand on the victim’s forehead.
Chest Compression
In order to start chest compression, your hand
should be in the proper position; to do this:
• Use your index and middle fingers to find the lower edge of the
victim’s rib cage on the side nearest you.
• Trace the edge of the rib up to the notch where they meet the
breastbone.
• Place your middle finger on the notch, pointing across the chest. Your
index finger goes next to it, on the side closest to the victim head.
• Put the heel of your other hand on the victim’s breastbone right next
to your index finger.
• Remove the two fingers from the notch and place the heel of hand on
top of the other. Keep all your fingers off the chest.