First Aid Essentials
Dr Nazia Khan
Assistant professor
College of Medicine
Chapter outline
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Being a first aider
Looking after yourself
Action at an emergency
Road accidents
Fires
Electrical injuries
Assessing a victim
Treatment and after care
Using observation chart
Definition
• First aid is the initial assistance or treatment
given to someone who is injured or suddenly
taken ill.
Being a first Aider
• Responsibilities
1. To asses a situation quickly and safely, and summon appropriate help
2. To protect victims and others at the scene from danger
3. To identify, as much as possible, the injury or nature of the illness affecting a
victim
4. To give each victim early treatment and appropriate treatment, treating the
most serious conditions first
5. To arrange for the victims transport to a hospital, into the care of a doctor,
or to his home as necessary
6. If medical aid is needed, to remain with the victim until further care is
available
7. To report your observations to those taking over care of the victim, and to
give further assistance if required.
8. To prevent cross-infection between yourself and the victim as much as
possible
Note
1. Ask the victim and bystanders what has happened
2. Try to identify his injuries and treat urgent ones first
3. Do not move him unless it is absolutely necessary
4. Treat victim in position found
Giving care with confidence
1. Being in control both of your own reactions and of the problem
2. Acting calmly and logically
3. Being gentle and firm
4. Speaking to the victim kindly but in clear and purposeful way
BUILDING UP TRUST: While performing your examination and
treatment, talk to the victim throughout
1. Explain what you are going to do
2. Try to answer questions honestly to allay fears as best you can.
If you do not know the answer, say so
3. Continue to reassure the victim, even when the treatment is
finished. Ask who to contact
4. Do not leave someone whom you believe to be dying, seriously
ill, or badly injured
Talking to relatives:
• Death of victim to be told by police or EMS personnel
• If you are telling: make sure you are talking to the right
person
Coping with children:
• Talk first to someone the child trusts-parent if possible
• Don’t separate the child from mother,father or other
trusted person
NOTE: Giving first aid to child
-Try to make a child comfortable and confident with your
treatment
- Always explain what you are doing,no matter what the
age of the child
LOOKING AFTER YOURSELF
• Protect yourself from injury and infection in addition look after your
psychological health
PERSONAL SAFETY:
• Dont be heroic
• The fight and flight response: in emergency, your body responds by
releasing certain hormones
• Stay calm
Protection from infection
• Prevent cross infection
• Wash hands, wear gloves
• Risk of transmission of blood borne viruses such as hep B or C, HIV
• All first aiders should be immunized against hepatitis (No vaccine
available for Hep C and HIV)
• If there is exposure to any infection after giving first aid, seek medical
aid immediately
1. Wet hands and
wrist.apply soap
2. Right palm over left,left
over right
3. Palm to palm. Fingers
interlacing
4. Interlock fingers and
rub the back of fingers
5. Rotational rubbing of
right thumb clasped in
left palm and vice versa
6. Rotational rubbing
backwards and forward
of fingertips and thumb
of right hand in left
palm and vice versa
Wash hands with water,
dry with paper towel
GUIDELINES FOR PREVENTING CROSS INFECTION
• If facilities are available, wash hands thoroughly with soap
and water before treating the victim
• Use gloves or enclose your hands in clean plastic bags
• Cover cuts and abrasions on your hands with waterproofing
dressings
• Wear a plastic apron when dealing with large quantities of
body fluids,and wear palstic glasses to protect your eyes
• Avoid touching a wound or touching any part of a dress
• Try not to breathe,cough or sneeze over a wound
• Take care not to prick yourself with any needle found on or
near a victim or cut yourself on glass
• If face shield is available,use it when giving rescue breaths
• Dispose all waste safely
IF YOU ACCIDENTLY PRICK OR CUT
YOUR SKIN OR SPLASH YOUR EYES,
WASH THE AREA THOROUGHLY AND
SEEK MEDICAL HELP IMMEDIATELY
Dealing with waste:
• Dispose of all waste carefully to prevent the
spread of infection.
• Place soiled items in a biohazard bag, seal it
and incinerate(burn)
• For sharp objects such as needles, a sharp
container-seal it tightly and label it
Dealing with stress:
Feelings after an incident
• After treating a victim,you might experience:
1. Satisfaction and pleasure
2. Confusion and doubt
3. Anger and sadness
• Talk over your experience with a colleague, your supervisor, your
trainer, or your own doctor
Delayed reactions: In longer terms, stress can manifest as:
1. Tremor of hands and stomach
2. Excessive sweating
3. Flashbacks of the incident
4. Nightmares or disturbed sleep
5. Tearfulness
6. Tension and irritability
7. Withdrawal and isolation
•
•
These symptoms should pass in time.
Exercise or relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga may help
ACTION AT EMERGENCY
1.
•
•
Assess the situation:
Identify risk to yourself, to the victim, and bystanders
Ask yourself -is there continuing danger
- Is anyone’s life in immediate danger
- Are there any bystanders who can help
- Do I need specialized help
2.Make the area safe-Put your safety first
- Lastly remove the victim from the danger
- making a vehicle safe:switch off the ignition
3.Give emergency aid- conscious,airway open,breathing,signs of circulation
4.Get help from others
• Avoid placing yourself in danger
• Do not attempt too much by yourself
ROAD INCIDENTS
• The severity of road accident vary from a fall from a bicycle to a
major vehicle crash
• Make the incident area safe before attending to any victim
1. Park safely, turn on your flashing hazard lights
2. Don't run across a busy highway
3. At night, wear or carry a light ,and then take these general
precautions
-have a helper warn drivers to slow down
-set up warning triangles or lights at least 50yds(40m) from the site in
each direction
-switch off ignition of any damaged vehicle, and if you can disconnect
the battery, switch off the fuel supply on diesel vehicles and
motorcycles if possible
-stabilize the vehicle, if it is upright apply handbreak and put n gear
-look out for physical dangers, make sure no one smokes
-
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
• Check the victim:
-assess all victims, deal first with those having
life threatening injuries like burns
-treat victim in the position you find them
-search the area thoroughly, so that you don't
overlook any victim
-always assume there is a neck/spinal injury and
support the head with your hands until help
arrives
-monitor and record victims vital signs while
watching for specialized help: level of
response ,pulse and breathing
1. Do not move the victim unless it is absolutely
necessary
2. If it is essential to move the victim,the
method you use will depend on the victim’s
Condition and whether help is available
3. Ask a buystander to mark the position of the
vehicle and the victim to provide the
information for the police
FIRES
• Fire spreads very quickly,warn people at risk
• If in building activate the nearest fire alarm
• Alert the emergency services,don’t put
yourself in risk
• Reduce panic
• Do not use elevators
• Stop, observe,think, and do not rush into the
area.There may be flammable or explosive
substances,such as gas or toxic fumes,or a risk of
electrocution.A minor fire can escalate in minutes
to a serious blaze. If there is a risk to you,wait for
the emergency services
• Do not attempt to fight a fire unless you have
called the emergency services and made sure
that you are not putting your own safety at risk
• Dealing with fire
• Remove any of these to break this triangle of
fire
For example
• Switch off car’s ignition or pull the fuel cut off on
a large diesel vehicle
• Remove from the path of a fire any combustible
materials such as paper or cardboards,that may
fuel the flame
• Shut a door on a fire in order to cut off its oxygen
supply
• Smother flames with a fire blanket or other
impervious substance to prevent oxygen from
reaching them
Leaving a burning building
• If you see or suspect a fire in a building, activate the
first fire alarm you see
• Help people get out of the building without putting
yourself at risk
• Close doors behind you to help prevent the fire from
spreading.
• Look for fire exits and assembly points
HELPING ESCAPE FROM A BURNING BUILDING
• Encourage people to leave the building calmly but
quickly by the nearest safe exit
• If stairs to be used, make sure that people do not
rush and risk falling
CLOTHING ON FIRE
FOLLOW: stop, drop,and roll
• If possible ,wrap the victim tightly in a
coat,curtain or blanket(not a nylon or cellular
type),rug, or other heavy fabric
• Roll the victim along the ground until the flames
have been smothered
• If water or another non-flammable liquid is
available, lay the victim down with the burning
side uppermost and cool the burn with the liquid
• Do not attempt to use flammable materials to
smother flames
• If your own clothes catch fire and help is not
available, extinguish the flames by wrapping
yourself up tightly in suitable material and
rolling along the ground
SMOKE AND FUMES
• Fire in a confined space creates a dangerous atmosphere that is low in
oxygen and may be polluted by carbon monooxide and toxic fumes.
• Never enter a burning or smoke filled building or open a door leading
to fire
WHAT YOU CAN DO
• if trapped in a burning building, go into a room with a window and
shut the door. If you have to cross a smoke filled room, stay low: air is
clearest at floor level.
• If you have to escape through a window, go out feet first; lower
yourself to the full length of your arms before dropping down
AVOIDING SMOKE AND FUMES
• Take measures to avoid inhaling harmful smoke and fumes if you are in
a burning building.
• Block any gaps in the door,and stay down close to the floor where you
are less likely to encounter smoke
ELECTRICAL INJURIES(EI)
• When a person is electrocuted,the passage of electrical
current through his body may stun him,causing his
breathing and even his heartbeat to stop.
• The electrical current may cause burns both where it
enters and exits the body.
• In some cases,the current also causes muscular spasms
that may prevent a victim from breaking the contact
with it,so the person may still be electrically charged
when you come on the scene.
• EI usually occur in home/workplace, due to contact with
sources of low-voltage current or high-voltage current
such as fallen power lines.
• People who are electrocuted by a high-volatage current
rarely survive
LIGHTENING:
• A natural burst of electricity discharged from
the atmosphere,lightening forms an intense
trail of light and heat
• It may set clothing on fire,knock vicitm
down,or even cause instant death.
• Clear everyone from the site of a lightening
striek as soon as possible
HIGH VOLTAGE CURRENT
• Found in power lines and overhead high-tension(HT) cables
• Usually fatal
• Who survive will have severe burns.
• Shock produces a muscular spasm that may propel the victim
some distance, causing injuries such as fractures.
• High-voltage electricity may jump(arc) up to 20yds(18m).
Materials such as dry wood or clothing will not protect you
• The victim is likely to be unconscious.
• Once it is safe to do so,open the airway and check breathing;be
ready to begin rescue breaths and chest compressions if
necessary.
• If his breathing,place him in the recovery position.
• Regularly monitor and record vitals
LOW-VOLTAGE CURRENT:
• Domestic current, can cause serious injury or
even death.
• Incidents are usually due to faulty switches,
frayed insultion, or defective appliances.
• Young children are particularly at risk• Water, which is a dangerously efficient
conductor of electricity, presents additional
risks.
• WHAT YOU CAN DO:
-Break the contact between the vicitm and the electrical supply by
switching off the current at the main switch or fuse box if it can
be reached easily,otherwise,unplug or disconnect the appliance.if
you cannot reach the plug or main switch,do the following:
1. Stand on some dry insulating material such as wooden
box,plastic mat
2. Using something made of wood,push the victim’s limbs away
from the elctrical source,donot touch the victim directly
3. If it is not possible to break the contact with a wooden
object,loop a length of rope aorund the victim’s ankles or under
the arms,taking greta care not to touch him,and pull him away
from the source
4. If it is necessary,pull the victim free by pulling at any articles of
loose,dry clothing.do this as last resort because the vicitm may
still be alive
•ASSESSING THE VICITM
PRIMARY SURVEY
•assess the victim for
life threatening
conditions that need
emergency firs aid
SECONDARY SURVEY
•Once the vicitm is out
of immediate
danger,carry out
secondary survey
PRIMARY SURVEY
SECONDARY SURVEY
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TAKING history and performing physical examination
TAKING HISTORY
when did the victim last have something to eat or drink?
Does the vicitm has any illness,and is he taking medications?
How uch force was involved in an injury and how was it exerted?
Ask about environment-was the vicitm in a hot and stuffy ,or cold
,room or exposed to wind or rain?
• Find out vicitm’s age and state of health
• Establish who the victim is and if possible where he lives
EXTERNAL CLUES:
• If the victim isunconscious/noncooperative,look for
external clues
• Appointment card for clinic, card indicating allergy,
diabetes or epilepsy
• Medications and food may give some clue
• Mechanics of injury
-circumstances of injury
-forces exerted on the body
TRETMENT AND AFTERCARE
• Treat calmly
• Don’t allow crowd
• Avoid moving the victim unnecessarily
TREATMENT PRIORITY:
• Carry out a primary survey
• Control bleeding
• Carry out a secondary survey
• Treat large wounds and burns
• Immobilize bone and joint injuries
• Give appropriate treatment for other injuries and conditions found
• Regularly monitor and record vital signs
ARRANGING AFTERCARE:
• Decide whether the victim needs medical aid
• Stay with victim till help arrives,ask someone else
to summon help if possible
• Call a doctor for advice
• Pass care of victim to doctor or nurse
• Take the victim to a nearby house or shelter to
await medical help
• Allow the vicitm to go home,ensuring that he is
accompanied if possible
• Advise the victim to see doctor
caution
• Any victim who has impaired consciousness,
serious injuries,severe breathing difficulties,or
signs of shock, must not be allowed to go
home.stay with the victim until help arrives
• Do not give anything by mouth to any victim
who may have internal injuries or to anyone who
needs hospital care
• Do not allow the victim to smoke
• CARE OF PERSONAL BELONGINGS:
 Search victim’s belongings in front of reliable witness
 All belongings should go with him to hospital or handed over
to police
• THE USE OF MEDICATION
 Largely confined to relieving general aches and
pains(acetaminophen)
 Whenever a victim takes medication,it is essential to make
sure that:
1. It is appropriate for the condition
2. It is not out of date
3. It is taken as advised
4. Any precautions are strictly followed
5. The recommended dose is not exceeded
6. A record is kept of the name and dose and the time &
method of administration
• PASSING ON INFORMATION
-Make a report
Victim's name and address
History of the illness or incident
Brief description of any injuries
Any unusual behaviour
Any treatment given, and when
Level of response,pulse,and breathing
USING OBSERVATION CHARTS
• Every time you attend to a victim you should
monitor and record vital signs-level of
response ,pulse, and breathing
• This information is important for medical
personnel
Thank you