College of Health sciences
Department of Nursing
First aid for 2nd year Comprehensive
nursing students
By: Temesgen A. (BSc, MSC in EMCCN)
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Temesgen A. (BSc, EMCCN)
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What is first aid?
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Chapter 1: Introduction of First Aid
Objectives:
• Define First Aid and accident prevention
• Identify reasons for First Aid
• Explain principles of first aid
• List value of First Aid Training
• Adopt general directions for giving first aid
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Definition
• First aid refers to the actions taken in response
to someone who is injured or has suddenly
become ill (American College of Emergency
Physicians (ACEP)).
• It includes well selected words of
encouragement, evidence of willingness to help,
and promotion of confidence by demonstration
of competence (American red cross, 1998).
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Reasons for giving First Aid (Aims)-3Ps
• To sustain (preserve) life: E.g. mouth to mouth
respiration when breathing has stopped.
• To prevent worsening of the problem
(complication): E.g. Immobilizing the fractured
bone.
• To promote healing and recovery: e.g., reassure
the patient, relief pain, protect from cold and
arrange patient transfer
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General principles of first aid
• Rescue and removal of the causality in the
shortest possible time without aggravating
existing health situation
• First aid should be confined to essential only.
‘never attempt CPR for responsive person’
• Immediate arrest of hemorrhage
• Restoration of circulation
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General principles of first aid
• Preventing of impending shock and
treatment of shock
• Immobilization of simple or compound
fracture and dislocation.
• Alleviation of pain by simple procedure or
medication.
• Assurance of the victim
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Value of first aid training
• It does more than help save lives.
• It enables you to increase patient comfort.
• It gives you tools to prevent the situation
from becoming worse.
• It creates the confidence to care.
• It encourages healthy and safe living
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Infection prevention and patient safety
• When you give first aid, it is important to
protect yourself (and the casualty) from
infection as well as injury
• To help protect yourself from infection you
can carry protective equipment such as:
■ Pocket mask or face shield
■ Latex-free disposable gloves
■ Alcohol gel to clean your hands
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General directions for giving first aid
• Assess a situation quickly and calmly.
• Protect yourself and any casualties from
danger—never put yourself at risk.
• Prevent cross-contamination as best as possible
• Comfort and reassure casualties.
• Assess the casualty: identify, as best as you can,
the injury or nature of illness affecting a
casualty
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General directions for given first aid
• Give early treatment, and treat the
casualties with the most serious (lifethreatening) conditions first.
• Arrange for appropriate help: call
ambulance/medical help for emergency help
if you suspect serious injury or illness
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Assessment of the casualty
• Resist the temptation to begin dealing with any
casualty until you have assessed the overall
situation
• Remember the following:
• Be calm
• Be aware of risks
• Build and maintain the casualty’s trust
• Call appropriate help
• Remember your own needs
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Methods of assessment
The primary survey
• This is an initial rapid assessment of a
casualty to establish and treat conditions
that are an immediate threat to life
• Follow the Airway, Breathing, and Circulation
(ABC) principle
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Methods of assessment
The primary survey
• Airway: Is the airway open and clear?
• The airway is not open and clear if the casualty is
unable to speak.
• Breathing: Is the casualty breathing normally?
• If the casualty is not breathing normally, call for
emergency help, then start chest compressions with
rescue breaths (cardiopulmonary resuscitation/CPR).
• If this happens, you are unlikely to move on to the
next stage
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Methods of assessment
The primary survey
• Circulation: Is the casualty bleeding severely?
• If he is bleeding this must be treated
immediately because it can lead to a lifethreatening condition known as shock
• Call for emergency help
• If there is no bleeding, continue to the
secondary survey.
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Methods of assessment
The secondary survey
• This is a detailed examination of a casualty
• Your aim is to find out:
• History: What actually happened and any
relevant medical history.
• Use the mnemonic AMPLE as an easy
reminder.
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Methods of assessment
History - AMPLE
• Allergy – Do they have any allergies? For example, nuts or any
medication such as penicillin or aspirin?
• Medication – are they taking any medication?
• Previous medical history – do they suffer from any medical
condition such as diabetes, epilepsy or heart disease? Have they
had any previous injuries or surgery?
• Last meal – when did they last eat or drink?
• Event history – what happened and where? Is the incident due to
an illness or an accident? Ask any people nearby what happened
and look for any clues that may give you more information
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Methods of assessment
Signs
• look, listen, feel and smell for any signs of injury such as:
• swelling
• deformity
• bleeding
• discoloration
• any unusual smells
• Compare the injured side of the body with the uninjured side.
• Are they able to perform normal functions such as standing or
moving their limbs?
• As you check, make a note of any superficial injuries to treat once
you’ve finished your examination.
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Methods of assessment
Symptoms
• Ask the casualty short, simple questions about any symptoms
and sensations they may be feeling
• They should answer in as much detail as possible
• For example, ask them:
1.Do you have any pain?
2.Where is the pain?
3.When did the pain start?
4.Can you describe the pain, is it constant or irregular, sharp or
dull?
5.Is the pain made worse
by movement or breathing?
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Chapter 2: Respiratory emergency
Definition
• Respiratory emergency- is one in which
normal breathing stops or in which breathing is
reduced so that oxygen intake is insufficient to
support life.
• Artificial respiration -is a procedure for
making air to flow into and out of a person’s
lungs when his natural breathing is inadequate
or ceases.
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Causes of Respiratory Emergencies
• Anatomical Obstruction
• The most common cause of respiratory emergency is drooping
of the tongue back and obstructing the throat.
• Other causes of obstruction that constrict the air passages
are:
• Asthma
• Laryngeal spasm
• Croup
• Swelling after burns of the face
• Diphtheria
• Swallowing of corrosive poison
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Causes of Respiratory Failure
• Mechanical Obstruction
• Solid foreign objects lodging in the respiratory passage e.g.
choking of food.
• Aspiration (Inhalation of any solid or liquid substance)
• Air Depleted of Oxygen or Containing Toxic Gases
• CO poisoning
• Additional Causes of Respiratory Failure are:• Drowning
• Circulatory collapse (shock)
• Heart disease
• Strangulation
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Artificial respiration
• Artificial respiration:- is the technique of
supplying air to the lungs of a casualty who
is unable to breathe for himself
• When respiratory functions fail for any
reason, it is vital that artificial respiration
started immediately.
• The average person may die with in 4- 6
minutes if his/her oxygen supply is cut off
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Artificial respiration
• Recovery is usually rapid except in case of
carbon monoxide poisoning, over dosage of
drugs or electrical shock.
• Continue artificial respiration for a long time
is such conditions
• When a victim revives he/she should be treated
for shock.
• A physician’s care is necessary during the
recovery period.
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Artificial respiration
• Artificial respiration should always be
continued until :
• The victim begins to breath by himself
• He/she is pronounced dead by a doctor or
he/she is dead beyond any doubt
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Steps of Moth to moth (moth to nose)
method or ‘Kiss of life' step
• Determine consciousness by tapping the victim
on shoulder & asking loudly” are you okey”
• Open airway by head tilt-chin lift,
• Place your cheek & ear close to the victim mouth
& nose.
• look at the victim chest to see if it rises & falls
• listen & feel for air to be exhaled for about 5
seconds.
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Steps of Moth to moth (moth to nose)
method or ‘Kiss of life' step
• If there is no breathing, pinch the victim
nostril shut with the thump & index finger of
your hand. Blow air in to the victim mouth.
• Seal your mouth tightly around the victim
mouth & with your mouth forming a wide
open circle & blow in to the victim mouth.
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Steps of Moth to moth (moth to nose)
method or ‘Kiss of life' step
• Initially give 4 quick full breaths without allowing
the lungs to fully deflate(empty) between each
breath.
• Maintain the head tilt & again look ,listen & feel for
exhalation of air
• If the air way is clear only moderate resistance to
blowing will be felt.
• Watch the victim chest to see when it rises.
• Repeat the blowing cycle.
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Steps of Moth to moth respiration(steps
of opening the airway)
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Mouth- to- mouth respiration
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Steps of Moth to moth (moth to nose) method or
‘Kiss of life' step for infants and children
Note: Mouth- to- mouth and -nose resuscitation are
administered for infants and children as described above except
• The backward head tilt should not be as extensive as that of
adult.
• Both the mouth and nose of the infant or child should be sealed
off by your mouth.
• Blow in to the infant’s mouth and nose once every 3 seconds
(more than 20 times per minutes).
• But in the case of children blow once every 4 seconds (about
15 times per minute).
• The amount of air is determined by the size of the victim.
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Chocking
• Choking is a common breathing emergency
which occurs when the person’s airway is
partially or completely blocked by:
• A foreign object, such as a piece of food,
small toy…
• Swelling in the mouth or throat; or
• Fluids, such as vomit or blood
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Chocking
• With a partially blocked airway, the
person may be able to get enough air in and
out of the lungs to cough or to make
wheezing sounds.
• They also may get enough air to speak.
• A person whose airway is completely
blocked cannot cough, speak, cry or
breathe at all.
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Chocking
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Signs and symptoms
• Inability to talk
• Difficulty of breathing,
• Inability to cough
• Loss of consciousness
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Causes of Choking in Children and
Infants
• Choking is a common cause of injury and death
in children younger than 5 years.
• Because young children put nearly everything
in their mouths, small, nonfood items, such as
safety pins, small parts from toys and coins,
often cause choking.
• However, food is responsible for most of the
choking incidents in children.
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Manage chocking
Aims
• To remove the obstruction
• To arrange urgent removal to the hospital if
necessary
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Manage chocking
• After checking the scene and the injured or
ill person, have someone call for
help/ambulance
Give 5 back blows
• Bend the person forward at the waist and
give 5 back blows between the shoulder
blades with the heel of one hand.
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Manage chocking
Give 5 abdominal thrusts(Heimlich
Maneuver)
• Place a fist with the thumb side against the
middle of the person’s abdomen, just above
the navel.
• Cover your fist with your other hand.
• Give 5 quick, upward abdominal thrusts.
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Heimlich Maneuver
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Manage chocking
Continue care
• Continue sets of 5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrusts until
the:
• Object is forced out.
• Person can cough forcefully or breathe.
• Person becomes unconscious.
What to do next
• If person becomes unconscious, carefully lower the person to
the ground and give care for an unconscious choking adult,
beginning with looking for an object. Then do steps of CPR
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chest thrusts
• Give chest thrusts to a
choking person who is
obviously pregnant or
known to be pregnant or
is too large for you to
reach around.
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Choking child one year to puberty
• If the child is breathing, encourage her to continue
coughing.
• If she is not coughing and not able to breathe, she
is choking
• Put your arms around the child’s upper abdomen.
• Place your fist between the navel and the bottom of
her breastbone, and grasp it with your other hand.
• Pull sharply inward and upward until the object is
dislodged or the child becomes unconscious
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Choking child one year to puberty
• If the child becomes unresponsive, carefully support
her to the ground and start CPR with chest
compressions
• After 30 compressions, open the airway and look in
her mouth.
• If a foreign body is seen, remove it but do not
perform blind finger sweeps.
• Then attempt to give two breaths and continue with
cycles of chest compressions and ventilations until
the object is expelled.
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Choking child one year to puberty
• After two minutes, if no one has already
done so, the obstruction still has not cleared
or the child has not regained consciousness,
call ambulance for emergency help.
• Then continue CPR until help arrives
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Choking child one year to puberty
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Choking infant under one year
• If the infant is distressed, is unable to cry,
cough, or breathe, lay him face down along
your forearm, with his head low, and support
his back and head.
• Give up to five back blows, with the heel of
your hand.
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Choking infant under one year
• If back blows fail to clear the obstruction, turn
the infant onto his back and give chest
compressions.
• Using two fingers, push against the infant’s
breastbone, in the nipple line.
• Perform up to five chest compressions.
• The aim is to relieve the obstruction with each
chest compression rather than necessarily doing
all five.
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Choking infant under one year
• Check the infant’s mouth; remove any
obvious obstructions with your fingertips.
• Do not sweep the mouth with your finger
because this may push the object farther
down the throat.
• Repeat steps 1–4 until the object clears or
the infant loses consciousness.
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Choking infant under one year
2
1
4
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Cardiopulmonary arrest
• Cardiopulmonary arrest is the cessation of
adequate heart function and respiration and
results in death without reversal.
• Often this condition is found in patients with
coronary artery disease
• In adults, it is most likely to be caused by a
primary cardiac event.
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Cardiopulmonary arrest
• Diagnosis of cardiac arrest (TRIAD):
• Loss of consciousness.
• Loss of apical & central pulsations (carotid, femoral).
• Apnea.
• Absence of pulse on carotid arteries – a pathognomonic
symptom
• Respiration arrest – may be in 30 seconds after cardiac
arrest
• Enlargement of pupils – may be in 90 seconds after
cardiac arrest
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Causes of cardiopulmonary arrest
Cardiac Causes
• Inherited Disorders
• Coronary Artery Disease
• Heart Failure
• Myocardial Hypertrophy
• Congenital disease
• Valvular Heart Disease
Respiratory Causes
• Infiltrative and Inflammatory
• Airway obstruction:
Disorders
• Dilated Cardiomyopathy
• Electrophysiologic
Abnormalities
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• Pulmonary Embolism
• Respiratory Muscle
Weakness:
Traumatic Causes
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Cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR)
• CPR stands for Cardio Pulmonary
Resuscitation;
• Cardio refers to the heart.
• Pulmonary refers to the lungs.
• Resuscitation refers to the attempts made
to try and keep someone alive.
• CPR Is an emergency procedure applied
when heart and lung actions have stopped
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Cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR)
• It is squeezing the victim heart between the
sternum works like a pump, forcing blood to
reach the brain and the vessel supply blood to
the heart.
• During CPR you have to perform procedures to:
• Maintain an open airway
• Chest compression
• Breathe for the patient
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CPR involves two main things
Blowing air into the casualty (because they are
not breathing on their own)
Compressing their chest to squeeze the heart.
• When the heart is squeezed; blood will circulate.
• By circulating blood we also circulate oxygen
that is in the blood stream.
• The main purpose of CPR is to keep organs alive
by supplying them with oxygen.
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CPR for Adults
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Chapter 3: wound and bleeding
Objectives: After the end of this chapter the
student will be able to;
• Define wound and bleeding
• Identify different causes of wound.
• Give first aid for different wounds and
sever bleeding
• Explain the preventive measures of
contamination and infection of wounds.
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wound and bleeding
• Definition:- Wound is breaking in continuity to tissue of
the body, either internal or External.
• Common Causes of Wounds:
• Wounds usually result from external physical forces.
• The most common accidents resulting in open wounds
are:
• Accidental falls and
• Handling of sharp objects, tools, machinery and
weapons.
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Classification of Wound
based on skin
based on mechanism of
involvement
injuries
• Open: An open Wound is
• Abrasions
a break in the skin or
• Incisions
mucous membrane.
• Lacération
• Closed: A closed wound
involves injury to
underlying tissue with out
• Punctures
• Avulsions
a break in the skin or
mucous membrane.
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1-Abrased wound
• The outer layer of the
protective skin are
damage.
• It usually results when the
skin is scraped against a
hard surface.
• Bleeding is limited
• Danger of contamination
and infection is high.
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2-Incised wounds
• It frequently occurs when
body tissue is cut on
knives, rough edge of
metal, broken glass or
other sharp objects
• Bleeding may be rapid
and heavy
• Deep cuts may damage
muscles ,tendon, and
nerves.
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3-lacerations
• It is jagged, irregular or blunt
breaking or tearing of the soft
tissue and usually caused when
great force is exerted against
the body.
• Bleeding may be rapid and
extensive.
• Destruction of tissues is great
in a lacerated wound than cuts.
• Deep contamination of the
wound increase the chance for
later infection.
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4-puncture
• It is produced by an object piercing skin
layers, creating a small hole in the
tissue.
• External bleeding is usually quit limited.
• Internal damage may have resulted to
the organs causing internal bleeding.
• The hazard of infection is increased
because limit flushing action of external
bleeding.
• Tetanus may develop.
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5-avulsions
• It results when tissues is forcibly
separated or torn off from the
victims body.
• An incised wound, a lacerated
wound, or both will usually occurs
when a body part is avulsed.
• There will be heavy and rapid
bleeding.
• An avulsed body part may be
reattached to a victim body by a
surgeon.
• Avulsed wound occurs in accident
such as motor vehicle, wrecks, gun
shots, animal bite.
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3.2-Bleeding
• Bleeding is the escape of blood from vessels into surrounding
tissue whether
• External-obvious bleeding or
• Internal-concealed or hidden
• Types of external bleeding
• Arterial bleeding:- bright red in color, flow from the wound
inside Blood loss
• Venous bleeding:- dark red in color, flow is steady
• Capillary bleeding –oozing from bed of capillaries, red in
color, usually less bright than arterial blood with slow flow.
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First aid measures for sever bleeding
• Need for Immediate Action:-The reason why
intervention of first aider needed is to stop any large
rapid loss of blood, to treat for shock and prevent
death.
• Techniques to stop severe bleeding from simple to
complex are as follows:
• direct pressure
• Elevation
• Pressure on the Supplying Artery
• Tourniquet
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Direct pressure
• It is the preferred method for the control of severe
bleeding since it prevents blood loss from the body
with out interference with normal blood circulation.
• Apply direct pressure by placing the palm of the
hand over a thick pad directly on the entire area of
an open wound;
• Apply the pressure bandage, maintain a steady pull
on the bandage, and then tie the bandage with the
knot directly over the pad.
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Direct pressure
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Elevation
• Unless there is evidence of a fracture, a severely
bleeding open wound of the hand, neck, arm or
leg should be elevated above the level of the
victim’s heart.
• Elevation uses the force of gravity to help
reduce blood pressure in the injured area and
slows down the loss of blood through the
wound.
• It should be aided by direct pressure.
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Elevation
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Pressure on the Supplying Artery
• If severe bleeding from an open wound of the arm
or leg does not stop after the application of direct
pressure plus elevation, the pressure point
technique may be required
• Use the pressure point technique by temporarily
compressing the main artery(which supplies blood to
the affected limb) against the underling bone and
nearby tissues.
• The technique also stops circulation within the limb.
So Use it for short duration of time.
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Pressure on the Supplying Artery
• Use the brachial artery for the control of
severe bleeding from an open arm wound (it
is situated in the inside of the arm between
the biceps and triceps about mid way
between the armpit and the elbow).
• Use femoral artery for the control of severe
bleeding from an open leg wound.
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Pressure on the Supplying Artery
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Applying Tourniquet
• The use of a tourniquet is dangerous and the
tourniquet should be used only for a severe
life threatening hemorrhage that can not be
controlled by other means.
• Precaution: release the tourniquet every 15
minutes, and notify others as tourniquet is
applied not to forget in its applied site
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Safeguards to dressed wounds
• Whenever a dressing is applied to control bleeding,
safeguards must be taken.
• Do not remove or disturb the cloth pad initially placed
on the wound.
• Do not try to cleanse the wound, since the victim
requires medical care.
• Watch for signs of shock before and during
transportation.
• Immobilize the injured area.
• Adjust the victim in a lying position so that the
affected limb can elevated.
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Prevention of Contamination and
Infection
• Open wounds are subject to contamination
and infection.
• This danger can be prevented or minimized
by appropriate first aid measures, depending
up on the severity of bleeding.
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Measures to be taken with wounds without severe
bleeding
• To cleanse a wound, wash your hands thoroughly with soap
and water.
• Wash in and around the wound (wash the wound from inside to
outer side).
• Rinse the wound thoroughly by flushing with clean water.
• Blot the wound, dry with a sterile gauze pad or clean cloth.
• Apply a dry bandage or clean dressing and secure it firmly in
place.
• Inform the victim to see a physician immediately if evidence of
infection appears
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Removal of foreign objects
• Deeply embedded foreign objects in the
tissues, regardless of size should be left for
removal by health personnel.
• Immobilize the protruding end with
massive dressing
• transport the victim to a hospital without
delay.
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Infection
• If bacteria get inside tissues of the body,
serious infection may develop within hours or
days following an injury.
• These will result in delay of wound healing.
• The first-aider should recognize this fact and
combat against development of infection,
e.g. Tetanus.
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Signs and Symptoms of Infection
• Swelling of the affected part
• Redness of the affected part.
• A sensation of heat
• Throbbing pain
• Fever
• Pus formation
• Swelling of lymph nodes depending on the
affected sites
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Emergency care for infection
• In case of delay of medical care the first aider
should do the following for infection:
• Keep the victim lying down and quiet, and
immobilize the entire infected area.
• Apply heat to the area with hot water bottle
or placing warm, moist towels or clothes over
the wound.
• Do not delay efforts to get medical care for
the victim.
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Chapter 4: Dressing and Bandages
Learning objectives:
• After studying the material in this chapter the
student will be able to:
Define dressing and bandaging.
Recognize the purposes of dressing and
bandaging.
Recognize the general principles of bandaging.
Perform different applications of bandages.
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Dressing and Bandages
Definition
• The terms ‘dressing’ and ‘bandage’ are often used
synonymously.
• In fact, the term ‘dressing’ refers more correctly to the
primary layer in contact with the wound.
• Purpose of Dressings
• To assist in the control of bleeding
• To absorb blood and wound secretions
• To prevent additional contamination
• To relieve pain
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Types of dressing
• There are two types of dressing
Adhesive dressing:
This type of dressings are used for dressing
small cuts and grazes.
They consist of a gauze or cellulose pad and an
adhesive backing.
Non adhesive dressing:
It is a type of dressing used to dress large size
area wound unlike that of adhesive dressing.
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Dressing procedure
• Dressings must be sterile and absorbent to deter the
growth of bacteria, and should be left in place until the
wound heals, unless it needs to be regularly cleaned.
• To apply clean dressing materials at home, the primary
necessities are:
• Hand washing,
• Boiling the dressing materials for 15 minutes
• Drying the dressing materials with out contamination
• If available, the inner surface of a folded cloth can be
used for immediate use.
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Dressing procedure
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Bandages
• A bandage is a strip of woven material used to
hold a wound dressing or splint in place.
• It helps to immobilize, support and protect an
injured part of the body.
• Bandaging is the process of applying bandages
over the wound or injured part
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Functions of bandages
• To assist in the control of bleeding
• To absorb blood and wound secretion
• To prevent additional contamination
• To ease pain
• Control or reduce swelling
• Secure dressing and splint in position
• Assist in immobilization
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Types of bandages
Roller Bandages: are long strips of material.
• Basically there are two types of roller bandages :
A. Elastic roller bandage :• is used to apply support to a strain or sprain and is wrapped around
the joint or limb many times.
• It should be applied firmly, but not tightly enough to reduce
circulation.
B. Cotton or linen roller bandages:• are used to cover gauze dressings.
• They come in many different widths and are held in place with tape,
clips or pins.
• They can also be used for wound compression if necessary, as they
are typically sterile.
Note:
• Other emergency bandages can be formed from handkerchiefs,
household linen, ties, or stockings.
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Types of bandages
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Types of bandages
Tubular bandages:• Are used on fingers and toes because those areas are
difficult to bandage with gauze.
• They can also be used to keep dressings in place on
parts of the body with lots of movement, such as the
elbow or knee
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Types of bandages
Triangular bandages
• Are made of cotton or disposable paper.
• They have a variety of uses:
• When opened up, they make slings to support, elevate
or immobilize upper limbs with a broken bone or a
strain, or to protect a limb after an operation.
• Folded narrowly, a triangular bandage becomes a cold
compress that can help reduce swelling
• They are used also for applying pressure to a wound
to control bleeding.
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Types of bandages
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Application of Bandages
General Principles
• A bandage should be snug (not too loose and not too tight)
• To ensure that circulation is not interfered with:
• Leave the person’s fingertips and toes exposed.
• Watch for swelling, change of color and coldness of the tips
of fingers or toes indicating interference with circulation.
• Loosen bandages immediately if the victim complains of
numbness or tingling sensation.
• Never apply a tight circular bandaged about a person’s
neck- it may cause strangulation.
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Basic bandaging forms
• Each bandaging technique consists of various basic
forms of bandaging.
• The following five basic forms of bandaging can be
used to apply most types of bandages:
Circular bandaging
Spiral bandaging
Figure-of-eight bandaging
Recurrent bandaging
Reverse spiral bandage
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Circular bandaging
• It is used to hold dressings on body parts such
as arms, legs, chest or abdomen or for
starting others bandaging techniques.
• For circular bandage we used strips of cloth or
gauze roller bandage or triangular bandage
folded down to form strip of bandage (cravat).
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Circular bandaging
•
In the circular bandaging technique the layers of
bandage are applied over the top of each other:
•
Two or three turns may be needed to cover an
area adequately.
•
•
Hold the bandage in place with tape or a clip.
Almost all bandaging techniques start and
end with a few circular bandaging turns.
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Circular bandaging
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Spiral bandaging
• Spiral bandages are usually used for cylindrical
parts of the body.
• An elasticated bandage can also be used to apply
spiral bandaging to a tapered body part.
• Despite the increasing diameter of the body part,
the elasticity will allow the bandage to fit closely to
the skin.
• With each spiral turn, part of the preceding turn is
covered generally by 1/3 of the width of the
bandage.
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Spiral bandaging
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Figure-of-eight bandage
• Figure-of-eight bandage involves two turns
• The strips of bandage crossing each other at
the side where the joint flexes or extends.
• It is usually used to bind a flexing joint or body
part below and above the joint.
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Figure-of-eight bandage
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Recurrent bandaging
• Recurrent bandaging is used for blunt body parts
consists partly of recurrent turns.
• The bandage is applied repeatedly from one side
across the top to the other side of the blunt body
part.
• To be able to fix the recurrent turns well, not only
the wound, but the entire length of the blunt body
part should be covered.
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Recurrent bandaging
• Depending on the width of
the bandage and the body
part, successive turns
either cover the preceding
turn fully or partially.
• Recurrent bandages are
fixed using circular or
spiral turns.
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How to apply bandages to specific parts of the body
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How to apply bandages to specific parts of the body
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Checking circulation after bandaging
Pressing nail
Checking pulse
Tingling, coldness, inability to move fingers
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Chapter -5: Specific injures
Learning objectives: After studying the materials in this
chapter the student will be able to:• Describe eye injuries, its sign and symptoms and first
aid measures
• Give first aid for scalp and brain injuries.
• Provide first aid measures for face and jaw injuries.
• Apply first aid management of ear and nose injuries.
• Explain precautionary measures for neck injuries and
open wounds of the abdomen.
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Injury to the eye
• Since the eyes are delicate, they can be affected easily
therefore; immediate help should be given.
• Foreign objects are often blown or rubbed into the eyes.
• Such objects are harmful by irritating effect and may
embedded into the eye.
• Penetrating injuries of the eye are extremely serious and
can result in blindness.  Therefore, urgent referral
must be arranged.
• Generally injury to the eye can be penetrating or non
penetrating
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Signs and symptoms
• Redness of the eye
• Burning sensation
• Pain
• Headache
• Swelling
• Over production of tears
• Wound
• Presence of foreign body
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Management of eye injury
• Instruct the patient not to rub his eyes
• Wash your hands thoroughly before examining the
victim’s eye.
To remove a foreign body from the surface of the
eye ball or from the inner surface of the eyelid,
• Pull down the lower lid  lift the foreign
body gently with the corner of clean
handkerchief or paper tissue
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Management of eye injury
• To remove the foreign body from the upper lid; grasp
the lashes of the upper lid gently, While the victim looks
down => depress the victim’s upper lid with an object
placed horizontally and evert the lid to its place by
pulling down gently
• If the object is not removed, apply a dry dressing and
refer to hospital.
Note
• A very light covering be applied to an injured eyes
• Do not apply pressure
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Management of chemical injury to the eye
• If an acid or alkali gets in to the eye, this can be
very dangerous hence, flood the eye with
running water for several minutes(at least 20’)
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Management of chemical injury to the eye
• Tilt the head down toward the affected eye
• keep the affected eye lower than the
unaffected eye
• Remove contact lenses if any
• Seek medical care immediately
• Get medical help while you are doing this, or
after 15 to 20 minutes of continuous flushing
• Don't rub eyes.
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Head injuries
• Head injury is any trauma to the scalp, skull or
brain
1. Scalp injuries
• Wounds of the scalp even if small tend to
profusely bleed
• Deep scalp wounds may be complicated by
fragment from skull fractures or they may
contain hair, glass or other foreign material
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Scalp injuries….
First aid measures
• Do not try to clean scalp wounds.
• Control bleeding by raising the victim’s head
and shoulder; do not bend the neck (fracture
may be present).
• Place a sterile dressing on the wound.
• Apply a bandage to hold the dressing in place
and to provide pressure.
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2. Brain injury
• May occur not only from wounds of the scalp and open or closed
fracture of the skull, but also in the case of an illness such as a
stroke or tumor
Signs and symptoms
• Clear or blood tinged cerebrospinal fluid draining from the nose or
ears following skull fracture
• Temporary loss of consciousness
• Other manifestations of brain injury includes:
• Partial or complete paralysis of muscle of extremities of the
opposite side and facial paralysis on the same side of brain injury.
• Disturbance of speech.
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2. Brain injury
• Bleeding from the nose, ear canal or mouth
which is indicative of skull fracture
• Pale or flushed face
• Fast and weak pulse
• Headache and dizziness
• Vomiting
• Unequal size of pupils
• Loss of bowel and bladder control
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First aid for suspected brain injury
• Call for ambulance, and obtain medical assistance
as quickly as possible
• Give particular attention to insuring an open air way
• Keep the victim lying down and treat for shock
• Control hemorrhage
• Do not give fluid by mouth to the victim (keep NPO)
• Apply dressing and bandage over the skull if wound
is present
• Record the level of consciousness
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DON’Ts
• Don’t wash deep head wounds
• Don’t remove any object sticking out of the
wound
• Don’t drink alcohol within 48’hrs of serious head
injury
• Don’t remove helmet if you suspect a serious
head injury
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Nose bleed/Epistaxis
• Injury to the soft tissue of the nose; may or may
not include fracture.
Cause
• Nose bleeding can result from
• injury or infection to mucus membrane of nose
• 2o disease such as hypertension, febrile illnesses
• stressful activity
• exposure to high altitude (2o polycythemia)
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Nose bleed/Epistaxis
First aid measures
• Keep the victim quiet.
• Keep the victim in sitting position head tilted foreword.
• Inform the victim to breathe through the mouth.
• Apply direct pressure to the bleeding nostril by pinching.
• Apply cold compress to nose and face of the victim.
• If bleeding does not stop, insert a small clean pad of
gauze into one or both nostrils and apply pressure
externally with thumb and index finger.
• If it does not stop, obtain medical assistance.
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Neck and Back Injuries
•Excessive force applied to the back or
neck can fracture the bones that make up
the spine
•cause permanent damage to the spinal
cord
•Spinal cord injury can cause permanent
paralysis of limbs and a loss of sensation
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When to Suspect a Neck or Back Injury
• Fall from height
• High-speed motor vehicle collision
• Head injury with reduced level of consciousness
• Direct blow to the neck or back
• Head injury from diving into a shallow pool
• Horseback-riding accident (for example, being thrown
from a horse)
• Multiple traumatic injuries
• An injured victim under the influence of alcohol or drugs
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Signs and Symptoms of a Neck or Back Injury
• Neck or back pain
• Evidence of a serious head injury
• Loss of movement of arms or legs
• Altered sensation in arms or legs (numbness,
burning, or tingling sensations)
• Loss of control of bladder or bowels
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First Aid Treatment for a Neck or Back Injury
Victim Is Awake
• Call help
• Keep the victim supported in the position found
• Immobilize the neck & do not attempt to realign
the neck
• Place rolled-up blankets on either side of the head
to minimize movement of the neck
• Monitor vital signs and level of consciousness until
help arrives.
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Immobilizing the neck
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Moving spin injured patients
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First aid…
Victim Is Unresponsive
• Open the airway using the jaw thrust technique
• Check for the presence of normal breathing
• If not breathing, immediately commence CPR
• If breathing normally, support him in the
position found and maintain his airway
• If breathing normally but vomiting, turn into the
recovery position
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Recovery position
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Chest injury
•Chest injury may result in rib & clavicular
fractures, hemopneumothorax, great
vessels tears.
•Chest injuries can be
Blunt injury or
Penetrating injury
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Hemopneumothorax
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Manifestations
• Bruising, Abrasions & Open chest wound
Respiratory findings
• Dyspnea, respiratory distress
• Cough with or with out hemoptysis
• Cyanosis of mouth, face, nail beds, mucous
membranes
• Tracheal deviation
• Audible air escaping from chest wound
• Frothy secretions
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First aid measures
• Ensure patent air way Begin CPR, if Necessary
• Remove clothing to assess injury
• Cover sucking chest wound with non porous
dressing taped on three sides
• Stabilize impaled objects with bulky dressing
Do
not move.
• Stabilize flail rib segment with hand followed by
application of large pieces of tape horizontal across
the flail segment.
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First aid measures
Place patient in a semi-Fowler’s position or
position victim on the injured side if breathing is
easier after cervical spine has been ruled out.
Do not give food or drink- this may delay
necessary surgery
 Monitoring breathing, V/S, urine out put follow-
up
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Abdominal injuries
• Wounds of the abdomen are particularly dangerous
because of the risk of damage of the internal organs.
• First aid measures
• Don't try to replace protruding intestines or abdominal
organs but cover with sterile dressings.
• Hold the dressing in place with a firm bandage, but
don't tighten the bandage.
• Don't give food or fluid because surgery may be
necessary.
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Abdominal injuries
 Place and maintain the casualty on his back with his
knees in an upright position:
• Helps relieve pain
• Assists in the treatment of shock
• Prevents further exposure of abdominal organs
• Helps relieve abdominal pressure by allowing the
abdominal muscles to relax
 Seek medical attention as rapidly as possible and take
extreme care to gently transport the victim.
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Chapter 6: Burn
Learning Objectives: After studying the material in
this chapter, the student will be able to:-
Define burn injury
Differentiate different causes of burn
Identify different classifications and degrees of
burn
Recognize first aid measures for different degrees
of burn
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Burn
Definition
• Burn, is injury to the skin and deeper tissues caused
by hot liquids, flames, radiant heat, and direct
contact with hot solids, caustic chemicals, electricity,
or radiation.
• Burns that occur around the mouth and nose (in
general in the face) are more dangerous and can
cause death.
• Skin exposed to temperatures as low as 120°F is
burned after about 5 minutes.
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Causes
Fire, boiled water, steam, boiled oil and milk
etc(thermal injury)
Sun-rays (radiation)
Electric and thunder accidents, and
Different chemicals
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Effects of the burn accident:• Immediate effects:• Wounds formation
• Severe pain
• Reduction of body fluid (dehydration)
• Difficulty in breathing because of suffocation from smoke,
severe burns around the face
• Drowsiness, restlessness and unconsciousness.
• Delayed effects:
• Infections of the wound (Tetanus), septicemia, and high fever;
• Disability;
• Scar and Contracture
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Types of burns based on cause
• Thermal
• Exposure to flame or a hot object
• Chemical
• Exposure to acid, alkali or organic substances
• Electrical
• Result from the conversion of electrical energy into heat.
• Extent of injury depends on the type of current, the pathway of
flow, local tissue resistance, and duration of contact.
• Radiation
• Result from radiant energy being transferred to the body
resulting in production of cellular toxins.
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Thermal burn
• Thermal burn can be due to hot Liquids/solids, flash
flame, steam or hot surface
First aid measures
 Ensure patent airway
 Stop the burning process
 Remove clothing and jewelry
 Identify and treat associated injuries. E.g. F#
 Cover large burns with dry dressing
 Apply cool compress or immerse in cool water for
minor injuries only (less than 10% TBSA burn)
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Electrical Burns (Electrocution)
• Electrical Injury (contact) – Occurs when an
electric current truly passes through the body.
• Electrical burns are usually deep
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Electrical Burns (Electrocution)
• A patient who receives an electrical burn may also
suffer cardiac arrest due to the electric current
passing through his heart
• The first- aider must Switch off the current before
touching him; otherwise you too will be electrocuted
• If it is not possible, remove the patient by using
clothing or dry wooden sticks- do not use any thing
metal
• If cardiac arrest has occurred CPR must be carried
out, and treat the burn later
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Chemical Burns
• Remove the chemical by flushing the area with
water
• Brush dry powder chemicals from the skin
before flushing
• Remove clothing including shoes, watches,
jewelry and eye glass if face exposed
• Take precautions to protect yourself from
exposure to the chemical
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Classification based on depth of injury
•Burns are usually classified according to
depth or degree of tissue damage:
•First degree burn (superficial)
•Second degree burn (partial-thickness)
•Third degree burn (full-thickness)
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A. First degree burn (superficial burn)
• Epidermal tissue only affected
• Not serious unless large areas involved i.e.
sunburn.
• The usual signs are:Redness or discoloration (Erythema)
 no vesicles or blister initially
 Mild swelling and pain
 Rapid healing
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First Aid Measures
• The objective of first aid for first degree burn is
to:
• Relieve pain
• Prevent complications and
• Treat for shock
• Usually medical treatment is not required.
• Cold water applications or submerge the burned
area in cold water.
• If the wound is minor, clean daily the area with
boiled cold water & apply dry dressing.
• If the wound located is in a joint, immobilize
the joint area until the wound is cured
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B . Second Degree Burn
• Greater depth than first degree burns; involves the epidermis
and deep layer of the dermis.


Fluid-filled vesicles (blisters)

Red or mottled appearance

Wet appearance of the surface of the skin

severe pain
Second degree burns are usually more painful than
deeper burns in which the nerve endings in the skin are
destroyed.

Hospitalization required if over 25% of body surface
involved. E.g. flame
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First Aid Measures
• Immerse the burned part in cold water.
• Apply freshly ironed cloths that have been
wrung out in ice water.
• Apply dry sterile gauze or clean cloth as a
protective bandage.
• If the arms or legs are affected keep them
elevated.
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First Aid Measures
• Don't use ice - putting ice directly on a burn can
cause a person's body to become too cold and
cause further damage to the wound.
• Don't apply egg whites, butter or ointments to
the burn.
• Don't break blisters - broken blisters are more
vulnerable to infection.
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C. Third Degree Burns
• Destruction of all skin layers
• Requires immediate hospitalization
• Dry, waxy white, leathery apearance of the
skin
• No pain
• Exposure to flames, electricity or chemicals can
cause 3rd degree burns
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First Aid Measures
• Cover burns with sterile dressings or a freshly
ironed or laundered sheet or other household
linen.
• If the extremities are involved, keep them above
the level of the victim’s heart (the victim should
not be allowed to walk).
• Have victims with face burns sit up or prop them
up and keep them under continuous observation
for breathing difficulty.
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First Aid Measures
• Do not immerse an extensive burned area or apply ice
water over it
• If medical help does not reach for an hour or more and
the victim is conscious and not vomiting, give him a
weak solution of salt at home.
• (ORS or locally prepared solution of 8 tsp of sugar and
1 tsp of salt in one liter of water).
• Do not apply ointment, commercial preparations,
grease or other home remedies.
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Arrange transportation to the hospital as
quickly as possible.
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Chapter 7: Poisoning
• A poison (toxin) is a substance that, if taken into
or absorbed into the body in sufficient quantity, can
cause either temporary or permanent damage.
• Poisons can be swallowed, absorbed through the
skin, inhaled, splashed into the eyes, or injected.
• Vomiting is common, especially when the poison has
been ingested.
• Inhaled poisons often cause breathing difficulties.
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TYPES OF POISONS
A. SWALLOWED POISONS
• Chemicals that are swallowed may harm the digestive tract,
or cause more widespread damage if they enter the
bloodstream and are transported to other parts of the body
• Hazardous chemicals include household substances such as
bleach and paint stripper, which are poisonous or corrosive if
swallowed.
• Drugs, both prescribed or those bought over the counter, can
also be harmful if an overdose is taken.
• Some plants and their berries can also be poisonous
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Recognition:
■ History of ingestion/exposure
Depending on what has been swallowed, there may
be:
■ Vomiting, sometimes bloodstained, later diarrhea
■ Cramping abdominal pains
■ Pain or a burning sensation
■ Empty containers in the vicinity
■ Impaired consciousness
■ Seizures
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First aid:
Your Aims:
To maintain an open airway, breathing, and
circulation
To remove any contaminated clothing
To identify the poison
To arrange urgent removal to the hospital
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Caution:
• Never attempt to induce vomiting
• If a casualty is contaminated with chemicals, wear
protective gloves, and goggles or a mask
• If the casualty is unconscious and is not breathing
(or just gasping), begin CPR with chest
compressions
• If there are any chemicals on the casualty’s mouth,
use a face shield or pocket mask rescue breaths
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First aid…
WHAT TO DO
• If the casualty is conscious, ask her what she
has swallowed, and if possible how much and
when.
oLook for clues—for example, poisonous plants,
berries or empty containers.
oTry to reassure
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…cont
• If the casualty is unconscious, call for
emergency help.
• Give the dispatcher as much information as
possible about the poison
• This information will help the medical team
treat the casualty
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…cont
• Monitor and record the casualty’s vital signs
while waiting for help to arrive
• Keep samples of any vomited material
• Give these samples, containers, and any
others clues to the emergency services
• If the casualty’s lips are burned by corrosive
substances, give him frequent sips of cold milk
or water while waiting for help to arrive.
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Types…
B. DRUG POISONING
• Poisoning can result from an overdose of
prescribed drugs, or drugs that are bought over
the counter
• It can also be caused by drug abuse or drug
interaction
• The effects vary depending on the type of drug
and how it is taken
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CAUTION
Do not induce vomiting
If the casualty loses consciousness and is not
breathing (or is just gasping):
begin CPR with chest compressions
Your aims:
■ To maintain breathing and circulation
■ To arrange removal to the hospital
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First aid:
WHAT TO DO
• If the casualty is conscious, help him into a
comfortable position and ask him what he has
taken.
• Reassure him while you talk to him
• Call for emergency help.
• Tell the dispatcher you suspect drug poisoning
• Monitor and record vital signs—level of response,
breathing and pulse—while waiting.
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First aid…
• Keep samples of any vomited material
• Look for evidence that might help identify the
drug, such as empty containers
• Give these samples and containers to the
ambulance personnel
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Types…
D. ANIMAL AND HUMAN BITES
Bites from sharp, pointed teeth cause deep puncture wounds
Any bite that breaks the skin have a high risk of infection
oRabies - seek medical advice because the casualty must be
given antirabies injections
 Try to identify the animal but do not attempt to approach
or trap it.
oTetanus is also a potential risk following any animal bite
ohepatis or HIV/AIDS viruses resulting from Human bites of
 Small risk, however, medical advice should be sought
right away
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First aid:
Your aim is:
■ To control bleeding
■ To minimize the risk of infection
■ To obtain medical help if necessary
Caution:
• If you suspect rabies, arrange to take or send the
casualty to the hospital immediately
• Ask the casualty about tetanus immunization
• Seek medical advice if he is unsure if he is up-todate with his immunizations
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What to do:
• Wash the bite wound thoroughly with soap and
warm water in order to minimize the risk of
infection
• Raise and support the wound and pat dry with
clean gauze swabs.
• Then cover with a sterile wound dressing
• Arrange to take or send the casualty to the hospital
if the bite breaks the skin; many will require
antibiotics.
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What to do…
• If the wound is deep:
• control bleeding
• Cover the wound and pad with a sterile
dressing or large, clean pad and bandage
firmly in place.
• Treat the casualty for shock and call for
emergency help.
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What to do…
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Types…
E. INSECT STING
• Usually, a sting from a bee, wasp, or hornet is painful rather
than dangerous
• An initial sharp pain is followed by mild swelling, redness,
and soreness
• However, multiple insect stings can produce a serious reaction
• A sting in the mouth or throat is potentially dangerous
because swelling can obstruct the airway.
• With any bite or sting, it is important to watch for signs
of an allergic reaction, which can lead to anaphylactic
shock
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Recognition:
■ Pain at the site of the sting
■ Redness and swelling around the site of the
sting
Your aims:
■ To relieve swelling and pain
■ To arrange removal to the hospital if
necessary
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Caution:
• Call for emergency help if the casualty shows signs
of anaphylactic shock:
obreathing difficulties
oswelling of the face and neck
• Monitor and record vital signs while waiting for help
to arrive:
• level of response
• Breathing
• pulse
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What to do:
• Reassure the casualty.
• If the sting is visible, brush or scrape it off sideways
with the edge of a credit card or your fingernail.
• Do not use tweezers because you could squeeze the
stinger and inject more poison into the casualty.
• Raise the affected part if possible, and apply a cold
compress such as an ice pack to minimize swelling.
• Advise the casualty to keep the compress in place for
at least ten minutes.
• Tell her to seek medical advice if the pain and swelling
persist.
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What to do…
• Monitor vital signs—level of response, breathing, and
pulse
• Watch for signs of an allergic reaction, such as
wheezing and/or reddened, swollen, itchy skin
• If a casualty has been stung in the mouth, there is a
risk that swelling of tissues in the mouth and/or throat
may occur, causing the airway to become blocked.
• To help prevent this, give the casualty an ice cube to
suck or a glass of cold water to sip
• Call for emergency help if swelling starts to develop
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What to do…
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Types…
F. SNAKE BITE
• While a snake bite is usually not serious, it is safer
to assume that a snake is venomous if a person has
been bitten
• Depending on the snake, venom may cause:
• local tissue destruction
• It may block nerve impulses
• Breathing and the heart to stop
• Blood clotting and then internal bleeding
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Recognition:
There may be:
■ A pair of puncture marks—the bite may be
painless
■ Severe pain, redness, and swelling at the bite
■ Nausea and vomiting
■ Disturbed vision
■ Increased salivation and sweating
■ Labored breathing; it may stop altogether
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First aid:
Your aims:
■ To prevent venom from spreading
■ To arrange urgent removal to the hospital
Caution:
■ Do not apply a tourniquet, slash the wound with a
knife,
or try to suck out the venom
■ DO NOT apply cold compresses to a snake bite
■ If the casualty loses consciousness and is not
breathing
normally, begin CPR with chest
compressions
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What to do:
• Help the casualty lie down, with head and shoulders
raised
• Reassure the casualty and advise not to move the
bitten limb to prevent venom from spreading
• Call for emergency help
• If you have been properly trained, consider wrapping a
pressure bandage around the entire length of the limb
that was bitten
• The bandage should be comfortably snug but loose
enough to allow a finger to be slipped under it
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What to do… wrapping a pressure bandage
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What to do…
• Whether or not it is wrapped, the bitten limb
should be immobilized with a splint to prevent
the casualty from bending it
• Keep the limb below the level of the heart
• Monitor and record vital signs while waiting for
emergency help
• The casualty must remain still, and should be
taken to the hospital as soon as possible
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Chapter 8: Bone and joint injuries
Learning Objectives: After studying this chapter, the
student will be able to:
• Define fracture, dislocation, sprain and strain.
• Recognize first aid principles for bone and joint injuries.
• Demonstrate first aid management for dislocation.
• Apply first aid management for sprain.
• Mention the precautionary measures which help to
prevent strain.
• Recognize preventive measures of accidents that result
in musculoskeletal injuries.
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Fracture
• A fracture is a break or crack in the continuity of bone.
Possible cause:
1.
Trauma

accident al trauma (RTA, Falling accident)

recreational & sport activities
2. pathological due to bone infection & tumor of the bone
Types of Fracture
1. Closed (simple) fractures: are those not associated with
open wounds on the surface of the body
2. Open (compound) fractures are those associated directly
with open wounds
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Fracture
• Based on etiology
• Traumatic
• Pathological
• Based on pattern
• Transverse
• Longitudinal
• Spiral – fracture line runs spirally
• Communited – F# with multiple fragments
• Greenstick F# - bending
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Sings and symptoms of fracture:
• Sever Pain
• Movement in an unnatural
• protruding of the parts
direction
• Swelling
• A limb that looks shorter,
• Deformity
• Unable to function
twisted or bent
• A grating noise or feeling
(Difficulty moving)
• Loss of strength
• Numbness or tingling
• Shock
sensation
• Discoloration
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Complications
• Immediate complications
• Late complications
• Hemorrhage/ bleeding
• Disability
• Severe pain
• Disfiguring
• Hypotension ( shock)
• Deformity
due to bleeding
• Malunion
• Fat embolism
• Delay in union
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General First aid management
1.
Check ABC
Consider the amount of blood loss

 Asphyxia, bleeding, and severe wounds must
be dealt with before treating any fracture
2. Support the injured part with supporting device,
immobilize the fracture, bandaging and use splints
3.
Refer the patient to hospital urgently
NB: Proper immobilization is important to prevent
further trauma, pain and complications.
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Splinting
Splints are metallic,
There are many
wooden or other
varieties of splints
devices applied to the
commercially
arms, legs or trunk to
available and they
immobilize the injured
can also be made
part when a fracture is
locally from different
suspected
materials
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Splinting
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General principles of splinting
• Joints must be immobilized above and below the
location of the fracture.
• It should be adequately padded between the splint
and the skin especially over bony places.
• In fractures of arms
• Check for pulse
• Inspect the fingers for color and swelling
• Are good indication for a bandage that is too
tight.
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General principles of splinting
• If there is:
• Numbness
• Tingling sensation
• Inability to move fingers or toes
• Then loosen ties immediately; otherwise
permanent nerve damage may result
• Never test for fracture by moving the victim’s
broken body part
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Dislocation
• A dislocation is a displacement of a bone end
from the joint
Cause:• Strong force acts directly or indirectly on a
joint
• Sudden muscular contraction
N.B:- Joints which are most frequently dislocated
are:- shoulder, elbow, thumb, finger, Jaw
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Signs and symptoms of dislocation
• Swelling
• Obvious deformity
• Pain upon movement
• Tenderness to touch
• Discoloration
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First aid measures
• First aid should be essentially the same as for
closed fractures.
• Splint and immobilize the affected joint in the
position in which it was found.
• Apply a sling if appropriate
• Elevate the affected part if a limb is involved
• Seek medical attention promptly.
• Never attempt to reduce a dislocation
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Sprain
• A sprain is an injury to a joint, ligament or muscle and tendon in the
region of a joint.
• It occurs usually as result of forcing a limb beyond the normal
range of movement.
• The ankles, fingers, wrists and knees are most often sprained.
Signs and symptoms of sprain
• Swelling
• Tenderness
• Pain upon motion
• Discoloration
• It might be difficult to differentiate a sprain from a closed fracture
with out an X-ray.
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First aid measures
• If the victim’s ankle or knee is affected, do not allow
him to walk.
• Loosen or remove the victim’s shoes, apply a pillow or
blanket, splint and elevate the victim’s leg to prevent
swelling.
• Keep the injured part raised for at least 24 hours.
• Apply cold wet pad or place a small bag of crushed ice
on the affected area over a towel intermittently, to
protect the victim’s skin.
• If swelling and pain persist, seek medical attention.
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Strain
• Strains are injuries to muscle resulting from
over stretching.
• The fibers are stretched and some times
partially torn.
• Commonly strains occur on the back muscles,
due to improper lifting technique.
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First aid measures
• Bed rest and use of a board under the mattress for
firm support are recommended for person with a
strained back.
• Cool the area by applying an ice pack or cold
compress for the first 24 hours.
• After 24 hours, apply heat, warm, wet and rest
care.
• Seek medical care; (severe back strains should be
seen by a physician)
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Sprains and strains….
• Strains and sprains should be treated initially by the
“RICE” procedure:
• R—Rest the injured part;
• I—Apply Ice pack or a cold pad;
• C—Provide comfortable support with mild
Compression from an elastic bandage;
• E—Elevate the injured part
• This procedure may be sufficient to relieve the
symptoms, but if you are in any doubt, treat it as a
fracture
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Thank You For
Your Attention!
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