Chapter 28
First Aid and Emergencies
Providing First Aid
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What is first aid?
– First aid is the immediate, temporary care
given to an ill or injured person until
professional medical care can be provided.
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What are universal precautions?
– Universal precautions are actions taken to
prevent the spread of disease by treating all
bodily fluids as if they contained pathogens.
– Pathogens are any organisms that cause
disease.
Responding to an Emergency
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Recognition
– Common indicators of an emergency include
unusual sights, sounds, odors, and behaviors

Check
– Check the scene for safety
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Call
– Call for help
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Care
– Provide care for the victim
Types of Injuries
Open Wounds
 Burns
 Common Injuries
 Poisonings
 Life Threatening Emergencies
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Open Wounds- Recognition
Not all emergencies require professional
medical help.
 Most can be resolved with quick and
simple first aid strategies.
 These injuries include:
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•Abrasions
•Punctures
•Lacerations
•Avulsions
Abrasions
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Commonly referred to as a
“scrape” or “strawberry”.
Caused by scraping the skin
against a hard surface
causing the skin to break
and expose many small
blood vessels.
Because of the mechanism
of injury, dirt and debris
can easily enter the site.
Therefore, its important to
clean the wound to prevent
infection and speed healing.
Laceration
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Lacerations are cuts caused by
sharp objects like knives or
broken glass.
Usually has smooth edges, but
if caused by blunt force trauma,
tearing of the skin can leave
jagged edges
All lacerations are accompanied
by bleeding, but deep ones can
result in heavy bleeding as well
as damage to nerves, large
blood vessels and soft tissues.
Puncture
Punctures are small but
deep holes caused by
pins, nails, fangs, or any
other object that pierces
the skin.
 Don’t normally cause
heavy external bleeding,
but can cause internal
bleeding if they damage
major blood vessels or
internal organs.
 Carries a high risk of
infection, including
tetanus.
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Avulsion
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Avulsions occur when tissue is
partially or completely
separated from the body.
A partially avulsed piece of
skin may remain attached, but
it hangs like a flap.
Sometimes a body part, such
as a finger, can be severed.
– Pack the severed part in ice and
call for EMS immediately.
First Aid for Bleeding
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Put gloves on!!!
Wash minor wounds with mild soap and water to
remove dirt and debris.
Cover the wound with sterile gauze and press
firmly.
If possible, elevate the wound above the heart.
Cover the gauze with sterile bandage.
Do not remove dressing if blood soaks through.
Just add more on top of them.
If necessary, apply pressure point bleeding
control.
Burns
Can be caused from heat, radiation from
the sun, certain chemicals, and electricity.
 Chemical and electrical burns require
special first aid procedures.
 Classified according to depth:

– 1st degree burns are superficial and can be
treated at home.
– 2nd and 3rd degree burns are deep and require
professional medical care.
Burn Classification and Treatment
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1st degree
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2nd degree
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Only the outer layer of skin is burned and
turns red.
Cool with running water for ~10 minutes.
Pat dry and cover with sterile bandage.
Top several layers of skin are damaged and
will blister
Cool with cold water and elevate
Do not pop blisters!
Cover loosely with dry sterile dressing
3rd degree
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Serious burns that damage deeper layers of
skin and possibly fat, muscle, nerves, and
bone.
Call for professional help immediately
Cool with large amounts of cold water
Cover with dry sterile dressing
Common Injuries
Common injuries are those that can be
serious, but do not normally require
Emergency Medical Services.
 These injuries include muscle cramps,
strains, sprains, fractures, dislocations,
unconsciousness, fainting, concussions,
animal bites, nosebleeds, and objects in
the eyes.

Muscle Cramps
Sudden and painful
involuntary tightening of
muscles.
 Can occur when you are
physically active or at rest.
 Treatment

– Stretch out the muscle to
counteract the cramp
– Massage the cramped
muscle firmly
– Apply ice to the area
– Seek medical help if cramp
persists
Strains and Sprains
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A strain is an injury to a muscle, usually after overuse.
Signs and symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising, and
loss of function
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A sprain is an injury to a ligament usually resulting from
a twisting force.
Signs and symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising, and
loss of function
Some serious sprains require medical attention and
possibly surgery.
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Both can be treated with RICE
R.I.C.E
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Rest- Avoid any movements or activities that
cause pain.
 Ice- Ice helps reduce inflammation. Apply ice
for 20-30 minutes every 3 hours.
 Compression- Compression can help reduce
swelling and can be achieved through an elastic
wrap. Wrap should be tight without being
uncomfortable.
 Elevation- Raise the affected limb above the
level of the heart to reduce pain and swelling.
Fractures and Dislocations
Fractures and
dislocations can be
treated similarly.
 Immobilize the joints
above and below the
injury and call for
emergency medical
help.
 Splints can be easily
fashioned from
everyday objects.
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Unconsciousness
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Unconsciousness is a condition in which a
person is not alert and aware of his/her
surroundings
There are differing levels ranging from
drowsiness to coma.
Victims can choke to death because of their
inability to cough, clear their throat, or react to a
blocked airway.
Primary goal for first aid is to prevent choking
until EMS arrives on scene.
Place victim in recovery position
Fainting
Occurs when blood supply to the brain is temporarily
inadequate.
 Loss of consciousness is usually very brief.
 Treat as a medical emergency until symptoms are
relieved and cause is known.

If you feel faint, lie down or sit down with your head
between your knees.
 If someone else faints, position the person on their
back and elevate their feet 8-12 inches above the
heart.
 Loosen any tight clothing and sponge the person’s
face with cool water.
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Concussions
Concussions are jarring injuries to
the brain that affect normal brain
function.
 Even with no external sign of
injury, the brain can strike the
inside of the skull and be
damaged.
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To avoid spinal injury, do not
move an unconscious person if
you suspect head injury or
concussion.
Have a conscious victim lie down
and use first aid for any bleeding.
Check ABC’s and seek Professional
help ASAP
Animal Bites
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One of the most serious results from an
animal bite is rabies, a viral disease
that affects the nervous system and
can lead to death if untreated.
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There is no cure for rabies after
symptoms develop.
Report animal bites to animal control
department.
Make sure to get an accurate
description of animal and its probable
whereabouts.
Animal bites also carry a risk of
infection.
First aid strategies:
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Wash wound with mild soap and warm
water for ~5 minutes.
Control bleeding
Apply ice if the wound is swollen
Cover wound with clean dressing
Nosebleeds
Often occur if the nose is struck or if mucous
membranes in the nose dry out.
 Talk to your doctor if nosebleeds occur often.
 Treatment
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– Have the person sit down and lean forward
– DO NOT TILT HEAD BACK!!!
– Cotton dressing can be placed in nose to help form a
clot.
– Apply pressure for ~15 minutes over bridge of nose
– Seek help if bleeding continues.
Objects in the Eye
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Foreign objects such as dirt, sand, and slivers of wood or
metal that enter the eye can be extremely irritating and
can cause damage.
Do not rub the eye, but instead encourage the victim to
blink repeatedly.
Pull lower eyelid down while victim looks up and
examine the eye for foreign particle.
If you see the object on the surface attempt to remove it
with moistened cotton swab.
You can also flush the eye with saline solution or tap
water.
If the person is wearing contacts, do not remove them
until the eye has been flushed for ~5 minutes.
Seek help if you are unable to remove object.
Poison Facts
A poison is any substance- solid, liquid or
gas- that causes injury, illness, or death
when introduced into the body.
 About 90% of all poisonings occur within
the home and more than half of these
happen to children under 6.
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Types of Poison
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Chemicals that are swallowed
Pesticide that is absorbed through skin
Venom- a poisonous substance secreted by snakes,
spiders, or other creatures that is injected through stings
or bites
Certain plants or foods
Gases or vapors
All of the above require differing treatments that can be
provided through the local Poison Control Center
– 1-800-222-1222
– Be prepared to give name, location, and phone number
– Provide name of substance, when it was ingested, and the
amount involved.
– Describe state of victim as well as age and body weight
– Be ready to follow any instructions
First Aid for Poisonings
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Swallowed
– Quickly determine the substance that was swallowed and call Poison
Control Center
– Follow directions given to you
– Don’t induce vomiting unless instructed to do so.
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Inhaled
– Quickly get the person to fresh air
– If victim is not breathing, begin rescue breathing
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On the skin
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Must be removed ASAP
Remove contaminated clothing
Rinse with water for ~15 minutes then use soap
Call 911 while victim is rinsing off
In the eye
– Immediately start flushing with water for 15 minutes
– Blink as much as possible
– Call 911
Snakebite
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Get victim to hospital ASAP
Keep victim calm and in reclining position if
possible.
Keep wound below level of the heart and
immobilize bitten limb.
Call 911
Don’t apply ice or heat and don’t give victim any
aspirin or other drugs
Maintain breathing and avoid aggravation of the
wound.
Insect Bites and Stings
Some people are highly allergic and one
bite/sting can present life-threatening situation.
These people need immediate medical attention.
 Treatment
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– Move to a safe area to avoid further harm
– Try to remove stinger by scraping it off with a firm,
sharp-edged object like a credit card
– Wash with soap and water
– Apply ice in case of swelling
– Apply hydrocortisone cream, calamine lotion, or
baking soda paste several times a day until pain is
gone
– If victim has trouble breathing or shows signs of a
severe reaction contact EMS
Poisonous Plants
About 85% of American will develop a reaction if
exposed to poison ivy, poison oak, or poison
sumac
 Symptoms include blistering, burning, itching,
swelling and possibly fever
 First defense is recognition and avoidance of
plants
 Treatment
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– Remove any clothes that may have come in contact
– Flush areas with water and use soap and water to
clean
– Use calamine lotion to relieve itching
– Seek help for severe discomfort and pain
Life Threatening Emergencies
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If a victim is unresponsive you must
immediately begin the chain of survival
– Chain of Survival- a sequence of actions that
maximize the victim’s chances of survival
Link
 Link
 Link
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1234-
Call 911
Begin CPR
Early defibrillation
Transfer to advanced care
Unresponsive Victims
Tap and Shout “ARE YOU OK?”
 If the victim is unresponsive, begin the chain of
survival
 Follow the ABC’s- Airway, Breathing, and
Circulation
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– Check the mouth for foreign objects that may block
the airway. Tilt the head back and lift the chin to
open the airway
– Look, listen, and feel for breathing. If not breathing
normally, administer 2 rescue breaths.
– Check for signs of circulation such as movement,
breathing, or coughing. If no signs present, begin
chest compressions
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
(CPR)
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To begin chest compressions, place hands in the center
of the chest, between the victims nipples.
Use the heels of your hands at that point and interlock
your fingers
Lean over the victim to where your shoulders are directly
over your hands
Lock your elbows and press straight down on the chest
at a rate of 100 beats per minute.
After 30 compressions, give 2 rescue breaths and
continue with compressions.
Keep going until EMS or an AED arrives on the scene.
Follow all directions given to you by the AED.
Shock
Shock is a failure of the cardiovascular system to
keep an adequate supply of blood circulating to
the vital organs of the body.
 Symptoms include restlessness, altered
consciousness, nausea, pale appearance, cool,
moist skin, and rapid breathing and pulse.
 Treatment
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– Have victim lie down with legs elevated about 12
inches.
– Call 911 ASAP
– Don’t give the victim food or water
– Cover the victim with a blanket if possible
– Try to keep the victim calm until EMS arrives
Choking
Choking is the result of a blocked airway
on a conscious victim.
 Treatment
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– Encourage the victim to cough repeatedly
– If unable to cough administer abdominal
thrusts to clear airway
– If necessary, contact EMS
Abdominal Thrusts
Stand behind victim with 1 foot between
their legs.
 Make a fist with one hand and place it 1-2
inches above their navel
 Cover fist with other hand and pull up and
inward sharply.
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