CPR/First Aid
Lesson 03
Checking an Ill or Injured Person
CPR/FA Lesson 03
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First Aid Care Guidelines
According to the American Red Cross
guidelines for first aid & care;
 An infant-from birth to 1 year.
 A child-1-12 years (school age).
 An adult-12 years or older.
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Checking a Conscious Person
When conducting interviews (victim &
bystanders), ask simple questions and
keep it brief.
 Identify yourself.
 Ask for consent to help & the person’s
name.
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Checking a Conscious Person (cont)
 What happened?
 Do you feel pain anywhere?
 Do you have any allergies?
 Do you have any medical conditions?
 Are you taking any medications?
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Checking a Conscious Person (cont)
Checking from Head to Toe
When checking a conscious person–
 Do not move areas where they have
discomfort or if you suspect a
head/neck/back injury.
 Look for cuts, bruises, bumps &
depressions.
 Watch for changes in consciousness.
(Drowsy/not alert/confused)
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Checking a Conscious Person (cont)
Checking from Head to Toe
 Look for changes in the person’s
breathing.
 Notice how the skin looks & feels.
 Look over the entire body.
Check head, shoulders, chest, abdomen.
 Check arms, hands, fingers.
 Check hips and legs in the same way.

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Checking a Conscious Person (cont)
Checking from Head to Toe
 Look for medical ID tag.
(Medic Alert)
Gives you medical information.
 Explains how to care for certain
conditions.
 List who to call for help.

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ABC’s of First Aid
A = Airway
B = Breathing
C = Circulation
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ABC’s of First Aid (cont)
Airway
Open it with a head tilt, chin lift.
Breathing
Check for breathing & signs of life for no
more than 10 seconds. (Look, listen & feel)
Circulation
If a child/infant shows no signs of life, you
will have to check for a pulse for no more
than 10 seconds.
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Pulse Checks
Adult-neck/carotid artery
Child-neck/carotid artery
Infant-upper arm/brachial artery
Groin region/femoral artery
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Pulse Checks/Arteries
Carotid
Radial
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Pulse Checks/Arteries
Brachial
Femoral
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Circulation
 Recognize breathing emergencies in
children, and act before the heart stops.
 When a child/infant’s heart stops, it is
usually the result of a breathing
emergency.
 Adults’ hearts frequently stop beating
because of disease.
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Shock
Shock is a condition in which the
circulatory system fails to supply
oxygen to the body’s tissues and
vital organs.
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Shock (cont)
When the body is healthy, 3 conditions are
needed to keep the right amount of blood
flowing–
 The heart must be working well.
 An adequate amount of oxygen-rich blood
must be circulating in the body.
 Blood vessels must be intact and able to
adjust blood flow.
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Signals of Shock
 Restlessness/irritability
 Altered level of consciousness
 Nausea/vomiting
 Pale, ashen, cool, moist skin
 Rapid breathing and pulse
 Excessive thirst
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Recognizing & Caring for Shock
 Shock is likely to develop after any
serious injury/illness including severe
bleeding, serious internal injury,
significant fluid loss or other conditions.
 A person showing signals of shock needs
immediate medical attention because
body systems & organs are failing.
 The goals of first aid are; get help,
provide care and minimize shock.
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Caring for Shock
The following steps can minimize the
effects of shock on the body.
 Call 911/local emergency #.
 Help the person rest comfortably.
 Control external bleeding.
 Elevate the legs about 12 inches. Unless
you suspect a head/neck/back injury or
possible broken bones.
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Caring for Shock (cont)
 Maintain normal body temperature.
 Do not give them anything to eat or
drink.
 Reassure the person.
 Monitor the ABC’s and provide care
for the conditions that you may find.
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Skill Steps for Checking an
Unconscious Adult
Step 1-Check scene, then check the
person.
Step 2-Tap shoulder & shout.
Step 3-Have someone call 911.
(If an unconscious person is face-down–Roll
face-up supporting head, neck & back.)
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Skill Steps for Checking an
Unconscious Adult (cont)
Step 4-Open the airway (head-tilt, chinlift), check for signs of life, movement
& breathing for no more than 10
seconds.
Step 5-If no breathing, give 2 rescue
breaths.
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Skill Steps for Checking an
Unconscious Adult (cont)
Step 6-If breathing, place in the
recovery position and monitor the
ABCs.
WHAT TO DO NEXT…
Be prepared to perform CPR or use
an AED.
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Recovery Position (RP)
 If you are alone and have to
leave the person for any reason,
place the person in the RP.
 If the person has been in the RP
for more than 30 minutes &
begins to show signs of loss of
circulation in the lower arm,
turn them to the opposite side.
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HAINES Position (HP)
High Arm In Endangered Spine (H.A.IN.E.S.) Position
 If you suspect a head/neck/back
injury & can maintain an open
airway, do not move the
person.
 If an opened airway cannot be
maintained, or you must leave
the person to get help or an
AED, put them in the HAINES
position.
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