First Aid and Shop Safety
Shop Safety
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Always wear safety glasses
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Secure loose clothing, hair, and jewelry
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Follow safety precautions for all tools
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Work with a buddy
Accidents can happen anywhere and at any time.
In an emergency…
1. Assess the scene
2. Call 911
3. Assess safety
4. Prioritize care
5. Check medical alert tags
6. Only move victim if absolutely necessary
Assessing the Scene
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Do a quick survey of the area. Check for:
- Hazards that could be dangerous for you and the
victim
- Cause of the injury or illness
- Number of victims
Assessing the Victim
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Determine if victim is conscious:
- A = Airway open? (Tilt head)
- B = Breathing? (Look; listen; feel)
- C = Circulation
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If victim is conscious:
- Ask them what happened and apply first aid
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If victim is unresponsive:
- Check for obvious signs of injury
- Provide CPR/First Aid for observed injuries
Bleeding
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Apply and maintain pressure
- Steady and firm pressure on the wound
- Use a clean cloth or bandage
- Wear clean gloves if possible
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Elevate injury if possible
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Clean and sanitize wound
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Apply bandages
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If necessary, call 911
Uncontrollable Bleeding
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Call 911 immediately
Apply direct pressure to
pressure points
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Elevate
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If necessary, use a tourniquet
Shock
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Shock refers to circulatory system failure
– Occurs when oxygenated blood is not reaching all
parts of the body
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It can happen as a result of:
– Major blood or fluid loss
– Major trauma
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Call 911
Detecting and Treating Shock
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Look for:
- Altered mental state; anxiety or restlessness
- Pale, cold, and clammy skin, lips, and nail beds
- Nausea and vomiting
- Rapid breathing and pulse
- Unresponsiveness
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After treating life threatening issues:
- Call 911
- Lay the victim down
- Elevate legs
- Cover with blankets
Electrocution
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Don't touch the victim; risk of personal harm
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CALL 911
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Stop the electric current or use wooden object to
remove the source
Treat like a cardiac arrest; do CPR if no pulse or
breathing
Treat for shock
Amputation
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CALL 911
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Start treatment:
- Control bleeding
- Treat victim for shock
- Pick up the amputated part – seriously, pick it up!
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Caring for amputated appendage(s)
- Don’t clean it; medical staff will do this
- Wrap in clean gauze and put in a waterproof container
- Keep it cool – DON’T freeze it
- Send it with the victim to the ER
Puncture Wounds
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DO NOT remove large objects such as knives or sticks
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For minor wounds, wash with soap and water
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Remove any splinters
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Use antibiotic ointment
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Bandage
Person may need a tetanus shot
Eye Injury
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Do not attempt to remove foreign bodies
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Cover the wound instead
If there is chemical contact
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Flush wound with water
Burns
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First degree
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You will see minor redness at the site
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Run cool water over burn for more than
5 minutes
Second degree
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You will see blistered skin (DO NOT
break blisters)
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Take aspirin or ibuprofen
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Seek medical attention if necessary
Third degree
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You will see charred skin
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Call 911 immediately
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Apply sterile non-stick bandages; no
ointments; treat for shock
Choking
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Signs and symptoms:
- Person is unable to breathe or talk
- Hands wrapped around the neck
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If victim is conscious:
- Perform the Heimlich maneuver if properly trained
- Have some one call for help
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What to do if the victim is unconscious
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If breathing, call 911 and continually check pulse and
breathing
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If not breathing, begin rescue breathing.
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If there is no pulse, begin CPR.
Heimlich Maneuver
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Perform if victim is choking
Fractures
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General signs:
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Tenderness and swelling; deformations
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Open wounds
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Grating sensation
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Loss of use
Simple fractures:
- The skin is still intact and there are no wounds near the fracture sight
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Compound fractures:
- Skin over the fracture has been damaged or broken
- Bone may be visible in the wound
Dislocations
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Don't attempt to relocate; you could make it
worse
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Ice and immobilize the injury
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Go to the ER
Spinal Injuries
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Signs of injury:
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Painful movement of the arms or legs
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Numbness, tingling, weakness, or
burning sensation in the arms or legs
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Loss of bowel or bladder control
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Paralysis of the arms or legs
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Deformity (odd-looking angle of the
victim’s head or neck)
Spinal Injuries
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What to do:
– Stabilize the victim against any movement.
– Check ABCs
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If the victim is unresponsive:
– Call 911
– Look for cuts, bruise, and deformities.
– Test response by pinching the victim’s hand, and bare
foot. If no reaction, assume the victim may have spinal
damage.
Blunt Trauma
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Defined as direct trauma to the chest, abdomen, or back
Risks are the rupture of the victim’s liver, spleen,
viscera, or kidneys
Take victim to ER or call 911 if severe; DO NOT poke or
press injury site
Concussion
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Concussions are head injuries with neurological
symptoms
Symptoms include dizziness, weakness, loss of
consciousness, and amnesia
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Immobilize the head and neck
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Take victim to ER if alert, call 911 if not
If in doubt, always call 911.
Have a fantastic and safe build season!