Emergency
First Aid
I.C.E. your cell phone!
I.C.E. your refrigerator!
Which phone to use?
Taking a Pulse
Radial (wrist) Pulse
Use Fingers to check wrist pulse
Blood Vessels in the neck
Taking a Pulse
Carotid (neck) pulse
Just enough light pressure to feel
the pulsation
Count the number of times you feel
the pulsation in a specific amount
of time
So what’s normal?
60-100
People who are very athletic or
who are on heart medications
may have slower heart rates
(less than 60)
Note to self:
Any pulse is better than no
pulse!
No pulse or unresponsive?
Start CPR
What IS a heart attack?
What IS a heart attack?
The Heart pumps blood to every
organ in the body, including itself!
A heart attack is
when there is a
blockage of the blood
flow to the heart itself
This causes damage
to the heart and
limits its ability to
pump blood to the
rest of the body
What IS a heart attack?
How can I help?
Heart Attack
• Have the person lie or sit down –
avoid exertion
• If they take nitroglycerin, get it for
them and help them place it under
their tongue
• Call 911
• If they are awake, have them chew
an aspirin (prevents clot forming)
What is a stroke?
A stroke is the
result of lack of
blood flow to a
portion of the
brain
“brain attack”
A stroke is a blockage of blood to
the brain (ie. brain attack)
Types of Stroke
Symptoms of stroke
• Weakness, clumsiness, or numbness on
one side of the body
• Blurry, dimming, or no vision
• Difficulty swallowing, talking, or
comprehending others
• Dizziness, falling, or loss of balance
• Severe or unusual headache
Facial droop
Arm drift
How can I help?
Stroke
• Call 911 right away – time is
critical
• Note what time the symptoms
first started
• Do not give them anything to
drink
Choking
•
•
•
•
•
Unable to speak
Difficulty breathing
Grips throat
Skin turns bluish
May lose consciousness
Choking
Choking
•
•
•
•
•
EMERGENCY!!
Act quickly
Attempt Heimlich
Have someone call 911
DO NOT GIVE THEM
SOMETHING TO
DRINK
Foreign body in “throat”
(esophagus)
Esophageal Blockage
• Drooling or spitting
• Leaning forward
• Pain in throat/chest
Esophageal Blockage
•
•
•
•
Not an emergency
Can still talk
Uncomfortable
If they can’t swallow their saliva
(drooling), they can’t swallow water!
Head Injury
When do I need to go to the
hospital?
• If I lost consciousness for more than a
brief instance
• If I can’t remember the 15 minutes before
or after the injury
• If I am on a blood thinner (coumadin,
plavix)
• If I have a bad headache or am vomiting
• If I am sleepy, confused, or having trouble
using my arms or legs
If I go to the hospital, what should I bring?
(what every ER doctor wants their patients
to know!)
• List of your medications/medical
problems/medical records
• Names of your doctors
• One friend or family member (preferably a
quiet and sober one)
• A good book!
Bee Stings
•
•
•
•
•
•
Epipen right away if allergic
Call 911 if allergic
Pull stinger out as quickly as possible
Cool compresses or ice
Benadryl
Zantac or tagamet
Stinger Removal
Ankle Sprain
Ankle Sprain
Ankle Sprain Treatment
Cover tobacco with ace wrap
or cotton dressing
Ankle support
Burns
Burns
First degree
burn
Second
Degree
burn
How can I help?
Burns
• Clean skin with cool water
• If skin not broken can use topical
solarcaine
• Don’t break blisters
• Bacitracin to open areas
• “Fluff” a gauze to absorb fluid
and hold in place with a gauze
“kling” or ace wrap
Splinting
Immobilize Broken Bones
splinting
Wound Care
Soap and water
+/-Topical
antibiotic
(bacitracin)
Clean, dry
dressing
Wash daily,
redress
Keep it simple…
1. Wash with soap
and water
2. Keep clean and
dry
3. Seek help if it
becomes red or
angry looking
(infected)
Major Injuries
Major Injury Issues
• Bleeding – an immediate life-threatening
problem
-lie patient down
-place clean gauze or towel over site of injury
-apply direct, constant pressure
-elevate the extremity
-call 911
-collect tissue or missing parts, place in plastic
bag
Bleeding management
Keep pressure on wound
Hold gauze in place with circular
dressing
Other risks with major injuries:
• Infection
– If bleeding controlled, clean out wound with
saline or water
• Tetanus
- Need tetanus shot within days if not up-todate
• Nerve and muscle damage
– Avoid additional damage to limb
Amputated Parts
• Rinse off debris (saline or water)
• Wrap in dry clean gauze, put in dry plastic
bag
• Put plastic bag inside another plastic bag
with ice and water – do not pack in ice
• Remove any rings
• Do not eat anything
• No smoking
Cuts and lacerations
The Art of Bandaids
Winged
For large joints like knees and elbows
Fingertip
bandaid
Home First Aid Supplies
Protective Gloves
Bandaids
Peroxide
• Excellent for removing
blood from hair, skin,
clothing
Irrigation syringe
Wound cleaning
Topical antibiotic
Gauze dressing to apply to wound
Rolled gauze to hold dressing on
Ace bandage or coban to hold
everything in place
Anchoring dressings
Tape to secure bandages
X
Medications
Pain medication
Pain medication
Anti-inflammatory
Aspirin
Chest pain
Possible heart
attack
Allergic Reaction/Bee stings
Epipen requires
Prescription
*check expiration
dates
Thermometer
Hard to
read
Shears or scissors
Cuts clothing off, cuts gauze
Tweezer
Steri-strips
Benzoin
Other possibilities:
Summary
• Use common sense – follow your instincts!
• Do not give anyone having a medical
emergency something to drink
• Keep a list of medications, doctors,
medical history readily available
• I.C.E. your cell phone and refrigerator
• Call 911 for chest pain, stroke symptoms,
breathing problems, excessive bleeding
Thank you for coming!!