Basic first aid

Basic First Aid Presented by: Arnel O. Rivera

What is First Aid
FIRST AID is the immediate care given to a person who have been injured or suddenly taken ill. It includes self – help and home care when medical assistance is not available.

Roles of First Aid
It bridges the gap between the victim and the physician.
It is not intended to compete with nor take the place of the services of the physician.
It ends when the medical assistance begins.

Objectives of First Aid
To alleviate suffering
To prevent added or further injury or danger
To prolong life

Emergency Action Principles (EAP)
Survey the scene.
Do a primary survey of the victim.
Check Vital Body Function
A – Airway
B – Breathing
C – Circulation
Activate Medical Assistance (AMA) or Transfer Facility
Do a Secondary Survey of the Victim.
Record all assessment & time.

FAINTING
Fainting occurs when the blood supply to the brain is momentarily inadequate, causing the patient to lose consciousness. The loss of consciousness is usually brief.
Fainting can have no medical significance or the cause can be a serious disorder. Therefore, treat loss of consciousness as a medical emergency until the signs and symptoms are relieved and the cause is known.

If you feel dizzy:
Lie down or sit down.
Loosen tight clothing.
If you sit down, place your head between your knees.
Discuss recurrent fainting spells with your doctor.

If someone else faints:
Position the person on his or her back. Make sure the legs are elevated above the heart level.
Watch the airway carefully. People who lose consciousness may vomit. Place the person in the recovery position.

Check for breathing. Position your ear over the person's mouth to listen for breathing sounds. If breathing has stopped, the problem is more serious than a fainting spell. Initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Get emergency medical care.

Help restore blood flow. If the person is breathing, restore blood flow to the brain by raising the person's legs above the level of the head. Loosen belts, collars or other constrictive clothing. The person should revive quickly. If the person doesn't regain consciousness in 1 to 2 minutes, dial or call for emergency medical assistance.

SHOCK
A depressed condition of many of the body functions due to poor circulation following a serious injury.
Shock may result from trauma, heatstroke, allergic reactions, severe infection, poisoning or other causes.

Signs and symptoms of shock
The skin is cool and clammy and may appear pale or gray.
The pulse is weak and rapid. Breathing may be slow and shallow, or hyperventilation with rapid breathing may occur. Blood pressure is below normal.

Signs and symptoms of shock
The eyes lack luster and may seem to stare. Sometimes the pupils are dilated.
The person may be conscious or unconscious. If conscious, the person may feel faint or be very weak or confused. Shock sometimes causes a person to become overly excited and anxious.

First Aid to Shock
Have the person lie down on his or her back and elevate the feet higher than the head. Keep the person from moving unnecessarily.
Look for the signs of shock as noted above.
Keep the person warm and comfortable. Loosen tight clothing and cover the person with a blanket. Don't give the person anything to drink.

First Aid to Shock
If the person vomits or bleeds from the mouth, turn the person on his or her side to prevent choking.
Treat any injuries, such as bleeding or broken bones, appropriately.

Wounds and Bleeding
Wounds refers to the break in the continuity of the tissues in the body. It is classified as:
Scrapes
Laceration
Cuts
Puncture
Bleeding refers to a large discharge of blood from the blood vessels.

Guidelines in treating wounds:
Stop the bleeding
Clean the wound. Rinse out the wound with clear water. Use tweezers cleaned with alcohol to remove the particles. There's no need to use hydrogen peroxide, iodine or an iodine-containing cleanser. These substances irritate living cells. If you choose to use them, don't apply them directly on the wound.

Guidelines in treating wounds:
Apply a thin layer of an antibiotic cream or ointment to help keep the surface moist
Cover the wound
Get stitches for deep wounds
Watch for signs of infection
redness, drainage, warmth or swelling.
Get a tetanus shot.

Chocking
It is the difficulty in breathing due to obstruction in the airway. Symptoms includes difficulty to speak or cough.
First aid for chocking includes back blows and Heimlich maneuver .

Basic first aid

by Arnel Rivera on Sep 24, 2010

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