It is all about first aid.

1. LESSON 3: APPLYING BASIC FIRST AID
WHAT IS FIRST AID?
*It is an initial care to an illness or injury mostly rendered by a non-expert to
a sick or injured person.
*It is giving temporary assistance until competent medical care, if needed, is
obtained.
*First aid, if properly applied, may mean the difference between life and
death, rapid recovery and long hospitalization, or temporary disability and
permanent injury.
*Having a well-stocked first aid kit is a necessity in every home.
WHAT COMPRISES A FIRST AID KIT?
1. First aid manual
2. Sterile gauze
3. Adhesive tape
4. Adhesive bandages
5. Antiseptic wipes
6. Soap
7. Antibiotic cream
8. Antiseptic solution (hydrogen peroxide)
9. Hydrocortisone cream
10. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen
11. Extra prescription medications
12. Tweezers
13. Sharp scissors
14. Safety pin
15. Disposable instant cold packs
16. Calamine lotion
17. Alcohol wipes or ethyl alcohol
18. Thermometer
19. Plastic gloves
20. Flashlight with extra batteries
21. Mouthpiece for administering CPR
22. List of emergency phone numbers
23. Blanket
24. Ice bag
25. Pen and small notebook
ASSESING THE SITUATION
 All of us will at some time have to make a decision whether or not to
help another person during emergencies.
 We should be able to perform first aid because eventually find
ourselves in a situation requiring it, either for another or for
ourselves.
PHYSICAL HAZARDS TO SELF AND CASUALTY’S HEALTH AND
SAFETY
1. In approaching a victim, check the area for immediate danger to
yourself or to the victim.
2. Use protective equipment when giving first aid to a person with HBV
(Hepatitis B Virus) and HIV (Human Immune Deficiency Virus),
because there are blood-borne pathogens and disease-causing
microorganisms that may be present to the human-blood.
3. First aid during electrical emergency rescue --- Electrical injuries are
devastating.
CHECKING THE VICTIM’S VITAL SIGNS AND EVALUATING PHYSICAL
CONDITION
During emergency situations, knowing what to do or not to do is
very important. You can only help if you know what is wrong and what
emergency situation is.
CHECKING ON A VICTIM IS DIVIDED INTO TWO PARTS:
1. PRIMARY SURVEY FOR LIFE-THREATENING
CONDITIONS; and
2. SECONDARY SURVEY FOR NON-EMERGENCY
CONDITIONS.
PRIMARY SURVEY finds and corrects life-threatening conditions.
If in the primary survey you discover problem such as no breathing
or massive bleeding, you must attend to the victim immediately
before proceeding with the rest of the assessment.
SECONDARY SURVEY is done after the primary survey is completed and
you attend to any life-threatening problems.

2. This survey will discover injuries or conditions that do not pose an
immediate threat to life but may become serious if not detected or
corrected.
APPLYING BASIC FIRST AID TECHNIQUES
1. In the primary survey, check if the airway is open.
2. For conscious victims, note if the victim has breathing difficulties or
unusual breathing sounds.
3. Check blood circulation by feeling for heartbeat (pulse) at the side of
the neck.
4. Check for severe bleeding by looking over the entire body.
5. Check for a spinal cord injury. Always assume that a victim with a
head injury has a spinal cord injury until proven otherwise. If the
victim is unconscious, a test of the spinal cord is the BABINSKI test.
SHOCK
It refers to circulatory system failure. this happens when oxygenated
blood is not sufficiently provided in every part of the body.
EXTERNAL BLEEDING
It is when a blood can be seen coming from an open wound.
INTERNAL BLEEDING
It occurs when the skin is not broken and blood is not seen.
HEART ATTACK
This happens when blood supply to the part of the heart muscle
itself is severely reduced or stopped. It is when one of the coronary arteries
is blocked by an obstruction or spasm
STROKE
It is a form of cardiovascular disease affecting the arteries of the
brain.