3. What it is all about What is Emergency care ? “Simple, effective management or care given to a casualty of injury or sudden illness until more advanced care can be provided.” Aims of emergency care are: · to preserve life · to protect the unconscious casualty · to prevent further injury or pain · to promote recovery.
4. In the situation of an emergency… Your priorities should be: D Danger: remove the danger, or the casualty from danger before proceeding further. R Response: determine whether the casualty is conscious. A Airway: ensure airway is clear. B Breathing: if absent, expired air resuscitation needs to be commenced immediately. C Compressions: if absent, cardiopulmonary resuscitation is urgently required. Don't need to check circulation anymore
5. If a casualty is conscious… The secondary survey is to: Obtain history Check for vital signs Note casualty symptoms
6. Duty of care People should only act if they have duly considered the consequences Duty of care depends on the relationship you have with the other i.e. Teacher and student. If you are not emergency care trained and/or not confident you may choose not to act and simply call 000 and communicate with others
8. Shock To treat shock we aim to: Prevent further injury Control bleeding Reassure and rest casualty Maintain normal body temperature Elevate casualty’s leg if possible Do not give anything to eat or drink Call ambulance 000
9. Burns Do: Cool burns under running water Remove jewellery Cover burn with sterile non-stick dressing Treat for shock
10. Burns DO NOT: Break blisters Apply lotions, ointments or creams Apply ice Remove clothing that sticks to the burned area
11. Choking If a causality is able to breathe: Allow them to cough with no interference Allow to recover Arrange for medical care
12. Choking If casualty is not able to breathe: Position head low Give 4 back blows Reassess breathing
13. If the back blow was INEFFECTIVE: Place on side Give 4 lateral chest thrusts Continue previous steps Monitor ABC
14. Asthma Attacks Step 1Sit the casualty upright, remain calm and provide reassurance. Do not leave the casualty alone. Step 2Give four puffs of a reliever puffer (Airomir, Asmol, Bricanyl, Respolin or Ventolin), one puff at a time, preferably through a spacer device*. Ask the casualty to take four breaths from the spacer after each puff. Step 3Wait four minutes. Step 4If there is little or no improvement, repeat steps 2 and 3.
15. Severe Asthma Attack If the casualty is not responding to the previous measures: Call an ambulance Repeat steps 2 and 3 while waiting for ambulance
16. Diabetes If conscious, give the casualty sugar If unconscious, - Call for medical assistance - Monitor ABC - Do not give sugar by mouth
17. Seizures If the casualty is fitting: Remove sharp or hard objects to protect the casualty from the environment. If on a hard surface, protect the casualty’s head with clothing. Turn the casualty on to their side as soon as possible and maintain a clear airway. Do not try to place anything in the mouth.
18. Seizures Call an ambulance if: It is an infant/child Remains unconscious is pregnant Has diabetes Has had no previous history Has seizure in water The seizure has lasted long than a few minutes
19. Poisons Poisoning can occur in four ways: ingestion (swallowed) inhalation (breathed) absorption (through skin) injection (needles, bites, stings). If a patient is unconscious… UNCONSCIOUS = Contact poison Information Centre 131126 CONSCIOUS = Apply DRABC
20. Envenomation To deal with poisons through bites and stings, apply the... PIT (pressure immobilisation technique)
21. Envenomation Insect bites and Stings Apply ice Apply PIT immediately if allergic reaction occurs or if casualty is known to be allergic Marine stingers Hot water for scorpion or stone fish Cold packs for jellyfish or bluebottles
23. Fractures To treat a suspected fracture: Prevent further movement Support or immobilise the injured part You will need to use a splint if you are able to access this resource
24. Exposure to heat If casualty is overheated Rest and reassure Gradually cool body surface Give cool water
25. Exposure to cold If the casualty is suspected hypothermic: Cover affected area with dressing Gradually warm body surface Give warm fluids
