2. FIRST AID
First aid is the temporary and immediate
treatment given to a person who is
injured/suddenly becomes ill, using facilities
or materials available at that time before
regular medical help is imparted.
3. OBJECTIVES
To preserve life
To prevent further injury and deterioration of the
condition
To make the victim as comfortable as possible to
conserve strength
To put the injured person under professional
medical care at the earliest
4. QUALITIES OF A FIRST AIDER
;Observant
Able to act quickly
Should not get panic or excited
Ability to lead and control the crowd and take help
from the onlookers
Self confidence
Able to reassure the victim and his/her relative by
demonstrating competence, expressing sympathy
and providing good counselling
Resourceful
5. PRINCIPLES
Be in control, both of yourself and the problem
Act calmly and logically
Be gentle but firm
Build up while talking to the casualty throughout the
examination and treatment
Explain what you are going to do
Answer honestly
Never leave casualty alone
Reassure the casualty
Do not separate a child from its parents or guardian
Casualty should be sent to a hospital or doctor by
quickest means of transport. Always inform police about
serious accidents
Inform the relatives
17. CONT..
An up to date first aid manual
A list of emergency phone numbers
Adhesive tapes
Antiseptic wipes
Soap
Tooth preservation kit
Sharp scissors
Flash light with extra batteries
Mouth piece for giving CPR
18. CONCEPT OF EMERGENCY
An emergency is an acute injury or illness that
poses an immediate risk to a person’s life or long
term health.
Eg: severe bleeding, choking, fractures, shortness of
breath, severe burns, poisoning
20. POISONS MAY BE CONSUMED:
Accidently
For suicidal purpose
Intentionally for killing a person
21. ROUTES OF TAKING POISON
By mouth
Inhaling
By injection
Absorption through skin
22. GENERAL SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Others/ the casualty informs about poisoning
Seeing a container having poison
Delirious convulsions
Signs and symptoms of asphyxia
Unconsciousness
Vomiting/diarrhoea
Burns of lips/mouth after contact with corrosive
poisons
23. TREATMENT
Inform police
Remove from offending agent like gaseous
atmosphere
Collect information from any witness available
Preserve any suspicious container for information
to doctor
If the person has vomited, preserve the vomitus
24. TO INDUCE VOMITING
Plenty of Luke warm water
Egg white
Milk
Touching the fauces
1 glass of water with two teaspoons of salt
One teaspoon of mustard powder in luke warm
water
25. (CONT..)
In case of burns to lips/mouth, cool them by
giving water/milk.
DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING
27. SLEEPING PILLS
Induce vomiting
Dilute poison
Keep him awakened by giving tea/coffee/ piercing
pin
If respiration is slow: artificial respiration
28. GAS POISONING
CO
CO2
Inflammable gases
Steam of ammonia
Remove from the site
If respiration stops, give artificial respiration
Keep patient warm under blanket or bed sheet
Immediate hospitalisation
29. FOOD POISONING
Water
Diluted fruit juice
Weak tea
If early recognised, can induce vomiting
30. ALCOHOL POISONING
Make him sit and vomit
Then give strong tea/coffee
If unconscious/ head injury: hospitalise
31. CONT
If unconscious, but breathing normally, place in
recovery position
If breathing and heart beat stops, begin
resuscitation
Shift to hospital immediately
32. TAKE CARE
Do not contaminate yourself with any poison that may
be around the casualty’s mouth
DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING IF the casualty has
swallowed:
Any strong acid/alkali
Ammonia
Turpentine
Bleachers
Toilet cleaners
Petrol
Kerosene
Paint thinner
Polish
33. ANTIDOTES
Acetyl salicylic acid:1 tsp soda bicarb in 1 glass of
water
Conc. Acid: excess water& chalk/ soda bicarbonate
in 1 glass of water
Conc. alkali: 1 tsp vinegar, orange/lemon
CO: O2
Cresol/lysol/dettol/lead: epsum salt in 1 glass water
36. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Pain and numbness at site
Drowsiness
Swelling
Area becomes bluish purple in 12 hours
Dimness of vision
Dribbling of saliva, paralysis
Convulsions,coma
37. FIRST AID
Help the patient to lie down. Keep the head above
the level of wounded part
Reassure and help to be calm and still
Gently wash the wound and pat dry with clean
swabs
Lightly compress the limb above wound with a roller
bandage
Use triangular bandages to immobilise the affected
area
Take the killed snake if available to hospital for
identification
38. DO NOT
Apply a tourniquet, slash the wound with a knife or
suck out the venom
If the casualty becomes unconscious, open the
airway and check breathing, be prepared for cardio
pulmonary resuscitation
39. SCORPION BITE
Signs and symptoms
Severe burning
Intolerable increasing pain
Giddiness
Vomiting
Can become unconscious
Itching
Swelling
Increased numbness near the site of bite
40. FIRST AID
Help the casualty to sit or lie down , reassure her
Raise the affected part if possible
Apply ice packs/cold compress on the region to
slow down the absorption of poison
Monitor vital signs-pulse, breathing, level of
response
Watch for signs of allergy like wheezing
Hospitalise
If stings to mouth or throat, give ice cubes to suck
or cold water to drink
41. OTHER INSECT STINGS AND BITES
Like bees
Reassure the casualty. If the sting is visible,
brush/scrape it off sideways with your finger nail or
the blunt edge of a knife . Do not use tweezers
because more poison may be injected into the
casualty.
Raise the affected part if possible and apply an ice
pack or cold compress .
See doctor if pain and swelling persists
Stings to mouth and throat: drink cold water or suck
ice cubes
42. DOG BITE
Put on disposable gloves if available
Wash the bite wound thoroughly with soap and
water in order to minimise the risk of infection
Pat dry with clean gauze swabs and cover with an
adhesive dressing or a small sterile dressing
Immediately hospitalise if wound is large or deep
or suspecting rabies
43. CONT....
If the wound is deep, control bleeding by applying
direct pressure and raising the injured part or apply
a tight dressing and bandage
Seek medical advice if tetanus immunisation not
taken/ it is more than 10 years since the casualty’s
last injection
44. FOREIGN BODY IN THE EYE
Can be a speck of dust, a loose eyelash etc
Usually such objects can be easily be rinsed off
Do not touch anything that
Sticks to the eye
Penetrates the eyeball
Rests on the iris
45. Advise the casualty to sit down facing the light; tell
them not to rub their eye
Stand behind the casualty. Gently separate the
eyelids with your finger and thumb. Examine every
part of her eye
46. If you can see a foreign object on the eye, wash it
out by pouring clean water from a glass
If this is unsuccessful, lift the object off with a moist
swab or the damp corner of a tissue or clean hand
kerchief.
If you can’t still remove it, seek medical help
47. FOREIGN BODY UNDER THE UPPER EYELID
Ask the casualty to grasp her lashes and pull the
upper lid over the lower lid.
Blinking under water is also useful
48. FOREIGN OBJECT IN THE EAR
Young children push objects into their ears
Adults may leave cotton in ear
Arrange to take or send the casualty to hospital as
soon as possible. Do not try to remove a lodged
foreign object yourself.
Reassure the casualty during the journey or until
medical help arrives
49. INSECT INSIDE THE EAR
Reassure the casualty and ask her to sit down.
Support the head with the affected ear upper
Gently flood the ear with tepid water so that the
insect floats out
If this flooding does not remove the insect, take or
send the casualty to hospital
50. FOREIGN BODY IN THE NOSE
Young children may push small objects up their
nose
There may be:
Difficult or noisy breathing through the nose
Swelling of the nose
Smelly or blood stained discharge
51. CONT.....
Do not try to remove the objects ; you may cause
injury or push it further into the airway
Try to keep the casualty quiet and calm
Tell him to breathe through his mouth at a normal
rate. Advise him not to poke inside his nose to try to
remove the object himself
Send to hospital
52. INHALED FOREIGN OBJECT
There may be
Some noise of choking, which quickly passes
Persistent dry coughing
Difficulty breathing
53. Small smooth objects can slip past the throat and
enter into the air passages leading to lungs
Dry peanuts which can swell up when in contact
with body fluids can be a real danger
Peanuts can be inhaled into the lungs , resulting in
serious damage
Management same as choking
54. CHOKING ADULT
A foreign object that is stuck at the back of the
throat may block the throat or cause muscular
spasm
Ask the casualty ΄΄ Are you choking? ˝
Mild obstruction
Casualty able to speak, cough and breathe
Complete obstruction
Casualty unable to speak, cough or breathe and
eventual loss of consciousness
55. CONT..
If the casualty is breathing, encourage him to
continue coughing. Remove any obvious
obstruction from the mouth
If the casualty cannot speak or stops coughing or
speaking, carry out back blows.
Stand to the side and slightly behind him
Support his chest with one hand and help him to
lean well forwards .
Give upto 5 sharp blows between the scapulas
with the heel of your hand.
Stop if the obstruction clears. Check his mouth.
56.
57. CONT..
If back blows fail to clear the obstruction, try abdominal
thrusts. ( Heimlich manoeuvre)
Stand behind the casualty put both arms around the
upper part of his abdomen
Make sure that he is still bending well forwards.
Clench your fist and place it (thumb inwards) between
the navel and the bottom of the sternum. Grasp your fist
with your other hand. Pull sharply inwards and upwards
up to five times
58.
59. CONT..
Check his mouth if the obstruction is still not
cleared, repeat back blows and abdominal thrusts
up to 3 times, checking the mouth after each step.
If the obstruction still has not cleared, continue until
help arrives or the casualty becomes unconscious
60. If at any stage casualty becomes unconscious
Open the airway and check breathing
If not breathing,
Give 30 chest compressions to try to relieve the
obstructions, then two rescue breaths
61. CHOKING CHILD
Give upto five back blows, check mouth
Give upto 5 abodominal thrusts. Check mouth
Repeat the sequence upto 3 times .then call
ambulance
Repeat sequence until help arrives or child
becomes unconscious
62. CHOKING INFANT
Give upto five back blows, check mouth
Give upto 5 chest thrusts. Check mouth
Repeat the sequence upto 3 times .then call
ambulance
Repeat sequence until help arrives or child
becomes unconscious
63. SWALLOWED FOREIGN BODY
Reassure the casualty and try to find out exactly
what has swallowed
If the swallowed object is small and smooth, take
or send the casualty to hospital
Always seek medical advice if you know the
casualty has swallowed a battery
If he has swallowed something large or sharp, or
has difficulty breathing or swallowing, get an
ambulance to reach hospital soon
Do not allow the victim to eat or drink or smoke
because a general anaesthetic may need to be
given
64. ASPHYXIA
Asphyxia is a deficiency of oxygen in blood and
an increase of carbon dioxide in the blood and
tissues.
It occurs due to an interruption in the normal
exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between
the lungs and outside air
Lungs do not get sufficient supply of oxygen for
breathing
65. CAUSES
Drowning
Electric shock
Foreign body in air passages (choking)
Inhalation of smoke and poisnous gases
Suffocation under earth
Hanging, strangulation by tight rope
66. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
First stage
Increased rate of breathing
Breath gets shorter
Veins of the neck becomes swollen
Face , lips, nails, fingers and toes turns blue
Pulse gets feebler and faster
67. CONT......
Second stage
Partial or complete loss of consciousness
Froth may appear at the mouth and nostrils
68. MANAGEMENT
Remove the cause if possible
Ensure the airway is not obstructed Eg: loosen the tight
collar
Place the individual on his back. Support the nape of the
neck on your palm and press neck back wards. Then
press the angle of the jaw forward from behind.
Provide 5 mouth to mouth breathing
Give artificial respiration until natural breathing is
established to ensure proper ventilation of lungs
If heart beat stops, give external cardiac massage
After breathing is restored, arrange for medical help
69. DROWNING
Death by drowning occurs when air cannot get into
the lungs
While a drowning person is rescued, do not attempt
to force water from stomach because the casualty
may vomit and then inhale it
If you are rescuing a casualty from water to safety,
keep his head lower than the rest of body to reduce
the risk of him inhaling water
Lay the casualty down on her back on a cloth.
If breathing, place in recovery position
Be prepared to give chest compressions and
rescue breaths if necessary
70. CONT..
Treat hypothermia
Remove wet clothing
Cover with dry blankets
If fully conscious, give a hot drink
71. SHOCK
Life threatening condition
Occurs when the circulatory system fails and as a
result, vital organs such as heart and brain are
deprived of oxygen
72. CAUSES
Severe blood loss(>1.2 litres)
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Blockage in intestine
Severe burns
Inability of heart to pump
Overwhelming infections
....
73. RECOGNITION
Initially
A rapid pulse
Pale, cold, clammy skin, sweating
As shock develops,
Cyanosis of lips, fingernails
Weakness and dizziness
Nausea, possibly vomiting
Thirst
Rapid, shallow breathing
Weak, thready pulse
Change in level of consciousness
74. FIRST AID
Treat any possible causes that you can detect Eg:
bleeding
Lay the casualty down on a blanket to insulate him
from cold ground.
Constantly reassure her
Raise and support her legs to improve the blood
supply to the vital organs. Take care if you suspect
a fracture
Loosen tight clothing at the neck, chest, waist
Keep him warm by covering her body and legs
with coats or blankets
75. CONT..
Keeping head low may prevent casualty from losing
consciousness
Do not let the casualty eat, drink, smoke or move
unnecessarily. If thirsty, moisten lips with a little water
Monitor and record vital signs
Be prepared to give resuscitation
76. FROST BITE
Occurs in freezing or cold and windly conditions
Usually the fingers or toes freeze due to low
temperatures
can lead to permanent loss of sensation and
gangrene
77. RECOGNITION
At first “ pins-and- needles’’ sensation
Pallor, followed by numbness
Hardening and stiffening of the skin
A colour change to the skin of the affected area, first
white, then mottled and blue.
On recovery, the skin may be red, hot, painful and
blistered.
Where gangrene occurs, the tissue may become black
due to loss of blood supply
78. FIRST AID
Move casualty into warmth
Remove constricting clothes (rings, boots)
Warm the affected part with your hands/in your lap/
in the casualty’s armpits
DO NOT RUB AFFECTED AREA (????)
79. Place the affected part in warm water at around 40˚c
Dry carefully
Apply light dressing with dry gauze
80. Raise and support the affected limb to reduce
swelling
An adult casualty may take 2 paracetamol tablets
for intense pain
Take or send the casualty to hospital
81. Do not put the affected part near direct heat
Do not allow the casualty to smoke
82. HEAT STROKE
Caused by failure of the thermostat in the brain
Body becomes dangerously overheated, usually
due to a high fever or prolonged exposure to heat
Can develop with little warning, causing
unconsciousness within minutes of the casualty
feeling unwell
83. RECOGNITION
Headache, dizziness, discomfort
Restlessness, confusion
Hot flushed and dry skin
Rapid deterioration in the level of response
Full bounding pulse
Body temperature above 40˚C
84. FIRST AID
Quickly move the casualty to a cool place.
Remove as much of his outer clothing as possible
Wrap the casualty in a cold, wet sheet until his
temperature falls to 37.5˚C
If no sheet is available, fan the casualty, or sponge
him with cold water
Once the casualty’s temperature appears to have
returned to normal, replace the wet sheet with a dry
one
85. CONT...
Monitor and record vital signs
If his temperature rises again, repeat the cooling
process again
Be prepared to give resuscitation
86. BURNS AND SCALDS
Skin has mainly 3 layers
Epidermis
Dermis
Layer of fat tissue
Blood vessels, nerves and hair roots are contained
within the dermis
87. TYPES OF BURNS
Dry burns: flames, hot objects
Scald :steam, hot liquids
Electrical burns
Cold injury: frost bite, contact with freezing metals,
freezing vapours
Chemical burns: strong acids/ alkalies
Radiation burns: sunburn, over exposure UV rays,
radioactive source
88. DEPTH OF BURNS
Superficial burns: involves only the outer most
layer, epidermis
Eg: sunburn
Partial thickness burns: destroy the epidermis
and are very painful. The skin becomes red and
blistered
Full- thickness burns: pain sensation is usually
lost. Skin looks waxy, pale or charred.
89. BURNS THAT NEED HOSPITAL TREATMENT
All cases of burns to children
All full-thickness burns
All burns involving the face, hands, feet or genital
area
All burns that extend right around an arm or leg
All partial thickness burns larger than 1% of the
body surface ( an with the size of the palm of
casualty’s hand)
All superficial burns larger than 5% of the casualty’s
body surface
Burns with a mixed pattern of varying depths
Unsure about severity of burns
90. SEVERE BURNS AND SCALDS
Help the casualty to lie down if possible. Try to
prevent burnt area from coming in contact with
ground.
Douse the burn with plenty of cold liquid or at least
10 minutes, but do not delay the casualty’s removal
to hospital
Continue cooling the affected area until the pain is
relieved
Put on disposable gloves if available. Gently
remove any rings, watches, belts or shoes.
Carefully remove burnt clothing , unless it is sticking
to the burn
91. CONT....
Cover the injured area with a sterile dressing to
protect it from infection. If a sterile dressing is not
available, use a folded triangular bandage or part of
a sheet. A clean plastic bag can be used to cover a
hand or foot,; secure it with a bandage or adhesive
tape applied over the plastic not the skin
92. CONT...
Gather and record details of the casualty’s injuries.
Regularly monitor and record her vital signs
While waiting for help to arrive, reassure the
casualty and treat her for stroke.
If the casualty has a facial burn, do not cover the
injury. Keep cooling the area with water to relieve
pain until help arrives
93. CAUTION
Do not over cool the casualty. ( babies and elder
people)
Do not remove anything sticking to the burn
Do not touch or otherwise interfere with the burnt
area
Do not burst any blisters
Do not apply lotions, ointment or adhesive tape to
the burnt area
94. MINOR BURNS AND SCALDS
Caused by touching a hot iron or spilling boiling
water on the skin
Flood the injured part with cold water for at least 10
minutes to stop the burning and relieve pain.
Put on disposable gloves if available.
Gently remove any jewellery, watches, belts or
constricting clothing from the injured area before it
begins to swell
cover the area with a sterile dressing or a clean,
pad and bandage loosely in place
Do not break blisters/ apply adhesive tape to skin
Do not apply ointments to damaged tissues
95. BURNS TO THE AIRWAY
Air passages rapidly become swollen
Suspect damage to airway if burns have sustained
in a confined space
96. RECOGNITION
Soot around nose or mouth
Singeing of the nasal hairs
Redness, swelling or actual burning of tongue
Damage to skin around mouth
Hoarseness of voice
Breathing difficulties
97. FIRST AID
Call ambulance and inform that you suspect burns to
airway
Take any steps possible to improve the casualty’s air
supply, such as loosening clothing around his neck
Offer ice or small sips of cold water to reduce swelling
and/or pain
Reassure the casualty. Monitor and record vital signs
98. ELECTRICAL INJURIES/ELECTROCUTION
Passage of electric current through the body may cause
the breathing and heart to stop
Electrical current may cause burns both where it enters
the body and where it exits the body
Can cause muscular spasms which may prevent the
casualty from breaking contact with source
People who are electrocuted by a high voltage current
rarely survive
99. LIGHTNING
A natural burst of electricity discharged from the
atmosphere, lightning forms an intense trail of light
and heat
May set clothing on fire, knock the casualty down,
or even cause instant death
Clear everyone from the site of a lightning strike as
soon as possible
100. HIGH VOLTAGE CURRENT
Power lines and over-head high tension cables
Contact is usually immediately FATAL
If survived will have severe burns
Muscular spasm may propel the victim some
distance causing fractures
101. FIRST AID
Safe distance is at least 18m.Cut off the power
before approaching the casualty.
The casualty is likely to be unconscious.
Once it is safe to do so, open the casualty’s airway
and check breathing; be ready to give chest
compressions and rescue breaths if necessary
If he is breathing, place in recovery position
Monitor and record vital signs- level of response,
pulse and breathing
102. LOW-VOLTAGE CURRENT
Can cause serious injury or even death
Break the contact between the casualty and the
electrical supply by switching off the current at the
mains or meter point if can be reached easily
103. If you cannot reach the cable, socket or mains,
do the following:
To protect yourself, stand on some dry insulating
material such as wooden box, a plastic mat or a
telephone directory
Using something made of wood ( such as a broom),
push the casualty’s limbs away from the electrical
source or push the source away from the casualty
104. CONT..
If it is not possible to break the contact with a
wooden object, loop a length of rope around the
casualty’s ankles or under the arms, taking great
care not to touch him, and pull him away from the
source of the electrical current
If absolutely necessary, pull the casualty free by
pulling at any articles of loose, dry clothing . Do
this only as a resort because the casualty may still
be ‘live’
105. WARNING
Do not touch the casualty if he is in contact with
the electrical current; he will be ‘live’ and you risk
electrocution
Do not use anything metallic to break the
electrical contact. Stand on some dry insulating
material and use a wooden object
If the casualty stops breathing, be prepared give
chest compressions and rescue breaths until
emergency help arrives
106. ELECTRICAL BURN
Flood the site of injury, at the entry and exit points
of the current, plenty of cold water to cool the
burns
Put on disposable gloves if available. Place a
sterile dressing, a clean, folded triangular bandage
or some other clean material over the burns to
protect them against airborne infection
Reassure the casualty and treat him for shock
108. RECOGNITION
Evidence of chemicals in the vicinity
Intense stinging pain
Later, discoloration, blistering , peeling and swelling
of the affected area
109. CAUTION
Do not attempt to neutralise acid or alkali unless
trained to do so
Do not delay starting treatment by searching for an
antidote
110. FIRST AID
Make sure that the area around the casualty is safe
Ventilate the area to disperse fumes, seal the
chemical container.
Flood the burn with water for at least 20 minutes to
disperse the chemical and stop burning. If treating a
casualty on the ground, ensure that the water does
not collect underneath her
Gently remove any contaminated clothing while
flooding the injury
Arrange to take the casualty to the hospital
111. CHEMICAL BURN TO EYE
Can damage the surface of the eye, resulting in
scarring and even blindness
Priority should be to wash out the eye so that the
chemical is diluted dispersed.
Put on protective gloves and be careful for not to
splash the contaminated water on you or casualty
while irrigating
112. FIRST AID
Put on gloves
Hold the casualty’s affected eye under gently
running cold water for at least 10 minutes
Irrigate the eyelid thoroughly both inside and out
If the eye is shut in a spasm of pain, gently but
firmly pull the eyelids open.
Be careful that contaminated water does not splash
the uninjured eye
113. Place or bandage a pad loosely over the affected
eye
Identify chemical if possible and send him to
hospital
115. TYPES OF BLEEDING
Arterial : bright red blood, will spurt out in force
Venous: dark red blood, relatively slow bleeding,
but injuries to major veins can result in gush of
blood
116. TYPES OF WOUNDS
Incised wound: caused by clean cut from a sharp
edged object s/a a razor.
Laceration: crushing or ripping forces result in tears
or lacerations. Bleeding is less profuse. More tissue
damage. Often contaminated with germs
Abrasion: superficial wound in which the topmost
layers of skin are scraped off leaving a raw, tender
area. By a sliding fall
Contusion(bruise):a blunt blow or punch can
rupture capillaries under the skin causing blood to
leak into tissues.
117.
118.
119.
120.
121.
122.
123. Puncture wound: caused by sharp, pointed objects
like nail/ needle. It has a small entry site but deep
track of internal damage.
Stab wound: caused by long or bladed instrument,
usually a knife penetrating the body.
Gun shot wound: a bullet or other missile may drive
into or through the body, causing serious internal
injury
124. SEVERE BLEEDING
Shock may develop and the victim may lose
consciousness
Check first whether there is an object embedded in
the wound; take care not to press on the object
125. FIRST AID
Put on disposable gloves if available. Remove or
cut clothing as necessary to expose the wound
Apply direct pressure over the wound with fingers
or palm, preferably over a sterile dressing/ clean
pad/ ask the casualty to apply direct pressure by
himself
Raise and support the injured limb above the level
of heart. Handle the limb very carefully if suspecting
fracture
Help the casualty to lie down and if you suspect
shock, raise his legs above the level of heart
126. Secure the dressing with a bandage that is tight
enough to maintain pressure, but not so tight to
impair the circulation
If further bleeding occurs, apply a second dressing
on the top of first. If blood seeps, through this
dressing, remove both dressings and apply a fresh
one, ensuring that pressure is applied accurately to
the point of bleeding
Monitor and record v/s , call ambulance
127. AMPUTATION
A limb can partially or completely be severed
Put on disposable gloves if available.
Control blood loss by applying pressure and raising
the injured part
Apply a sterile dressing/ clean pad and secure it
with a bandage.
Do not allow to eat or drink
Get the casualty and amputated part to hospital as
soon as possible.
Monitor and record v/s: treat for shock if needed
128. CARE OF THE AMPUTATED PART
Put on gloves
Wrap the severed part in plastic bag
Wrap the package in gauze; place it in a container full of
ice
Clearly mark the container with the time of injury and the
casualty’s name.
Do not wash the severed part.
Do not allow the severed part to come into direct contact
with ice
129. CRUSH INJURY
Traffic and building site incidents, earth quakes,
train crushes
It may include a fracture, swelling and internal
bleeding
It can also result in impaired circulation resulting in
numbness at or below the site of injury
130. DANGERS OF PROLONGED CRUSHING
Extensive damage to body tissues especially
muscles
As pressure is removed, Shock may develop
rapidly as tissue fluid leaks into injured area
Toxic substances built up in muscle tissue ,
released into circulation may result in kidney
failure
131. IF CRUSHED FOR LESS THAN 15 MINUTES
Release the casualty quickly. Put on gloves if
available. Control external bleeding and cover any
wounds
Secure and support any suspected fractures. Treat
the casualty for shock.
Call for ambulance and give details of the incident.
Monitor and record vital signs-level of response,
pulse and breathing
132. IF CRUSHED FOR MORE THAN 15 MINUTES
Cal the ambulance and Give clear details of the
incident
Comfort and reassure the casualty. Monitor and
record vital signs-level of response, pulse and
breathing.
Do not release a casualty who has been crushed
for more than 15 minutes
133. CUTS AND GRAZES
Bleeding can be controlled by pressure and
elevation
An adhesive dressing is enough
134. MEDICAL AID IS NEEDED
If the bleeding does not stop
If there is foreign object embedded in the cut
If the wound is at particular risk of infection
If an old wound shows signs of becoming infected
135. FIRST AID
Wash your hands thoroughly, and put on
disposable gloves if available
If the wound is dirty, clean it by rinsing lightly
under running water, or use an alcohol free wipe.
Pat the wound dry using a gauze swab and cover
with sterile gauze
Elevate the injured part above the level of heart
supporting it with one hand
Avoid touching the wound directly
Clean the surrounding area with soap and water;
use clean swabs for each stroke. Remove the
wound covering and apply an adhesive dressing.
136. FOREIGN OBJECT IN A CUT
Remove he foreign objects like pieces of glass/
gravel using tweezers
If the object is bigger, control bleeding by *applying
pressure on either side of the object *raising the
injured part
137. Cover the wound with gauze
Build up padding around the object until you can
bandage over it with out pressing down
138. If the object is particularly large, bandage around
the object
Enquire about tetanus immunaisation
139. EYE WOUND
Help the casualty to lie and hold her head to keep it
as still as possible
Instruct him to keep both eyes still
Do not touch or attempt to remove an embedded
foreign object in the eye
Place or bandage a clean pad over the affected eye
and send to hospital
140. BLEEDING FROM THE EAR
Usually due to perforated ear drum
Caused by a foreign object, blow to the side of the
head, or an explosion
Sharp pain, then ear ache
Deafness
Possible dizziness
Watery blood is a serious sign(???)
141. Help the casualty into a half sitting position, with his
head tilted to the injured side (??)
Place/ bandage a clean pad on the ear and send to
hospital
142. NOSE BLEED
Caused by
Blow to nose
Sneezing
blowing/ picking the nose
High blood pressure
143. FIRST AID
Ask the casualty to sit down
Ask him to tilt his head forward for the blood to
drain out
Ask to breathe through mouth and to pinch the soft
part of the nose
144. Advise him not to speak, swallow, cough/ spit
Give a clean cloth to mop up any dribbling
After 10 minutes, tell the casualty to release the
pressure.
If the bleeding has not stopped, tell him to reapply
the pressure for 2 further periods of 10 minutes
145. Advise the casualty to rest quietly for a few hours
once the bleeding has stopped.
Tell him to avoid exertion and not to blow the nose
146. CAUTION
Do not let head to tip back; blood may run down the
throat and induce vomiting
If bleeding stop and then restarts, tell the casualty
reapply pressure
If the nose bleed is severe or if it lasts more than 30
minutes, take or send the casualty to hospital in the
treatment position
147. BLEEDING FROM THE MOUTH
Cuts to the tongue, lips, or lining of mouth
148. FIRST AID
Ask the casualty to sit down with his head
forwards and tilted slightly to the injured side
Put on gloves if available. Place a gauze pad over
the wound
Ask the casualty to squeeze the pad between the
finger and thumb and press on the wound for 10
minutes
If bleeding persists, replace the pad. Tell the
casualty to let the blood dribble out; if swallowed, it
may induce vomiting
Avoid hot drinks for 12 hours
149. BLEEDING SOCKET
Take a gauze pad that is thick enough to stop the
casualty’s teeth meeting, place across the empty
socket and tell her to bite down on it
150. CAUTION
If the wound is large, or bleeding> 30 minutes, seek
medical advise
Do not wash the mouth out
151. KNOCKED OUT TOOTH
If an adult tooth is knocked out,
Keep it in socket immediately and keep it in place
with a gauze pad between bottom and top teeth
OR
Keep it inside cheek
OR
Place in a small container of milk
Send to the dentist
152. SCALP AND HEAD WOUND
Cover the wound with sterile dressing/ clean pad
and apply firm direct pressure on the pad
Secure the dressing with roller bandage
Help him to lie down with his head and shoulders
slightly raised
Monitor and record v/s
Send to hospital
Be prepared to give resuscitation
154. 1ST AID
Put on disposable gloves
help to lie down
Raise and support the knees to reduce strain on
wound
Loosen any tight belt/ shirt
Put a dressing over the wound and apply adhesive
tape, Treat for shock
155. WARNING
If a casualty with an open wound, coughs/ vomits,
press firmly on the dressing
do not touch any protruding intestine, cover with a
plastic bag
Get ready for resuscitation if needed
156. BLEEDING VARICOSE VEIN
Veins contain one-way valves
If these valves fail, blood will collect behind them
and makes the veins swell
Varicose veins are taut and may burst even by
gentle stroke
Shock will develop if bleeding is not controlled
157. FIRST AID
Put on disposable gloves
Make the casualty lie down on his back
Raise and support the injured leg as high as
possible
Expose the site of bleeding
Apply firm direct pressure on the area, using sterile
dressing, until the bleeding is controlled
Put a large soft pad, and bandage it tightly
Keep the injured leg raised and supported until the
ambulance arrives
Monitor & record v/s
159. FRACTURES
Break or crack in a bone
can be
1. Stable: broken ends do not move
2. Unstable: broken ends can move and cause
injury to blood vessels and nerves
Or
1. Open: broken ends pierce the overlying skin
2. Closed: overlying skin is intact
160. RECOGNITION
Deformity, swelling and bruising at the fracture site
Pain, difficulty to move
Shortening, bending
Coarse grating of bone ends (crepitus) can be
heard
A wound possibly both bone ends protruding
161. CLOSED FRACTURE
Advise him to keep still
Support the injured part with your hands above and
below the injury, until it is immobilised
For firmer support, bandage the injured part to an
unaffected part of the body
Make sure the bandage is tied on the uninjured side
1. Upper limb fracture : bandage to the trunk
2. Lower limb fracture : bandage to unaffected leg
162. CONT...
Transport to hospital
Treat for shock, do not raise the injured limb if it
causes more pain
Check for circulation beyond a bandage every 10
minutes
If the circulation is impaired, loosen the bandages
Do not allow the casualty to eat/ drink
163. APPLYING TRACTION
Applied When a limb is bent or angled
Pull steadily in the line of bone until the limb is
straight
Hold it until the limb is immobilised
Do not persist if traction causes intolerable pain
164. OPEN FRACTURES
Put on gloves
Loosely cover the wound with a large pad.
Apply pressure to control bleeding, but do not
press on protruding bone
Carefully place clean pad around the dressing
Secure the pad with a bandage firmly
Immobilise the part
Treat for shock
Monitor and record v/s
165. DISLOCATED JOINT
An injury in which the bones are partially or
completely pulled out of position
Usually affects the shoulders, jaw, joints in thumbs
and fingers
166. RECOGNITION
Severe pain
Difficulty in moving the area
Swelling and bruising around the area
shortening, bending or twisting of the area
167. FIRST AID
Advise the casualty to keep still
Support the injured part in a position of maximum
comfort
Immobilise the part with padding, bandages and
slings
For firm support, bandage the injured part to an
unaffected part of the body
168. Transport to hospital
Treat for shock
Monitor and record v/s
Check the circulation beyond the bandage every 10
minutes
169. STRAINS AND SPRAINS
STRAIN
occurs when a muscle is stretched and may be
partially torn.
Occurs at the junction of the muscle and the
tendon that joints the muscle to a bone
Usually accompanied by bleeding into surrounding
tissues
SPRAIN
Tearing of a ligament at or near a joint
170. INITIAL TREATMENT
R - Rest the injured part
I - Apply ice or a cold compress
C - Compress the injury
E - Elevate the injured part
171. CONT..
Advise the casualty to sit or lie down
Support the injured part in a comfortable position
If the injury has just happened, cool the area by an
ice pack
Apply gentle, even pressure by surrounding the
area with a thick layer of soft padding s/a a cotton/
wool/ plastic and secure it with a bandage
Check the circulation beyond the bandaging every
10 minutes
172. CONT..
Raise and support the injured part to reduce the
flow of blood to injury
If severe pain/ the casualty can’t move the part,
take him to hospital. Otherwise advise him to take
rest and see doctor if necessary
173. MAJOR FACIAL FRACTURE
The main danger is the blood, saliva and swollen
tissue may obstruct the airway
When examining, check for damage to skull, brain
and neck
174. RECOGNITION
Pain around affected area
If jaw is affected, difficulty speaking, chewing or
swallowing
Difficulty breathing
Swelling and distortion of face
Bruising
175. FIRST AID
If the casualty is conscious, get him to spit out any
blood, displaced teeth or dentures from his mouth
Gently apply cold compress to the casualty’s face
to help reduce pain and limit potential swelling
Treat for shock
Regularly monitor and record vital signs until
medical help arrives
176. CAUTION
Do not apply a bandage to the lower part of the
face or lower jaw, if there is difficulty breathing
177. If he is breathing, place him in recovery position
with his injured side downwards to allow any blood
or other body fluids to drain away and keep the
airway clear
Keep the casualty’s hand away from the face and
place soft padding under his head
Be aware of the risk of spinal injury
be ready to give resuscitation if needed
178. CHEEK BONE AND NOSE FRACTURES
Usually the result of deliberate blows to face
Swollen facial tissues are likely to cause discomfort and
the air passages in the nose become blocked
Apply cold compress
If there is nosebleed, try to stop the bleeding
Arrange for transport to hospital
179. LOWER JAW INJURY
If the casualty is not seriously injured, help him to sit
with his head tilted forward to allow fluids to drain
from his mouth
Encourage him to spit out loose teeth, and keep them
to send to hospital with him
Give him a soft pad to hold against the jaw and support
it
Take or send the casualty to hospital, keeping his jaw
supported
180. FRACTURED COLLAR BONE/ CLAVICLE
As a result of sports activities, fall on out stretched
arm
181. RECOGNITION
Pain and tenderness
Swelling
Attempts by the casualty to relax muscles and
relieve pain
He may support the arm at the elbow and incline
the head to the injured side
182. FIRST AID
Help to sit down
Lay the affected arm diagonally across his chest
with his finger tips resting against the opposite
shoulder
Ask him to support the elbow with his other hand
Support the arm on the affected side in an elevation
sling
Gently place some soft padding between the arm
and the body to make him more comfortable
Secure the arm with a broad fold bandage and
send to hospital
185. RECOGNITION
Severe pain, increased by movement; the pain may
make the casualty reluctant to move
Attempts by the casualty to relieve pain by
supporting the arm and inclining the head to the
injured side
A flat, angular look to the shoulder
186. FIRST AID
Help the casualty to sit down.
Gently place the arm on the affected side across
his body in most comfortable position.
Place a triangular bandage between the arm and
the chest, in preparation for trying an arm sling
Insert a soft padding , such as a folded towel,
between the arm and the chest, inside the
bandage.
187. CONT...
Finish tying the arm sling so that the arm
and its padding are well supported
Secure the limb to the chest by tying a broad-fold
bandage around the chest and over the sling
Send to hospital
Do not attempt to replace a dislocated bone into its
socket
Do not allow to eat/ drink
188. UPPER ARM INJURY
Most common is fracture of humerus
Fracture of humerus at the shoulder end is common
among elderly which is a stable fracture and the
casualty may cope with pain and left untreated for
some time.
189. RECOGNITION
Pain, increased by movement
Tenderness and deformity over the site
Rapid swelling
Bruising, which may develop slowly
190. FIRST AID
Ask the casualty to sit down
Gently place the forearm horizontally across the
body and ask him to support the elbow if possible
Place the soft padding beneath the injured arm. Tie
the arm and its padding in an arm sling to support
it.
Secure the arm by a broad-fold bandage.
Try to avoid bandaging over the fracture site if
possible.
Take or send to hospital
191. ELBOW INJURY
Usually result from fall on to the hand
Fracture of humerus above the elbow is common
among children and it is an unstable fracture which
can damage blood vessels
Never try to force the elbow to bend
193. FOR AN ELBOW THAT CAN BEND
Check the pulse in the affected wrist regularly
If the pulse is not present, gently straighten the
elbow until the pulse returns and support the arm in
this position
194. FOR AN ELBOW THAT CANNOT BEND
Help the casualty to lie down.
Place padding such as cushions or towels around
the elbow for comfort and support
Check the pulse in the injured arm until medical
help arrives
195. CAUTION
Do not try to move the injured arm
Do not attempt to apply bandages if help is on its
way
196. PREPARING FOR TRANSPORT
Put padding between the injured limb and body.
Then use three folded triangular bandages to
immobilise the injured limb against the trunk, at
1. the wrist and hips, then
2. above and
3. below the elbow
Tie bandages firmly on the non-injured side
197. FOREARM AND WRIST INJURIES
Broken ends of radius and ulna may pierce the
skin, producing an open fracture
198. RECOGNITION
Pain, increased by movement
Swelling, deformity, Bruising
In an open fracture, a wound and bleeding
199. FIRST AID
Ask the casualty to sit down
Place the injured forearm across the body and support it
Expose and treat any wound that you find, wearing
disposable gloves
Place a triangular bandage between the chest and the
injured arm, as for an arm sling
Surround the forearm in soft padding, such as a small
towel
200. CONT..
Fasten the arm sling around the arm and its padding
using a reef knot.
Tie the knot at the hollow of the clavicle on the injured
side
If the journey to hospital is likely to be prolonged, secure
the arm to the body by tying a broad bandage over the
sling.
Position the bandage close to the elbow
. Then take or send to the hospital
202. RECOGNITION
Pain, increased by movement
Swelling, deformity, Bruising
In an open fracture, a wound and bleeding
203. FIRST AID
If there is any bleeding, put on gloves, if available.
Apply a clean dressing to the wound.
Remove any rings before the hand begins to swell,
and keep the hand raised to reduce swelling.
Protect the injured area by wrapping the hand in
folds of soft padding.
204. INJURY TO RIBCAGE
One or more ribs can be fractured
If a fractured rib pierces the lungs or the skin,
breathing may be seriously impaired
An area of fractured ribs can get detached from the
chest wall producing a ‘flail chest’ resulting in
paradoxical breathing
Fracture of lower ribs can result in injury to liver
and spleen
205. RECOGNITION
Sharp pain at the site of fracture
Pain on taking a deep breath
Shallow breathing
An open wound over the fracture through which we may
hear air being ‘sucked’ into the chest cavity
Paradoxical breathing
206. FIRST AID
For fractured ribs, support the arm on the injured
side in an arm sling and take or send him to
hospital
If there is a penetrating chest wound, lean the
casualty towards the affected side and cover and
seal the wound along 3 edges (???)
Help the casualty to settle into the most comfortable
position inclined towards the injured side(???)
Use an elevation sling to support the arm on the
injured side
208. RECOGNITION
Inability to walk or even stand, although the legs
appear uninjured
Pain and tenderness in the region of hip and back
which increases with movement
Hematuria/dysuria
Signs of shock and internal bleeding
209. FIRST AID
Help the casualty to lie down on his back
Keep his legs straight/flat/ knees slightly bent
Place padding between bony points of knees and ankles
Immobilise the legs by bandaging them together with folded
triangular bandages; secure the feet and ankles and then the
knees
Treat for shock, call for ambulance
Monitor and record v/s
210. HIP AND THIGH INJURIES
Femur fracture is the most serious injury.
The broken bone ends can pierce the major blood
vessels
The most common injury in hip joint is dislocation
211. RECOGNITION
Pain at the site of injury
Inability to walk
Signs of shock
Shortening of leg and turning outwards of the knee
and foot
212. FIRST AID
Help the casualty to lie down
If possible, ask a helper to gently steady and support the
inured limb
Gently straighten the casualty’s lower leg
If necessary apply traction at the ankle, in line of limb to
help straighten the leg
Call ambulance and keep the leg supported in the same
position until the ambulance arrives
213. CONT..
Do not allow the casualty to eat or drink
Do not raise the casualty’s legs even if he shows
signs of shock (???)
214. CONT..
If the ambulance is not expected to arrive quickly,
immobilise the leg by splinting it to the uninjured
one.
Gently bring the normal limb along side the injured
one
Place padding between legs
Position bandages at
1. Ankles and feet
2. Knees
3. Above the fracture site
4. Below the fracture site
215. PREPARING FOR TRANSPORT
If the journey to hospital is likely to be long/ rough:
Use a splint/ fence post reaching from armpit to the foot
Place the splint against the injured side
Insert padding between the splint and the casualty’s
body
Tie the feet together with narrow fold bandage
Secure the splint to the body with broad fold bandages
at the
1. Chest
2. Pelvis
3. Knees
4. Above and below the site &
5. At one extra point
216. Do not bandage over the fracture site
Move the patient to the stretcher using log-roll
technique
217. KNEE INJURY
Possible knee injuries include:
Fracture of patella
Sprains
Damage to the cartilage
218. RECOGNITION
Pain, spreading from the injury to become deep-
seated in the joint
If the bent knee has ‘locked’ , acute pain on
attempting to straighten the leg
Rapid swelling at the knee joint
219. FIRST AID
Help the casualty to lie down
Place a soft padding under the injured knee to support it
in most comfortable position.
Wrap soft padding around the joint.
Secure with bandages that extend from mid thigh to the
middle of the lower leg
Arrange for transportation in treatment position
220. CONT..
Do not attempt to straighten the knee forcibly
Do not allow the casualty to eat or drink
Do not allow the casualty to walk
221. LOWER LEG INJURY
May include
I. Fracture of tibia/fibula
II. Tearing of soft tissues like muscles, ligaments and
tendons
223. FIRST AID
Help the casualty to lie down, and carefully steady
and support the injured leg.
If there is an open wound, gently expose the wound
and treat bleeding.
Apply padding to protect the injury.
Support the injured leg with your hands to prevent
any movement of the fracture site until the
ambulance arrives.
224. CONT..
If the ambulance is delayed, support the injured leg
by splinting it to the other leg.
Gently bring the normal limb along side the injured
one
Place padding between legs
Position bandages at
1. Ankles and feet
2. Knees
3. Above the fracture site
4. Below the fracture site
Tie the bandages firmly, knotting them on the
uninjured side.
225. CONT..
If the casualty’s journey to hospital is likely to be
long and rough, place soft padding on the outside
of the injured leg, from the knee to the foot.
226. ANKLE INJURY
Most common is sprain.
Consider the ankle fracture as a fracture of the
lower leg.
Treatment of sprain: (?????)
228. FIRST AID
Rest, steady and support the ankle in the comfortable
position.
If the injury has only recently occured, apply an ice pack
or a cold compress to the site of swelling.
Wrap the ankle in thick padding and bandage firmly.
Raise and support the injured limb.
Advise the casualty to rest the ankle and to see a doctor
if pain persists
229. FOOT AND TOE INJURIES
Fractures affecting the many small bones of the foot
are usually caused by crushing injuries.
Concentrate on relieving symptoms like swelling
231. FIRST AID
Quickly raise and support the foot (????)
Apply an ice pack or cold compress(????)
Arrange to take or send to hospital.
Keep the legs elevated during journey
232. SPINAL INJURY
Can involve:
a. The bones (vertebrae)
b. The discs of the tissue that separate the vertebrae
c. The surrounding muscles and ligaments
d. The spinal cord
e. The nerves branching from spinal cord
233. THE MOST SERIOUS RISK ASSOCIATED WITH
SPINAL INJURY
IS
DAMAGE TO THE SPINAL CORD
234. WHEN TO SUSPECT SPINAL INJURY
When abnormal forces have been exerted over
neck or back
Forward or backward bending
Twisting of spine
235. SOME CAUSES OF SPINAL INJURY
Falling from a height
Falling awkwardly like while doing gymnastics
Diving into a shallow pool and hitting the bottom
Being thrown from a horse/ motor vehicle
A heavy object falling across the back
Injury to the head or the face
236. RECOGNITION
Injury to vertebrae
Pain in the neck or back
Irregularity / twist in the normal curvature of spine
Tenderness in the skin over the spine
Injury to spinal cord
Loss of control over limbs
Loss of sensation or abnormal sensation like
burning
Loss of bowel&/or bladder control
Breathing difficulties
237. FOR A CONSCIOUS CASUALTY
Reassure the casualty and advise him not to move
Kneel behind the casualty
Grasp the sides of the casualty’s head firmly, with
your hands over the ears
Steady and support his head in neutral head
position( head , neck and spine are alligned)
Continue to support the head in the neutral position
until emergency medical services take over
Monitor V/S: level of response, pulse and breathing
238.
239. CAUTION
Do not move the casualty from the position in which
you found unless he is in danger
If the casualty has to be moved, use the log roll
technique
240. FOR UNCONSCIOUS CASUALTY
Kneel behind the casualty
Grasp the sides of the casualty’s head firmly, with
your hands over the ears
Steady and support his head in neutral head
position( head , neck and spine are alligned)
If necessary, open the casualty’s airway using jaw
thrust method
241. CONT..
If the casualty is breathing, continue to support his
head
Call ambulance
If not breathing, rescue breaths
If you need to turn the casualty, use the log-roll
technique
Monitor and record v/s
242. HANGING
If pressure is exerted on the outside of the neck,
the airway is squeezed and the flow of air into the
lungs is cut off.
243. RECOGNITION
A constricting rope around the neck
Marks around the neck
Rapid difficult breathing, impaired consciousness,
cyanosis
Congestion of the face, with prominent veins
244. FIRST AID
Quickly remove any constriction from around the
casualty’s neck
Support the casualty’s body while doing so if he is
still hanging
Lay the casualty on the ground.
Open the airway and check breathing
If not breathing, be ready for resuscitation
If breathing, place in recovery position
245. CAUTION
Cut the rope away from the casualty
Do not destroy any material that has been
constricting the neck ( Police may need it as
evidence)
Do not move the casualty unnecessarily in case of
spinal injury
Call for an ambulance even if he appears to recover
fully