- A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted, causing brain cells to die from lack of oxygen. Signs include weakness/paralysis, difficulty speaking/swallowing, vision problems, and headaches. If suspected, call an ambulance immediately. Do not leave the casualty until help arrives. - Diabetes is caused by insufficient insulin production. Hypoglycemia causes weakness and confusion from low blood sugar, which is treated by giving sugar. Hyperglycemia has a slower onset from high blood sugar. Never administer insulin yourself. - Seizures are caused by abnormal brain activity and usually last 1-5 minutes. Protect the casualty from injury and do not restrain them. Call an ambulance

1. HLTAID003 – Provide First Aid
Slideshow 6
Medical Emergencies

2. Stroke
• A stroke occurs when the supply of blood to
the brain is suddenly disrupted. It can be
caused by either a blockage or rupture of the
blood vessels within the brain. When brain
cells do not receive enough oxygenated blood
and they begin to die.
• If you suspect a person has suffered a stroke,
you need to call an ambulance immediately.

3. Stroke
Signs and Symptoms
• Weak, numbness or paralysis of
face, arm or leg (one or both
sides of the body)
• Difficulty speaking or
understanding
• Difficulty swallowing
• Feeling dizzy, loss of balance or
unexpected fall
• Loss of vision, sudden blurred or
decreased vision in one or both
eyes
• Headache (usually severe)
• Loss of consciousness

4. Stroke
Steps to assist casualty
• Call ambulance
• If the casualty is conscious reassure them, do
not leave them until ambulance arrives
• Do not give anything to eat or drink
• If casualty becomes unconscious follow Basic
Life Support steps

5. Diabetes
• Diabetes is a chronic
condition which occurs
when insulin is no
longer produced of not
produced in sufficient
amounts by the body.
Insulin is a hormone
that is essential for the
body to be able to
convert glucose (sugar)
into energy for the
body to use.

6. Diabetes
• People with diabetes may suffer from low blood
glucose levels (hypoglycaemia) or high blood
glucose levels (hyperglycaemia). As a first aider
you may be faced with either of these emergency
situations. With that being said, you will more
likely encounter hypoglycaemia (low blood
glucose levels) as the onset occurs more rapidly
than hyperglycaemia (high blood glucose levels).
Hyper glycaemia occurs when a person has not
taken their insulin. It usually has a slow onset and
the person will be able to take corrective
measures.

7. Diabetes
• Never administer insulin to a patient as
incorrect or inappropriate administration may
be fatal.

8. Diabetes
Signs and Symptoms of Hypoglycaemia (Hypo = Low)
• Feeling weak, trembling or shaking
• Feeling dizzy or light headed
• Sweating
• Headache
• Feeling irritable, tearful or crying, may become aggressive and/or
uncooperative
• Lack of concentration
• Feeling hungry
• Numbness around fingers and lips
• Rapid pulse
• Consciousness will deteriorate
• Cold skin

9. Diabetes
Steps to assist the casualty with Hypoglycaemia
• If the casualty is conscious and cooperative and able to
swallow:
• Have them eat or drink some quickly absorbed sugars
(honey, sugar, chocolate, lolly)
• Do not give the casualty artificial sweeteners
• Re assure casualty and try to keep them comfortable
• If the casualty condition improves have them eat a longer
acting carbohydrate
• Once casualty’s condition has improved, seek medical aid
• If there is no improvement or the casualty’s condition
deteriorates call ambulance

10. Diabetes
If the casualty is unconscious, uncooperative or
cannot swallow:
• Call ambulance
• Follow Basic Life Support steps
• Do not give casualty and food or drink

11. Diabetes
Signs and Symptoms of Hyperglycaemia (Hyper =
High)
• Drowsiness
• Thirst
• The breath develops a ‘fruity’ smell which is
commonly referred to as a smell of ‘nail polish
remover’
• Increase in urine output
• Unconsciousness
• Hot skin

12. Diabetes
Steps to assist the casualty with Hyperglycaemia
• If conscious:
• Seek medical advice

13. Diabetes
If unconscious:
• Follow Basic Life Support steps
• Call ambulance

14. Seizures
• A seizure is caused by a disturbance of
electrical activity within the brain. There are
various causes of seizures, these may include:
epilepsy, poisons, alcohol or other drugs,
stroke, head injuries, meningitis, brain
tumour, lack of oxygen, febrile convulsions
and diabetes.

15. Seizures
• Seizures commonly last from 30 seconds to 3
minutes. However, if a seizure lasts longer
than 5 minutes or if the casualty has another
seizure and does not regain consciousness
between seizures call an ambulance.

16. Seizures
Signs and Symptoms
• Sudden muscle spasm and collapse
• Loss of consciousness
• Jerking movements of the arms and legs
• Noisy breathing and excessive saliva
• Loss of bladder or bowel control

17. Seizures
Step to assist casualty
• Protect the casualty’s head from any dangerous surroundings
• Do no restrain casualty unless it is essential to avoid injury
• Do not put anything in the casualty’s mouth
• Once the seizure has stopped follow Basic Life Support steps
• Reassure casualty when they regain consciousness as they may be
confused or sleepy or embarrassed
• Seek medical aid, if the patient refuses to seek medical aid, stay with them
until you are confident full consciousness has returned
• Call ambulance if:
– Seizures last more than 5 minutes
– Repeated seizures occur
– Casualty remains unconscious for more than 5 minutes after seizure stops
– Casualty has suffered an injury
– Casualty is pregnant
– Seizure occurs in water
– It is the casualty’s first seizure
– You feel uncomfortable dealing with a seizure

18. Febrile convulsions (Infant
Convulsions)
• Febrile convulsions are seizures that can occur
in young children (up to 6 years of age) and is
usually caused by a sudden change in the
child’s body temperature. This is generally due
from high temperatures caused by illness,
including colds, throat or urinary tract
infections. Febrile convulsions are not usually
harmful to children.

19. Febrile convulsions (Infant
Convulsions)
Signs and Symptoms
• Child is unresponsive or unconscious
• Muscles may stiffen or jerk
• Hot flushed skin
• Pale or blue in face
• Difficulty breathing
• Convulsion may last several minutes
• Movements stop, child regain consciousness but
is usually sleep or irritated

20. Febrile convulsions (Infant
Convulsions)
Steps to assist the casualty
• Stay calm
• Place child on soft surface or place padding under child head,
protect from danger
• Observe and time the length of the convulsion
• Once the convulsion has stopped follow Basic Life Support steps
• Seek medical aid
• Clothing should be minimal, do not actively cool the child
• Call ambulance if:
• Convulsion last more than 5 minutes
• Child does not wake up after convulsion stops
• Child looks very sick after convulsion stops

21. Fainting
• What is fainting? It is a sudden and brief loss of
consciousness due to a lack of blood flow to the
brain. There are various reasons which can cause
fainting, these include: standing for long periods,
emotional shock, pain, fatigue, hot weather or
hot showers, the sight of needles or blood,
injections, sudden change in posture. Loss of
consciousness is usually brief lasting from a few
seconds to 1- 2 minutes. Casualties who usually
faint regain consciousness rapidly once they are
lying down flat.

22. Fainting
Signs and Symptoms
• Feeling dizzy or light headed
• Nausea
• Pale, cold, moist skin
• Slow, weak pulse
• Restlessness
• Collapse and loss of consciousness
• Rapid return of consciousness when lying down
flat

23. Fainting
Steps to assist the casualty
• Lay the casualty down flat
• Do not elevate their legs
• Check for injuries which may have occurred during collapse
• Loosen tight clothing
• Ensure there is an adequate supply of fresh air
• Protect the casualty from heat or cold environment
• Do not give the casualty food or drink as this may cause vomiting
• Monitor levels of consciousness
• Do not allow casualty to sit in a chair with the head between their knees
• As the casualty recovers do not allow them to sit or stand up too quickly
• Reassure the casualty
• If the remain unconscious call ambulance and follow Basic Life Support
steps

24. Assessment Task
• Please proceed to the Assessment Task