Basic First Aid Essentials

Importance of Basic First Aid

• Basic first aid can be life-saving during sudden injuries or illnesses.
• Key skills include providing treatment for burns, cuts, and insect stings.
• Essential to remain calm, assess the situation, and stabilize the injured person.

Steps to Administer First Aid

• Remain Calm: Think clearly while comforting the distressed individual.
• Assess the Situation: Determine if basic aid suffices or if emergency medical help is needed.
• Stabilize the Injury: Use first aid skills and reassess if necessary until professional help arrives.

First Aid Kits and Equipment

• Familiarize yourself with the location of first aid kits within the workplace, especially in garage bays and branch offices.
• Service technicians should carry small first aid kits for minor injuries.
• Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are available in several branch locations to respond to cardiac arrests.

Personal Safety and Hygiene

• Wash hands thoroughly with hot water and antibacterial soap before administering aid.
• Use personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves and safety glasses.
• Dispose of contaminated items properly to prevent infection, following biohazard procedures.

Common Workplace Injuries

• Possible injuries include cuts, burns, sprains, hypothermia, and allergic reactions.
• Apply pressure to control bleeding for significant injuries and call 911 if necessary.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

• CPR is essential for emergencies like heart attacks or drownings.
• Untrained individuals should perform hands-only CPR at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute.
• Trained individuals should assess airway, breathing, and pulse before administering CPR.

Shock and Its Management

• Signs of shock include clammy skin, rapid breathing, and confusion.
• Support affected individuals by keeping them calm and lying down with feet elevated while waiting for emergency help.

Treatment of Cuts and Wounds

• Minor cuts should be cleansed with antiseptic before bandaging.
• Major bleeding requires immediate medical assistance; apply pressure while waiting for help.

Management of Sprains and Fractures

• Use the R.I.C.E. method (Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate) for minor sprains.
• For fractures, immobilize the area and seek medical assistance urgently.

Handling Eye Injuries

• Flush eyes immediately for 15 minutes if substances enter them; do not remove embedded objects.
• Use eye wash stations available at the workplace.

Treatment of Burns

• Classify burns into three degrees based on severity.
  • First Degree: Cool the area, apply burn cream, cover with a sterile dressing.
  • Second Degree: Do not pop blisters, cool with wet dressings.
  • Third Degree: Only cover with sterile dressing; seek emergency help immediately.

Response to Allergic Reactions

• Severe allergic reactions may occur from insect stings or other allergens.
• Use EpiPens if available and contact emergency services immediately.

Nosebleed Management

• Sit up and lean forward to manage nosebleeds; apply pressure on nostrils for 10 minutes.
• Seek medical attention if bleeding persists.

Poisoning and Toxic Exposure

• Contact poison control for suspected poisoning cases.
• Every 30 seconds, a worker dies from toxic exposure; immediate action is vital.

Additional Scenarios

• Monitor for concussion symptoms after head injuries and call for help if needed.
• Always prioritize safety, hygiene, and the well-being of the injured when administering first aid.### Poisoning Response Procedures
• Acquire the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) of the product involved in poisoning for accurate treatment guidance.
• Contact Poison Control immediately for specific advice upon exposure to poison.

Ingestion

• If poisoning is suspected through ingestion, encourage drinking small amounts of water or milk if the person is conscious and able to swallow, but without any convulsions.

Eye Contact

• Remove any contact lenses and flush the affected eye with clean water for 15-20 minutes.
• Contact Poison Control during the flushing process for further instructions and seek medical attention if pain persists.

Skin Contact

• Rinse the affected skin area thoroughly with water for at least 15 minutes.
• Contact Poison Control for advice, and seek medical attention if any side effects occur.

Inhalation

• Remove the person from the contaminated area to a safer location, if possible.
• Contact Poison Control for further recommendations.

Seizure Management

• Create an emergency action plan about seizures and necessary contacts with HR or management.
• Remain calm and ensure the person's safety by loosening any neck clothing, clearing the area, and staying with them until the seizure ceases.
• If the seizure lasts over 5 minutes, or the person does not regain consciousness or has a first seizure, contact emergency services immediately.

Choking Response

• Choking is a leading cause of unintentional death; immediate action is crucial.
• The Heimlich maneuver (abdominal thrusts) can be performed to expel an object from an obstructed airway.

Heimlich Maneuver for Adults

• Stand behind the person, placing one foot slightly forward for balance, and wrap your arms around their waist.
• Position a fist just above their navel and thrust inward and upward six to ten times to dislodge the object.
• If you are alone, perform thrusts before calling emergency services; if accompanied, have someone call while you assist.

Heimlich Maneuver for Pregnant or Obese Individuals

• Position the person against a wall and place hands higher on the breastbone to perform thrusts with a quick motion into the abdomen.

Unconscious Choking Victims

• Lower the unconscious person to the ground and clear the airway of any visible obstruction using a finger sweep, if safe to do so.
• If the object is still lodged, begin chest compressions to potentially dislodge the object.

Heimlich Maneuver for Infants

• Hold the infant face down on your forearm, thump the back gently five times with the heel of your hand.
• If still obstructed, turn the infant face up and perform five quick chest compressions using two fingers.

Post-Choking Protocol

• Always call 911 in case of choking incidents, even if the obstruction appears to be easily resolved.
• Victims should be evaluated by medical professionals after any choking episode.

Dental Injuries

• Trauma to a permanent tooth is termed a dental injury; rinse the dislodged tooth with milk or water.
• Attempt to reinsert the tooth into its socket; if unsuccessful, keep it in warm water or milk and visit a dentist for re-implantation, ideally within one hour for the best chances of success.

Importance of Basic First Aid

• Basic first aid can prevent complications and save lives during medical emergencies.
• Competencies include treating burns, cuts, and insect stings effectively.
• Staying calm is crucial; assess the situation and maintain the stability of the injured.

Steps to Administer First Aid

• Maintain composure while providing support to the injured person.
• Evaluate whether the injury can be treated with basic first aid or if advanced medical help is necessary.
• Apply relevant first aid techniques and continuously reassess the condition of the injured person until help arrives.

First Aid Kits and Equipment

• Know the locations of first aid kits in workplaces, especially in common areas like garage bays.
• Service technicians are encouraged to carry portable first aid kits for quick access.
• Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) should be readily available in various branch locations for cardiac emergencies.

Personal Safety and Hygiene

• Ensure thorough handwashing before giving first aid to prevent infections.
• Use personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves and safety glasses.
• Follow proper disposal protocols for contaminated materials to avoid health risks.

Common Workplace Injuries

• Typical injuries include cuts, burns, sprains, hypothermia, and allergic reactions.
• For significant bleeding, apply pressure immediately and call emergency services if necessary.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

• CPR is critical during cardiac events and drowning situations.
• Untrained responders can perform hands-only CPR at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute.
• Trained individuals should check the airway, breathing, and pulse before commencing CPR.

Shock and Its Management

• Symptoms of shock encompass clammy skin, rapid pulse, and mental confusion.
• Help maintain the individual’s calmness and position them lying down with legs elevated while waiting for professional help.

Treatment of Cuts and Wounds

• Clean minor cuts using antiseptics before applying a bandage.
• Major bleeding necessitates immediate medical intervention while maintaining pressure on the wound.

Management of Sprains and Fractures

• Employ the R.I.C.E. method (Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate) for treating sprains.
• Fractures should be immobilized, and urgent medical attention is required.

Handling Eye Injuries

• Rinse eyes immediately with water for 15 minutes if any foreign substances penetrate them; avoid removing embedded objects.
• Utilize eye wash stations located in the workplace for effective washing.

Treatment of Burns

• Classify burns into first, second, and third degrees based on severity.
• First Degree: Cool and apply burn cream, then cover with a sterile dressing.
• Second Degree: Avoid breaking blisters and cool the area with wet dressings.
• Third Degree: Cover with a sterile dressing and seek emergency assistance right away.

Response to Allergic Reactions

• Severe allergic reactions, such as from insect stings, require immediate action.
• Use EpiPens when available and contact emergency services without delay.

Nosebleed Management

• Sit upright and lean forward to control nosebleeds; apply pressure on nostrils for about 10 minutes.
• Seek medical help if the bleeding does not stop.

Poisoning and Toxic Exposure

• Engage poison control in cases of suspected poisoning for quick advice.
• Toxic exposure can result in fatalities; act swiftly in such situations.

Additional Scenarios

• After head injuries, observe for concussion signs and reach out for help if symptoms arise.
• Prioritize safety, hygiene, and the injured person's well-being during treatment.

Poisoning Response Procedures

• Obtain the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for products involved in poisoning incidents to ensure accurate treatment.
• Contact Poison Control immediately after exposure for tailored guidance.

Ingestion

• If poisoning is suspected through ingestion, advise drinking small quantities of water or milk if the individual is conscious and able to swallow.

Eye Contact

• Remove contact lenses and flush affected eyes with clean water for 15-20 minutes.
• Notify Poison Control during the flushing process and seek medical care if pain persists.

Skin Contact

• Rinse contaminated skin areas thoroughly for a minimum of 15 minutes.
• Contact Poison Control for additional instructions and consult medical professionals if side effects develop.

Inhalation

• Move the person away from the contaminated environment, if safe to do so.
• Reach out to Poison Control for further recommendations.

Seizure Management

• Develop an emergency action plan for seizure scenarios, and inform HR or management.
• Keep calm, ensure safety by loosening constrictive clothing, and clear the area around the person during a seizure.
• Call emergency services if seizures last longer than 5 minutes or if the person does not regain consciousness afterward.

Choking Response

• Choking poses serious risks and requires immediate intervention.
• The Heimlich maneuver (abdominal thrusts) can be utilized to expel objects obstructing the airway.

Heimlich Maneuver for Adults

• Position yourself behind the choking individual, securely wrap arms around their waist, and thrust inward and upward above the navel.
• If alone, perform thrusts before calling for emergency help; if with someone, have them contact emergency services while you assist.

Heimlich Maneuver for Pregnant or Obese Individuals

• For those who are pregnant or obese, position them against a wall and perform thrusts above the breastbone.

Unconscious Choking Victims

• If the person is unconscious, gently lower them to the ground and clear visible airway obstructions.
• If the object remains lodged, initiate chest compressions to promote dislodging.

Heimlich Maneuver for Infants

• Hold the infant face down on your forearm, then thump their back firmly five times.
• If the obstruction persists, turn the infant face up and use two fingers to perform five quick chest compressions.

Post-Choking Protocol

• Always contact emergency services after a choking incident, even if the obstruction seems resolved.
• Medical professionals should evaluate victims following any choking episode to rule out complications.

Dental Injuries

• In case of dental injuries, rinse dislodged teeth with milk or water.
• Attempt to reinsert the tooth into its socket; if unsuccessful, store it in milk or warm water and visit a dentist within one hour for the best chance of successful re-implantation.