First Aid and Wound Care Basics

Study Notes

First Aid

First aid is the immediate, temporary care given to an injured or ill person until professional medical help arrives.
Key steps: assess the scene, ensure safety, check responsiveness, call for help (911/local emergency number), and provide care based on the situation.
Common first aid procedures include managing bleeding (direct pressure), treating burns (cool running water), and recognizing and responding to shock.
Proper hand hygiene is crucial to prevent the spread of infection.

Wound Care

Wound care involves cleaning, bandaging, and promoting healing of open wounds.
Cleaning wounds: gently wash the area with mild soap and water.
Preventing infection: avoid touching the wound, use sterile dressings and avoid using scented products.
Types of wounds: abrasions (scrapes), lacerations (cuts), punctures, and burns; each requiring different first aid.
Signs of infection include increased pain, swelling, redness, warmth, and pus.

CPR Techniques

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is a life-saving technique used to maintain circulation and breathing in a person who has stopped breathing or has no pulse.
Steps generally involve: checking for responsiveness and breathing, calling emergency services (911), performing chest compressions (100-120 per minute) and rescue breaths (if appropriate).
Chest compression depth and rate are critical for effectiveness.
Compression should be performed on the center of the chest, about 2 inches deep for adults.
CPR for infants and children has specific techniques differing from adult CPR.

Choking Response

Choking occurs when an obstruction blocks the airway, preventing breathing.
First response is assessment: look for signs of distress in the person - coughing, inability to talk, or making gasping sounds.
Heimlich maneuver is a technique for assisting a choking person.
Perform Abdominal Thrusts (Heimlich Maneuver) if the person cannot cough, speak, or breathe.
For infants, choking response protocol employs different techniques to those used for children or adults.

Basic Life Support (BLS)

Basic Life Support (BLS) encompasses essential skills for recognizing and responding to life-threatening conditions.
BLS combines CPR, AED use, and other essential skills for providing care until advanced medical support arrives.
Recognition of breathing and pulse are crucial initial steps.
AED (Automated External Defibrillator) use is crucial if available.
Training and certification for specific BLS protocols varies for specific types of emergencies.

Trauma Management

Trauma Management addresses injuries resulting from physical impacts or violence.
Initial assessment of the situation: check for any immediate hazards, identify the extent of the injuries, and immediately manage life-threatening bleeding.
Priorities include: ABCs – airway, breathing, and circulation; ensuring the person is breathing and has a heartbeat.
Preventing further injuries is a key priority, stabilizing the injured person until medical help arrives.
Severity of trauma can range from minor wounds to life-threatening injuries that need advanced care and potentially surgical intervention.

Description

Test your knowledge on essential first aid techniques and wound care practices. This quiz covers key steps for providing immediate assistance, recognizing different types of wounds, and understanding the importance of hygiene. Prepare yourself to respond effectively in emergency situations.