First Aid Basics

• First Aid involves initial assistance or treatment for any injury

Aims of First Aid

• Preserve life
• Prevent condition worsening
• Promote recovery

Recovery Position

• Use this position for unconscious or semiconscious individuals who are still breathing
• Do not attempt the recovery position if spinal or neck injuries are suspected
• Leaving a victim in the recovery position for extended periods may cause nerve compression

Hyperventilation

• Excessive breathing reduces carbon dioxide concentration in the blood (below normal levels)

Hyperventilation Symptoms

• Rapid, deep breathing
• Attention-seeking behavior
• Dizziness, faintness, trembling, or tingling in hands, feet, and lips
• Headache
• Chest pain
• Slurred speech
• Carpal spasm (cramps in hands and feet)

Hyperventilation Causes

• Stress or anxiety
• Lung diseases, head injuries, or stroke

Hyperventilation Treatment

• Speak firmly but kindly
• Lead casualty to a quiet place to regain breathing control
• Re-breathe exhaled air from a paper bag
• Paper bags are preferred over plastic bags to avoid suffocation

Fainting Causes

• Insufficient food and fluids (dehydration)
• Low blood pressure
• Lack of sleep
• Over exhaustion

Fainting Treatment

• Lay the casualty down and slightly elevate legs
• Ensure fresh air
• Reassure and gradually help the casualty sit up
• Look for and treat any injuries from falling

Shock

• Circulatory system failure causes insufficient oxygen to reach the tissues
• Quick treatment is a must to prevent vital organs from failing
• Fear and pain worsen shock

Shock Symptoms

• Clammy skin (cool, pale, and damp)
• Restlessness and nervousness
• Thirst
• Loss of blood
• Confusion
• Rapid breathing
• Nausea or vomiting
• Blotched or bluish skin, especially around the mouth and lips
• Perspiration
• Possible loss of consciousness

Shock Causes

• Hypovolemic Shock: this is the loss of blood volume that occurs from bleeding or dehydration
• Cardiogenic Shock: Result of a weakened heart that cannot efficiently pump blood, happens after heart attacks
• Distributive Shock: the lack of appropriate blood distribution to the organs
• Obstructive Shock: obstruction to blood flow at a site other than the heart.

Shock Treatment

• Follow "P.E.L.C.R.N."
• Position the casualty on their back
• Elevate the legs
• Loosen clothing at neck, waist, or binding areas
• Climatize (prevent too hot or too cold)
• Reassure (keep casualty calm)
• Notify medical personnel

Bee/Hornet Sting Symptoms

• Redness and swelling in the injured area

Bee/Hornet Sting Treatment

• Remove stinger quickly
• Reduce pain and swelling with a cold compress

Muscle Cramps

• Painful sensations caused by contraction or over-shortening of muscles

Muscle Cramps Causes

• Cold or overexertion
• Lack of salt and water

Muscle Cramps Treatment

• Stretch the muscle and apply heat (preferably) or cold
• For cramps from lack of salt and water: Stretch the muscle, drink water, and increase salt intake

Choking Definition

• Mechanical obstruction of airflow from the environment into the lungs

Choking Causes

• Introduction of a foreign object into the airway
• Respiratory diseases
• Compression of the airway (e.g., strangling)

Choking Symptoms

• Inability to speak or cry out
• Face turns blue from lack of oxygen
• Victim grabbing at their throat
• Weak coughing or labored breathing with high-pitched noise
• Unconsciousness

Choking Treatment

• Encourage victim to cough
• Heimlich Maneuver
• Back slaps or hard blows with the heel of the hand on the upper back
• Abdominal thrusts: Exerting pressure on the bottom of the diaphragm (can cause injuries like bruises or fractured ribs!)

Burns

• Dry burn: Caused by
  • Flame
  • Contact with hot objects
  • Friction
• Scalds: Contact with steam and hot fluids
• Electrical burn: Low-voltage current and lightning strike
• Cold injury: Contact with freezing metals, dry ice, freezing vapors (liquid oxygen and liquid nitrogen for example)

Burn Degree Classifications

• First degree burn: Affects only the outermost layer of skin, redness, swelling and tenderness
• Second degree burn: Affects layers of the epidermis, rawness, blisters. Can be fatal if it affects over 50% of the body
• Third degree burn: All layers burned, potential nerve, fat, tissue, and muscle damage. Skin may look waxy, pale, or charred. Urgent medical attention is required.

Minor Burn Treatment

• Rinse the injured part with cold water for at least 10 minutes to stop burning and relieve pain
• Gently remove jewelry, watches, belts, or constricting clothing before the injured area begins to swell
• Cover area with sterile dressing, or any clean, non-fluffy material and bandage loosely in place

Severe Burn Treatment

• Lay the casualty down and protect the burned area from contact with the ground if possible
• Rinse burn with plenty of cold water for at least 10 minutes or use burn-cooling gel
• Arrange for casualty to be sent to the hospital
• Watch for signs of breathing difficulty and be ready to resuscitate if necessary
• Remove any rings, watches, belts, shoes, or burning clothing from injured area before it begins to swell
• Remove burnt clothing, unless it is sticking to the burn
• Cover with sterile dressing or some other suitable material to prevent infection and germs (not necessary if burn is on face)
• Do NOT burst any blisters, touch infected area or apply lotions to the injury as this will retain heat within the burn
• Cold burns should not be rinsed with cold water

Low-Voltage Electric Shock Treatment

• Break contact of electric source with casualty by switching off mains or meter point (only if it is safe to do so)
• If unable to reach cable, stand on insulating material (e.g., plastic mat, wooden box) and push casualty's limbs away from source with a broom or stick
• Do not touch the person until the power supply is turned off
• Be careful in wet areas
• Dial 161 to summon an ambulance

Fractures

• A fracture is a break or crack in the continuity of the bone

Fracture Symptoms

• Pain at or near the fracture site
• Tenderness with gentle pressure
• Swelling over the fracture site
• Deformity (irregularity of bone, angulation or rotation of limb, depression of bone, etc.)
• Loss of power
• Signs and symptoms of shock
• Grating sound (crepitus)

Dislocations

• Displacement of one or more bones at a joint; typically occurs in the shoulders, elbow, thumb, fingers, and lower jaw

Dislocation Symptoms

• Pain at the site of injury
• Limited movement at the joint
• Deformity
• Swelling
• Tenderness

Fracture and Dislocation Treatment

• Support and immobilize the injured limb
• Use a splint (if possible) to prevent movement of the injured part
• Arrange for casualty to be removed to hospital
• Treat as a fracture in doubtful cases
• Do not attempt to replace the bones

Strains

• Injury to a muscle where muscle fibers tear due to overstretching (Sprain-to a ligament)

Strain Symptoms

• Localized pain
• Stiffness
• Inflammation
• Bruising

Sprains

• Occur at a joint where there is tearing or over-stretching of ligaments and tissues

Sprain Symptoms

• Pain at the site of injury
• Swelling and later bruising
• Pain on movement
• Loss of function

Sprain Treatment

• Support the joint in the most comfortable position
• Use P.R.I.C.E. (Protect, Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) treatment
• When a sprained ankle occurs outdoors, do not remove the shoe
• If unsure whether there is a fracture, always assume it is one

Foreign Bodies in Minor Wounds Treatment

• Control bleeding by applying firm pressure on either side of the object and by raising the wounded part
• Cover the wound with gauze to minimize the risk of infection
• Pad around the object until you can bandage over it without pressing down
• Hold the padding in place while finishing the bandaging
• If you cannot pad high enough, bandage around the object

Bandaging

• Bandages have three key uses:
  • Applying pressure to bleeding wounds
  • Covering wounds
  • Covering burns
• Providing support and immobilization for broken bones, sprains, and strains
• Main types are triangular, Ace, and tubular

Principles of Bandaging

• Work with the injured person, explaining what you are doing
• Work in front of the injured person where possible, and from the injured side
• Bandage firmly over bleeding and securely over broken bones, but not so tight as to compromise circulation below the site of the injury
• Use the body's natural hollows (knees, ankles, neck, small of back) to slide the bandages gently into place
• Be aware that most injuries swell, check regularly to ensure bandage is comfortable; ensure bandage remains secured
• Avoid pressure from bandages, especially knots, into the skin; place padding as necessary

Using Triangular Bandages.

• Versatile items for first aid and are usually made of washable cotton, or available in disposable paper form
• Can be used as a sling or as a cover bandage in its open form

Using Ace Bandages

• Used to secure dressings or provide support, especially for sprains and strains
• Usually made of cotton, gauze, or linen and are secured with pins or tape
• Variety of sizes, the following widths for adults are:
  • Finger: Winch
  • Hand: 1 inch
  • Arm: 1-2 inches
  • Leg: 2-3 inches

Tubular Gauze

• This bandaging type comes in several sizes
• The smallest size it used is to hold dressings on to fingers and toes
• It comes with an applicator and in hest secured with tape

Signs of Reduced Circulation

• Pale skin, becoming blue
• Skin feeling cold to the touch
• Injured person complains of tingling or loss of feeling
• Weak or slow pulse in an injured limb
• Slow capillary refill below the site of the bandage
• Reduced circulation in an injured limb
• Check circulation
• If signs of restricted circulation, gently loosen bandage(s).
• If bandage is covering wound or burn, do not remove dressing
• Support broken bones as you loosen/re-tie bandage

Checking Circulation

• Bandages can cut off circulation, especially as the injury swells
• Check circulation below bandaging site immediately after treatment and every 10 minutes after

Responsibilities of a First Aider in Casualty

• Assess the situation quickly and safely and summon appropriate help
• Protect casualties and others at the scene from possible danger
• Identify the nature of illness or injury affecting the casualty
• Give each casualty early and appropriate treatment, treating the most serious condition first
• Arrange for the casualty's removal to the hospital or into the care of a doctor
• Remain with a casualty until appropriate care is available
• Report your observations to those taking care of the casualty and give further assistance if required

Transporting Casualties with a Stretcher

• Keep the stretcher level to the ground
• Carry the casualty with their feet facing the direction of movement
• Bring the stretcher to the casualty, not the casualty to the stretcher

Types of Stretchers

• Wooden stretcher
• Collapsible stretcher with telescopic handle
• Improvised stretcher

Casualty Priorities

• Save the conscious casualties before the unconscious ones, as they have a higher chance of recovery
• Save the young before the old
• Do not jeopardize your own life while rendering First Aid; get out of site immediately in the event of immediate danger
• Remember one of your aims is to preserve life, and not endanger your own when rendering First Aid
• Casualties should always be treated in order of priority, usually given by the "3 Bs":Bleeding, Breathing and Bones

Emergency Method of Moving Casualties

• Kneel next to the person
• Place the arm closest to you straight out from the body- Position the far arm with the back of the hand against the near cheek
• Grab and bend the person's far knee

Improvised Stretchers

• Rolled blanket
• Blanket with 2 poles
• Chair method
• Shirts/Gunnysacks with 2 poles

One-Man Human Crutch

• Victim should be:
  • Conscious
  • Able to walk with some assistance
  • Light weight
• Method includes:
  • Pick-a-back
  • Cradle method

The Drag Method is Used For:

• Extreme emergencies and effective only over short distances due to labor-intensity
• Moving people from very hazardous areas quickly
• Crouch behind the victim, carefully pull him toward you
• Stop, take a step back, and pull the victim toward you again
• Repeat this procedure until you reach your destination

Pulling or Dragging a Victim

• Always pullthe victim in the direction of the long axis of his body, preferably from the shoulders- Avoid bending or twisting his neck or trunk
• Less danger if you pull the victim with a blanket

Immediate Rescue with Assistance

• For hazards so great it is necessary to move an injured person a short distance without first immobilizing the affected parts

Two-Handed Seat Method

• Victims who have no serious injuries can use this emergency method and is able to cooperate with his rescuers.

Three-Four Man Hammock Carry

• Similar to the two-person carry, except that three people are involved
• One should be positioned at the victim's calves, one at the hips, and the third at the shoulders
• This technique is for victims who suffered or are suspected from spinal Injury.