First Aid Chapters 1-3 Flashcards

First Aid Overview

• First Aid involves immediate care for injuries or sudden illnesses, bridging the gap until professional medical assistance arrives.
• Essential for everyone to know, as it may help in emergencies.

Scene Size-up

• A quick assessment before offering care, focusing on:
  • Scene safety to avoid provider injury.
  • Assessing the number of victims.
  • Identifying any injuries or illnesses.

Primary Check

• Initial assessment for life-threatening issues including:
  • Responsiveness: Check if the victim reacts to stimuli.
  • Breathing: Visual and auditory confirmation of breath.
  • Severe bleeding: Look for major bleeding or deformities.

Positioning and Recovery

• Responsibilities when dealing with unresponsive victims:
  • Place them on their back to ensure airway safety.
  • If they are vomiting, position them on their side in the recovery position.

Secondary Check

• Comprehensive physical examination focusing on:
  • DOTS (Deformity, Open wounds, Tenderness, Swelling) for injury identification.
  • SAMPLE (Signs/Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past medical history, Last oral intake, Events leading to the condition) to gather detailed information.

Consent and Legal Issues

• Victims must provide consent, either expressed or implied (if they are unresponsive).
• Abandonment law prohibits stopping care without a qualified individual to take over.

Emergency Response

• Call 911 for situations ranging from minor injuries to emergencies.
• Prepare to provide details such as location, number of victims, and conditions to the dispatcher.

Personal Safety and Protection

• Body Substance Isolation (BSI) and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) help mitigate disease exposure risks.
• Essential practices include wearing gloves and masks when necessary.

Bystanders and Their Role

• Bystanders are crucial for relaying information and potentially providing care before EMS arrives.

Psychological Aspects

• Rescuers can experience emotional distress, such as PTSD, after traumatic incidents.
• It's important to discuss feelings and seek support when necessary.

Common Diseases in First Aid Context

• Bloodborne diseases (e.g., HIV, Hepatitis B) are transmitted via blood, requiring caution.
• Airborne diseases (e.g., Tuberculosis) spread through the air and necessitate protective measures.

Negligence in First Aid

• Acting below the accepted standard of care may lead to further harm; individuals can be held accountable for negligence if aware of potential harm and continue to act inadequately.