First Aid Introduction and Priorities

Introduction to First Aid

• First aid is the initial assistance or treatment given to someone injured or suddenly ill.
• A first aider takes action to keep everyone involved safe, preventing further harm.
• First aiders can include first responders, police, firefighters, or paramedics.

First Aid Priorities

• Assess the situation calmly and quickly.
• Ensure personal safety and protect casualties from danger; never put yourself at risk.
• Prevent cross-contamination.
• Comfort and reassure casualties.
• Assess the casualty to identify injuries or the nature of the illness.
• Provide early treatment, focusing on the most serious conditions first.
• Arrange for help, which includes calling emergency services if a serious injury or illness is suspected, and be prepared to transport the casualty to a hospital or higher care facility.
• Stay with the casualty until professional care arrives.

Preparing to be an Effective First Aider

• Remain calm.
• Be aware of risks.
• Build and maintain trust.
• Provide early treatment by addressing the most serious conditions first.
• Call for appropriate help.
• Remember your own needs.

How to Remain Calm

• In an emergency, the body releases hormones causing a fight, flight, or freeze response, leading to a faster heart rate, quicker breathing, and potential sweating.
• Identify individuals who can help you stay calm and remind yourself of first aid priorities.
• Remaining calm allows for clearer thinking and better planning.

Being Aware of Risks

• Use protective equipment like pocket masks, face shields, latex-free disposable gloves, and alcohol gel to prevent the spread of possible infection.

Minimizing Cross-Contamination

• Wash your hands and wear latex-free disposable gloves, unless there are latex allergies.
• In the absence of gloves, have the casualty dress their own wound or use plastic bags to cover your hands.
• Cover cuts and scrapes with waterproof dressings.
• Use a plastic apron and eye protection when dealing with large amounts of bodily fluids.
• Dispose of waste safely.
• Avoid touching wounds or dressings with bare hands.
• Do not breathe, cough, or sneeze over a wound.

Proper Disposal of Waste

• Dispose of all soiled material carefully to prevent the spread of infection.
• Place contaminated items like dressings or gloves in a plastic bag, use a biohazard bag if available, and give it to the emergency services.
• Seal and label the bag to indicate it contains clinical waste.
• Dispose of sharp objects, including needles, in a designated sharps container, normally red, or a screw-top jar if a sharps container is unavailable.

Dealing with a Casualty

• Casualties are often frightened due to their circumstances.
• Your role is to stay calm, take charge, and be ready to step aside if someone more qualified is available.
• If there are multiple casualties, use the primary survey to prioritize treatment according to the severity of injuries.

Building Trust

• Start by introducing yourself.
• Use the casualty's preferred name.
• Position yourself at the same height as the casualty.
• Explain what is happening and why.
• Tell the casualty what you are doing before you do it to build trust.
• Maintain the casualty's dignity and treat them with respect.

Reassuring the Casualty

• When treating a casualty, remain calm and explain your actions.
• Be honest when answering questions.
• Provide choices when possible, such as whether to sit or lie down.
• Obtain consent before treatment by asking the casualty if they agree with your actions.

Diversity and Communication

• Adjust your communication based on the casualty's age and appearance because different people need different responses.
• Respect the preferences of the casualty, understanding they might have specific wishes regarding their treatment.
• Communication can be challenging with language barriers or hearing difficulties.
• Overcome these problems by using simple language, signs, or written questions, and ask if anyone speaks the casualty's language or knows the incident's details.

Special Considerations for Children

• Use simpler, shorter words.
• Keep the child's parents or caregivers present and involved.
• It's important to establish the caregiver's trust as well as the child’s trust
• Obtain the parent/caregiver's permission before treating the child.
• The child will feel more confident once the parent or caregiver trusts you.

Listening Carefully

• Use your eyes and ears to gauge the casualty's responses.
• Show active listening through verbal and nonverbal cues.
• Make eye contact, but avoid staring.
• Speak in a calm, confident voice.
• Avoid speaking too fast.
• Keep instructions concise.
• Use affirming nods and "mmms" to show you are paying attention.
• Check the casualty's understanding.
• Use simple hand gestures and movements.
• Avoid interrupting the casualty, but acknowledge what they've said, repeating information to show them that you understand.

Handling Resistance

• Acknowledge that their reactions are understandable.
• Keep a safe distance until you have their consent.
• Do not argue or disagree.
• Remember that a casualty has the right to refuse help, even if it causes further harm.
• Observe from a distance if their condition is deteriorating while waiting for help to arrive.

Treating the Casualty

• Always be calm and considerate to maintain trust, and confirm that you've understood what they've said.
• Stay with the casualty.
• Don't leave a dying, seriously ill, or badly injured person alone.
• Talk to the casualty while touching their shoulder, arm, or holding their hand.
• Never let a casualty feel alone.

Accepting Help from Others

• Direct helpers to make the area safe by controlling traffic and managing onlookers.
• Ask for someone to call for emergency help.
• Request someone to obtain first aid equipment.
• Delegate control of bleeding to someone by using direct pressure or supporting an injured limb.
• Seek help with maintaining the casualty's privacy by using a blanket to shield the scene and discourage onlookers.
• Have helpers transport the casualty to a safer location only if their life is in immediate danger and it’s safer to move them with the required support and equipment.

Caring for Personal Belongings

• Keep the casualty's belongings with them at all times.
• Ensure all clothing, personal items, and medications are handed over to the hospital staff or police.

Maintaining Records

• Document the casualty's details, including name, age, and contact information.
• Keep a history of the incident or illness.
• Write a brief description of injuries.
• Note any unusual behavior or changes in behavior.
• Record treatment and vital signs like level of response, breathing rate, and pulse.
• Document medical history and medications taken and the amounts and times taken.
• Keep next-of-kin contact details.
• Record your contact details along with the date, time, and place of your involvement.

Important Reminders

• All gathered information is confidential.
• Do not share information with anyone not involved in the casualty’s care without their agreement.
• Inform the casualty why you are recording information and who will receive it.
• Be sensitive to the privacy and dignity of the casualty and those around them.

Calling for Help

• Seek emergency help if the casualty's condition is serious.
• Call emergency services, like police, fire, and ambulance services.
• Contact utilities, such as gas, electricity, or water services.
• Call health services, including doctors, dentists, and hospitals.
• Calls to emergency services are free from any phone.
• Look for emergency phones on roadways that are placed at regular intervals.

Interacting with Emergency Services

• When emergency services arrive, tell them what happened and the treatment given.
• Follow instructions from the medical team.
• Remain until told to leave in case they need to ask more questions or the police want to speak.
• Contact the relatives if asked to.
• Explain what happened and where the casualty has been taken.

Medication Usage

• You might be put at risk and face legal action if you advise the casualty to take any medication.
• Always verify that the medication is for the condition.
• Make sure that the prescription is up to date.
• Only take as advised.
• Make sure any precautions are followed.
• Do not exceed the recommended dose.
• Keep a record of the medication's name and dose, along with the time and method of administration.
• Never give aspirin to anyone under the age of 16 due to the risk of Reye's syndrome.

Remembering Your Own Needs

• Helping people who are injured or ill often produces positive feelings.
• Stress may arise from administering first aid, and emotions may surface after treating a casualty.
• Stress can affect your physical and mental well-being.
• Responses to stressful situations vary, and some people are more susceptible to stress.

Immediately After an Incident

• Experiencing an emergency is an emotional event.
• First aiders may feel satisfaction, elation, or cope well.
• You might experience a mixture of satisfaction, confusion, worry, doubt, anger, sadness, and fear.
• Discuss your feelings and actions with someone you trust.
• Consider talking to someone else who was there or who has had a similar experience.
• Never reproach or hide your feelings.
• Remember that a casualty may not recover despite your best efforts and appropriate treatment.