First Aid Primary and Secondary Survey

Primary and Secondary Survey

• Use the primary survey (D.R.A.B.C) to deal with life-threatening concerns: Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation
• Proceed with the secondary survey (A.M.P.L.E.S.S): Allergy, Medication, Previous medical history, Last meal, Event history, Signs, Symptoms

First Aid for Common Emergencies

• First aid guides and procedures are not a substitute for expert medical advice or treatments
• Home treatment discussions are for less serious injuries that don't require professional medical help

First Aid for Bites

• Animal bites can lead to infections, commonly from dogs and cats
• Rabies is a preventable viral disease, often transmitted through a bite of a rabid animal
• Vaccinated pets are less likely to be rabies carriers, whereas unvaccinated stray animals are more likely to carry rabies
• Prevention for animal bites includes:
• Vaccinating pets against rabies
• Not disturbing animals while they eat
• Teaching children not to approach or play with stray dogs or cats
• Not touching wild animals or provoking them to attack
• Not handling sick or injured pets
• Not keeping wild animals or pets
• Home treatment for animal bites involves:
• Washing the wound immediately with soap and water
• Applying antibiotic ointment and covering the wound
• Monitoring for signs of infection

Introduction to First Aid

• First aid is practical and immediate care for an injury or sudden illness administered until professional medical help is available
• First aid does not require elaborate training or special equipment

Things to Know Before Performing First Aid

• Assess the situation quickly and calmly
• Check if danger is still imminent and think if it is already safe to approach the victim
• Protect yourself and the victim from danger
• Prevent infection between you and the victim
• Comfort and reassure the victim
• Assess the casualty and perform first aid

Symptoms of Shock

• Cool, pale, and clammy skin
• Weak, rapid pulse
• Shallow, rapid breathing
• Low blood pressure
• Thirst, nausea, or vomiting
• Faintness, weakness, dizziness, or loss of consciousness

Home Treatment for Shock

• Call for medical help immediately
• Control external bleeding (if any)
• Keep the victim resting comfortably lying flat on their back
• Elevate the legs about 12 inches unless there are head, neck, or back injuries or possible broken bones involving the hips or legs
• Help the victim maintain normal body temperature
• Take and record the patient's pulse every five minutes
• Try to reassure victims to relieve anxiety
• Do not give the victim anything to eat or drink