First Aid Response to Unconscious Victims

Response to Unconscious Victims

• Check the scene for safety before approaching the victim
• Check the victim's consciousness by tapping their shoulder and shouting their name (adult/child) or tapping their feet and shouting "baby, baby, are you ok?" (infant)
• Call for help by contacting STAT-MD or paging for medical assistance and bringing the AED

Check-Check-Call-Care (ABCs)

• Place the victim on their back and assess their ABCs:
  • A - Airway: Open the airway using the head tilt, chin lift method (eyes to the sky)
  • B - Breathing: Look, listen, and feel for breaths (10 seconds); check for chest rising and falling, hear breathing, and feel breath on the side of the face
  • C - Check for Signs of Life/Circulation

CPR: Breathing

• If the victim is not breathing, obtain a pocket mask
• For child/infant rescue breathing:
  • Give 1 gentle puff every 3 seconds ("Winnie the Pooh")
  • Continue for 2 minutes, then reassess airway and breathing
  • If breathing is detected, administer high-flow oxygen, return to caregiver, and continue to monitor

Post Resuscitation Care

• Once the victim has a pulse and is breathing, place them in the recovery position to protect the airway
• Administer oxygen and monitor ABCs

Conscious Choking

• Symptoms of full airway obstruction:
  • Clutching throat
  • Suddenly becoming quiet, unable to make a sound
  • Look of alarm on the victim's face
  • May become blue and may lose consciousness
• Treatment:
  • Back blows and abdominal thrusts for adults/children
  • 5 back blows and 5 chest compressions for infants
  • Repeat until the object is removed or the victim becomes unconscious

Conscious to Unconscious

• If a conscious victim becomes unconscious, gently lower them to the floor and follow the Check-Check-Call-Care (ABCs) protocol

Wounds and Injuries

• Bruise: Occurs due to damage to soft tissues and blood vessels that cause bleeding under the skin.
• Treatment: Contact STAT-MD, apply a cold compress, and elevate the affected area.

Wounds-Scrape (Abrasion)

• Scrape: Skin that has been rubbed or scraped away, can easily become infected if not kept clean.
• Minimal bleeding.
• Treatment: Contact STAT-MD, clean the affected area, and apply a dry sterile dressing or band-aid.

Wounds-Cut (Incisions, Laceration)

• Cut: Commonly caused by sharp objects, can bleed freely, and can easily become infected if not kept clean.
• Treatment: Contact STAT-MD, clean the affected area, apply direct pressure to the wound, elevate the area, and apply a dry sterile dressing.

Wounds-Avulsion (Skin Tear)

• Avulsion: Portion of skin or soft tissue is torn partially or completely away, can cause significant bleeding.
• Treatment: Contact STAT-MD, clean the affected area, apply direct pressure to the wound, elevate the area, and apply a dry sterile dressing.

Wounds-Puncture

• Puncture: Caused when a pointed object pierces the skin, can cause minimal bleeding, but can be severe if object damages major blood vessels or internal organs.
• Treatment: Contact STAT-MD, clean the affected area, apply direct pressure to the wound, elevate the area, and apply a dry sterile dressing.

Injuries to Muscles, Joints, and Bones

Sprains and Strains

• Sprains: Tearing of ligament at a joint, can cause pain and immobility.
• Treatment: Contact STAT-MD, immobilize and elevate the injured area.

Chemical Burns

• Chemical Burns: Burns to skin or eye area caused by chemicals.
• Treatment: Contact STAT-MD, flush affected area with clean water for at least 15 minutes, remove contaminated clothing, and apply a sterile dressing.

Electrical Burns

• Electrical Burns: Burns from an electrical source, can cause two wounds (entrance and exit wounds).
• Treatment: Contact STAT-MD, ensure the passenger is away from the source, check breathing and pulse, and cover with a dry sterile dressing.

Bleeding

• Minor Bleeding: Surface wounds that can be controlled with direct pressure.
• Treatment: Contact STAT-MD, obtain gloves, control bleeding with direct pressure, and apply either a band-aid or bandage compress from the First Aid Kit.

Hyperventilation

• Carbon dioxide level in blood is lowered due to heavy breathing, often a result of fear or anxiety
• Symptoms: numbness or tingling in fingertips and toes, confusion, dizziness
• Actions: contact STAT-MD, calm and reassure victim, slow passenger's breathing by talking to him/her

Shock

• Symptoms: cold, clammy skin, pale, bluish skin color, weakness, rapid/shallow breathing, low blood pressure, dry mouth
• Actions: contact STAT-MD, provide high flow oxygen, have victim lie down with legs slightly elevated, maintain body temperature

Respiratory Difficulty

• Symptoms: shortness of breath, labored, rapid breathing, unusual breathing (wheezing), drowsiness, general weakness
• Actions: contact STAT-MD, maintain open airway, provide high flow oxygen, administer oxygen, watch for airway obstruction

Allergic Reaction

• Symptoms: itching or hives, difficulty breathing, tightness in chest, wheezing, swollen face/tongue, swelling in throat
• Actions: contact STAT-MD, monitor victim constantly, provide high-flow oxygen if short of breath, keep sitting upright, seek medical attention immediately

Poisoning

• Symptoms: burns or stains around victim's mouth, unusual breath or body odors, abnormal breathing/pulse rate, dilated or constricted pupils, vomiting/diarrhea, abdominal pain
• Actions: contact STAT-MD, maintain open airway, try to determine what was taken, provide high flow oxygen, seek medical attention

Automatic External Defibrillator (AED)

• AEDs are available on FR2 and FRX

Medical Emergencies and Treatments

• Assessment basics: A-Airway, B-Breathing, C-Check for Signs of Life/Circulation

Administering First Aid During Landing

• Flight Attendants may continue providing care during landing, not in jumpseat
• Remaining Flight Attendants will ensure both "A" and "B" jumpseats (doors) are covered

Sudden Illness

• No specific information

Stroke

• Symptoms: flushed, red appearance, confusion, headache, one-sided paralysis, unequal pupils
• Actions: contact STAT-MD, administer high-flow oxygen, keep at rest with head slightly elevated, give nothing by mouth, monitor airway