First Aid Techniques and Assessment

First Aid Overview

• First aid is immediate care for sudden illness or injury.
• It involves self-help and home care until professional help arrives.
• Prevention is better than cure. Practicing safety awareness is crucial for a high quality of life.

Roles of a First Aider

• A first aider acts as a bridge between the victim and the physician.
• Their role is to provide immediate, temporary care.
• First aid is not meant to replace professional medical care.

Objectives of First Aid

• Saving lives.
• Prolonging lives.
• Alleviating suffering.
• Preventing further injury.

Characteristics of a Good First Aider

• Gentle.
• Observant.
• Resourceful.
• Tactful.
• Sympathetic.
• Understanding.

Principles of Giving First Aid (Do's)

• Stay calm.
• Reassure and comfort the victim.
• Check for a medical bracelet (e.g., diabetes, epilepsy).
• Loosen any tight clothing.
• Keep the victim covered (to reduce shock).

Principles of Giving First Aid (Don'ts)

• Don't give food or drink to an unconscious person.
• Don't move an injured person unless necessary to place them in the recovery position.

Emergency Action Principles (Steps)

• Step 1: Is the scene safe?
• Step 2: Ensure the victim is lying on their back.
• Step 3: Check if the victim is responsive. If no response, call for help immediately.
• Step 4: Perform the primary survey of the victim (Airway, Breathing, Circulation - ABC).
• Step 5: Check for airway blockage.
• Step 6: Check for breathing using the head-tilt-chin-lift or jaw thrust method.
• Step 7: Check for circulation using the carotid pulse.
• Step 8: If no breathing, provide rescue breaths (and CPR if needed).
• Step 9: If the victim revives, perform a secondary survey.
• Step 10: Document observations and surrender all data to the rescue team. Carry out interview to gather other information about the victim or patient.

Emergency Action Vital Signs

• Eyes: Check pupil size and equality.
• Nose: Check for blood or watery discharge.
• Skin color: Check for bluishness (lack of oxygen).
• Body temperature: Check for abnormalities.

Emergency Action Head-to-toe Exam

• Inspect head and neck for lacerations or contusions.
• Check for blood in hair.
• Look for fluid in nose or ears, for skull fracture indications.
• Check pupils for dilation or constriction.
• Check chest for cuts, bruises, penetrations, and rib fractures.
• Check the abdomen for pain or tenderness.
• Check back and extremities for movement and sensation.

Signs vs Symptoms

• Signs: Observable physical characteristics.
• Symptoms: Experienced or felt sensations.

Ways of Physical Examination

• Primary survey: For unconscious victims.
• Secondary survey: For conscious (or revived) victims.

Dressing and Bandages

• Dressings: Sterile coverings to wounds to prevent infection/stop bleeding.
• Bandages: Used to secure dressings, provide support, and control bleeding.

Types of Bandages

• Triangular bandages
• Ace bandages
• Tubular bandages

Parts of a Triangular Bandage

• Apex
• Sides
• Base
• End

Phases of Bandaging

• Open phase
• Cravat phase

Techniques in Bandaging

• Sterile techniques (gloves, care, wrapping the bandage).
• Proper placement and securing the dressing.
• Proper tools and techniques. Bandaging must be done based on the location of the wound, body parts wrapped, and materials at hand.

Cold Compress

• Used to reduce swelling and pain in sprains, strains.
• Cold packs are a common type.
• Can be used alternately with hot compresses on wounds or contusions.

How to Manage Wounds

• RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) for hematomas.
• For open wounds with severe bleeding, apply direct pressure, and elevate the injured part.

First Aid for Common Unintentional Injuries

• Fracture treatment, Immobilize broken part by splinting.
• Management of Sprains and Strains, Rest, ice, compress, elevate the injured area.
• Heat exhaustion and heatstroke treatment.
• Food poisoning treatment, rest and rehydration.
• Choking treatment, back blows and abdominal thrusts.
• Heart attack treatment, position the victim, and call for help.
• Chemical burns treatment, flood the burn area with cool water, protect from airborne infection.

Ways of Transporting a Victim

• Proper methods for different situations and condition needs (e.g. one-man versus two or more-man carries). Consider factors like victim's condition, environment, and special needs like unconsciousness and injuries. Pick a carry method suitable to the situation and conditions.