First Aid, Health, Wellness & Personal Safety PDF

FIRST AID, HEALTH, WELLNESS & PERSONAL SAFETY FIRST AID Professional truck drivers may confront a number of different first aid and injury prevention challenges as a part of their jobs. In the follow- ing pages, you will find basic information that will he...

FIRST AID, HEALTH, WELLNESS & PERSONAL SAFETY FIRST AID Professional truck drivers may confront a number of different first aid and injury prevention challenges as a part of their jobs. In the follow- ing pages, you will find basic information that will help you respond to those challenges. This chapter is provided as “information only” and is not intended to replace an approved course of instruction in first aid, nor does it replace company policies for personal protection. In every instance, the professional truck driver should know and follow any company policies with respect to providing or not providing emergency assistance. Anaphylaxis: First Aid A severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) can cause a body to go into shock, respiratory distress, and circulatory collapse — in other words, make it hard to breathe and impede blood flow. For some, anaphylax- is can occur within minutes; for others, several hours after exposure to a specific allergy-causing substance like insect venom, pollen, latex, and certain foods and drugs. Someone experiencing an allergy attack may break out in hives and/ or have their eyes or lips swell severely. The inside of the throat may swell and may cause difficulty in breathing and shock. Blood pressure may drop, internal organs may be affected and the victim could possibly become unconscious. Dizziness, mental confusion, abdomi- nal cramping, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea may also accompany anaphylaxis. Prepare for an Allergic Reaction: Individuals who have had a previ- ous anaphylactic reaction should carry medications with them as an antidote. Epinephrine ts the most commonly used drug for severe allergic reactions. It comes only as an injection that must be pre- scribed by a doctor. Epinephrine can be self-admuinistered with an auto-injector. Before using an auto-injector, be sure to read the injection instructions, and have household members and colleagues read them as well. lle