First Aid Introduction PDF

WHAT IS FIRST AID? FIRST AID IS THE IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE OR TREATMENT GIVEN TO SOMEONE INJURED OR SUDDENLY BECOMES ILL BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF AN AMBULANCE, DOCTOR OR OTHER APPROPRIATELY QUALIFIED PERSON. PROVISION OF INITIAL CARE FOR AN ILLNESS OR INJURY. ...

WHAT IS FIRST AID? FIRST AID IS THE IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE OR TREATMENT GIVEN TO SOMEONE INJURED OR SUDDENLY BECOMES ILL BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF AN AMBULANCE, DOCTOR OR OTHER APPROPRIATELY QUALIFIED PERSON. PROVISION OF INITIAL CARE FOR AN ILLNESS OR INJURY.  AIMS OF FIRST AID PRESERVE LIFE PREVENT THE INJURY OR ILLNESS FROM BECOMING WORSE PROMOTE RECOVERY FOR EX: APPLYING A BANDAGE IS PREVENTING THE CONDITION (A CUT) FROM WORSENING BY STOPPING INFECTION AND BLEEDING !  IMPORTANCE OF FIRST AID: THE IMPORTANCE OF FIRST AID IS HARD TO OVERESTIMATE. AMONG THE MAJOR BENEFITS OF FIRST AID ARE THE FOLLOWING: Providing quick medical treatment until professional assistance arrives. First aid helps ensure that the right methods of administering medical assistance are provided. Knowledge in first aid also benefits the individuals themselves. It affords people with the ability to provide help during various emergency situations.  GOLDEN RULES OF FIRST AID 1. Be calm, quick and methodical. Note all major injuries and give first aid accordingly. 2. In case of stoppage of breathing, start artificial respiration. 3. Try to stop bleeding as early as possible. 4. Do not allow a patient to go with shock. If it is not possible, transport the patient to a near by hospital as quickly as possible. 5. When serious accident takes place inform the police immediately. 6. Keep the patient warm and do not move him unnecessarily. Keep him in a comfortable position. GOLDEN RULES……………. 7. Do only what is necessary. 8. Reassure the casualty by using encouraging words and obtain help of his/her relatives. 9. Do not allow people to crowd around the casualty. Allow fresh air. 10. Be careful in removing her/his clothes. Do not cause injury. 11. Send the patient to hospital immediately by quickest means of transport. SCENE SURVEY INCLUDES: DRS-ABCD DRS-ABCD  DANGER Check for danger (hazards/risks/safety ??) To yourself To others To casualty For example: electrical, gases, wires, aggressive relatives, etc. Remove yourself and the casualty to an area of safety.  RESPONSE Check the casualty for a response. Use the COWS Method Can you hear me ? Open your eyes ? What is your name ? Squeeze my hand (OR Gently squeeze shoulders) If casualty is unresponsive call for help immediately.  AIRWAY Check whether the airway is open and clear of obstructions (tongue fall or food) Use a head tilt, chin lift to open the airway. OR Use a jaw thrust for patients with suspected spinal cord, head, neck and facial trauma. BREATHING It is no longer recommended to deliver rescue breaths but rather continue straight chest compressions.  DEFIBRILLATION Defibrillation is the use of an electrical current to help the heart return to normal rhythm when a potentially fatal arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm) is happening to the victim’s heart.  QUALITIES OF A FIRST AIDER A FIRST AIDER MUST BE: HIGHLY TRAINED TESTED AND REGULARLY RE-TESTED TO MAINTAIN STANDARD UP-TO-DATE IN KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS  ROLES OF A FIRST AIDER A FIRST AIDER HAS VARIOUS ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES. THEY SHOULD: Manage the incident and ensure the continuity of safety of themselves, bystanders and the casualty. Assess casualties and find out the nature and cause of their injuries. Arrange for further medical help or other emergency services to attend (eg. The fire service) If trained, prioritize casualties based upon medical need Provide appropriate first aid treatment as trained. If able, make notes/observations of casualties. Fill out any paperwork as required. Provide a handover when further medical help arrives.  STEPS: CALLING FOR EMERGENCY HELP (1) In many first aid situations, help from the emergency services may be required. Ensure you know which number to call ! UNITED KINGDOM: 999 UNITED STATES: 911 EUROPEAN UNION: 112 UAE : 998- AMBULANCE/ 997 – FIRE DEPARTMENT  CALLING FOR EMERGENCY HELP (2) GIVE CLEAR, PRECISE INFORMATION ABOUT ✓ The location of the incident ✓ The number of casualties/people involved ✓ The nature of their injuries ✓ In some cases, their age ✓ Any hazards at the incident (eg. Fuel, fire, electricity) IF THE AREA IS REMOTE/DIFFICULT TO ACCESS, CONSIDER SENDING SOMEONE TO MEET THE EMERGENCY SERVICES.  REMEMBER ! THE FIRST FEW MINUTES AFTER AN INJURY OR SUDDEN ILLNESS ARE CRITICAL. ANY DELAY IN STARTING TREATMENT CAN COST A LIFE. ACCURATE IDENTIFICATION OF AN INJURY OR ILLNESS HELPS TO DETERMINE PROPER METHOD OF FIRST AID TREATMENT.  DISASTER NURSING Natural disasters have become common. These disasters can have the compounding effect of causing injury, and in extreme cases death. Disaster nursing refers to a situation in which a health professional, usually a registered nurse or nurse practitioner, responds to a crisis situation by volunteering with an aid organization or volunteer responder organization. A high demand for disaster nursing and emergency preparedness. They need nursing professionals who can provide first aid, serve as a first line of triage for those who need additional care and ensure that regular hospital operations continue.  EMERGENCY NURSING Emergency care is a specialty in which nurse’s care for patients in the emergency or critical phase of their illness or injury and frequently is the first point of contact for patients. Emergency nurses have a range of expertise demonstrated across a range of knowledge and skills. This is reflected within their roles and responsibilities in emergency departments (ED) when they often have to work autonomously or in close partnership with other health professionals within the ED team to make diagnosis or take urgent decisions. ROLE OF EMERGENCY & DISASTER NURSES IN DIFFERENT PHASES  PRE-IMPACT PLANNING/PREPAREDNESS, PREVENTION, WARNING 1. Participate in development of community disaster plans. 2. Participate in community risk assessment: hazard mapping, vulnerability analysis. 3. Initiate disaster prevention measures: (removal of hazard, public awareness campaigns, etc.) 4. Perform disaster drills. 5. Prepare by taking educational training. 6. Develop database of nursing staff. 7. Develop evaluation plans for all responses.  IMPACT RESPONSE, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, MITIGATION 1. Activate disaster response plan 2. Mitigate all ongoing hazards. 3. Activate agency disaster plans. 4. Establish need for mutual aid relationships. 5. Integrate state and federal resources. 6. Provision for ongoing triage. 7. Evaluate public health needs of affected population. 8. Establish safe shelter, sanitation needs and food & water supplies. 9. Evaluate need for/activate additional nursing staff.  POSTIMPACT RECOVERY, REHABILITATION, RECONSTRUCTION, EVALUATION 1. Continue provision of nursing and medical care. 2. Monitor safety of food and water supply. 3. Withdraw from disaster scene. 4. Restore public health infrastructure. 5. Re-triage and transport of patients to appropriate level care facilities. 6. Reunite family members. 7. Monitor long-term physical and mental health status of survivors. 8. Provide counselling for staff and adequate time for rest. 9. Evaluate disaster nursing response actions. 10. Revise original disaster preparedness plan.  CONCLUSION First aid measures serve to minimize further injuries or loss of lives. It is important to train first aiders who are proficient in their skills to be able to render immediate assistance during medical emergencies.