Health IIISt. Ignatius

Preparation and Prevention

Most overlooked: First aid kits Emergency Numbers Medical History Escape plans Smoke Detectors Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Definition

First Aid : the immediate care given to a person who has been injured or suddenly taken ill. It involves treating the physical and emotional needs of the individual.

Leading Causes of Death in U.S. Ages 1-49

Unintentional Injury: 57,291

Cancer: 42,456

Suicide: 19,644

Homicide: 14,881

All Others: 85,868

Emergencies4.5 million injury-related ER visits in US for 2009

Injuries caused 118,000 deaths in US in 2008

Unintentional injuries cause most childhood deaths

CVD causes 900,000 deaths/year

Strokes cause 160,000 deaths/year

Your Role in the EMS SystemStep 1. Recognize that an Emergency Exists

Step 1Step 2. Decide to Act

FactorsStep 3. Activate the EMS System

EMS SystemStep 4. Give Care Until Help Arrives

Getting PermissionGood Samaritan Laws

Recognize that an Emergency Exists

Be alert for:

1. Unusual Sights

2. Unusual Appearances or Behaviors

3. Unusual Odors

4. Unusual Noisesback

Factors that Keep People from Acting

1. Presence of other people

2. Being unsure of ill or injured person’s condition

3. The type of injury or illness

4. Fear of catching a disease

5. Fear of doing something wrong

6. Fear of being sued

7. Being unsure of when to call 911

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The EMS System Responsible citizen calls 911

Dispatcher determines what help is needed

Emergency personnel care for and transport victim

Early arrival of EMS increases chances of surviving a life-threatening emergency

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Getting Permission to Give Care Before giving care, you must have permission

Permission is known as “_______”

Tell victim your name, training, what is wrong, and what you plan to do

For conscious infant/child, ask parent for consent

What if victim is unconscious and/or parent is not present (if it’s a child)? Consent is implied

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Good Samaritan LawsAll 50 states have Good Samaritan laws

Protect those who give care w/out accepting anything in return

“Reasonable and prudent”

“Reasonable and Prudent” Guidelines

Move a person only if person’s life in danger

Ask conscious person for permission before giving care

Check person for life-threatening conditions before giving care

Call 911 or local emergency number

The Chain of Survival1st Link – Citizen Response2nd Link – Call 9113rd Link – First Responder Care4th Link – EMT Care5th Link – Hospital Care6th Link - Rehabilitation

Reasons to Learn First Aid

You can make a difference between life and death.

You can make a difference between a temporary and a permanent disability.

You can make a difference in the rate of recovery.

How Disease Spreads What are the most common germs?

Bacteria Do not depend on other organisms for life Treated with ___________

Viruses Depend on other organisms for life Few medications can fight viruses

How do bacteria and viruses spread? Touching, breathing, and biting

HIV, AIDS and You Transmission During First Aid

Unprotected direct contact w/infected blood Unprotected indirect contact w/infected blood

HIV can’t enter skin unless there is a cut or break in the skin

Preventing Disease TransmissionBreathing barriersUse bandage to cover any cuts, sores, scrapes, or

skin conditionsDisposable glovesWash hands with warm water after care