SILVER T

RAININ

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FIRST AID

Make sure that at least one person on the trip has a current First Aid certificate

Remember Dr ABC

D – Danger – make the area safe (for yourself, others, injured)

R – Response – is the injured conscious? Can they respond?

A – Airways – clear mouth, tilt head back, lift chin

B – Breathing – chest rising and falling, sounds of breathing, breath on cheek

C – Circulation – if not breathing, are there signs of life? Skin pale? What happens when you press the skin or fingernail?

http://www.ehow.co.uk/video_4951759_make-outdoor-first_aid-kit.html HOW TO MAKE AN OUTDOOR FIRST AID KIT

FIRST AID – ROLES OF GROUP MEMBERS

Leader – site management

- safety of group and injured

- delegates tasks to group members

Most experienced First Aider – patient care and monitoring

- may need an assistant

- prioritise care if numerous injured

An effective communicator – seeks help through radio transmission

Everyone else – make shelter, food, drink etc

FIRST AID – SECONDARY SURVEY

Check and record breathing and pulse

Talk to patient and companions to obtain

- history of accident

- medical history

Full examination to determine any further injuries

Make sure you are wearing gloves

FIRST AID – LOOK AND FEEL FOR

Bleeding

Unusual colour

Tenderness and bruising

Lack of symmetry

Loss of sensation

Try to treat patient in the position in which they are found

FIRST AID – HEAD

Inspect and gently palpate skull

Check for lacerations, bleeding, depressions, bruising

FIRST AID – FACE

Fluid from ears, nose, mouth

Inspect eyes and check for pupil symmetry and reaction to light

Look for any broken teeth

Check skin colour, temperature, moisture

Check for any obvious fracture of the jaw

FIRST AID – NECK

Gently inspect and palpate for tenderness, deformities and rigidity

FIRST AID – CHEST

Check for bruising

Check for asymmetry of movement

Gently palpate for tenderness and deformity

FIRST AID – BACK

Check for muscle spasm along spine

Look for bruises, injuries, entry or exit wounds

Back injuries can be very serious, because the spinal cord is a vital nerve

FIRST AID – ABDOMEN

Look for bruising, penetrating injuries

Check for distension and masses

Palpate (with warm hands) for rigidity

FIRST AID – PELVIS

Palpate gently for tenderness and deformity

FIRST AID – EXTREMITIES

Look for deformities

• Gently palpate for tenderness and deformities

• Check for bruising

• Check for regularity of pulse

• Check for strength and sensation

• Check for symmetry

FIRST AID – REMEMBER

Warmth, comfort, reassurance

Patient minder to watch and monitor them constantly

Record keeping is essential – all significant events

Monitoring – vital signs – breathing, pulse, temperature – every 30 minutes

FIRST AID – FOREIGN BODIES

Bugs or plant matter in eyes, ears, nose

Try not to inflame by prodding or rubbing

EYES – wash out with clean water or pull top eyelid over bottom lid

EARS and NOSE – do not stick anything in to try to dislodge object

FIRST AID – FRACTURES

Excessive force can cause fractures

- open – bone protrudes through skin blood loss and severe risk of infection

- closed – skin is intact but there can still be severe internal bleeding

- complicated – broken bone is at risk of injuring vital organs such as lungs

- stress – abnormal movement causes stress to bone over time

FIRST AID – SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF FRACTURES

A break or crack may be heard

Intense pain

Observable deformity

Painful movement in that region

Loss of strength in that region

Tenderness when gentle pressure applied

Swelling and bruising

Visible bleeding with open fractures

Grating sound as broken ends move against each other

FIRST AID – MANAGEMENT OF FRACTURES

Do not test by moving bones against each other

Assess severity of injury

Determine course of action based on severity of injury

Be aware of risk of infection of open wounds

Donut of bandages / clothes to protect open wound from knocks

Splint area if possible to avoid movement of fracture site

Patient may be able to continue eg broken arm if properly supported

If patient can’t continue, seek help

FIRST AID – DIARRHOEA

Unpleasant – especially in the bush

Can be accompanied by dehydration, nausea and vomiting

Steps to take to avoid diarrhoea:

Remember personal hygiene when toileting and preparing food

Use only treated water (do not drink directly from streams)

Avoid eating left over food

Wash dishes and utensils well

 

Treatment for diarrhoea

If available, take anti-diarrhoea medication

Continue to drink sips of boiled water to avoid dehydration

Electrolyte drinks are useful to maintain strength (May be carried with first aid kit)

Bury all faecal wastes (including toilet paper) to avoid possible cross contamination.

FIRST AID – RECOVERY POSITION

If a patient is unconscious or semi conscious and still breathing

Check mouth for any obstructions

Kneel down by patient’s chest

Place one arm across the patient’s chest and the other at 90o to their body

Bend up the leg on the same side as the arm across the chest

Gently roll the patient to their side

Make sure the patient is stable and cannot move from this position

Continue to monitor levels of consciousness.

Must be placed on back if breathing stops – for resuscitation