FIRST AID

The participants will be able to perform the following application on First Aid:

1. Identify first aid kit2. Bite Wounds3. Puncture Wounds4. Bruises5. Burns6. Cuts and Scrapes7. Electric Shock8. Nosebleed9. Impaled Object10. Fractures11. Moving and Lifting of patients

Objectives:

Emergency treatment administered to an injured or sick person before professional medical care is available.

First aid is the provision of initial care for an illness or injury. It is usually performed by a non-expert person to a sick or injured person until definitive medical treatment can be accessed.

Certain self-limiting illnesses or minor injuries may not require further medical care past the first aid intervention.

It generally consists of a series of simple and in some cases, potentially life-saving techniques that an individual can be trained to perform with minimal equipment.

What is First Aid?

The application of splints for fractures and dislocations The effective methods of cardiopulmonary resuscitation

(CPR) and artificial respiration(Rescue Breath) Treatment of shock, frostbite, fainting, bites and stings,

burns, and heat exhaustion.

Essentials of First Aid Treatment

First Aid Kit

If the victim was bitten by an unprovoked undomesticated animal such as a dog, an immediate shot may be necessary to prevent the possibility of a rabies infection. Contrary to common belief, a human bite can sometimes be more dangerous than that of an animal because human saliva contains many more types of bacteria which may cause infection.

A bite from a domestic pet can be painful but rarely requires a visit to the emergency room and unless obvious bodily harm was sustained, a simple precautionary treatment will suffice.

Bite Wounds

• Use anti-bacterial soap and water to thoroughly clean the bite wound.

• Apply antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin to prevent infection.

• If the injury resulted in broken skin, dress it with a sterile bandage and replace the dressing frequently.

• If the bite is deep, the victim may need to be treated for a puncture wound.

Treatment:

A puncture wound is caused by an object piercing the skin and creating a small hole. Some punctures are just on the surface. Others can be very deep, depending on the source and cause.

Puncture Wounds

If the injury is minor, clean it with soap and water and apply an antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin to prevent infection. Dress the wound with sterile bandage and replace the dressing frequently. It is prudent to keep a close eye on the wound for several days to prevent an onset of an infection from any debris that may've lodged itself deep in the wound. If you notice persistent redness or puffiness or if the wound starts to ooze pus, have the victim consult a doctor right away.

Treatment:

A bruise is a mark on your skin caused by blood trapped under the surface. It happens when an injury crushes small blood vessels but does not break the skin. Those vessels break open and leak blood under the skin.

If the bruise is on the victim's head, he may've have sustained a concussion and should be checked for head trauma.

Bruises

Treatment of Bruises: A bruise by itself needs no medical treatment. It is

often recommended that ice packs be applied on and off during the first 24 hours of injury to reduce the bruising. After that, heat, especially moist heat, is recommended to increase the circulation and the healing of the injured tissues.

If the bruise takes up a large area of the leg or foot, the leg should be kept elevated as much as possible during the first 24 hours after the injury.

Apply ice packs to the injured body area immediately after the injury and apply pressure. The ice pack must be kept on for at least 20 minutes. It may be alternated with a heat pack for the next 48 hours. The bruise must still undergo the appropriate stages of healing. It will change color from red to purple to yellow to brown.

Although most minor head injuries caused by a fall or a strike to the head may result in a bruise or a bump and are not dangerous, it is extremely important to pay close attention to the following symptoms:

Bruises on the Head (Head Injury)

Excessive bleeding from an open wound Loss of consciousness Interruption of breathing Prolonged disorientation or apparent memory

loss If you detect any of the above, the victim may have sustained serious head trauma and will require professional medical attention. If that's the case, activate the EMS immediately. If possible, place the victim in a dim, quiet area.

Lay the victim down with his head and shoulders slightly elevated.

If the wound is bleeding, dress it with gauze or clean cloth.

Do not leave the victim unattended. If the victim loses consciousness, you may need to

perform CPR.

Injury from burns and scalds. Injuries to tissues caused by contact with heat, steam, chemicals (BURNS, CHEMICAL), electricity (BURNS, ELECTRIC), or the like.

Burns

• A burn victim will require different type of care depending on the type and extent of his injury. Burns vary greatly from a common, fairly harmless sunburn to a potentially life-threatening 3rd degree burn caused by open flames or electrocution.

Kinds of Burns:• Scalds - burns caused by boiling water or steam. • (Fire/Chemical) Burn type by degree:

• First degree burns • Second degree burns • Third degree burns • Superficial burns • Deep burns

• Electrical burns

Major degree burns may cause an individual to go into shock. Shock happens when blood pressure becomes too low to push blood to the brain and vital organs. The blood pressure becomes dangerously low due to the loss of fluids. Some symptoms of shock are rapid pulse, shallow breathing, fainting, nausea, pale and moist skin, and blue tinge on fingers and lips.

Symptoms of Major Degree Burns

Minor Burns are the most frequent kind of burn that you will see. They are not very difficult to treat. Minor burns will get better on their own, with time. Complicated dressings are not necessary. Antibiotics are also not necessary. The most important thing to do is make the patient comfortable and keep the wound clean.

Treatment for Burns

All major degree burns need to have immediate professional medical attention. Therefore the first priority is to figure out how to get the burned individual to a hospital. The best option is to call local emergency services. While attending to the burn before professionals take over, make sure the burned area is raised if possible to avoid swelling. Cover the area with gauze or a loose sheet. Treat for shock by laying the person on the ground, raising their feet about 12 inches and covering them with a blanket to keep them warm.

An injury due to opening in the skin

Cuts and Scrapes

Minor Cuts / Scrapings

• No treatment is required  • Care required to prevent

infection Treatment for Minor Cuts

• Clean wound with water • Avoid soap• Remove dirt/debris in the

wound • Apply antibiotic ointment • Dress/ bandage the wound • Change dressing daily • Minor cuts stop bleeding in 10

min • Apply gentle pressure if

bleeding persists

Deep cuts

• May bleed heavily • May expose underlying tissues

Deep cuts

• Apply dressing.  • Requires Tetanus Toxoid (TT)

if: a. Cut is dirty or has debris b. TT taken 5 years ago Consult a doctor

• in case of: a. Delayed wound- healing b. PUS Discharge c. Fever 

Points of Note:

• Do not try to clean a major wound

• Do not remove deeply- lodged debris

• Do not breathe on an open wound

• Do not push back exposed body parts 

An electric shock occurs when a person comes into contact with an electrical energy source. Electrical energy flows through a portion of the body causing a shock. Exposure to electrical energy may result in no injury at all or may result in devastating damage or death. However, some basic precautions should be taken to insure that the shock does not interfere with the body's normal electrical impulses including the functions of the brain and the heart. Prolonged exposure to a direct source of electricity can also cause severe burns to the skin and the tissue.

Electric Shock

A person who has suffered an electric shock may have very little external evidence of injury or may have obvious severe burns. The person could even be in cardiac arrest.

Electric Shock Symptoms

Shocking sensations. Numbness or tingling. A change in vision,

speech, or in any sensation.

Burns or open wounds. These occur where the electricity enters and exits the body.

Muscle spasms or contractions. Sudden immobility or fractures. A body part may looked deformed.

Interrupted breathing. Irregular heartbeats or

chest pain. Seizures. Unconsciousness.

Treatment of Electric ShockSelf-Care at Home

• Brief low-voltage shocks that do not result in any symptoms or burns of the skin do not require care. For any high-voltage shock, or for any shock resulting in burns, seek care at a hospital's emergency department. A doctor should evaluate electric cord burns to the mouth of a child.

Medical Treatment

• Treatment depends on the severity of the burns or the nature of other injuries found. Burns are treated according to severity.

Minor burns may be treated with topical antibiotic ointment and dressings.

More severe burns may require surgery to clean the wounds or even skin grafting.

Severe burns on the arms, legs, or hands may require surgery to remove damaged muscle or even amputation.

Broken bones require splinting, casting, or surgery to stabilize the bones

- A nosebleed is loss of blood from the tissue lining of the nose. Bleeding most commonly occurs in one nostril only. Commonly names “Epistaxis”.

Nosebleed

Consideration of Nosebleed

Nosebleeds are very common. Most nosebleeds occur because of minor irritations or colds. They can be frightening for some patients, but are rarely life threatening.

The nose contains many small blood vessels that bleed easily. Air moving through the nose can dry and irritate the membranes lining the inside of the nose, forming crusts. These crusts bleed when irritated by rubbing, picking, or blowing the nose.

The lining of the nose is more likely to become dry and irritated from low humidity, allergies, colds, or sinusitis. Thus, nosebleeds occur more frequently in the winter when viruses are common and heated indoor air dries out the nostrils. A deviated septum, foreign object in the nose, or other nasal blockage can also cause a nosebleed.

Common Causes of Nosebleed

Nose Conditions

The most common causes of nosebleed involve infection in or trauma to the nose itself. The most common and obvious of these is physical injury like a blow to the nose or the head. However, your nasal cavity is full of tiny capillaries that are easy to damage and even something as benign as nose picking can result in a nosebleed.

Infections are another common cause of nosebleed. These include the common cold, allergies, general congestion or sinusitis. With an infection, the most common cause of nosebleed is drying out of the nasal passages or excessive, overly forceful nose blowing.

Common Causes of Nosebleed cont…Environmental Factors

If a nosebleed does not originate from a blow or nasal infection, then the cause most likely involves the environment or the introduction of substances or medication. For example, excessively cold and dry air can cause nose bleed. This is especially true if you experience a sudden change in climate.

The introduction of foreign objects into the nasal cavity can also be a common cause of nosebleed, especially if the nose bleed occurs in a small child. In fact, a number of oral medications can cause nosebleed, and this is not just restricted to prescription medication. For example, large doses aspirin, Dimetapp, ibuprofen, Vicks, Motrin or even ginseng can result in nosebleeds.

Common Causes of Nosebleed cont…Changes in Your Body

Sometimes nosebleeds can be caused by significant changes in your body. For example, increased nosebleeds can be a natural part of the aging process. This is especially true for menopausal women: the shrinking and drying of the tissues that accompany menopause also affect the nasal passages, causing more frequent nosebleeds. Nosebleeds can also be caused by excessive weight loss that is a result of dieting or illness.Systemic Disease

Sometimes a nosebleed is indicative of a much larger problem, especially if the nosebleeds occur frequently. For example, nosebleeds can be a sign of the development of a nasal polyp or tumor. More commonly, they are a side effect of high blood pressure or hypertension. But, recurrent nosebleeds can also be a sign of a bleeding or clotting disorder or aplastic anemia.

If the nosebleed is not a symptom of a more serious injury, it is rarely dangerous and can usually be stopped by applying continuous pressure.

Treatment of Nosebleeding

• Do NOT tilt the victim's head backward. • Have the victim sit or stand upright to slow down the

flow of blood. • Loosen any tight clothing around the victim's neck. • If possible, have the victim spit out excess saliva -

swallowing may disturb the clot and cause nausea. • Pinch the nostrils shut and press the tip of the nose

against the bones of the face. • Maintain pressure for 5 to 10 minutes. • Once the bleeding has stopped, the victim should avoid

blowing his nose or otherwise straining himself for at least an hour.

If the victim's nose continues to bleed or if the blood flow appears to be excessive, or if the victim feels weak or faint, the damage may be more serious than it appears. You should take him to the nearest emergency room as soon as possible.

Impaled objects are items that have punctured the body's soft-tissue and are still embedded. Depending on the location of the impalement and the size of the object, emergency medical response may be necessary. The course of treatment depends on several factors, but here are the basics steps to treat an impaled object.

Impaled Object

1. Stay Safe (Scene Size-up). It's important to remain safe while helping a victim with an impaled object. Sharp objects, such as knives or nails, are not only capable of causing an injury to rescuers, but are also contaminated with the victim's blood. Follow universal precautions and wear personal protective equipment if you have it.

2. Activate EMS. Because of their complicated nature, even seemingly minor impaled objects require emergency medical response.

3. DO NOT REMOVE IMPALED OBJECT! Impaled objects create a puncture wound and then tamponade (put pressure on) that same wound, controlling bleeding. However, as with every rule, there are exceptions. Impaled objects may be removed if: the victim needs CPR and the object is in the way

the object is in the way of the victim's airway If an impaled object must be removed, follow the steps to control

bleeding.

Basics steps to treat an impaled object.

4. Apply Sterilized bandages to control the bleeding and prevent object from movement.

5. If an ambulance is not available or the victim must be moved, it will be necessary to secure the object. Start by shortening the object if possible. The more of an object that sticks out of the body, the more leverage it has to do damage to surrounding tissues.

6. After the object is as short as possible, secure it to prevent movement. The more movement of the impaled object, the more soft-tissue damage it does and the more bleeding it will cause.

Basics steps to treat an impaled object. Cont…

Steps in control the bleeding:

1. Direct Pressure2. Elevate the wounds3. Use pressure points4. Applying a tourniquet (desperate

moves)

A fracture (broken bone) may not always be obvious as most breaks do not result in compound fractures (bone protruding through the skin). It is important not to misdiagnose a break and mistake it for a bruise or sprain.

Fractures

Type of Fracture:

1. Simple: Bone breaks into two pieces.2. Stress: Hairline break that is often invisible on the x-

ray for the first six weeks after the onset of pain.3. Penile fracture (rarely happen).4. Comminuted: Bone fragments into several pieces5. Impacted: One fragment of bone is embedded into

another fragment of bone.6. Compound: Bone protrudes through the skin. Also

called an open fracture.7. Complete: Bone snaps completely into two or more

pieces.8. Incomplete: Bone cracks but doesn't separate.

Simple Fracture

Stress Fracture

Comminuted

Fracture

Compound Fracture

Complete Fracture

Incomplete Fracture

Immediate and excessive swelling Injured area appears deformed The farthest point of the injured limb turns blue or is numb

to the touch Even slight movement or contact to the injured area causes

excessive pain.

Typical symptoms of a fracture are:

Activate EMS and Immediately and immobilize the broken bone with a splint. A functional splint can be made of almost any material (wood, plastic, etc.). As long as it is rigid and is longer than the broken bone. To apply the splint simply lay it along the broken bone and wrap it against the limb with gauze or a length of cloth, starting at a point farthest from the body. Do not wrap it too tight as this may cut off blood flow. As much as possible, keep the victim from moving and until an ambulance arrives, remember PRICE:

Treatment applied:

“P” is for position “R” is for rest“I” is for ice “C” is for compression

“E” is for elevation

Demo Splinting, Sling and Swath on the:

Bend Elbow impacted fractureWrist simple/open FractureShoulder impacted fractureStraight elbow fractureTibia Fibula bone complete fractureFemoral bone Fracture

One – man Carry1. Lover’s carry2. Firemans’ carry3. Blanket drag

Two – man Carry1. Extremity Lift

Three – man Carry

Moving and Lifting Patients

THANK YOU…