Chapter 5

CheckingThe

Victim

Checking for Life Threatening Conditions Unconsciousness Not breathing or trouble breathing Severe bleeding

Actions you will take depend on the conditions you find

Checking for Consciousness

First – determine if the victim is conscious

Gently tap on shoulder (adult) and ask “Are you okay” – do not jostle or move victim

For an infant – tap shoulder or flick foot If conscious- introduce yourself, get

consent to give care Look for signals of injury or illness Use bystanders for information, to call 9-1-

1 Ask questions about what happened

Checking for Consciousness

If unconscious, situation is different Life threatening Call 9-1-1 or local emergency #

immediately Have bystanders call for you If alone – Call first (9-1-1) before giving

care for Unconscious adult victim or adolescent 12 or

older Unconscious infant/child known to be at high

risk for heart problems Witnessed sudden collapse of a child/infant

Checking for Consciousness

If alone – Care first (2 min. of care) then call 9-1-1 for A unwitnessed collapse of child/infant Victim of submersion Victim of cardiac arrest associated

w/trauma Victim of drug overdose

Checking for Consciousness

If you leave the scene to call 9-1-1, place the unconscious victim in the H.A.I.N.E.S. position. In case they vomit.

This position is called the Recovery Position To roll victim onto side, extend arm above

head and other across chest Bend top leg and move it forward Support head/neck as roll onto side Position head/neck so face is angled toward

ground

Checking an Unconscious Person

Always check an unconscious person - ABC’s

Airway- open the airway Breathing- check for breathing Circulation- check for signs of life and severe bleeding

Checking an Unconscious Person

Airway- after 9-1-1 has been called Check to see if airway is open and person is

breathing If face down, roll victim over by supporting

head/neck, hand on hip and pull towards you

To open- push down on forehead while pulling up on bony part of jaw w/2 or 3 fingers of other hand to lift chin

Known as head-tilt/chin lift technique This moves tongue away from back of

throat allowing air to enter lungs

Checking an Unconscious Person

Breathing- check an unconscious person carefully for signals of breathing

Look, listen, and feel for no more than 10 seconds Lean over victim’s head so that you can hear and

feel air as it escapes from the nose and mouth Look to see if victim’s chest rises at the same time Not breathing- give 2 rescue breaths each lasting

1 second (pinch nose and release between breaths)for child/infant only

If air goes in (chest rises), check for signs of life (normal breathing, movement and a pulse for children and infants for no more than 10 sec.)

Checking an Unconscious Person

Circulation- Adult – check for signs of life for no

more than 10 sec. Child/infant – check pulse

Severe Bleeding- Check victim from head to toe for

signs of bleeding

Special Considerations

Air in Stomach –Gastric Distention Vomiting Mouth-to-Nose Breathing Mouth-to-Stoma Breathing Head, Neck and/or Spine Injury Dentures Drowning Victim

Checking a Conscious Victim

Checking conscious victim w/no immediate life threatening conditions1. Interview victim and bystanders

- first identify yourself and get consent

-ask victim’s name-ask questions a) what happened? b) do you feel pain/discomfort anywhere? c) do you have allergies? d) any medical conditions/taking medications? e) look for Medical ID Tags

Checking a Conscious Victim

If in pain- ask where it hurts and to describe it?

When did it start? Write down what you learn Helps EMS to determine type of

medical care needed

Checking a Conscious Victim2. Check victim from head to toe- for cuts,

bumps, bruises, and depressions- tell victim what you are doing first-use your senses: sight, sound, touch, smell

to detect anything abnormala) head – look at face, nose, mouth, eyes,

scalpb) skin appearance and temperaturec) neck – ask to move it side-side

Checking a Conscious Victim

d) shoulders- shruge) chest and abdomen- deep breathf) arms- raise one at a timeg) hands and fingersh) hips, legs, feeti) slowly stand if everything is ok

Checking a Conscious Victim

Giving Care: for what you find Do no further harm Monitor breathing and consciousness Help victim rest in most comfortable

position Keep victim from getting

cold/overheated Reassure victim Give any specific care needed

Checking a Conscious Victim

Deciding to Transport Do Not transport a victim

When trip may aggravate injury or illness or cause additional injury

When victim has or may develop a life-threatening condition

If you are unsure of the nature of the injury or illness

Discourage victim from driving his/herself to hospital

Checking Infants/Children Infants – 0 to 1 year of age Children – 1 to 12 years of age

Observe carefully before touching him/her for changes in condition may occur rapidly

If parent is present, ask them to calm child and get permission (consent) to give care

Get at eye level with child and talk clearly (slowly) and in a friendly manner with parent and child

Start check from the toes first to help calm child

Checking Older Adults (over 65)

Learn victims name- use Mr. or Mrs. as a sign of respect

Get at eye level so they can see and hear you more clearly

Speak slowly and clearly Confusion may be result of injury or

condition the victim already has Find out what medications victim is

taking

Shock Sudden illness or injury may cause

interruptions in the normal body functions. With more severe injuries or illness, the

body is unable to meet its demands for oxygen.

Condition in which the body fails to circulate oxygen-rich blood to all the parts of the body is know as Shock.

Left untreated, shock can lead to death.