First Aid

P-103 – Taking Charge Marcelo R. Cesar

“Safety means first aid to the uninjured.”

Anonymous

What is first aid?

• First aid is immediate medical attention that can be performed by anyone who learns it.

• It is often the first thing that is administered to a victim in need of assistance.

Are we training to learn first aid?

• Our goal is to learn English, not become trained paramedics.

• As per the module “Taking Charge”, part of your learning involves knowledge of basic and emergency health care.

• We will be focusing on theory and language rather than direct application.

What sort of related emergencies will we be learning the vocabulary of?

• Choking• Bleeding• Burn victims• Shock victims• Broken bones• Drowning victims (CPR)• Convulsions and seizures

Choking victims

• Make sure the person is choking.• Ask the person, “Are you choking?”• If the person cannot respond, call for help...• …Then communicate you’ll perform first aid.• Administer 5 back blows using the heel of your hand,

and if that doesn’t help, use the Heimlich maneuver.• Alternate the two until object becomes unstuck.• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unAWWFAB2Ek

Bleeding victims

• Three basic steps…• Apply direct pressure over the wound with their

hand or a clean dressing. Do not remove dressings!• If bleeding is severe and does not slow, elevate the

bleeding area above the heart.• After bleeding is controlled, bandage the wound to

keep pressure on and promote clot formation.• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uA-vHanFv1o

Burn victims

• For minor burns, cool the burned area with cold running water for at least 5 minutes or until the pain subsides. For deeper burns, keep area cool until ambulance arrives.

• Minor burns with reddened skin and no blisters may be treated with a topical burn ointment or spray to reduce pain. Ointments should be water soluble. Dress burns with gauze.

• DO NOT APPLY BUTTER OR OIL TO ANY BURN!• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBM8RB3-Mag

Shock victims

• A life-threatening condition where insufficient oxygen or blood flows to the tissues!

• Make certain victim’s airway is open, then call EMS.• If back, neck, or head injury is suspected, DO NOT move

victim. Otherwise, lay victim face up and elevate feet about 12 inches.

• Loosen tight clothing, then look for and treat injuries.• Cover victim lightly with blanket.• Do not feed victim. If victim vomits, turn them to the side

and clean their mouth.• Put an unresponsive or stroke victim in the recovery

position.

Broken bones

• RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation• DO NOT straighten the extremity if it is

deformed - keep it in the position found.• Stabilize the extremity. Immobilize w/

padding. This allows victim to rest.• Put ice (in a bag) on the injury. Apply a

compress with loose bandages.• Elevate the extremity to reduce swelling.• For severe fractures, a splint may be needed.

Drowning victims: CPR

• CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation.• Attempt to wake up the victim. Call 911 if

unresponsive.• Tilt victim’s head back to clear airway• Begin rescue breathing.• Begin chest compressions.• Repeat chest compressions and rescue

breathing, alternating as needed.

Convulsions and seizures

• Move objects away from convulsing victim.• DO NOT restrain the victim, and DO NOT insert

anything in their mouth.• Cushion the person’s head.• Loosen tight clothing.• If vomiting occurs, turn victim to their side.• Stay with the person until help arrives.

Monitor their vital signs.