Mod 10 Common Emergencies

HYPOTHERMIAHYPOTHERMIA

First Aid Visual AidsFirst Aid Visual AidsCommon EmergenciesCommon Emergencies

THE PHILIPPINE NAIONAL RED CROSSTHE PHILIPPINE NAIONAL RED CROSSSAFETY SERVICESSAFETY SERVICES

TR 10-2TR 10-2

Exposure to extreme cold for a short time or moderate Exposure to extreme cold for a short time or moderate cold for a long time can cause hypothermia. cold for a long time can cause hypothermia.

The patient will present with cold skin and shivering and will still be alert and oriented.The patient will present with cold skin and shivering and will still be alert and oriented.

• Check responsiveness.Check responsiveness.

1. Mild Hypothermia1. Mild Hypothermia

First AidFirst Aid

• Cover the patient with a warm blanket.Cover the patient with a warm blanket.

• Apply hot compress.Apply hot compress.

• Check vital signs.Check vital signs.• Refer to a physician.Refer to a physician.

2. Severe Hypothermia2. Severe Hypothermia



TR 10-3TR 10-3

Patients may become unresponsive. This is a true Patients may become unresponsive. This is a true medical emergency that can lead to death. medical emergency that can lead to death.

First AidFirst Aid• Check responsiveness.Check responsiveness.• Check ABC, perform CPR if needed. Check ABC, perform CPR if needed. • Care for shock. Care for shock. • Refer to a physician.Refer to a physician.

Mechanism of Heat LossMechanism of Heat Loss

1. Convection1. Convection

2. Respiration2. Respiration3. Radiation3. Radiation

4. Conduction4. Conduction

5. Evaporation5. Evaporation



TR 10-4TR 10-4

A response to heat characterized by fatigue, weakness, and collapse due to inadequateA response to heat characterized by fatigue, weakness, and collapse due to inadequateIntake of water to compensate for loss of fluids through sweating. Intake of water to compensate for loss of fluids through sweating.

• If the victim starts having seizures, protect If the victim starts having seizures, protect him/her from injury and give first aid forhim/her from injury and give first aid for convulsions. convulsions.

• Have the victim rest with his or her feet Have the victim rest with his or her feet elevated. elevated. • Cool the victim.Cool the victim.• Give the victim electrolyte beverages to Give the victim electrolyte beverages to sip or make a salted drink.sip or make a salted drink.

First AidFirst Aid

• If the victim loses consciousness, give If the victim loses consciousness, give first aid for unconsciousness.first aid for unconsciousness.

HEAT CRAMPSHEAT CRAMPS

• Monitor the victim for signs of shock.Monitor the victim for signs of shock.



TR 10-5TR 10-5

A response to heat characterized by fatigue, weakness, and collapse due to inadequateA response to heat characterized by fatigue, weakness, and collapse due to inadequateIntake of water to compensate for loss of fluids through sweating. Intake of water to compensate for loss of fluids through sweating.

• If the victim starts having seizures, protect If the victim starts having seizures, protect him/her from injury and give first aid forhim/her from injury and give first aid for convulsions. convulsions.

• Have the victim rest with his or her feet elevated. Have the victim rest with his or her feet elevated. • Cool the victim.Cool the victim.• Give the victim electrolyte beverages to sip or Give the victim electrolyte beverages to sip or make a salted drink.make a salted drink.

First AidFirst Aid

• If the victim loses consciousness, give first If the victim loses consciousness, give first aid for unconsciousness.aid for unconsciousness.

HEAT EXHAUSTIONHEAT EXHAUSTION

• Monitor the victim for signs of shock.Monitor the victim for signs of shock.



TR 10-6TR 10-6

A response to heat characterized by extremely high body temperature A response to heat characterized by extremely high body temperature and disturbance of sweating mechanism. and disturbance of sweating mechanism.

• Cool the victim.Cool the victim.• Give First Aid for Shock.Give First Aid for Shock.• If the victim starts having seizures, give If the victim starts having seizures, give first aid for seizures.first aid for seizures.

First AidFirst Aid

HEAT STROKE or SUNSTROKEHEAT STROKE or SUNSTROKE

• Keep the victim cool as you await medical help.Keep the victim cool as you await medical help.

STROKESTROKEIs a condition that occurs when the blood flow to the brain is interrupted long enough Is a condition that occurs when the blood flow to the brain is interrupted long enough to cause damage.to cause damage.



TR 10-7TR 10-7

1. Thrombus or embolism.1. Thrombus or embolism.

• Check the victim’s ABC.Check the victim’s ABC.• Have the victim rest in a comfortable position.Have the victim rest in a comfortable position.

Causes Causes

• Seek immediately medical help.Seek immediately medical help.

2. Ruptured artery in the brain.2. Ruptured artery in the brain.3. Compression of an artery in the brain.3. Compression of an artery in the brain.

First Aid First Aid

• Do not give the victim anything by mouth.Do not give the victim anything by mouth.• If the victim loses consciousness, place him or her in the recovery position andIf the victim loses consciousness, place him or her in the recovery position and administer first aid for unconsciousness.administer first aid for unconsciousness.• Continue to monitor ABC’s.Continue to monitor ABC’s.• Stay with the victim until you have medical help.Stay with the victim until you have medical help.



TR 10-8TR 10-8

Is a condition that affects the way the body uses food. Is a condition that affects the way the body uses food. It causes the sugar level in the blood to be too high.It causes the sugar level in the blood to be too high.

1. Insulin Shock1. Insulin ShockOccurs when too much insulin is in the body.Occurs when too much insulin is in the body.

Types of Emergency Diabetes Types of Emergency Diabetes

DIABETESDIABETES

2. Diabetic Coma2. Diabetic ComaHappens when there is too much sugar and too little insulin in the blood, and body cells Happens when there is too much sugar and too little insulin in the blood, and body cells do not get enough nourishment.do not get enough nourishment.



TR 10-9TR 10-9

Is a sudden involuntary muscle contraction, usually Is a sudden involuntary muscle contraction, usually due to uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain.due to uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain.

If you know the person has epilepsy, it is usually not necessary to call physician unless-If you know the person has epilepsy, it is usually not necessary to call physician unless-

• The seizure lasts longer than a few minutes.The seizure lasts longer than a few minutes.

First Aid First Aid

SEIZURESSEIZURES

However, you should call physician when someone having a seizure also-However, you should call physician when someone having a seizure also-

• Another seizure begins soon after the first.Another seizure begins soon after the first.

• He or she does not regain consciousness after the jerking movement has stopped.He or she does not regain consciousness after the jerking movement has stopped.

• Is pregnant.Is pregnant.• Carries identification as a diabetic.Carries identification as a diabetic.• Is in the water and has swallowed large amounts of water.Is in the water and has swallowed large amounts of water.



TR 10-10TR 10-10

A high temperature does not necessarily mean the victim is seriously ill. Some children,A high temperature does not necessarily mean the victim is seriously ill. Some children,However, have febrile seizure when a high fever is rising or falling.However, have febrile seizure when a high fever is rising or falling.

Fever is not always cause for alarm, but sometimes it is a sign of a serious problem.Fever is not always cause for alarm, but sometimes it is a sign of a serious problem.Seek immediately medical attention if:Seek immediately medical attention if:

• Difficulty in breathing.Difficulty in breathing.

When to get help for Fever When to get help for Fever

FEBRILE SEIZURESFEBRILE SEIZURES

• Unusual skin colors (blue, gray, purple).Unusual skin colors (blue, gray, purple).• A rash of tiny red or purple dots under the skin.A rash of tiny red or purple dots under the skin.• ShockShock• Stiff neck.Stiff neck.• Bulging fontanel (soft spots of the baby skull).Bulging fontanel (soft spots of the baby skull).• Sign of dehydration.Sign of dehydration.• If the victim appears to be very ill, take steps to reduce If the victim appears to be very ill, take steps to reduce the fever while you seek medical assistance.the fever while you seek medical assistance.



TR 10-11TR 10-11

1. Position the Patient. 1. Position the Patient.

Delivery Procedures Delivery Procedures

EMERGENCY CHILDBIRTHEMERGENCY CHILDBIRTH

2. Inspection of the Presenting Part.2. Inspection of the Presenting Part.3. Delivery of the Head.3. Delivery of the Head.4. Cutting the Cord.4. Cutting the Cord.5. Expulsion of the Afterbirth.5. Expulsion of the Afterbirth.6. Care after delivery.6. Care after delivery.

Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

1. If labor contractions are approximately 2 minutes apart. 1. If labor contractions are approximately 2 minutes apart. 2. If the woman is straining or pushing down with contractions.2. If the woman is straining or pushing down with contractions.3.If the woman is crying out constantly.3.If the woman is crying out constantly.4. Warning from the woman that the baby is coming.4. Warning from the woman that the baby is coming.



TR 10-12TR 10-12

• Make the patient comfortable in cool surroundings, preferably in bed with a light cover. Make the patient comfortable in cool surroundings, preferably in bed with a light cover. Allow her to rest.Allow her to rest.

First Aid First Aid

FEVERFEVER

• Give the casualty plenty of cool, bland drinks to replace lost fluids.Give the casualty plenty of cool, bland drinks to replace lost fluids.• An adult may take two paracetamols tablets. Give a child the recommended dose ofAn adult may take two paracetamols tablets. Give a child the recommended dose of paracetamol syrup (not aspirin).paracetamol syrup (not aspirin).• If you are worried about the casualty’s condition, call a doctor.If you are worried about the casualty’s condition, call a doctor.

Is a sustained body temperature above the normal level of 37C.Is a sustained body temperature above the normal level of 37C.

HEADACHEHEADACHEMay accompany any illness, particularly a feverish ailment such as flu, but it may be theMay accompany any illness, particularly a feverish ailment such as flu, but it may be themost prominent symptom of a serious condition, such as meningitis or stroke.most prominent symptom of a serious condition, such as meningitis or stroke.



TR 10-13TR 10-13

• Help the patient to sit or lie down comfortably in a quite place.Help the patient to sit or lie down comfortably in a quite place.

First Aid First Aid

• An adult may take two paracetamol tablets or her own painkillers. Give a childAn adult may take two paracetamol tablets or her own painkillers. Give a child recommended dose of paracetamol syrup (not aspirin).recommended dose of paracetamol syrup (not aspirin).• If in doubt or if the pain does not ease within two hours, call a doctor.If in doubt or if the pain does not ease within two hours, call a doctor.

ABDOMINAL PAINABDOMINAL PAINIs a pain in the abdomen often has a relatively trivial cause, but can indicate seriousIs a pain in the abdomen often has a relatively trivial cause, but can indicate seriousdisease, such as perforation or obstruction of the intestine.disease, such as perforation or obstruction of the intestine.

• Make the patient comfortable, and prop him/her up if breathing is difficult. Giving her Make the patient comfortable, and prop him/her up if breathing is difficult. Giving her a container to use if vomiting. a container to use if vomiting.

First Aid First Aid

• Do not give the patient any medicines or anything to eat or drink.Do not give the patient any medicines or anything to eat or drink.• Give patient a covered hot-water bottle place against the abdomen.Give patient a covered hot-water bottle place against the abdomen.• If the pain is severe, or does not ease within 30 minutes, call a doctor.If the pain is severe, or does not ease within 30 minutes, call a doctor.



TR 10-14TR 10-14

VOMITING & DIARRHEAVOMITING & DIARRHEAAre most likely to be caused by food poisoning, contaminated water, allergy, or Are most likely to be caused by food poisoning, contaminated water, allergy, or unusual or exotic foods.unusual or exotic foods.

• Reassure the patient while he or she is being sick. Afterwards, give the patient a Reassure the patient while he or she is being sick. Afterwards, give the patient a warm damp cloth with which to wash him- or herself.warm damp cloth with which to wash him- or herself.

First Aid First Aid

• Give the patient lots of bland fluids to sip slowly and often. If the appetite returns,Give the patient lots of bland fluids to sip slowly and often. If the appetite returns, give him only bland, starchy or sugar food for the first 24 hours.give him only bland, starchy or sugar food for the first 24 hours.• If you are worried about the patient’s condition, particularly if it is persistent, call a doctor.If you are worried about the patient’s condition, particularly if it is persistent, call a doctor.

Documents

Mod 10 Common Emergencies