FIRST AID-

by: Tina Bobek, R.N.

 What is First Aid?
• The first help you give someone that
becomes ill or is suddenly injured.
• In a serious accident, can mean the
difference in LIFE OR DEATH.
• Doesn’t take the place of medical care, is
only until further help arrives
• Being able to recognize an “emergency.”
• Knowing your limitations.
 Everyone should know what to
do in an emergency!
• 2 million people are
hospitalized each year
because of injuries &
injuries result in
145,000 deaths/year.
• The main goal is to
prevent death and
prevent injuries from
becoming worse.
 You are an important link in the
emergency medical system!
• Recognize that an
emergency exists.
• Decide to act.
• Call 911.
• Provide care until help
arrives.
• You are more than likely
to give care to a family
member or friend than a
stranger
 Good Samaritan Laws
• Move a victim only if their life
• Legal protection to
is in danger.
those who provide
emergency care to ill or • Ask a conscious person for
injured persons. permission.
• Check for life-threatening
• Set up to protect those
emergencies before giving care.
citizens that act in a
reasonable & prudent • Call for professional help-911
manner. • Provide care till help arrives
• What is a reasonable &
prudent manner….
 Responsibilities of the First Aider
– 1. Personal health and safety
– 2. Maintain caring attitude - reassure and comfort ill or
injured person, family, and bystanders while awaiting
additional EMS resources
– 3. Maintain composure
– 4. Maintain up-to-date knowledge and skills
• Continuing education and Refresher courses
– 5. Put ill or injured person's needs as a priority without
endangering self.
 Body Substance Isolation
• A. First Aiders must be aware of the risks
associated with emergency medical care.
– 1. Barrier devices should be used when ventilating an
ill or injured person (face mask or shield).
– 2. Personal protective equipment should be utilized
as needed or required by the local system (gloves).
• B. First Aiders may be exposed to infectious
diseases when treating ill or injured persons -
Universal Precautions - Treat everyone as if they were
infected.
 Infection Control
• 1. Techniques to
prevent disease
transmission
– a.
Hand-washing/personal
hygiene
– b. Equipment
replacement or
disposal.
– Remember gloves and
first aid supplies are
available in the clinic.
 What is hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B virus can cause
serious disease of the liver
and damage it permanently.
HBV is spread through
infected blood and other
body fluids. Hepatitis B can Hepatitis B Vir us
be prevented through a
vaccination series. Talk with
your doctor about the
vaccine.

Liver
 Bleeding
• The First Aider must be aware of the risk of infectious
disease from contact with blood or body fluids - (HBV
and HIV).
• The body's normal response to bleeding is blood vessel
contractions and clotting. A serious injury may prevent
effective clotting from occurring. Uncontrolled bleeding
(internal or external) or significant blood loss leads to
shock and possibly death. Internal bleeding often results
from blunt and/or penetrating trauma.
• Recognizing the mechanism of injury and early signs of
shock may prevent unnecessary death.
 Types of Bleeding
• 1. Arterial
– The blood spurts from the wound.
– Bright, red, oxygen rich blood.
– Arterial bleeding is the most difficult to control because of the
pressure at which arteries bleed.

• 2. Venous
– The blood flows as a steady stream.
– Dark, oxygen poor blood.
– Bleeding from a vein can be profuse; however, in most cases it is
easier to control.

• 3. Capillary
– The blood oozes from a capillary and is dark red in color.
– The bleeding often clots spontaneously.
 Bleeding Control
• Apply finger tip pressure (use flat part of fingers) directly on
the point of bleeding. If no injury to the muscle or bone exists,
elevation of a bleeding extremity may be used secondary to and
in conjunction with direct pressure.
• Large gaping wounds may require clean dressings and direct
hand pressure if finger tip pressure fails to control bleeding. If
bleeding does not stop, or more than one site of bleeding is
discovered, apply additional direct pressure and pressure
dressings.
• When direct pressure and additional dressing do not control the
bleeding, a pressure point may be combined with direct
pressure.
 Internal Bleeding
• Discolored, tender, swollen, or hard tissue
• Increased respiratory and pulse rates
• Pale, cool skin
• Nausea and vomiting
• Thirst
• Changes in level of responsiveness
• Can be from severely injured extremities with a lot
of blood loss
 First Aid Assessment
• Remember, the A B C’s - Airway,
Breathing, Circulation.
• Always calm, comfort & reassure the victim
• Manage any external bleeding.
• Keep the person calm and in position of
comfort.
• Keep the person warm.
• Treat for shock.
 Shock
– Condition resulting from the inadequate
delivery of oxygenated blood to body
tissues.
– Can be a result of
» Failure of the heart to provide
oxygenated blood
» Abnormal dilation of the vessels
» Blood volume loss
 Signs & Symptoms
– Restlessness, anxiety
– Changes in level of responsiveness
– Pale, cool, moist skin
– Rapid, shallow breathing
– Falling blood pressure
– Rapid, weak pulse
– Extreme thirst
 First Aid Care for Shock
• Remember keep them calm & reassured & in
position of comfort, laying down.
• Recall priorities of care - ongoing assessment of
airway, breathing and circulation (ABC’s).
• Prevent further blood loss. Keep person warm -
attempt to maintain normal body temperature.
• Do not give food or drink.
• Provide care for specific injuries
 Impaled Objects
• Do not remove the impaled object unless
it is through the cheek and obstructs
breathing.
• Manually secure the object. Expose the
wound area.
• Control bleeding.
• Utilize a bulky dressing to help stabilize
the object
 Amputations
– Involves the extremities and other body
parts
– Massive or minimal bleeding may be
present.
– Locate and preserve the amputated part-
rinse it with clean water, cover with a
clean dressing. Place the part in a
watertight plastic bag. Place that bag in
another container with ice, label with the
victim’s name, date, and time.
 Burns
Classified according to thickness
– First degree,
or superficial
– Reddening of
the skin
– Swelling
 Partial thickness involves the
outer and middle layer of the skin
– Considered
second degree
– Deep intense
pain
– Reddening,
Blisters
Full thickness extends through all
layers of the skin
– Considered third
degree
– Characteristics
of partial
thickness
– Areas of charred
skin
 First Aid Treatment-remember
priorities
• If skin is hot, immerse the area in cool water or
cover with a wet, cool dressing. This will stop
the burning and relieve pain. To prevent further
contamination use clean (or sterile) water and
clean dressings to minimize the risk of infection.
• Cover the burned area with a dry sterile dressing
if available. Do not use any type of ointment,
lotion, or antiseptic. Do not break blisters.
 Exposure to fire and hot gases.
• Stop the burning process with water. Remove
smoldering clothing and restrictive jewelry
• Be aware that some clothing may have melted
to the skin. If resistance is met when removing
the clothing, it should be left in place.
• Continually monitor the airway. It may
become obstructed due to swelling from
inhalation of smoke or hot gases.
 Chemical Burns
• Scene safety
• Use gloves and eye protection!
• Brush off dry powder.
• Flush with copious amounts of water.
Consider eye burns if splash injury.
• Remove contaminated clothing and jewelry.
• Call Poison Control for advice 800-682-7625.
 Electrical Burns
• Scene safety
• Severe internal injuries may occur.
• Monitor the injured person closely for
respiratory or cardiac arrest.
• All persons sustaining contact with
electricity should be evaluated by
professional health care providers
 Nosebleeds
• Use gloves
• Press both sides of the nostrils while the
victim sits and leans forward - use constant
pressure for a few minutes.
• If continues, press harder and hold pressure.
• Do not use an icepack on the nose or
forehead.
• Phone 911 if bleeding doesn’t stop in about
15 minutes or victim has trouble breathing
(blood can block the airway and cause breathing problems).
 Allergic Response
Common Allergies-
-Many foods, such as Phone 911 - with bad
eggs, peanuts, chocolate reaction - if has EpiPen -
-Insect stings or bites, assist with use if needed.
especially bee stings • Take off safety cap
• Hold injector in fist and press the
-Pollen, Animal dander
tip of the pen hard against the
Mild allergic reaction: thigh, halfway between the hip
• stuffy nose, sneezing, and knee, through clothing if
necessary - hold in place for 10
itching of eyes and skin, seconds
hives • Note time of injection for EMS
Bad allergic reaction: • Dispose of in sharps container
• Trouble breathing • If victim becomes unresponsive-
begin CPR
• Swelling of tongue, face
• Shock
 Bee stings
• Help with EpiPen or
medication if history or
signs of allergic reaction
• Scrape away stinger, do
not use tweezers or
squeeze area
• Clean area with soap and
water Bees are the only insects
• Use insulated ice to area that leave their stingers
behind.
• Watch for signs of allergic
reaction - at least 30
minutes.
• Call 911 - if symptoms
 Insect Bites
INSECTS
• Clean the bite with soap and
water.
• Put an insulated ice bag on the Wrong actions for
bite. Tick Removal
• Be alert to signs of allergic Do not use:
reaction. •petroleum jelly
•fingernail polish
TICKS
•rubbing alcohol
• Remove with tweezers straight •a hot match
out - close to the skin •gasoline
• Wash with soap & water •twist or jerk the tick
• Apply insulated ice bag
• Some carry diseases, refer
if in high occurrence area