FIRST AID

is an immediate care given to a person who has been injured or suddenly taken ill. It includes self-help and home care if medical assistance is not available or delayed.

Role and Responsibilities of the First Aider

1. Bridge that fills the gap between the victim and the physician. It is not intended to compete with, or take the place of the services of the physician. It ends when the services of a physician begin. 2. Ensure personal safety and that of patient / bystander. 3. Gain access to the victim. 4. Determine any threats to patients life. 5. Summon more advanced medical care as needed. 6. Provide needed care for the patient. 7. Assist Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and medical personnel. 8. Record all assessments and care given to the patient.

Objectives of First Aid

1. To alleviate suffering. 2. To prevent added/further injury or danger. 3. To prolong life.

Characteristics of a Good First Aider

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Gentle - should not cause pain. Resourceful - should make the best use of things at hand. Observant - should notice all signs. Tactful - should not alarm the victim. Empathetic - should be comforting. Respectable - should maintain a professional & caring attitude.

Hindrances in Giving First Aid

1. Unfavorable Surroundings Nightime. Crowded city streets; churches; shopping malls. Busy highways. Cold and rainy weather. Lack of necessary materials or helpers. 2. The Presence of Crowds Crowds curiously watch, sometimes heckle, sometimes offer incorrect advice. They may demand haste in transportation or attempt other improper procedures.

 A good examination is difficult while a crowd looks on. 3. Pressure from Victim or Relatives The victim usually welcomes help, but if he is drunk, he is often hard to examine and handle, and is often misleading in his responses

TRANSMISSION OF DISEASES AND THE FIRST AIDERS

1. How Diseases are Transmitted. Direct contact transmission - occurs when a person touches an infected persons body fluids. This type of transmission presents the greatest risk of infection for the first aid provider. Indirect contact transmission - occurs when a person touches objects that have been contaminated by the blood or another body fluid of an infected person. These include soiled dressings, equipment, and vehicle surfaces with which an infected person comes in contact. Airborne transmission - occurs when a person inhales infected droplets that have become airborne as an infected person coughs or sneezes. Vector transmission - occurs when an animal such as a dog or an insect, such as tick, transmits a pathogen into the body through a bite.

2. Diseases that cause concern. As a First Aider, you should be familiar with diseases that can have severe consequences if transmitted. These include herpes, meningitis, tuberculosis, hepatitis, and HIV infection, the virus that causes AIDS. 3. Body Substance Isolation (BSI). Precautions are taken to isolate or prevent risk of exposure from any other type of bodily substance. Regardless of the type of exposure risk, you must follow basic precautions and safe practices each time you prepare to provide care. Basic Precautions and Practices are as follows: Personal Hygiene - Maintaining good personal hygiene habits, such as frequent hand washing and proper grooming, are two important ways to prevent disease transmission regardless of any personal protective equipment you might use. Protective Equipment - It includes all equipment and supplies that prevent you from making direct contact with infected materials. This includes disposable gloves, gowns, masks and shields, protective eyewear, and resuscitation devices.

Equipment Cleaning & Disinfecting - It is important to clean and disinfect equipment to prevent infections. Handle all contaminated equipment, supplies, or other materials with the utmost care until they are properly cleaned and disinfected.

EMERGENCY ACTION PRINCIPLES 1. SURVEY THE SCENE Elements of the Survey the Scene a. Scene safety. - Safe for you - Safe for your co rescuers - Safe for any bystander/s -Safe for the victim b. Mechanism of injury or nature of illness. c. Determine the number of patients and additional resources 2. ACTIVATE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE Call first/phone first o Call for medical assistance first before giving care for adult victim. Care first/phone fast o Give first aid measures before calling or activating medical assistance for child and infant victim. 3. DO A PRIMARY SURVEY Check for Consciousness. o Check for patients alertness, verbal response, and pain response. Check for Airway o open and inspect for any obstructions Check for Breathing o Look, Listen, and Feel Check for Circulation o Feel for the carotid / brachial pulse. 4. DO A SECONDARY SURVEY It is a systematic method of gathering additional information about injuries or conditions that may need care. a. Interview the victim (if conscious) b. Check vital signs, Skin Appearance, Pupils c. SAMPLE history d. Perform Head-to-toe examination SURGICAL EMERGENCIES WOUNDS Is a break in the continuity of a tissue of the body either internal or external. Two Types of Wounds 1. Closed Wound it involves the underlying tissue without break/damage in the skin or mucous membrane. 2. Open Wound - it is a break in the skin or mucus membrane; or the protective skin layer is damage.

FIRST AID MANAGEMENT FOR CLOSED WOUND o Ice Application o Compression o Elevation o Splinting 2. Open Wound KINDS OF BLEEDING 1. Arterial bleeding irregular spurting of blood 2. Venous bleeding even flow of blood 3. Capillary bleeding capillary oozing First Aid Management 1. Control Bleeding 2. Cover the wound with dressing and secure with a bandage. 3. Care for shock. 4. Consult or refer to physician. BURNS o Is an injury involving the skin, including the muscles, bones, nerves, and blood vessels TYPES OF BURN INJURIES: o Chemical o Thermal o Electrical Factors to determine the seriousness of burns: 1. The Depth a. Superficial (First-degree) burns b. Partial-thickness (Second-degree) burns c. Full-thickness (Third-degree) burns 2. The extent to the affected body surface area. 3. Location of Burns 4. Victims age and medical condition

CARE FOR THERMAL BURNS Superficial and Partial Thickness Burns 1. Relieve pain by immersing the burned area in cold water or by applying wet cold cloth. 2. Cover with dry, non-sticking, sterile dressing or a clean cloth Full - thickness burns 1. Cover with dry, non-sticking, sterile dressing or a clean cloth. 2. Treat the victim for shock Scald Burns 1. Cover with a cool, moist, sterile dressing. 2. Do not apply ointment, grease, or butter to the scalded area. 3. Transport the patient to the hospital. Care for Chemical Burns

1. Immediately remove the chemical 2. Flush with water (if liquid) 3. Brush off dry powder chemicals 4. Remove contaminated clothing 5. Flush for 20 minutes or longer 6. Cover the area with dry dressing 7. Seek medical attention Care for Electrical Burns 1. Make sure the area is safe. 2. Unplug, disconnect, or turn off the power. 3. Check the ABCs 4. Check spine injury, if victim fell. 5. Treat for shock 6. Seek medical attention immediately PENETRATING ABDOMINAL INJURIES o Caused by gunshot, stab wounds and sharp objects o Liver is the most frequently injured organ Blunt trauma o Results from MVA, falls and blows o Commonly associated with extra abdominal injuries o Very challenging because injuries are not visible Assessment findings o Bluish discoloration of the flank, back and abdomen o Abrasions and contusions o Progressive abdominal distention o Tenderness o Hypotension o Altered LOC o Pain on the shoulders Diagnostic findings o Urinalysis reveals hematuria o WBC elevation o Increased serum amylase o Alterations in diagnostic peritoneal lavage o Positive peritoneal penetration in sinography Management o Maintain airway o Control bleeding through direct pressure o Occlusive dressing to sucking chest wounds o Maintain circulating blood volume o Cover visceral protrusion with a moist sterile dressing o If blunt trauma, maintain c spine immobilization o Do not insert IFC with possible urethral injury o Tetanus prophylaxis and wide spectrum antibiotics o Withhold oral fluids o Insert NGT and aspirate gastric content

Prepare client for OR