Burns and scalds

What are they?

Burns are caused by dry heat and scalds are caused by wet heat. Both burns and scalds
damage the body by removing the layer of skin that protects the body from infection.
Symptoms
Extreme pain Shock, depending on severity of burn Swelling around site of burn
Redness and blistering Charred skin on a very deep burn.

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First Aid aims
Halt the burning Alleviate pain Minimise risk of infection.
Actions
Stop the burning by applying running cold water to site of burn for at least ten minutes
Cover wound using a clean pad or cling film to prevent infection Remove any jewellery
near burn site Treat for shock
Nose bleeds
What causes them?
Sneezing and blowing Infection High blood pressure Head injury.
Actions
Sit the casualty down, leaning forward. Ask them to breathe through their mouth.
Pinch the soft part of their nose (or they can do it themselves) for ten minutes. Reassure
them. If the bleeding doesn't stop after ten minutes, pinch the nostrils again for two
further periods of ten minutes. If the nosebleed is severe or the bleeding doesn't stop
after 30 minutes, call 999.
Bone, joint, muscle
Topics covered in this section:
Back injuries Broken limbs Head injuries Sprains and strains.
Back injuries
What are they?
The spine or backbone protects the spinal cord, which controls many body functions.
Back injuries can be caused by pinching or displacement of nerves, or by spinal
fracture.
Symptoms
If you suspect a spinal injury after an awkward fall or awkward injury, look for:
Localised tenderness around the back or neck Shooting pains in the casualty's limbs
Limbs feeling heavy or tingling Loss of sensation in limbs below the level of injury
Breathing difficulties.
First Aid aims
Prevent further injury Get casualty to hospital.
Actions
If casualty is conscious Call 999 Do not attempt to move casualty Offer reassurance
Steady and support casualty's head in your hands.
I f casualty is unconscious Check airway and breathing Place casualty in modified reIf
casualty stops breathing Open airway Check for breathing again Give resuscitation
until help arrives Call 999. covery position if you have help Call 999.
Broken limbs
What are they?
Broken bones always need professional attention, but there's action you can take
immediately to help the casualty. Because children tend to put their arms out as they
fall, arms, elbows and wrists are where breaks tend to occur.
Symptoms
Intense pain Inability to use the limb Bruising or deformity at site of the break.
Actions
Broken arm Sit casualty down Ask them to support injured arm with other hand Put a
pad between arm and chest Put injured arm in a sling Place a broad-fold bandage over
sling and around arm and chest Take child to hospital Call 999.
Broken leg Lay the casualty down and support leg at ankle and knee joints by hand if
an ambulance is expected soon, or on a chair if not Steady injured leg with padding Put
rolled-up blankets outside injured limb and between legs Keep the casualty warm Call
999
Head injuries
What are they?
Head injuries may produce concussion, i.e. a period of unconsciousness followed by
complete recovery.
Other head injuries may produce compression of the brain, which is life threatening. A
head wound can indicate deeper damage, such as a skull fracture.

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Head injuries can be broadly classified into three categories:
Skull fracture Cerebral compression Concussion
Convulsions
What are they?
In children, seizures (sometimes called fits or convulsions) are usually caused by raised
body temperature.
Symptoms
These include obvious signs of fever, such as hot, flushed skin, sudden loss of
consciousness, convulsive movements, such as jaw clenches, and the body becoming
rigid.
First Aid aims
Treat casualty for unconsciousness Protect casualty while unconscious Arrange for
medical help where necessary.
Actions
Minor fit
Sit casualty down, reassure them and remove any dangerous objects from around them.
Major fit Try to prevent any harm but don't restrain the casualty Clear any
dangerous objects from around them Loosen clothing where possible and protect their
head. Further action When the convulsions are over, ensure the person's airway is open
and check their breathing. Place the person in the recovery position. Sponge their skin
with tepid water to help keep them cool.
Diabetic emergency
What is it?
Abnormal fluctuations in blood sugar can lead to someone with diabetes becoming
unwell and, if untreated, losing consciousness.
There are two conditions associated with diabetes:
Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) Hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar),
A First Aider is most likely to encounter hypoglycaemia, which affects brain function
and can lead to unconsciousness if untreated.
Hypoglycaemia: Raise blood sugar level as quickly as possible Get casualty to hospital,
if necessary. Hyperglycaemia: Get casualty to hospital as soon as possible.
Actions
Hypoglycaemia: Sit casualty down Offer casualty food or a sweet drink If there’s an
improvement, offer more to eat or drink Keep casualty resting Call 999.
Hyperglycaemia: Call 999.
Epileptic seizure
What is it?
Epileptic seizures are due to recurrent, major disturbances of brain activity. Just before
a seizure the person affected may have a brief warning period with, for example, a
strange feeling, or a particular smell or taste.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a minor epileptic fit may include sudden blankness, twitching limbs and
strange noises, for example, smacking of lips.
A major fit may involve sudden loss of consciousness, absence of breathing, convulsive
movements, such as jaw clenches, and the body becoming rigid.
First Aid aims
Treat casualty for unconsciousness Protect casualty while unconscious Arrange for
medical help, if necessary.
Actions
Protect casualty from their surroundings to avoid injury Allow seizure to run its course
and keep monitoring the casualty Once seizure is over, place casualty in recovery
position Keep reassuring casualty and monitor their condition Call an ambulance if
casualty has the following conditions: - Is unconscious for more than ten minutes - The
seizure continues for more than five minutes - They have repeated seizures - It's their
first seizure - If they're not aware of any reason for the seizure.
Poisoning and allergic reactions
Topics covered in this section:
Anaphylaxis Bites and strings Poisoning.
Anaphylactic shock
What is it?
Anaphylaxis is an extreme allergic reaction to certain foods, insect stings or drugs,
which results in rapid chemical changes in the body.
Symptoms
Blood vessels dilate, producing red, blotchy skin Air passages become constricted,
resulting in breathing difficulties Face and neck may swell Heart, brain and lungs may
suffer from a dramatic drop in oxygen supply Casualty may wheeze and gasp for air.
First Aid aims
Get emergency help Resuscitate, if necessary.
Actions
Call 999 and give any details you have of cause of reaction Help the casualty to sit in a
position that helps with breathing Loosen any tight clothing Check to see if the casualty
is carrying medication (i.e. adrenaline, to combat the effects of their allergy) and
encourage them to use it.
Further Actions
If the casualty loses consciousness: Lie them down Open the airway Prepare to start
resuscitation Place them in recovery position.
Respiratory problems
Topics covered in this section:
Asthma Choking.
Asthma
What is it? Asthma is caused by a swelling of the airway linings. The airways narrow
down, causing breathing difficulties.
Symptoms
Severe breathing difficulties Wheezing Distress and anxiety Exhaustion from the
effort of breathing Grey/blue skin Dry cough.
First Aid aims
Ease casualty's breathing Get emergency help, if needed.
Choking
What is it?
A severe obstruction is when a person is unable to speak, cry, cough or breathe. A mild
obstruction is when a person finds it difficult to breath, but is able to speak, cry, cough
or breathe. They are able to clear the obstruction without help.
First Aid aims
Relieve the obstruction Arrange for medical help if necessary.
Actions
First stage - Back blows Give up to five blows between the shoulder blades with the heel
of your hand Check the mouth quickly after each one and remove any obvious
obstruction.

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Second stage - Abdominal thrusts If obstruction is still present, give up to five
abdominal thrusts Place a clenched fist above the casualty's navel, grasp your fist with
your other hand and pull inwards and upwards Check the mouth quickly after each
one.
Resuscitating an Adult
What is it?
This technique is for an adult casualty who is unresponsive and isn't breathing
normally. If you're on your own, call an ambulance before you start resuscitation.
Actions
Check for vital signs Check for response - Gently shake the casualty's shoulder and ask
if they're all right If there's no response, shout for help and open the casualty's airway
Check for breathing - Look for chest movement, listen for sounds of breathing and feel
for casualty's breath on your cheeks Do this for ten seconds Give chest compressions.
Giving chest compressions Place your hands on centre of casualty's chest and, with the
heel of your hands (which should be linked one over the other), press down 30 times.
Depress chest to a third of its depth (4-5cm) Do this at a rate of 100 times a minute
After performing 30 chest compressions, tilt the casualty's head and lift their chin Give
two rescue breaths.

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Further action
Continue this sequence until emergency help arrives or the casualty starts to show some
response.