NOTRE DAME OF SALAMAN COLLEGE, INC.

Founded in 1965 by Oblates

Owned by the Archdiocese of Cotabato
Managed by the Diocesan Clergy of Cotabato (DCC)
“Service for the Love of God through Mary “
B.E.S.T

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST AID (WEEK 1 & 2)

FIRST AID – It is an emergency care for a victim of sudden illness or injury until more skillful medical
treatment is available.
- It is the immediate care given to a person who has been injured or suddenly become ill.
- To prevent the condition from worsening, or to promote recovery and usually performed within a
limited skill range and with minimal or no medical equipment.
-
Objectives of First Aid

1. To alleviate suffering.
2. To prevent further injury, damage or danger.
3. To prolong life

Importance of First Aid

1. To save Life
2. To prevent permanent disability.
3. To reduce prolonged hospitalization

Purpose of First Aid Training

1. To prevent accidents.
2. To train people to do the right at the right time.
3. To prevent added injury or danger.
4. To provide proper transportation if necessary.
5. To give first aid for large number of persons caught in a natural disaster.

FIRST AIDER – a person who has been trained to give

immediate medical help in an emergency or
someone who can administer first aid.

Role of First Aider

1. Bridge the gap between the time of the accident and
the arrival of the physician.
2. Ends when medical assistance begins.
3. Does not intend to compete with or take place of the
physician.

Characteristics of a Good First Aider

G – gentle. The first aider should not cause pain to the victim/patient.
R – resourceful. The first aider should make the best use of things at hand.
O – observant. The first aider should notice all signs and symptoms of the illness.
T – tactful. The first aider should not alarm the victim/patient.
S – sympathetic. First aider should be comforting on the feelings and pain experienced by the victim.
C – cheerful. The first aider should have a happy expression that inspires confidence.

Basic Life Saving Steps

1. Check for blood circulation (Pulse)

2. Check for breathing/airway.
3. Check for bleeding
4. Check for shock
General Directions for First Aiding

All rights reserved. No parts of this document may be reproduced, distributed in any form or by any means including photocopying or any
electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the writer except in the case of brief quotations embodied in
critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copy right law.
 1. Don’t panic.
2. Ensure the safety of the area.
3. Check for vital functioning
4. Check for injuries
5. Give the needed first aid urgently
6. Keep the victim lying down
7. Keep the victim warm.
8. Do not give fluids to an unconscious or partly conscious person.
9. Following injury, do not lift a gasping person by the belt.
10. Reassure the victim
11. Be reluctant to make statements.

Materials needed for first aid Training

1. Strips of cloth 2”, 3”and 4” wide by 36” or longer

2. Two blankets or mats
3. Triangular bandages
4. Two gauze pads 3”x3”,adhesive compress ;bandage
compress
5. 1 set of splints for extremities
(fixation)
6. 2 Stretcher poles,7 feet long each
7. 1-24- unit first aid

Basic Equipment for First Aid

1. Spine board
2. Short board /Kendrick’s
extrication device
3. Sets of splints
4. Poles Blankets

Suggested Contents of First Aid Kit

1. Rubbing alcohol
2. Povidone Iodine
3. Cotton
4. Gauge pads
5. Tongue depressor
6. Penlight
7. Band aid
8. Gloves
9. Scissors
10. Forceps
11. Triangular bandage
12. Elastic roller bandages
13. Occlusive dressing Plaster

FIRST AID MEASURES FOR SELECTED SITUATIONS

All rights reserved. No parts of this document may be reproduced, distributed in any form or by any means including photocopying or any
electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the writer except in the case of brief quotations embodied in
critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copy right law.
SHOCK
- is a condition resulting from a depressed state of many vital body functions .it can threaten life even
though the injuries or conditions that caused the depression may not otherwise be fatal. The vital
functions are depressed when there is a loss of a significant amount of blood volume, a reduced blood
flow, or an insufficient supply of oxygen.

CAUSES OF SHOCK
1. Significant loss of blood.
2. Heart failure
3. Dehydration
4. Severe and painful blows to the body

Signs and Symptoms of Shock

1. Sweaty but cool skin (cold and clammy)
2. Paleness of the skin
3. Restlessness or nervousness
4. Thirstiness and dry mouth
5. Fast and shallow breathing
6. Dilated pupils
7. Rapid Pulse Nausea or vomiting

First Aid Measures for Shock

1. Control Bleeding
2. Replacement of fluids
3. Control the pain
4. Prevention from heat exposure
5. Loosen the clothing
6. Elevate the casualty fees higher than the level of the heart (Shock position)
7. NPO ( Nothing by mouth) to an unconsciousness patient

DROWNING
- Drowning is a type of asphyxia (inability to breathe) related to either respiration of fluids or obstruction of
the airway caused y spasm of the larynx while the victim is in the water.
- Drowning is a major cause of accidental death, occurring in swimming, diving, and other water activities,
usually in unsupervised water areas. Drowning can also occur in the home pools, bathtubs, washtubs and
in shallow water.

First Aid Measures for Drowning

a. Open the airway by tilting the head and
lifting the chin.
b. Open the mouth and check for any
obstructions.
c. If there are no obstruction , look, listen,
and feel for breathing

1. LOOK at the rise and fall of the chest.

2. LISTEN for breaths with your ear close
to the nose and mouth of the victim
3. FEEL with your cheek for air coming
from the nose or mouth.
d. If the victim is breathing, place him or her
in the recovery position as shown in the photo above.
e. If the victim is not breathing , perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation.(CPR)

WOUND
- Is break in the continuity of a tissue of the body, either internal or external. Wounds are classified as
open and closed. An open is a break in the skin in a mucous membrane. A closed wound involves tissues
without a break in the skin or mucous membrane.

Two types of Wounds

All rights reserved. No parts of this document may be reproduced, distributed in any form or by any means including photocopying or any
electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the writer except in the case of brief quotations embodied in
critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copy right law.
 1. Open wounds
2. Closed wounds

Causes of Open Wounds

1. Abrasion Wounds- Result from scraping the skin and thereby damaging it.
2. Incised Wound- Are cuts in the body tissues, which are common caused by sharp-edged objects such as
knives, metal edges, broken glass, or surgical blades.
3. Lacerated wounds- are jagged, irregular, or blunt breaks or tears in the soft tissues. Bleeding may be
rapid or extensive.
4. Puncture wound – are produced by bullets and sharp pointed objects, such as pins, nails, or needles,
produce puncture wounds-. External bleeding is usually minor, but the puncturing object may penetrate
deep into the body, damage organs and cause severe internal bleeding.
5. Avulsion wound - involves the forcible separation or tearing of tissue from the victim’s body.

ABRASION INCISED PUNCTURE LACERATED AVULSION

First Aid Measures for Open Wounds

b. Direct pressure – the first aider needs to directly press his/her finger or palm on the wound with an
adequate amount of force to constrict the blood vessels and decrease bleeding.
c. Elevation – the first aider may elevate the injured part of the body above the heart. This would allow
gravity to act on the blood flow and prevent bleeding.
d. Pressure on the supplying artery – the first aider may also directly press the supplying artery that
causes the excessive bleeding. This will help avoid excessive loss of blood.
e. Tourniquet – This device functions to control the bleeding from vein or an artery. This can be done with
the use of a rubber tourniquet or a bandage.
f. Dressing – also called compressing, is an immediate protective cover placed over a wound to assist in
the control of haemorrhage, to absorb blood and wound secretions, to prevent additional
contaminations, and to ease pain. It must be sterile.
g. Bandaging – is the skillful application of bandages of various kind, usually triangular or roller bandages.
 Bandaging – is a strip of woven material used to hold a wound dressing or splint in place. It
helps to immobilize, support, or protect an injured part of the body. A bandage must be clean
but it does not need to be sterile.

Causes of Closed Wounds

1. Petechiae – are pinpoint sized, red or purple spots on the skin resulting from small haemorrhages of
the capillaries (smallest blood vessels) in the skin layer.
2. Contusions – are injuries in which tiny blood vessels beneath are ruptured, but the skin itself is not
broken.
3. Strain – is an overstretching of a muscle instead of actual tearing.
4. Sprain – is the partial or complete disruption in the continuity of a muscular or ligamentous support of
a joint.

PETECHIAE CONTUSION STRAIN SPRAIN

All rights reserved. No parts of this document may be reproduced, distributed in any form or by any means including photocopying or any
electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the writer except in the case of brief quotations embodied in
critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copy right law.
First Aid for Closed Wound
a. Cold Compress – initially, an ice pack should be placed on the injured area to reduce swelling and
possible internal bleeding
b. Immobilization – for sprains, refrain from moving or massaging the joint to avoid further injury. Put
bandage on the injured joint with a splint to keep it immobilized.

FRACTURE
- It is a break in the continuity of the bone. Generally, a fracture comes in two kinds: Open and Closed.

Signs and Symptoms of fracture

a. Deformity
b. Tenderness on the affected area
c. Swelling
d. Pain
e. Presence of a protruding bone.
f. Inability to move the injured part.
g. Bleeding
h. Discoloration on the affected area.

First Aid measures of Fracture

1. Immobilize fracture by applying a splint secured by
a bandage.
2. Apply cold compress te reduce pain and swelling
3. Control bleeding and apply sterile dressing to an
open wound.
4. Apply the treatment for shock.
5. Give a pain reliever if pain is severe.
6. Avoid unnecessary holding of the injured part.
7. Place the patient on a stretch and secure the injured part enough to keep it from moving while he is
transported.
8. Bring the patient to the nearest medical facility as soon as possible.
- It occurs when a tissue is damaged as caused by excessive heat, electricity, radioactivity, or chemicals that
corrode the protiens in the skin cells.

Degrees of Burn

a. 1st Degree – involves only the epidermids; causes mild pain ang erythema (redness); no blisters; and
skin functions remain intact.
b. 2nd Degree – destroys the epidermid and part of the dermis; some skin functions are lost. It causes
redness, blisters formation, edema and severe pain.
c. 3rd Degree – destroys the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous layer; most skin functions are lost.
The burned area may be numb beacause the pain sensory nerve endings located at the dermis are
destroyed.

First Aid Treatment

a. Immerse or wash the area with cold water.
b. Do not brake the blister in second degree burns.
c. Put banana leaves, foil or cellophane.
d. Apply burn ointment, such as petroleum jelly, if available.
e. In cases of third degree burns, take the burn vixtim to the nearest medical facility as soon as possible.
f. Do not cover the burn with dressing made up of fibers that easily break, such as cotton.

1st DEGREE 2 nd DEGREE 3 rd DEGREE

All rights reserved. No parts of this document may be reproduced, distributed in any form or by any means including photocopying or any
electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the writer except in the case of brief quotations embodied in
critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copy right law.
HEAT INJURY
- Heat injury is an environmental injury when one is over exposed to extreme heat or high temperature.

Types of Heat Injury

a. Heat Cramps happens when there is inadequate salt and electrolytes in the body.
b. Heat Exhaustion is caused by a low amount of water in the body.
c. Heat Stroke is caused by failure of the body’s cooling mechanism.

Signs and Symptoms

a. Muscle cramps in the arm, legs or stomach

b. Wet, sweaty skin
c. Extreme thirst
d. Weakness
e. Dizziness
f. Headache
g. Tingling of hands and feet
h. Rapid but weak respiration and pulse
i. Victim may lose consciousness

First Aid Measures

1. Transfer the victim to a cool or shady area.

2. Loosen tight clothing
3. Have the victim drink slowly at least one liter of water.
4. Apply cold compress or ice bath if available.
5. Elevate the victim’s legs in a stroke position.
6. Monitor the victim until the symptoms lessen or disappear.
7. Seek a doctor’s assistance if symptoms persist.

POISON
- It refers to any solid, liquid or gas substance that tends to impair health or cause death when introduced
into the body or into the skin surface.

Methods of Administration of Poison

a. Ingestion (by mouth)
b. Injection (skin or blood vessel)
c. Inhalation (breathed in)

First Aid Measure

a. Check for vital functioning (pulse
and breathing) and
administer CPR if necessary.
b. If victim is convulsing, prevent
further injury.
c. If poison is unknon, corrosive, or
flammable, do not induced
vomiting nor activated
charcoal.
d. If poison in knon and not corrosive
of flammable, induce vomiting with
SYRUP OF IPECAC folloed by 4-5
glasses of water. Once the victim
has vomited, give activated charcoal if available.
e. If the poison container is present but is unknown by the first aider. Immediately take the victim to the
nearest medical facility, show the container to the doctor, and allow the doctor to treat the victom.

SNAKE BITES

All rights reserved. No parts of this document may be reproduced, distributed in any form or by any means including photocopying or any
electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the writer except in the case of brief quotations embodied in
critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copy right law.
 - It is an injury caused by a poisonous snake. VENOM is a poison injected into the victim’s body through a
bite of asnake.

Characteristics of Poisonous Snakes

a. Flat and almost triangular or
diamond-shape head
b. With fangs and poison sacks
c. Slit like pupils
d. With sensory pit
e. Fang mark on the bite site
f. Thick bodies
g. Color markings

Characteristics of Non-poisonous Snakes

a. Oval-shaped head
b. No sensory pit
c. No fang mark on the bite site
d. Rounded pupils

Preventive Measures
a. Handle freshly killed venomous snakes only with a long tool or stick. Snake can inflict fatal bites by
reflex action even after death.
b. Wear heavy boots and clohing for protection from snake bites especially in a thick forest or grassy
area
c. Eliminate conditions under which snakes thrive: brush, piles of trash, rocks or logs and dense
undergrowth. Controlling their foods as much as possible is also a good prevention.

First Aid Measures for Snake Bites

a. Identify the snake and determine if it is poisonous or nonpoisonous.
b. Wash the area thoroughly with clean water.
c. Have the victim lie quietly and instruct him or her not to do any unnecessary movements.
d. Do not take elevate the bitten extremity. Keep it at level with the body.
e. Keep the victim comfortable and reassure him or her.
f. If the part bitten is an arm or leg, place a constricting band about 1-2 fingerbreadths above and below
the bite. If the bite is on the hand or foot, place a single band above the flow of blood near the skin
but not tight above the flow of blood near the skin but not tight enough to interfere with circulation.
g. If swelling extends beyond the band, move or place another bond above the first one.
h. Never give the vitim food, alcohol, stimulants, drugs, or tobacco.
i. Remove rings, watches or other jewerly from the affected area.
j. Ring the victim to the nearest medical facility as soon as possible to administer anti-venom if
necessary. When possible, bring the snake that bit the victim.

Important Caution
- For snake bites, do not attempt to cut or open the bite or suck out the venom. The venom may enter
any daamaged or lacerated tissues in your mouth and enter your circulation.

DOG BITES
- It is an injury caused by a dog. Thid type of injury becomes fatal if the dog
that bit the victim is infcted with the rabies virus.

First Aid Measures for Dog Bites

a. Wipe the dog’s saliva from the wound with a clean cloth. Do not be
in contact with the saliva because it may transmit the virus to you.
b. Wash the injury thoroughly with soap and clean water.
c. Cover the wound with a sterile dressing if available and do not put
any substance on the wound
d. Trnsport the victim to the nearest medical facility as soon as
possible.
e. If the dog is caught, let a veterinarian (animal doctor) assess if it has the rabies virus.
ALLERGIC REACTIONS (Allergy)

All rights reserved. No parts of this document may be reproduced, distributed in any form or by any means including photocopying or any
electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the writer except in the case of brief quotations embodied in
critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copy right law.
 - It occurs when a person’s immune system reacts to normally harmless substances in the environment,
known as allergens.

Most Common Allergens

a. Insect stings
b. Certain food
c. Medications
d. Pollen, plants, or floers
e. Dust and fibers

Signs and Symptoms of an Allergic Reaction

a. Hives (red, elevated, irregular-shaped

spots on the skin)
b. Itchiness
c. Nasal congestion
d. Rashes
e. Red, watery eyes (rhinitis)

First Aid for an Allergic Reaction

a. Calm and reassure the person having the reaction, as anxiety can make the symptoms worse.
b. Try to identify the alergen and have the person avoid further contact with it.
c. If the allergic reactions is frm a bee sting, scrape the sting off the skin with something firm (such as
fingernail or plastic card). Do not use teezers since squeezing the stringer will release more venom.
d. Apply cold compress to the rashes and /or hives and apply anti-allergy medications such as
diphenhydramine.
e. If rashes continue to develop, administer over-the-counter anti-allergy medications such as
diphenhydramine.
f. Observe the peson for signs of anaphylatic shock.

ANAPHYLACTIC SHOCK (Anaphylaxis)

- It ia sudden and severe allergic reaction that occurs within minutes of exposure to the allergen.
- Immediate medical attention is needed for this type of rreaction because it can cause death in less
than half an hour if untreatetd.

Signs and Symptoms of Anaphylaxis

a. High-pitched breathing sounds

(wheezing)
b. Chest tightness
c. Cough or difficulty in breathing
d. Dizziness
e. Nausea or vomiting
f. Abdominal pain
g. Redness and swelling of the face
h. Hives and itchiness on different
parts of the body
i. Unconsciousness

First Aid for Anaphylaxis

a. Seek medical attention immediately.

b. Calm and reassure the person having the reaction.
c. Do not wait for the reaction to orsen.
d. If the person has allergy medication on hand, help the person take or inject the medication. Avoid oral
medication if the person is having difficulty in breathing.

NOSE BLEEDING (Epistaxis)

All rights reserved. No parts of this document may be reproduced, distributed in any form or by any means including photocopying or any
electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the writer except in the case of brief quotations embodied in
critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copy right law.
 - It is the realatively common occurrence of hemorrhage from the nose, usually noticed when the blood
drains out through the nostrils.

Two types of Nose Bleeding

a. Anterior – the most common

b. Posterior – less common and require medical
attention.

Possible Causes of Nosebleeds

a. Infection
b. Trauma
c. Allergic rhinitis
d. Blood-thinning medications
e. Blood diseases such as hemophilia or anemia

First Aid for Nosebleeds

a. Pinch all the soft parts of the nose together between the thumb and index finger, and press firmly
against the bones of the face.
b. Lean forward slightly with the head tilted forward. Leaning back or tilting the head back will cause the
blood flow into the throat and can cause choking.
c. Hold the nose for at least 5 minutes. Repeat as necessary until the nose has stopped bleeding.
d. Sit quietly, keeping the head higher than the level of the heart. Do not lay flat or put your head
between your legs.
e. Apply ice (wrapped in a towel) to nose and cheeks.

HYPERVENTILATION
- It is also known as over breathing. It is breathing in excess of what the body needs. The normal rate of
breathinh is 16-20 breaths or cycle per minute. If the respiration rate of a person is above that range
and the signs and symptoms are present, the person may be suffering from hyperventilation.

Signs and Symptoms of Hyperventilation

a. Chest pain or discomfort

b. Dizziness
c. Feeling of choking or suffocation
d. Anxiety
e. Fast breathing
f. Muscle spasm in the hands and/or
feet
g. Weakness
h. Palpitations or rapid pulse

First Aid for Hyperventilation

a. Remain calm. The first aider needs to calmly instruct tha patient to breathe deep, slowly, and
normally. If the first aider panics, it might cause more anxiety to the patient.
b. Instruct the patient to perform DEEP BREATHING EXERCISE by inhaling through the nose and slowly
breathing out through the mouth with pursed lips (like blowing a candle)
c. If the patient fails to follo the instructions, use a brown paper bag to compensate the high amount of
oxygen in the system.position the patient sitting down with knees bent towards the chest and with the
head leaning forward and touching the knees. This will promote circulation to the different parts of
the body.
d. Is symptoms persist after several minutes, seek medical attention.

All rights reserved. No parts of this document may be reproduced, distributed in any form or by any means including photocopying or any
electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the writer except in the case of brief quotations embodied in
critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copy right law.
CHOKING (Airway Obstruction)
- It is the blocking of the airway that occurs when a
foreign object gets lodges in the respiratory tract
(throat or windpipe). It may be partial or complete.
- NOTE: if he/she is able to talk, then the obstruction is
only partial. However, if the patient is unable to talk,
then the obstruction is complete.
First Aid for Complete Obstruction

a. Calm the patient. Anxiety may cause him or her to move

unnecessarily and it may cause foreign object to move
further into the respiratory tract and cause a complete
obstrution.
b. Instruct the patient to forcefully cough out the foreign
object. Do not attempt to reach into thhe throat of the
patient with your fingers and swipe the foreign object.
This may cause the object to be pushed don into the
windpipe.
c. If coughing is ineffective, assist the patient by deliviring
several ack blos between the shoulder blades with the
heel of your hand.
d. Observe for complete airway obstruction.

First Aid for Complete Obstruction

a. Perform abdominal thrusts known as the HEIMLICH MANEUVER,
done in the following manner:
1. Stand behind the person and wrap your arms around his or her
waist. Let the person lean slightly forward.
2. Make a fist with one hand and grasp the fist with the other
hand.
3. Position the fist above the patient’s belly button (navel).
4. Press hard into the abdmen with a quick, upward thrust.
5. Repeat five times.
b. If the Heimlich Manuever fails after 5 thrusts, apply five back blos
between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.
c. If the person is unconscious, call for medical help and perform CPR to dislodge the obstruction.

DIZZINESS
- It is a ord that is used to discribed two different situations, such as:
a. Lightheadedness is a feeling that you are
about to lose consciousness or faint.
b. Vertigo is a feeling that you or your
environment is moving or spinning but there
is no actual movement.
First Aid for Dizziness

a. Let the person sit or lie down lightheadedness is

usually relieved by lying don.
b. Avoid sudden changes is position.
c. Let the person drink fluids if there is no nausea or
vomiting.
d. Call for medical assistance if dizziness is not relieved after several minutes.
e.

SEIZURE
- It is the physical finding or change that occurs after an episode or abnormal electricity activity in the brain.
- This term is often used interchangeable with CONVULSIONS, which is decribed as the rapid and
uncontrollably shaking of the person’s body, caused by muscle contractions. There are different types of
seizures. Some have mild symptoms and no shaking symptoms.
-

All rights reserved. No parts of this document may be reproduced, distributed in any form or by any means including photocopying or any
electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the writer except in the case of brief quotations embodied in
critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copy right law.
Possible Signs and Symptoms of Seizures

a. Brief blackout followed by period of confusion

b. Drooling or frothing at the mouth
c. Abnormal eye movements
d. Loss of bowel or bladder control
e. Mood changes
f. Shaking of entire body or a part of the body
g. Sudden falling or loss of consciousess
h. Teeth clenching
i. Uncontrollable muscle spasms with twitching and jerking
j. Dizziness or eakness before the attack

First Aid for Seizures

a. When a seizure occurs, the main goal is to protect the person from injury. Prevent the person from
falling and lay the person down on a safe area. Clear the RE for objects that may cause injury.
b. Cushion or support the patient’s
head.
c. Loosen clothing, especially
around the patient’s neck.
Remove necklace or sharp
objects.
d. Turn the person on his or her
sides to avoid airway obstruction.
e. Look for a medical bracelet since
persons who experience seizure
usually have a medical condition
such as epilepsy or brain injury.
f. Stay with the patient until the
seizure episode is over.
g. Seek medical assistance if seizure
persists.
h. Do not restrain the patient to
avoid injury.
i. Do not pud anything inside the
person’s mouth.

All rights reserved. No parts of this document may be reproduced, distributed in any form or by any means including photocopying or any
electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the writer except in the case of brief quotations embodied in
critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copy right law.
All rights reserved. No parts of this document may be reproduced, distributed in any form or by any means including photocopying or any
electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the writer except in the case of brief quotations embodied in
critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copy right law.