LESSON IV

SAFETY, FIRST AID AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

Public safety involves the prevention of and protection from events that could
endanger the safety of the general public from significant danger, injury/harm, or
damage, such as crimes or disasters (natural or man-made).

This protection is typically provided by emergency service organizations such as

police, fire, and emergency medical services (EMS).

Additional organizations and job titles may include consumer protection, the
emergency telephone number system, animal control officers, security officers,
parking enforcement officers, police dispatchers, prosecutors, code enforcement
officers, various utility inspectors, health inspectors, and others.

Public security
To meet the increasing challenges in the public security area, responsible public
institutions and organisations can tap into their own intelligence to successfully
address possible threats in advance. They optimise their internal structures, use
synergies, and carefully balance costs and benefits of their measures.

Public security is the function of governments which ensures the protection of citizens,
organizations, and institutions against threats to their well-being – and to the
prosperity of their communities.

Organized crime and international terrorism are hardly deterred by geographical,

linguistic, or financial barriers. Competence and administrative hurdles play into their
hands. The latter has largely contributed to public security becoming an important
political and economic issue, nationally as well as internationally. Politics, public
organizations and businesses closely collaborate to guarantee public security and
maintain a stable environment for economic prosperity. Although public security
significantly contributes to the attractiveness of a location, the productivity of its
people, and hence the overall success of an economy, the sector frequently suffers
from low budgets, limited resources, and inadequate information systems. Large
events, pandemics, severe accidents, environmental disasters, and terrorism attacks
pose additional threats to public security and order. The police, federal police and
border authorities nonetheless need to warrant the security of the country as a
fundamental prerequisite for the domestic political ability to act. The quality and scope
of potential threats have changed significantly, and the tasks and general framework
for the police, federal police and border authorities have changed accordingly.

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First aid

Definition

First aid is an assessments and interventions that can be performed by a bystander

(or by the victim) with minimal or no medical equipment. A first aid provider is
defined as someone with formal training in first aid, emergency care, or medicine
who provides first aid. First aid assessments and interventions should be medically
sound and based on scientific evidence or, in the absence of such evidence, on
expert consensus. Administration of first aid must not delay activation of the
emergency medical services system or other medical assistance when required. It is
recognized that certain conditions can be treated with first aid may not require EMS
involvement or assistance by other medical professionals. First aid should be
universal: everyone can learn first aid and everyone should. It is not purely scientific
and is related to both training and regulatory issues. The definition of scope is
therefore variable, and it should be defined according to circumstances, need, and
regulatory requirements.

The goals of First Aid were to reduce morbidity and mortality due to emergency
events and to analyze the scientific evidence that answers the following questions:
What are the most common emergency conditions that lead to significant
morbidity and mortality?
In which of these emergency conditions can morbidity or mortality be reduced by
the intervention of a first aid provider?
How strong is the scientific evidence that interventions performed by a first aid
provider are safe, effective, and feasible?

First aid guidelines in terms of;

Seizures
The general principles of first aid management of seizures are to (1) prevent injury,
(2) ensure an open airway, and (3) ensure that the airway remains open after the
seizure has ended.
The victim of a seizure must be protected from injury. Protect the head with a pillow
or other soft material. Do not restrain the victim during a seizure or place any object
in the victim’s mouth. Restraining the victim may cause musculoskeletal or soft-
tissue injury. Placing an object in the victim’s mouth is futile because most tongue
biting occurs at the onset of seizure activity and attempts to insert an object may
cause dental damage or aspiration or may injure the rescuer’s fingers. To prevent
aspiration of secretions and maintain an open airway, place the victim in a recovery
position after the seizure stops. It is not unusual for the victim to be unresponsive or
confused for a short time after a seizure.

Bleeding
Control of bleeding is one of the few actions by which you can critically influence
outcome. Control external bleeding by applying pressure over the bleeding area until

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bleeding stops or S rescuers arrive. The important factors in successful control of
bleeding are to apply pressure firmly and for a long time.

Methods of applying pressure include

● Manual pressure on gauze or other cloth placed over the bleeding source. If
bleeding continues, do not remove the gauze; add more gauze on top and
apply more pressure.
● An elastic bandage firmly wrapped over gauze to hold it in place with pressure.

Wounds and Abrasions

Irrigate wounds and abrasions with clean running tap water for 5 minutes or until
there appears to be no foreign matter in the wound. If running water is unavailable,
use any source of clean water. Wounds heal better and with less infection if an
antibiotic ointment or cream is used and triple antibiotic ointment appears to be
superior to single antibiotic ointment or cream. Apply antibiotic ointment or cream
only if the victim’s wound is an abrasion or is superficial.

Snakebite

Do not apply suction as first aid for snakebite. Suction does remove some venom,
but the amount is very small, suction has no clinical benefit, and it may aggravate
the injury. In case of an elapid (eg, coral) snakebite, wrap a bandage snugly
(comfortably tight but loose enough to slip or fit a finger under it) around the entire
length of the bitten extremity, immobilize the extremity, and get definitive medical
help as rapidly as possible. Wrapping the extremity slows dissemination of venom by
slowing lymph flow. There is a paucity of studies evaluating whether pressure and
immobilization bandage are effective in bites by nonelapid snakes.

Drowning

Drowning is a major cause of unintentional death. It can be prevented with isolation

fencing around swimming pools (gates should be self-closing and self-latching),
wearing personal flotation devices (life jackets) while in, around, or on water, and
never swimming alone.
Outcome following drowning depends on the duration of the submersion, the water
temperature, and how promptly CPR is started. Case reports have documented
intact neurologic survival in small children following prolonged submersion in icy
waters. Remove the victim rapidly and safely from the water, but do not place
yourself in danger.

If you have special training, you can start rescue breathing while the victim is still in
the water if it does not delay removing the victim from the water. There is no
evidence that water acts as an obstructive foreign body, so don’t waste time trying to
remove it. Start CPR with two effective ventilations and continue with 5 cycles (about

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2 minutes) of chest compressions and ventilations before activating EMS. If two
rescuers are present, send the second rescuer to activate EMS immediately.

Animal bites
If an animal bites you or your child, follow these guidelines:
 For minor wounds. If the bite barely breaks the skin and there is no danger
of rabies, treat it as a minor wound. Wash the wound thoroughly with soap
and water. Apply an antibiotic cream to prevent infection and cover the bite
with a clean bandage.
 For deep wounds. If the animal bite creates a deep puncture of the skin or
the skin is badly torn and bleeding, apply pressure with a clean, dry cloth to
stop the bleeding and see your doctor.
 For infection. If you notice signs of infection, such as swelling, redness,
increased pain or oozing, see your doctor immediately.
 For suspected rabies. If you suspect the bite was caused by an animal that
might carry rabies — including any wild or domestic animal of unknown
immunization status — see your doctor immediately.

Doctors recommend getting a tetanus shot every ten years. If your last one was
more than five years ago and your wound is deep or dirty, your doctor may
recommend a booster. You should have the booster within 48 hours of the injury.

Human bites

Human bites can be as dangerous as or even more dangerous than animal bites
because of the types of bacteria and viruses contained in the human mouth. If
someone cuts his or her knuckles on another person's teeth, as might happen in a
fight, this is also considered a human bite.

If you sustain a human bite that breaks the skin:

1. Stop the bleeding by applying pressure.

2. Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water.
3. Apply an antibiotic cream to prevent infection.
4. Apply a clean bandage. If the bite is bleeding, apply pressure directly on the
wound using a sterile bandage or clean cloth until the bleeding stops.
5. Seek emergency medical care.

If you haven't had tetanus shot within five years, your doctor may recommend a booster. In
this case you should have the booster within 48 hours of the injury.

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 Disaster Preparedness

Guidelines in Case of Disaster

Earthquake

Because earthquakes can happen anytime, you should act immediately once there is
ground shaking. Earthquake drills are very important to help you react immediately
and properly. During an earthquake drill, you should be able to follow your teacher’s
command.

You will:
1. Immediately TAKE COVER under desks, tables, or in a strong doorway. TURN
AWAY from windows, shelves, and heavy objects and furniture that may fall.
2. Stay under shelter until shaking stops.
3. Be silent and listen to instructions.
4. Leave the building quickly, calmly and orderly only after ground shaking stops.
5. Go to the designated open-space assembly area outside the school building.

What To Do During an Earthquake?

1. Don’t Panic! Stay inside the house or building, don’t go out. The best thing to do is
to protect you from falling debris by hiding under a strong table or structure. Stay
away from glass windows for they might break and cut you.
2. Stay indoors until the shaking stops and you're sure it's safe to exit.
3. If you are outside, stay outside. Proceed to an open place away from falling electric
wires, trees or walls. Drop to the ground until the shaking stops.
4. Don’t turn on the gas tank in case of a leak.
5. Use the stairs instead of the elevator.
6. If you are inside a car, avoid passing on an overpass or bridge. They may be
damaged by the quake and collapse. Keep the car on a safe open place while
waiting for help to come. Be careful of overhead hazards such as power lines or
falling building debris. Stay inside the car until the shaking stops.
7. If you live near the sea, remember that an earthquake can cause a tsunami,
evacuate right away to a higher place.
8. If you are inside a crowded building like a movie house, don’t race out. Don’t panic
and avoid falling objects.
9. If you have pets, don't try to hold your pet during a quake. Animals instinctively
want to hide when their safety is threatened. If you get in their way, even the nicest
pets may hurt you.

Typhoon
 Stay indoors and keep calm.
 Monitor TV and radio reports.
 Secure your home.
 Trim trees near dwelling.

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  Keep roads clear for emergency vehicles.
 If your house is a flood prone area, go to the nearest designated evacuation
center.
 Have a flashlight and radio handy, with fresh battery.
 Stock up on food, potable water, kerosene, batteries, and first aid supplies.
 In case of flooding, turn off the main sources of electricity, gas and water in
your home.
 Stack furniture above the expected flood level. Keep appliances, valuables,
chemical, toxic substances and garbage beyond reach of floodwaters.
 Avoid low-lying areas, riverbanks, creeks and coastal areas, slopes cliffs
and foothills. Rains can trigger landslides, rockslides or mudslides.
 Avoid wading through flooded areas. Do not attempt to cross flowing
streams.
 Do not operate any electrical equipment.
 Do not use gas or electrical appliances that have been flooded.

References:

Espiritu EI, Javier ER, Ignacio JC, Co; National Service Training Program, Developing a
Responsible Citizen Towards Community Development; Mutya Publishing House, Inc; 2008

Primer on Natural Disaster Preparedness and Coping Mechanisms;United Nations Educational,

Scientific and Cultural Organization Bangkok, Thailand and University of the PhilippinesNational
Institute for Science and Mathematics Education Development; 2005

http://www.gov.ph

http://www.firstaidweb.com

http://www.wikipedia.com

http://www.cdera.org

http://www.redcross.org