INTRODUCTION TO FIRST AID

First aid is an emergency care for a victim of sudden illness or injury until more skillful medical
treatment is available. First aid may save a life or improve certain vital signs including pulse,
temperature, a patent (unobstructed) airway, and breathing. In minor emergencies, first aid may
prevent a victim's condition from worsening or provide relief from pain.

First aid is the immediate care given to a person who has been injured or suddenly become ill. It
includes self-help and home care if medical assistance is not available or is delayed. It also
includes well-selected words of encouragement, evidence of willingness to help, and promotion
to confidence by demonstration of competence.

The principles and practice of First Aid are based on practical medicine and surgery, which
would, in case of accidents or sudden illness, enable trained persons to give such care until
medical aid is available.

Definition of terms

Emergency is a situation that poses an immediate risk to health, life, property or environment.
Injury is a general term that refers to any damage to the human body.
Self-aid is any are given to oneself.
First Aider refers to a person who gives first aid.
Hemorrhage is a escape of large quantities of from the blood vessels that may cause shock.
Shock is a state of condition when there is not enough or adequate blood supplies to the vital
tissues and organs.
Dressing is a sterile pad or a compressed sponge that is applied directly to cover the wound.
Bandage is a piece of material that is used to support a dressing, splint, or an injured part of a
person's body.
Fracture refers to a break in the continuity of a bone.
Venom is a poison secreted by some animals and injected into the body of victims through
bites.
Heat Injuries are environmental injuries that may result when a person is exposed to extreme
heat, such as from the sun or from high temperature.
Heat Cramps are muscle spasms caused by low levels of salt and water in the body.
Heat Exhaustion is caused by loss of water through sweating as caused by inadequate fluid
replacement; it may cause heat stroke.
Heat Stroke is a medical emergency and can be fatal if not treated promptly and correctly. It
occurs when a person experiences an abnormally elevated body temperature caused by failure
of the body's cooling mechanism when the environmental temperature is too high or there is
dehydration.
Cold Injuries are most likely to occur when an unprepared individual is exposed to very low
temperature and the blood circulation extremities become inadequate. This is also known as
frostbite.
Burn is a type of injury to flesh or skin caused by heat, electricity, chemicals, friction, or
radiation.

Characteristics of First Aider

1. Observant. The first aider should notice all signs and symptoms of the illness.

2. Resourceful. The first aider should make the best use of things at hand.

3. Gentle. The first aider should not cause pain to the victim/patient.

4. Tactful. The first aider should not alarm the victim/patient.

5. Sympathetic. The first aider should be comforting on the feelings and pain experienced by the
victim/patient.

6. Cheerful. The first aider should have expression that inspires confidence. a happy

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.

Basic Life Saving Steps

1. Check for blood circulation (pulse).

2. Check for breathing.

3. Check for bleeding.

4. Check for shock.

Purposes of First Aid Training

1. To prevent accidents.

2. To train people to do the right thing 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 numbers of persons caught in the natural disaster.

General Directions for First Aiding

1. Don't panic. The first aider must remain calm so that he or she has a clear mind during the
emergency situation.

2. Ensure the safety of the area. In an emergency situation, the first aider must first make sure
that the area is safe for him/her and the victim. He/she should transport the victim to a safer
place if necessary.

3. Check for vital functioning. The first aider should assess and monitor pulse and breathing of
the victim.

4. Check for injuries. The first aider must conduct careful physical examination of the victim to
prevent further injury. In cases of multiple injuries, the first aider should know which problem to
treat first.

5. Give the needed first aid urgently. The first aider must be capable of applying necessary and
appropriate steps to attain the objectives of first aiding.

6. Keep the victim lying down. The victim should be examined in a lying position in order to
immobilize the body

7. Keep the victim warm. This would help the victim recover faster by increasing the circulation
of blood throughout the body. The victim may be provided with a jacket, a blanket or a body
heat transfer by embracing the victim.

8. Do not give fluids to an unconscious or partly conscious person. This must be noted by every
person not only the first aiders and rescuers. The water may enter the windpipe and block the
airway passage. Do not attempt to arouse an unconscious person by shaking him because it
might cause further injury.

9. Following injury, do not lift a gasping person by the belt. This may aggravate injuries of the
back or internal organs.

10. Reassure the victim. The first aider should explain to the victim the first aid to be done and
how it will help him/her reduce the feelings of anxiety.

11. Be reluctant to make statements. The first aider should be reluctant to give statements to
the victim and bystanders about the injuries. It is not included within the first aider's tasks to
diagnose, evaluate and predict illnesses and injuries, but only to provide needed immediate
care.

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"x 3", 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 kit

Basic Equipment for First Aid

1. Spine Board

2. Short Board / Kendrick's Extrication Device

3. Sets of splints

4. Poles

5. Blankets

Suggested Contents of First Aid Kit

1. Rubbing Alcohol
2. Povidone Iodine

3. Cotton

4. Gauze pads

5. Tongue Depressor

6. Penlight

7. Band aid

8. Gloves

9. Scissors

10. Forceps

11.Triangular Bandage

12. Elastic Roller Bandage

13. Occlusive Dressing

14. Plaster