What is First Aid?

What is First Aid?

Help given to a sick or injured person
First aid is the difference you can make to assist someone
Crucial to the outcome
Simple and complex

DRABC-D

Individual Basic First Aid Equipment List?

Individual Basic First Aid Equipment List

1 Triangular bandage
1 elastic bandage
6 adhesive dressing strips (various sizes)
1 tube of antiseptic cream or spray
1 tube of insect bite cream
Paracetamol
1 saline water
2 sterile wound dressings

1 eye pad
1 blister repair kit

1 scissors
1 splinter probe and
tweezers
Safety pins
Latex gloves
Mirror (rescue)
First aid notes and pencil
Note that not everything here has to
be taken to every camp ever designed
Some may need more first aid based
equipment, and some less

Blisters What are they? How can they occur?

Blisters What are they? How can they occur?

A Blister is a small bubble on the skin filled with serum and caused
by friction, burning or other damage
Common occurrence on the feet
Friction
Temperature extremes
Chemical exposure

Scenarios
A student has unintentionally grabbed a hot pan and a blister begins
to form. Indicate how you would respond and treat the victim.
During a walk a student complains of sore feet. After inspection the
student has;
A. Begun to form a blister
B. Walked until a blister has broken

Indicate how you would respond and treat the victim.

What treatments are there?

Treatments

Most will heal on their own

May need attention if found on the feet
Popped or removed = potential invasion by bacteria
Covering the blister with a Band-Aid or gauze
Resist the urge to peel off any dead skin on the top
Allow the fluid to drain away naturally and carefully wash it mild
soapy water
Sterile, dry dressing

Treatments
The same rules apply for blisters on any other part of the body
Most likely occur on the feet through friction
If it were on the hands, it will be easier to take care of once a
blister has occurred
On the hands Positives Can heal easily when walking
Negatives Can worsen if rock climbing or kayaking
On the feet Negatives Will always rub

What preventions are there?

Prevention
Friction blisters are best prevented by removing the cause of the
friction
To avoid blister on the feet;
Wear well fitted, comfortable footwear and clean socks
Badly fitted or stiff shoes can cause blisters on the feet
This can be from new shoes that havent been grooved into

To avoid blisters on the hands;

Wearing gloves will prevent the majority of blisters (convenient if cold)

Prevention

Simply breaking in walking or hiking boots

Prepping is key
Friction management patches
These will remain in place for much longer, throughout many
changes of socks or insoles

Snake Bites

What would you do?

Quickly discuss with the person next to you the steps you would
take if someone was bitten by a snake.

Symptoms

Some symptoms that may indicate a person has been bitten by a snake include:
Impaired vision
Vomiting

Nausea
Headaches
Difficulty breathing
Difficulty speaking or swallowing
Diarrhoea
Faintness
(St John, 2014).

Steps to follow
Steps to follow if someone has received a snake bite:
1. Follow DRSABCD (refer to St Johns sheet)
2. Communicate with the patient that they are not to move and reassure them you are there to help
3. Apply a broad crepe bandage over the bite site as soon as possible
4. Apply a pressure bandage to the bitten limb. Either start the bandage at the toes or fingers,
depending on the bitten limb, and move upwards (including the snake bite). Make sure the tips of the
toes or fingers are visible to check circulation. Ensure the bandage has been applied firmly without
stopping blood supply to limb and has been placed as far up the limb as can be reached.
5. Immobilise the bandaged limb with splints, but be careful not to move the bitten limb too much.
6. Ensure the patient does not move.
7. Write down the time the patient was bitten and when the bandage was applied (mark on the
bandage where the bite is if known).
Stay with the patient.
9. Regularly check circulation in fingers or toes.
10. Manage for shock.
11. Ensure an ambulance has been called

Things to Remember
IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER!!
NEVER wash venom off the skin!
NEVER wash the snake bite!
NEVER cut the bitten area!
NEVER try to suck the venom out of the wound!
NEVER use a tourniquet!
NEVER try to catch the snake!

Legend

Insect Bites & Stings

Insect Bites
Leaves a puncture wound
Usually clears up within a day or two
Symptoms vary depending on type of insect. Common symptoms;
Skin irritation
Inflammation or swelling
Bump or blister around the bite

Insect Stings
Puncture wound
Insect will leave behind saliva, faeces (poo) or venom.
Common Symptoms;
Intense burning feeling
Redness around the sting site
Swelling round the site (may be more severe in an allergic reaction i.e. larger
part swollen)
Blisters may occur (generally caused by allergic reaction)
Pain usually eases after an hour or so.

Scenarios

1. You are on a walk with your students and one complains of a bee sting. Once you have treated the student they
begin to show signs of swelling in the face and difficulty breathing. Identify the signs and symptoms and
indicate how you would respond.
2. After stopping for a quick break during a bush walk a student notices a small Tick attached to their calf.
Indicate how you would respond.
3. While at campsite a student is stung on the foot by a Jack Jumper Ant. Their face begins to swell and hives
have formed at the sting site. Identify the signs and symptoms and indicate how you would respond.
4. While on a bush walk two of your students complain of stinging and itchiness to a small area on their arm. They
have brushed past, and been stung by a caterpillar. Identify the signs and symptoms and indicate how you
would respond.
5. Late at night you hear a loud scream from one of the student sleeping areas, a student has been stung by a
scorpion during sleep. Identify how you would respond.
6. While cleaning up a cooking area a student is stung by a wasp. You notice scraps of food left by other groups.
Identify how you would respond to the victim and how you could prevent this from happening in the future.

Bee, Wasp & Ant Sting

Most common insects to cause anaphylaxis

Bee Sting
Symptoms
Swelling, redness, itchiness, pain
Treatment
Remove sting by scraping your fingernail or card across it. (do not
pull it out as the venom sack may still be attached and will release
more venom)
Wash area and apply ice to reduce swelling
If pain persists massage the area around the sting

Anaphylaxis
As a result of a bee sting
Dizziness, asthma, and feeling hot all over are signs of an allergic
reaction.
Apply DRABC-DE
Adrenaline autoinjector (EpiPen) to treat anaphylaxis.
Seek medical help if condition deteriorates

Wasp Sting
Symptoms
Pain, swelling, redness around the site.
Treatment
Clean the affected area with soap and warm water
Apply icepack to reduce swelling and pain
May use pain-relieving medication and creams
If swelling persists antihistamines may respond positively.

Preventative
Avoid leaving food lying around
Check inside cans before drinking

Anaphylaxis
As a result of a wasp sting
Abdominal pain, vomiting, difficulty breathing and a drop in blood
pressure are signs of anaphylaxis
Apply DRABC-DE
Adrenaline autoinjector (EpiPen) to treat anaphylaxis.
Seek medical help if condition deteriorates

Ant Sting (Jack Jumper Ant)

Wash with soap and warm water
Apply antiseptic
Massage the area around the site using an ice-pack
Anaphylaxis caused by Jack Jumper Ant
Difficulty breathing, swelling in throat and tongue, persistent cough, vomiting or abdominal
pain, pale and losing consciousness are all signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction to this
sting.
Apply DRABC-DE
Adrenaline autoinjector (EpiPen) to treat anaphylaxis.
Seek medical help if condition deteriorates

Spider Bites

Funnel Web Spider

(found along the forest regions of the Australian east coast, and SAs gulf ranges, Related to the Mouse-Spider)
Puncture wound is usually very painful, followed by local bleeding
If bitten isolate the wound with pressure immobilisation bandage and seek immediate medical help. (Antivenom
is required)
Early Symptoms of Systemic envenomation
Goose bumps, sweating, tingling around the mouth and tongue, itching, salivation, watery eyes, elevated HR,
elevated blood pressure.
Progressive symptoms
Nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath (airway obstruction), agitation, confusion, writhing, grimacing, muscle
spasms, pulmonary oedema, metabolic acidosis, extreme hypertension.
Final Stages
Dilation of the pupils, uncontrolled muscle twitching, unconsciousness, elevated intracranial pressure and
death.

Redback Spider
Apply DRABC-DE
Wash the area and relieve pain with icepacks or iced water.
Do not bandage the area
Symptoms (depending on severity of poisoning from bite)
Mild burning sensation, sweating and sometimes goose bumps.
If symptoms persist seek medical treatment.

Tick Bite
(if tick had burrowed into skin) Remove using fine tweezers.
Gently pull straight out, ensuring the entire body is removed.
Wash site with warm soapy water.
Apply antiseptic and cover with a bandaid for 24 hours.
DO NOT use methylated spirits or alcohol to kill the tick, as this may cause the tick to release more
poison.
Symptoms usually an indication of Tick Typhus or Spotted Fever, and Flinders Island Spotted Fever
Rashes, headache, fever, flu like symptoms, tenderness of lymph nodes, unsteady gait, intolerance
to light, weakness of limbs, partial facial paralysis.
If symptoms persist, ensure that the tick is kept for identification purposes.
(most tick bites cause little or no symptoms and are not harmful)

Mosquito
Usually cause itchy bites.
Preventative measures
Cover up as much skin as possible, avoid outdoor activity during
dusk or dawn, and use insect repellents
Seek medical attention if you develop; flu-like symptoms,
headaches, chills, rashes, joint and muscle pains, fatigue, or
depression.

Caterpillar, Scorpion & Centipede Stings

Caterpillar stings
Remove visible hairs with tweezers
Apply and remove adhesive tape to the area to remove finer hairs
Do not scratch or rub as hairs may penetrate deeper

Scorpion and centipede stings

Apply ice pack to site
Wash the site with soap and water
Apply antiseptic to prevent infection

References
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/bites-and-stings-first-aid
http://
www.allergy.org.au/patients/insect-allergy-bites-and-stings/allergic-reactions-to-bites-and-st
ings
http://www.allergy.org.au/images/pcc/ASCIA_PCC_Allergic_reactions_bites_stings_2015.pdf
http://www.healthdirect.gov.au/insect-bites-and-stings
http://www.allergy.org.au/patients/insect-allergy-bites-and-stings/jack-jumper-ant-allergy
Newman, T. (2016, February). Blisters: Formation, Treatments and Prevention. Retrieved
from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/264783.php
Blister Prevention Patches. (2016). Retrieved August 7, 2016, from Tamarack Web site:
http://www.tamarackhti.com/friction_management/engo.asp
Rushton, R. (n.d.). How to use hydrocolloid dressings - properly. Retrieved from http://
www.blisterprevention.com.au/blister-blog/how-to-use-hydrocolloid-dressings