First Aid

Wanda Opland
Health Careers
JAMES VALLEY VOCATIONAL TECHNICAL CENTER
Artificial Respirations
• Brain Damage
• Airway
• Assess Breathing
• Respirations
– Adult
– Child / Infant
 Bleeding
• Primary technique to stop bleeding

• Do you remove a soaked dressing?

• Pressure Dressing
• Elevation

• Pressure Points
– Rt. and Lt. Brachial Artery
– Rt. and Lt. Femoral Artery
 Pressure on Brachial Artery
• Put Thumb on outside of arm,
fingers on inside of middle
upper arm and Squeeze….
 Pressure on Femoral Artery
• Place heel of hand directly over
femoral artery (located between
upper leg and pubic area), lean
forward keeping arm straight
and apply pressure.
 Tourniquet
• USE ONLY AS A LAST
RESORT !!!!!!!!!

• Once applied Never loosen

• Get Help at Once!!

Related Bleeding Emergencies
• Internal Bleeding
– Blood from rectum, mouth,
vagina or blood in urine
– Bruise or contusion
– Rapid pulse
– Cool and/or moist skin
– Painful, tender or hardspot on
abdomen
• Penetrating Object
– DO NOT REMOVE!

• Severed Body Part

– Control bleeding
– Do Not scrub body part
– Wrap in clean cloth, place in
sealed plastic bag and place in
bag containing ice
 Poisoning
• In case of Poisoning, the first thing
to be done….

• Why…

• 80% of poison victims under 5y/o

 Information for Poison
Control Center
• Age
• Weight
• Amount
• Type
• How long ago ingested
• Should the empty container be
kept?

• Only safe way to induce vomiting

• Labeled directions for poisoning

 Poisoning By Fumes
• Move victim into Fresh Air
 Prevention
• Beware: poisons can be inhaled,
Swallowed and absorbed by the skin
- Chemicals
- Plants
- Fumes
• Best First Aid is Prevention
 Shock
• A serious weakening of the body
causes by the loss of blood
pressure or sudden injury

• Sudden upset of mental or

emotional balance
 Symptoms
• Rapid, weak pulse
• General Weakness
• Irregular breathing
• Cold, pale, clammy skin
 As Victim Deteriates
• Eyes appear vacant, sunken
• Pupils may dilate
• Listless

** May die from Shock**

 Treatment for Shock
• Positioning and why…

• Positioning if spinal cord injury

suspected…
• Positioning with head injury…

• Positioning if unconscious…

• Blankets…

• No Fluids
• Classified according to
depth or degree of
skin
damage.
• First Degree Burn
• Second Degree Burn
• Third Degree Burn
 First Degree Burn
• Cause: overexposure to sun
– Light contact with hot objects
– Scalding by hot water or steam
 Signs of First Degree Burns
• Erythema
• Mild Swelling & Pain
• Rapid Healing
First Aid: First Degree Burns
• Cold Water NOT Ice Water
• Burn Lotion or Spray
• Dark Vinegar

• NO BUTTER OR OINTMENTS
 Second Degree Burns
• Results from a very deep
sunburn
• Contact with hot liquids
• Flash burns from gasoline etc.
Signs of Second Degree Burns
• Erythema Swelling
• Blisters Pain
• Open Wounds
• Wet appearance due to loss of
plasma through damaged skin
layers.
 First Aid: Second Degree
Burns
• Immerse in cold water NOT ice
water
• Apply cool conpresses
• Blot dry & apply sterile guaze or
clean cloth for protection
• DO NOT break blisters or remove
tissue
• DO NOT use an antiseptic
preparation, ointment, spray or
home remedy on a severe burn.

• If arm or legs are affected, keep

them elevated.
 Third Degree Burns
• Caused by flame, ingnited
clothing, immersion in hot
water, contact with hot objects,
or electricity.
 Signs of Third Degree Burns
• White or Charred appearance
• Deep tissue destruction
• Complete loss of all skin layers
• Nerve Damage
• Pain or No Pain
 First Aid: Third Degree Burns
• DO NOT remove pieces of
adhered particles of charred
clothing.
• Cover burn with thick, sterile or
freshly laundered cloth.
• If hands or legs involved, elevate.
• Face burns to sit up or prop them
up.
• DO NOT immerse or apply ice
water to burn area.
• Transport ASAP.
• DO NOT apply ointment,
commercial preparations, grease,
or other home remedies.
 Chemical Burns of the Skin
• First Aid:
– Remove clothing
– Flush with water ASAP for 15 – 20
minutes
– Get name / source of Chemical
– Seek Medical Attention ASAP
 Burns of the Eyes
• First Aid:
– Flush face, eyelid, & eye for 15 –
20 minutes ASAP
– Avoid rubbing eye
– Cover eye
– Seek medical attention ASAP
 Fractures

• A break or crack in a bone

• Cause: most commonly a MVA or:

– Accident related to a fall &
recreational and sports activities
 Signs and Symptoms
• May hear a bone snap
• Pain & tenderness, difficulty
moving injured body part
• Report of grating sensation
• Shortening of injured leg/arm
• Unusual angle or position of
body part
 First Aid
• Prevent motion to injured part
or adjacent joints
(immobilize)
• Apply splint

• Elevate involved extremity

 Splinting a Fracture
• Splint body part in position as
found
• Prevent injured area from moving
• Check for circulation before and
after splinting
 Head, Neck or Spinal Injury
• Symptoms:
– Change in consciousness
– Difficulty breathing
– Impaired vision
– Tingling or numbness in hands,
fingers, feet and/or toes
– Loss of balance
– Headache & vomiting
 First Aid
• Keep lying down
• Leave in position found in
• Call EMS
• If you do need to move, logroll
& support head and neck
Sprains
• R. I.C.E.
• R = rest
• I = ice
• C = compress
• E = elevate
Allergic Reaction
• Anaphylaxis – result of:
– Insect bite or bee sting
– Severe allergic reaction to
something ingested
• First Aid:
– Epinephrine and EMS
Diabetic
• Too much or too little sugar in
the body
– Symptoms: cool clammy skin,
weak dizzy
– First Aid: give sugar in form of
candy or drink
Frozen Body Parts
• Do not attempt to rewarm if a
chance the body part may
freeze again
• Needs to be thawed gradually
• Treat as though body part may
break
Heat Related Illness
• Heat Cramps

• Heat Exhaustion

• Heat Stroke
 Heat Cramps
• Symptoms:
Painful muscle cramps
Moist-cool skin - Heavy sweating
• First Aid:
Move to cool place
Massage and stretch muscles
 Heat Exhaustion
• Symptoms:
Cold, clammy skin – Weak pulse
Heavy sweating – Shallow breathing
Nausea – Dizziness – Weakness
• First Aid:
Move to cool place – cool by
fanning
Elevate legs - Apply cool packs
 Heat Stroke
• Symptoms:
Hot, dry, red skin - Confusion or
unconsciousness
Little or No sweating – Fast weak
pulse
• First Aid:
Move to cool place – Call EMS
Life Threatening
 Dental Emergencies

• Knocked out tooth:

– Place in container of whole milk if
tooth can be replaced in 30 min.
– Rinse tooth in cold water and place
back in socket, then go to dentist
ASAP:
Nose Bleeds

• Position victim in
a sitting position

• Keep head tilted

slightly forward
• Pinch both nostrils
• Apply ice to bridge of nose
• Put pressure on upper lip beneath
nose
• Once controlled DO NOT rub,
blow, or pick the nose
Rescue and Transfer
• Emergency rescue is a
procedure for moving a victim
from a dangerous location to a
place of safety
 Indications for Immediate
Rescue
• Fire, danger of explosion
• Danger of asphyxia due to lack of
O2 or gas
• Serious traffic hazard
• Risk of drowning
• Exposure to cold / heat
• Possibility of injury from
collapsing walls or building
• Electrical injury or potential
injury
• Pinning by machinery
 Procedure
• Avoid unnecessary disturbances
• Ensure open airway
• Control Bleeding
• Check for Injury
• Immobilize injured parts before
moving
• Transport
 Methods of Transfer
• Assist to walk
• Carry in Arms
• Pack strap Carry
• Fireman’s Carry
• Piggy Back Carry
• Two Man assist to walk
• Four Hand Seat
• Three Man Hammock Carry