Introduction

A person who gives treatment for the one suffering

from a disease or an accident, to improve his
condition is called an” aides” and the medical
treatment given as aid is called “ first aid”

• If an accident happens in the workplace, you

cannot be a helpless witness, since simply standing
by can potentially worsens the situation. This is why
it’s important to have at least a basic knowledge of
first aid.
Definition

• First aid is the provision of immediate care to a

victim with an injury or illness, usually effected by
a lay person, and performed within a limited skill
range.

• First aid is an emergency aid or treatment given to

someone injured, suddenly ill, etc., before regular
medical services arrive or can be reached.
Objectives of first aid/guiding principle:

The key guiding principles and purpose of first aid,

is often given in the mnemonic "3 Ps".
These three points govern all the actions
undertaken by a first aider.
• Prevent further injury
• Preserve life
• Promote recovery
Philosophy of First Aid

In the pre-hospital setting, the key contributors to

survival and recovery from illness and injury are
prompt and effective maintenance of the body’s
primary functions:
1. Airway
2. Breathing
3. Circulation
4. Bleeding control (life threatening)
Principles of emergency care:
 Collect the detailed history of accident either from the
victim or from anyone who has witnessed the accident.
• The victim’s injury should be examined thoroughly, taking
note of every symptom, to know the correct diagnosis.
• By the help of the diagnosis, treat the victim until the
doctor arrives or shift the victim to the hospital and aid the
patient during transport.
• Call the doctors/ Ambulance or shift the victim to the
hospital as soon as possible, so that the patience can recover
soon from doctor’s treatment instead of prolonging the first
aid.
Golden rule’s of first aid

• Do first things first quickly, quietly and without fuss or

panic.
• Give artificial respiration if breathing has stopped-every
second counts.
• Stop any bleeding.
• Guard against or treat for shock by moving the casualty as
little as possible and handling him gently.
 Conti….
Do not attempt too much-do the minimum that is essential
to save life and prevent the condition from worsening.
• Reassure the casualty and those around and so help to
lessen anxiety.
• Do not allow people to crows round as fresh air is
essential.
• Do not remove clothes unnecessarily.
• Arrange for the removal of the casualty to the care of a
Doctor or hospitals soon as possible
Your basic first aid kit
A basic first aid kit may contain:
 plasters in a variety of different sizes and shapes
 small, medium and large sterile gauze dressings
 at least 2 sterile eye dressings
 triangular bandages
 crêpe rolled bandages
 safety pins
 disposable sterile gloves
 tweezers
Conti…..
 scissors
 alcohol-free cleansing wipes
 sticky tape
 thermometer (preferably digital)
 skinrash cream, such as hydrocortisone or
calendula
 cream or spray to relieve insect bites and stings
Conti…..
 antiseptic cream
 painkillers such as paracetamol (or infant paracetamol for
children), aspirin (not to be given to children under 16),
or ibuprofen
 cough medicine
 antihistamine cream or tablets
 distilled water for cleaning wounds
 eye wash and eye bath
Conditions require first aid
 Altitude sickness
 Allergens ,such as insect bites
 Bone factures
 Burns
 Chocking
 Cramps
 Heart attacks
 Hyperglycemia
Conti…..
 Poisoning
 Muscle strains
 Stroke
 Snake bite
 Wounds and bleeding
 Heat induced illness
Altitude sickness

 Illness caused by ascent to high altitude, characterized by

hyperventilation, nausea, and exhaustion resulting from
shortage of oxygen.
Altitude sickness

Sign and symptoms

 Shortness of breath at rest,
 fast heart  beat
 Dry cough ,
 Arackling sound in lungs
 Severe headache
 Altered vision, disorientation, hallucinations seizures
and coma
First aid management

 Treat Symptoms
 Give oxygen, if available.
 Keep the person warm and have them rest.
 Give plenty of liquids.
 Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen for headache.
 Avoid alcohol and sleeping medications.
 Allergens ,such as insect bites

The most serious reaction to an insect sting is an allergic one. This

condition requires immediate medical attention.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include one or more of the
following:
 Itching and swelling in areas other than the sting site.
 Red, itchy hives.
 Swelling.
 Numbness or pain in muscles and joints.
 Flu-like symptoms.
 Heart palpitations.
 Death can occur from untreated diseases from ticks.
Management
Bone factures

A broken or cracked bone

• Occurs when pressure is applied to bone 
• Occurs with / without displacement of
bone fragments
Sign and symptoms

 Pain
 Swelling
 Bruising
 Discolored skin around the affected area
 The patient is unable to put weight on the injured area
 The patient cannot move the affected area
 The affected bone or joint may have a grating sensation
 If it is an open fracture, there may be bleeding
First-aid depends on type & location of
fracture
1. For open fractures
•Control bleeding before treatment
•Rinse and dress the wound
2.closed fractures
• Check the breathing 
• Calm the person 
• Examine for other injuries
• Immobilize the broken wound 
• Apply ice to reduce pain / swelling
•transfer the patient for health facility
Using bandages

Do not apply over the

fracture
•Bandaging should be
fairly firm
•Place padding material
Using splints

 Rigid enough
 Wide enough
 Should be long
enough
 Well padded
 Best applied over the
clothing
 Raise the injured part
Note:-

DO NOT
•Massage the affected area
Burns

A burn is tissue damage that results from scalding,

overexposure to the sun or other radiation,
contact with flames, chemicals or electricity, or
smoke inhalation.
Burns

Management of severe burn

 Protect the burned person from further harm.
 Make certain that the person burned is breathing
 Remove jewelry, belts and other restrictive items,
 Cover the area of the burn.
 Don't immerse large severe burns in water.
 Elevate the burned area.
 Watch for signs of shock
Management of minor burns

 Cool the burn.

 Remove rings or other tight items from the
burned area.
 Don't break blisters.
 Apply lotion.
 Cover the burn (not fluffy cotton)
Chocking

 Choking is the inability to breathe because 
the trachea is blocked, constricted, or swol
len shut
Sign and symptoms
 clutching at the throat
 neck or throat pain
 inability to speak, breathe or swallow
 coughing
 wheezing or other unusual breathing sounds
 gagging
 a change in color (eg. blue lips or red face)
 chest pain
 collapse
 First aid management

 Give 5 back blows. Stand to the side

and just behind a choking adult. For a
child, kneel down behind.
 Give 5 abdominal thrusts. Perform
five abdominal thrusts (also known as
the Heimlich maneuver).
 Alternate between 5 blows and 5
thrusts until the blockage is
dislodged.
 Prepare for CPR
 Manage the ambulance as soon as
possible
 If YOU are choking:
 stay calm
 attempt to call for
assistance
 forcefully cough to expel
the object
 do not allow anyone to hit
your back whilst you are
in the upright position, in
case this lodges the
object further down the
airways
Cramps

Painful muscular involuntary contraction A muscle

cramp is a strong, painful contraction or tightening
of a muscle that comes on suddenly and lasts from a
few seconds to several minutes.

Sign and symptoms

-Sweating or moist skin.
-Tired, irritable, and thirsty.
Management
 Apply heat or cold.
 Use a warm towel or heating pad on tense or tight
muscles.
 Taking a warm bath or directing the stream of a hot
shower onto the cramped muscle also can help.
 Alternatively, massaging the cramped muscle with ice
may relieve pain.
 Gently stretch/massage affected area.
 Slowly rehydrate with water, juice
 Rest
 Avoid alcohol, caffeinated and/or carbonated drinks
Heart attacks

 A heartattack is a medical emergency, is a

serious medical emergency in which the
supply of blood to the heart is suddenly
blocked, usually by a blood clot.
Sign and symptoms

 Chest discomfort.
 Shortness of breath
 Discomfort in the upper body. Chest pain, pressure or
tightness, or a squeezing or aching sensation in the center of
the chest
 Pain or discomfort that spreads to the shoulder, arm, back,
neck, jaw, teeth or occasionally upper abdomen
 Nausea, indigestion, heartburn or abdominal pain
 Shortness of breath
 Lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting
 Sweating
Management
 Have the person sit down, rest, and try to keep calm.
 Loosen any tight clothing.
 Ask if the person takes any chest pain medicine, such as
nitroglycerin, for a known heart condition, and help them
take it.
 Cough as much as you can
 Do not give them anything to eat or drink
 Inform or shout for help
 Call the ambulance as soon as possible
 Provide CPR
Hypothermia

Definition: A drop in the core body temperature, even as

little as 1 to 2 degrees Celsius, from the normal of 37
degrees Celsius. Sometimes this can happen within minutes,
other times it takes a while to take place. It is sometimes
accompanied by frost bite.
Signs/Symptoms:

– Feeling cold.
– Shivering, which will stop as the condition
worsens.
– Becoming confused and disoriented.
– Slow pulse and breathing rates, and eventually
unconsciousness.
Management:

• Get them inside near a heat source.

• Remove wet clothing and replace with dry
clothing.
• If conscious give them warm fluids to drink –
slowly.
• Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and carbonated drinks.
Note :- Get medical help as soon as possible .call
the ambulance
Shock

Definition: Poor circulation to the vital

organs. Shock is very serious and life
threatening. The casualty may not know that
they are in shock.
Conti….

Signs/Symptoms:
• Unusual behavior (e.g. Very calm or very
anxious),
• Lack of pain to an injury
• Rapid breathing
• Rapid but weak pulse
• Bluish skin (cyanosis)
• Unconsciousness.
Management:

• Activate the ambulance right away.

Lay the person down and elevate the legs and feet
slightly, unless you think this may cause pain or
further injury. Keep the person still and don't move
him or her unless necessary.
• Assist the person to lie on their side to improve
circulation, treat any injuries, help them take any
medication for an illness
Fainting

Definition: This is very similar to shock except it is a

temporary condition.

•Signs/Symptoms:
The casualty feels faint, or collapses.
Management:

• If they feel faint have them lie down which will help with circulation. •
If they faint they will usually wake up in a few seconds.
 Encourage the person to stay lying down for a few minutes until they
feel better. If they do not wake up within one minute, or they
became injured during the fall then activate the ambulance, and
treat any injuries.

Notes: If someone has fainted, even if they feel fine afterwards, they
should still go see their doctor to rule out any major problem.
Poisoning

 Burns or redness around the mouth and lips

 Breath that smells like chemicals, such as gasoline
or paint thinner
 Vomiting
 Difficulty breathing
 Drowsiness
 Confusion or other altered mental status
Conti…..

 Swallowed poison. Remove anything remaining in

the person's mouth. If the suspected poison is a
household cleaner or other chemical, read the
container's label and follow instructions for
accidental poisoning.

 Poisonon the skin. Remove any contaminated

clothing using gloves. Rinse the skin for 15 to 20
minutes in a shower or with a hose.
Conti…..

 Poison in the eye. Gently flush the eye with cool or

lukewarm water for 20 minutes or until help arrives.
 Inhaled poison. Get the person into fresh air as soon as
possible.
 If the person vomits, turn his or her head to the side to
prevent choking.
 Begin CPR if the person shows no signs of life, such as
moving, breathing or coughing.
 Have somebody gather pill bottles, packages or containers
with labels, and any other information about the poison to
send along with the ambulance team.
Snake bite:

 Notall snakes are poisonous, but if you get bitten

by a poisonous one you better rush to medical
help immediately. Because snake anti-venom
depends on the type of snake that caused the
bite, if you can, try and remember the color and
pattern of the snake so they can identify it and
give you the correct anti-venom
 Management

 While waiting for medical help:

 Move the person beyond striking distance of the snake.
 Have the person lie down with wound below the heart.
 Keep the person calm and at rest, remaining as still as
possible to keep venom from spreading.
 Cover the wound with loose, sterile bandage.
 Remove any jewelry from the area that was bitten.
 Remove shoes if the leg or foot was bitten.
Do not:

 Cut a bite wound

 Attempt to suck out venom
 Apply tourniquet, ice, or water
 Givethe person alcohol or caffeinated drinks or
any other medications
Muscle strains

 A muscle strain, or pulled muscle, occurs when

your muscle is overstretched or torn. Strains can
happen in any muscle, but they're most common
in your lower back, neck, shoulder, and
hamstring, which is the muscle behind your thigh.
Management
 Protect by applying an elastic bandage, sling, or
splint.
 Rest the muscle for at least a day.
 Ice immediately,and continue to ice for 10 to 15
minutes every hour, for 2-3 days.
 Compress by gently wrapping with an Ace or
other elastic bandage. (Don't wrap tightly.)
 Elevate injured area above the
person's heart level, if possible, for at least 24
hours.
Wound:

• Abdominal and chest wounds can be quite serious

because internal organs may be damaged, which can
cause internal bleeding and even shock.
• Abdominal and chest wounds are considered an
emergency, and you should call for immediate
medical help, especially if there are symptoms of
shock, such as dizziness, weakness, pale and
clammy skin, shortness of breath, and increased
heart rate.
First aid management

• While waiting for medical care, give first

aid treatment for shock.
• Cover him or her with a blanket to maintain
body warmth
Conti…………

• Help the person to remain calm. If the cut is large or

bleeding heavily, have them lie down.
• If the wound is on an arm or leg, raise the limb above the
heart to slow bleeding.
• Remove obvious debris from the wound, such as sticks or
grass.
• If the object is embedded in the body, do NOT remove it.
• If the cut is small, wash it out with soap and water.
• Do NOT clean a large wound.
Conti…..

• After putting on clean latex gloves apply firm pressure to

the wound with a folded cloth or bandage for about 10
minutes.
• Do not remove the bandage to look at the wound during
this time, as it may begin bleeding again.
• If blood soaks through, add another cloth or bandage and
continue holding pressure on the cut for an additional 10
minutes.
• When bleeding has stopped, tape a clean bandage over the
cut.
Hemorrhage/Bleeding

 This is where the blood vessels and the skin are

cut and blood is escaping the body.
Management:
• If it’s a minor bleed allow some bleeding to take
place as this will help clean the wound.
• Then wash with warm water and soap, apply a
dressing to keep it clean, change the dressing every
few hours, and monitor for signs of infection.
Conti…………..

If the bleeding is severe then apply the RED

principle:
• Rest: make sure the person is resting so as to
decrease the heart rate and blood pressure.
• Elevate: raise the injured limb above the heart to
slow down the bleeding.
• Direct Pressure: put pressure directly over the
wound to help control bleeding, tie the dressing in
place. But, do not make the dressing too tight so as
to restrict blood flow.
External bleeding

• Can be a laceration (clean cut), abrasion,

Management:
• If it’s a minor bleed allow some bleeding to take place as
this will help clean the wound.
• Then wash with warm water and soap, apply a dressing to
keep it clean, change the dressing every few hours, and
monitor for signs of infection.
 Do not remove the dressing.
 Get medical help
Notes

•If there is an impaled object do not remove

it as this can cause more bleeding. Instead,
apply a dressing around the object then tie it
in place to control bleeding.
Heat Emergencies

 Heatemergencies are health crises caused by

exposure to hot weather and sun. Heat
emergencies have three stages: heat cramps, heat
exhaustion, and heatstroke. All three stages of
heat emergency are serious.
Heat Emergencies

 Heat cramps are painful, involuntary muscle spasms that

usually occur during heavy exercise in hot environments. The
spasms may be more intense and more prolonged than are
typical nighttime leg cramps.
 Heat exhaustion is a condition whose symptoms may include
heavy sweating and a rapid pulse, a result of your body
overheating.
 Heatstroke is a condition caused by your body overheating,
usually as a result of prolonged exposure to or physical
exertion in high temperatures. This most serious form
of heat injury, heatstroke, can occur if your body
temperature rises to 104 F (40 C) or higher.
Heat Cramps

If you or someone you know is experiencing heat cramps, you

should:
 Move to a cooler area, out of direct sunlight.
 Gently massage the cramping muscle.
 Stretch the muscle gently.
 Drink cool water or sports drinks every 15 minutes.
Heat Exhaustion
Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:
 muscle cramps
 dizziness
 mild confusion
 fast heart rate or breathing
 headache
 irritability
 extreme thirst
 nausea or vomiting
 pale skin
 heavy sweating
 fainting
Conti……
To treat heat exhaustion, you should:
 Move to a cooler area, out of direct sunlight.
 Loosen clothing.
 Apply cool, wet towels to your face, neck, chest,
and limbs.
 Have someone fan your skin.
 Drinkcool water or sports drinks every 15
minutes.
 Don’t drink too quickly.
 Heatstroke
With heatstroke, all the symptoms of heat exhaustion may
be present, plus:
 body temperature over 104°F
 irrational behavior or hallucinations
 confusion
 rapid, shallow breathing
 rapid, weak pulse
 seizures
 loss of consciousness
 dry skin
 Heatstroke
 Heatstroke is a life-threatening emergency. Call or go to an
emergency room immediately. In the meantime:
 Move the person to a cooler area, out of direct sunlight.
 Loosen clothing.
 Remove any sweaty clothing.
 Apply cool, wet towels to the face, neck, chest, and limbs.
 Apply ice, if you have it, to the underarms, wrists, and groin.
 Fan the person’s skin.
 Offer cool water or sports drinks every 15 minutes if the person is
conscious.
Stroke

 A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of your brain is interrupted or

reduced, preventing brain tissue from getting oxygen and nutrients. Brain
cells begin to die in minutes. A stroke is a medical emergency, and prompt
treatment is crucial.
The five warning signs of stroke are:

 Sudden onset of weakness or numbness on one side of the body.

 Sudden speech difficulty or confusion.
 Sudden difficulty seeing in one or both eyes.
 Sudden onset of dizziness, trouble walking or loss of balance.
 Sudden, severe headache with no known cause.
First aid management
 Call emergency services. ...
 If you're caring for someone else having a stroke, make sure they're in
a safe, comfortable position.
 Check to see if they’re breathing. If they’re not breathing,
perform CPR . If they’re having difficulty breathing , loosen any
constrictive clothing, such as a tie or scarf.
 Talk in a calm, reassuring manner.
 Cover them with a
 blanket to keep them warm.
Conti….

 Talk in a calm, reassuring manner.

 Cover them with a blanket to keep them warm.
 Don’t give them anything to eat or drink.
 If the person is showing any weakness in a limb, avoid moving them.
 Observe the person carefully for any change in condition. Be prepared to tell
the emergency operator about their symptoms and when they started. Be
sure to mention if the person fell or hit their head.