FIRST AID is the first and immediate assistance given to any person with either a minor or
serious illness or injury, with care provided to preserve life, prevent the condition from
worsening, or to promote recovery.
It includes initial intervention in a serious condition prior to professional medical help being
available, such as performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) while waiting for an
ambulance, as well as the complete treatment of minor conditions, such as applying a
plaster to a cut.
First aid is generally performed by someone with basic medical training.
CONDITIONS REQUIRING FIRST AIDS
A FEW HELPFUL TIPS TO AVOID/PREVENT FAINTING INCLUDE:
• Take (work) breaks, when working for long periods of time
• Drink enough fluids (especially during summer), to avoid dehydration.
• Breath into a paper bag, when breathing rapidly; in case of hyperventilation from
anxiety/panic attacks
• Check blood glucose levels regularly; particularly if you are prone to have abnormal
blood glucose levels.
• Check blood pressures regularly, if you have a history of high or low blood pressures.
HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEAT STROKE
Heat exhaustion is the body's response to an excessive loss of water and salt, usually
through excessive sweating.
Heat exhaustion is most likely to affect: The elderly. People with high blood pressure. Those
working in a hot environment.
Heat exhaustion is the body's response to an excessive loss of water and salt, usually
through excessive sweating.
Heat exhaustion is most likely to affect: The elderly. People with high blood pressure. Those
working in a hot environment.
HEAT EXHAUSTION MANAGEMENT
In most cases, you can treat heat exhaustion yourself by doing the following:
Rest in a cool place.
Getting into an air-conditioned building is best. ...
Drink cool fluids. Stick to water or sports drinks. ...
Try cooling measures. ...
Loosen clothing.
HEAT STROKE
Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. It occurs when the body can no longer
control its temperature: the body's temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails,
and the body is unable to cool down.
When heat stroke occurs,the body temperature can rise to 106°F /41.11C or higher within 10
to 15 minutes.
HEAT STROKE MANAGEMENT
Cool the person's entire body by sponging or spraying cold water, and fan the person to help
lower the person's body temperature.
Watch for signs of rapidly progressing heatstroke, such as seizure, unconsciousness for
longer than a few seconds, and moderate to severe difficulty breathing.
NOSEBLEED
Nosebleeds are common.
Most often they are a nuisance and not a true medical problem.
But the can be both.
CHOKING
• Ask a person to speak or cough
• Deliver 5 back blows.
• Perform abdominal thrusts.
• Repeat sequence of back blows and abdominal thrusts.
If Abdominal Thrusts Don’t Work
• Call 911
• Finger sweep
• Abdominal thrusts
• Check ABCs
• Perform CPR if not breathing
You're alone and choking:
Call 911 or your local emergency number right away.
Then, give yourself abdominal thrusts, also called the Heimlich maneuver, to remove
the stuck object.
WOUNDS
TYPES OF WOUNDS
A sprain is an injury to the ligaments and capsule at a joint in the body.
A strain is an injury to muscles or tendons. Pulling of muscles.
TYPES WOUNDS
BRUISE contusion
Damage to the soft tissue and blood vessels causing bleeding under the skin.
At first it may appear red. Over time it may turn dark red or purple.
A large or painful bruise may be a signal of severe damage to deep tissues.
2. SCRAPE abrasion, rug burn, road rash
Most common type of wound.
Caused by skin that has been rubbed or scraped away.
Usually painful because scraping of the outer layer of skin exposes nerve endings.
Dirt and other matter can easily become ground into the wound.
Can easily become infected if not kept clean.
3. CUT incision; laceration
Either jagged or smooth edges.
Commonly caused by sharp objects such as knives, scissors, or broken glass.
4. AVULSION
A cut in which a portion of the skin or other soft tissue is partially or completely torn away.
A partially avulsed piece of skin may remain but hangs like a flap.
PUNCTURE
A wound caused when a pointed object, such as a nail, piece of glass or knife pierces the
skin. A gunshot wound is also a puncture wound.
Because they do not bleed a lot, they can easily become infected.
Bleeding can be severe if involves major vessel.
An object that remains embedded is called an impaled object.
Caring for Major Open Wounds
• Control bleeding by placing a clean covering, dressing, over the wound and apply
pressure.
• Apply a bandage snugly over the dressing.
• If bleeding cannot be controlled, put another bandage snugly over the dressing.
• Call your emergency number.
• Maintain direct pressure until help arrives.
• Wash your hands immediately after giving care
BURNS and STROKE
Burns are caused by:
HEAT
CHEMICALS
ELECTRICITY
RADIATION
A critical burn can be life threatening and needs immediate medical attention.
HEAT BURN
ELECTRIC BURN
CHEMICAL BURN
RADIATION BURN
CARE for BURNS
CARE FOR BURNS
Cool The Burn
• Use large amounts of cool water.
• DO NOT USE ice or ice water
• Use whatever sources area available
• Garden hose
• Wash basin
Cover the Burn
• Use dry, sterile dressings or clean cloth.
• Loosely bandage in place.
• Prevents infection.
•
EPILEPTIC SEIZURES
SEIZURES
• a sudden attack of illness, especially a stroke or an epileptic episode
• DO NOT hold or restrain the person.
• DO NOT place anything in the mouth.
• Remove nearby objects that might cause injury.
• Cushion the victims head using a folded cloth, towel or pillow.
• Watch for vomiting or breathing trouble after seizure.
SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTION
• Assist the victim with his or her medication which may be available as a single-dose
antihistamine – Cetirizine, Benadryl, Loratidine (take once a day)
• Put anti itch cream ( Calmoseptin or Caladryl)
• Monitor breathing. (May become difficult or stop)
• Call 911
•
POISONING
ANIMAL BITES
SNAKE BITES
SIGNALS
• bite mark
• pain
• swelling
• bruising
CARE
• wash wound
• keep bitten part still, and lower than the heart.
• call local emergency number
• watch for life-threatening conditions.
FOOD POISONING
Food poisoning is caused by drinking or eating food or drinks contaminated with lots of
bacterias or parasites.
If someone is a victim of food poisoning here's how you can help.
What is the first aid of food poisoning?
If you think someone has food poisoning, advise them to lie down and rest.
If they're vomiting, give them small sips of water to drink as this will help prevent
dehydration.
If they have accompanying diarrhea or diarrhea only, it is even more important to try to
replace lost fluids and salts.
SEVERE DIARRHEA SYMPTOMS
• Diarrhea that lasts more than 3 days.
• High fever (temperature over 102°F)
• Vomiting so often that you cannot keep liquids down.
• Signs of dehydration, which include not urinating (peeing) much
• a dry mouth and throat, feeling dizzy when standing up
MANAGEMENT
PREPARE an ORAL REHYDRATION SOLUTION (ORESOL)
if no available ready to drink fluids with electrolytes.
Home made ORESOL
1 Liter of Water
8 tsp of sugar
1 tsp of salt
if symptoms progress bring the patient to the nearest hospital.
A stroke, sometimes called a brain attack, occurs when something blocks blood supply to
part of the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts.
In either case, parts of the brain become damaged or die.
A stroke can cause lasting brain damage, long-term disability, or even death.
What are the 2 main types of strokes?
Types of Stroke
Strokes can be classified into 2 main categories
Ischemic strokes. These are strokes caused by blockage of an artery (or, in rare instances, a
vein). About 87% of all strokes are ischemic.
Hemorrhagic stroke. These are strokes caused by bleeding. About 13% of all strokes are
hemorrhagic.
Arteries carry blood away from your heart.
Veins carry blood back toward your heart.
Capillaries, the smallest blood vessels, connect arteries and veins.
HEART ATTACK
Spotting the early signs of heart failure with FACES
F for fatigue
A for activities limited
C for chest congestion
E for edema or ankle swelling
S for shortness of breath
If the person isn't breathing or you don't find a pulse, begin CPR to keep blood flowing after
you call for emergency medical help.
Push hard and fast on the center of the person's chest in a fairly rapid rhythm — about 100
to 120 compressions a minute
Four Signs of a Silent Heart Attack..
Chest Pain
Pressure
Fullness
Discomfort
Discomfort in other areas of your body.
Difficulty breathing and dizziness.
Nausea and cold sweats.
Know The Silent Signs of a Heart Attack — And Don't Ignore Them.
CARDIO PULMONARY RESUSCITATION
is an emergency lifesaving procedure performed when the heart stops beating.
Immediate CPR can double or triple chances of survival after cardiac arrest.
Let us share our vision: a world where no one dies from cardiac arrest.
INTRODUCTION
CARDIO PULMONARY RESUCITATION (CPR)
-is a first aid techniques to help people who suffer a ‘ cardiac arrest” (their heart stops
beating).
-It involves doing chest compressions and rescue breaths to keep the casualty alive until a
defibrillator arrives.
- A defibrillator is an electrical device which can be used to help restart someone’s heart
- CPR on its own is unlikely to restart someone’s heart.
PATIENT ASSESSMENT
If you find someone collapsed, you can use the mnemonic DR ABC help you remember what
to do.
D: DANGER
-Ensure there are no dangers to yourself, other bystanders or the casualty.
-Ask yourself- why has the casualty collapsed? Are there any hazards? Am I at risk?
-Dangers could include moving vehicles, electricity, water, other people and smoke/fire
-Only help if it is safe to do so.
R: RESPONSE
-Try and wake the casualty up-are they responsive?
-Kneel by his/her head, shout loudly in both ears and tap them on the shoulders
-If no response, the casualty is unconscious
At this point…………..
-If the casualty does not wake up they are unconscious.
-This is an emergency situation
-Try and attract attention to yourself/ the casualty by shouting for help.
-Do not leave the victim
A: AIRWAY
-The airway is the tube which takes air from the mouth/nose to the lungs
-When a casualty is unconscious, their tongue can fall backwards and block the airway.
-This can cause an obstruction and stop the casualty from breathing
A-AIRWAY-2
-To open someone’s airway , place one hand on their forehead and tilt their head backwards.
-Then place two fingers on the bony part of their chin and lift it.
-This is known as the head tilt, lift chin manuever.
B-BREATHING
-Keep your hands on the person’s head/chin.
-Place your cheek above their mouth and look at their chest.
-Look, listen, and feel for regular breathing for up to seconds
C: CIRCULATION
CALL AN AMBULANCE
-Check pulse for any circulation
- If a casualty is not breathing normally, call an emergency ambulance immediately.
- If a bystander is available, they can call the ambulance for you
- Ensure you tell the operator that you have unconscious, non breathing casualty
ADULT CPR
- After an ambulance has been called, you should commence CPR.
-Check for ABC
-First you should give 30 chest compressions
-Place your hands in the center of the person’s chest, over the breastbone or sternum
-Interlock your fingers
-Push down 30 times at a rate of 100-120 compression/minute
CHEST COMPRESSIONS
-Ensure your elbows are locked and your shoulders positioned above the chest.
-Push down to depth of about 5cm
-Ensure you release fully after each compression
RESCUE BREATHS
-After 30 chest compressions,
give 2 rescue breaths.
-Tilt the victim head backwards, lift their chin and then pinch their nose.
-Make a seal over their mouth and breath in for approximately one second.
ADULT CPR
- Continue the cycle of 30 chest compressions to 2 rescue breaths until help arrives
- If there is more than one first aider swap over doing chest compressions regularly.
- If a defibrillator arrives it should be used immediately.
WHEN TO STOP CPR
• S- SPONTANEOUS –signs of circulation is restored
• T- TURNED over to medical services
• O-OPERATOR is already exhausted and cannot continue CPR
• P-PHYSICIAN assumes responsibility
• S-SCENE becomes unsafe
• S-SIGNED waiver to stop CPR
IN SUMMARY……..
D-anger
R-esponse
S- Send Help
A-irway
B-reathing
C-irculation/Call an ambulance