OCCUPATIONAL FIRST AID
TRAINING
OTHER EMERGENCIES - 2
1. Acute abdomen & blunt
abdominal trauma
• These are conditions that result into sudden
severe abdominal pain.
• They may result from accidents or other
illnesses.
• The discussion of the conditions is beyond the
scope of this training.
• However, as a first aider, you should be able to
recognize danger signs and symptoms
associated with acute abdomen and blunt
abdominal trauma
Danger signs & symptoms
• Fever
• Vomiting and/or vomiting blood
• If signs and symptoms of shock give first aid
for shock.
• Obtain medical help as soon as possible.
2. Poisoning
• A poison is any substance that can cause
illness or death when absorbed by the body.
• Some poisonous substances have labels to
indicate that. However, some do not.
Poisoning cont’
• Poison can enter a human body through four
main routes
– Ingestion – Through the mouth
– Inhalation – Through breathing eg Carbon
monoxide (CO)
– Cutaneous – Through the skin
– Parenteral – Through injection like syringes,
needles, bites.
Important information to note
• The substances taken – identify the container
label and carry it with the casualty to the
health facility.
• The amount taken – estimate the quantity
taken based on what you see or are told.
Compare with the size or age of the casualty.
• The route of entry – ingestion, inhalation,
cutaneous, parenteral
• The Time since poison was taken
Signs and symptoms of poisoning
• Almost all poisons may affect consciousness,
breathing and/or circulation.
• Other signs and symptoms may depend on the
route of entry:
– Swallowed usually causes abdominal signs and
symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting.
May have a smell or color left in or around the
mouth.
– Cutaneous may have local warmth, reddening, pain,
blisters, swelling on the site of entry
– Parenteral may have a wound like for snake bite,
irritation at the site of entry
– Inhalation may cause difficulty breathing and/or
coughing.
First aid for poisoning
• Asses ABCs and start CPR if needed
• Arrange for medical help immediately
• Put in recovery position if breathing
• Do not induce vomiting since this may cause
more damage and does not eliminate the
poison.
• Do not give fluids or foods
First aid for poisoning cont’
• For ingested poison and if the casualty is
conscious; give activated charcoal and
immediately take the casualty to nearby
health facility.
• For inhaled poison, immediately remove
victim from the area before treatment
– Take a deep breath of fresh air before entering
area
– Do not breathe gas while removing victim from
area
First aid for poisoning cont’
• When victim is in safe area, check for
breathing
• Provide artificial respiration if needed
• Obtain medical help immediately – death can
occur quickly
First aid for poisoning cont’
• For cutaneous poison, flush the affected area
with copious amount of running water.
– If the substance is a powder brush it off before
flushing with water
– Remove any cloths or jewelry contaminated with
the poison
– Pay attention to hidden areas like skin folds
– Reassure and send to nearby health facility.
First aid for poisoning cont’
• For injected poison,
– If arm or leg is affected, position it below the level
of the heart.
– Rest the affected limb
– Apply cold pack to reduce swelling
– Apply sterile/clean dressing
3. Bites and Stings
• Animal and human bites
• These are dangerous because they carry a
high risk of infection from contaminated saliva
and teeth.
• Tetanus and Rabies are among the most
dangerous infections that need to be
remembered in any animal bite.
• Although rabies is not common from human
bites, tetanus and other infections are and
need to be taken into consideration when
giving first aid.
First aid for animal /human bites
• Do scene survey and protect yourself and
others
• Assess ABCs and give CPR if needed.
• Allow moderate bleeding to cleanse the
wound.
• Wash the wound with running water and
soap.
• Apply dressing
First aid for animal /human bites
• Obtain information about rabies vaccination
status of the animal.
• If the animal can be captured or killed, it
should be kept for examination to rule out
rabies.
• Take the casualty to the nearby health facility
as soon as possible.
4. Snakebites
• Signs and symptoms
– Depends on whether the snake is poisonous or
not and the type of poison involved. They may
include:
– Pain at the bitten site
– Swelling and discoloration
– There may be difficulty breathing
– Fever and chills
– Vomiting
– General body weakness
First aid for snakebite
• Do scene survey and protect yourself and
others.
• Assess ABCs and give CPR if needed.
• Do not attempt to chase the snake
• Wash the wound and immobilize the injured
limb as for fracture.
• Do not cut the injured part or apply a
tourniquet
• Reassure and take the casualty to a nearby
health facility immediately