FIRST AID

BY TURYATUNGA BEN (BMLS)

 OBJECTIVES
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Knowledge of first aid
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Importance of first aid
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Ways of performing first aid
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Contents of the first aid box
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How to do first aid for accidents that occur in the
laboratory
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Practical application of the knowledge of first aid
 Introduction to First Aid
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First aid refers to the emergency or immediate care you should provide when a
person is injured or ill until full medical treatment is available
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A first aider is a person trained to take care of individuals involved in an emergency
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First aid is the provision of initial care for an illness or injury. It is usually performed
by a non-expert person to a sick or injured person until appropriate medical
treatment can be accessed in a hospital or by going to a doctor.
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Certain self-limiting illnesses or minor injuries may not require further medical care
after the first aid intervention.
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It generally consists of a series of simple and in some cases, potentially
life-saving techniques that an individual can be trained to perform with minimal
equipment.
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The First aid training, therefore, is of value in both preventing and treating sudden
illness or accidental injury and in caring for large number of persons caught in a
natural disaster.
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It is a measure both for self help as well as for the help of others.
 Importance of first aid
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Preserve life. As a first aider, you ensure not only
the safety of an ill or injured person. But you also
consider the safety of bystanders and yourself.
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Prevent deterioration. You help in keeping the
patient’s condition stable.
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Prevention of further harm to your patient.
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Promote recovery. By providing first aid care, you
also provide relief to the casualty and help in
recovery.
 Roles of the first aider
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As a first aider, you’re responsible for providing
immediate, lifesaving medical care to an ill or injured
person.
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You are on the hook for treating minor conditions,
like a wound, external bleeding, or injury, for
example.
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First aiders are vital in ensuring the patient’s safety,
especially before further medical help arrives. Or
before bringing the casualty to the hospital.
 Tasks of the first aider
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Maintaining the airway of an unconscious
person by placing them in a recovery position.
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Performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation CPR
or using an automated external defibrillator
(AED) and other equipment.
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Applying pressure to stop external bleeding.
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Supporting an injured limb.
 common terms and acronyms
relating to first aid
DRSABCD
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DRSABCD is an acronym or mnemonic used in any life-threatening situation. It
stands for Danger, Response, Send (for help), Airway, Breathing, Circulation,
and Defibrillation. This acronym is what every first responder should remember
when dealing with serious accidents. In any emergencies, follow the DRSABCD
Action Plan.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
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CPR is a lifesaving technique that involves chest compression and rescue
breaths. Chest compressions assist in blood circulation during cardiac arrest, and
rescue breathing is the blowing of air into the victim’s mouth to supply oxygen.
Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
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AED or a defibrillator is a portable device that delivers controlled electric shock
across the heart. The delivered shock will attempt to reset the heart and get it to
beat on its own again.
 Cont….
Primary Survey
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The primary survey is a quick, initial assessment of the victim’s health, injuries,
and conditions. It is conducted to detect and treat immediate life threats and
prevent further complications.
Recovery Position
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An important part of first aid treatment is the recovery position. It is where you
will place a conscious person in a position that will ensure clear and open
airways, with no risk of vomit or fluid that will cause you to choke.
sample
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SAMPLE is an acronym or mnemonic used by first responders during the
secondary assessment. It stands for Signs & symptoms, Allergies,
Medications, Past Medical History, and Events leading up to the present injury
 Cont...
RICE
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The RICE (or RICER) method is a self-care technique mostly
used for sprains, strains, and dislocations. It helps with
reducing the swelling, easing pain, and speeding up healing.
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MHFA
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Mental Health First Aid is a course or program that teaches
the skills to respond effectively to signs of mental illness. It
will equip you with the skills and knowledge to provide initial
help to someone who may have poor mental health or
experiencing a crisis
 Cont..
Basic Life Support (BLS)
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Basic life support is a level of medical care given to victims of
life-threatening injuries or illnesses until they are given full
medical care. It can be administered by a trained first aider, a
paramedic, or an emergency medical technician.
Conclusion
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Learning basic first aid terms and acronyms can help you
respond to an emergency. You will be able to reduce pain,
keep them breathing, and minimise the consequences until
EMS arrives. Knowing these terms could mean the difference
between life and death for many people.
 FIRST AID KIT
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A first aid kit or medical kit is a collection of supplies and
equipment used to give immediate medical treatment, primarily
to treat injuries and other mild or moderate medical conditions
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Standard kits often come in durable plastic boxes, fabric
pouches or in wall mounted cabinets.
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The type of container will vary depending on the purpose, and
they range in size from wallet-sized through to a large box.
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It is recommended that all kits are kept in a clean dust- and
damp-proof container to keep the contents safe and aseptic.
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Kits should be checked regularly and restocked if any items
are damaged or are out of date.
 Cont….
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All workplaces, leisure centers, homes, and cars should
have first aid kits. The kits for workplaces or public places
must conform to legal requirements and be clearly marked
and easily accessible.
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For home or the car, you can either buy a kit or put together
first aid items yourself and keep them in a clean, waterproof
container. Any first aid kit must be kept in a dry place, and it
should be checked and replenished regularly.
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The items shown on these pages form the basis of a first aid
kit for the home. You may wish to add pain-relief tablets
such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
FIRST AID ITEMS.
STERILE GLOVES
 uses
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Protect hands from coming into direct contact
with bodily fluids.
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Prevent the transfer of bacteria to an open
wound.(cross contamination)
 STERILE WIPES

Used to clean wounds before dressing them.

 Hand sanitize
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Its used to disinfect your hands
 Saline wound wash
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Use ampoules of sterile wound wash solution to
dislodge dirt and clean wounds before dressing
them.
 BANDAGES

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Bandages can be used to hold dressings in
place, provide added support, cushioning, and
protection, and compress swollen soft tissue
injuries
 Gauze Roll
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Helpful for any bandange application,including
holding a dressing (gauze pad) in place.
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Ideal for cleaning and covering
cuts,scrapes,grazes and minor burns
 Elastic bandage
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Gives firm pressure to an injured body part
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It helps limit swelling and ease pain
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Gives support to an injured area
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Gives more support when applied with a splint
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Gives support and protection during sports and
other activities.
Cont….
FIRST AID PICTURES
 Ref.SLIDE 23
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Safety pin-used to fix bandages
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Gloves-protects the hands from coming into
direct contact with bodily fluids.
-prevent the transfer of bacteria to an open
wound(cross contamination).
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Sterile wipes-used to clean wounds before
dressing them
 Cont..
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Drugs (pain killers) (4)-relieve the pain from
minor injuries and headaches that strike anytime.
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Plaster/adhesive dressing(5)-used to cover
small cuts/wounds
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Cotton wool(6)-cleaning excess fluid from minor
wounds.
-applying antiseptic to an injury .
- prevent bleeding from small punctures.
 Cont...
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Stretcher (7)-used to carry a seriously ill or injured
victim.
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Thermometer(8)-used for measuring body
temperature.
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Elastic bandage (9)-uses are on slide 22.
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Scissors-used to cut bandages
-cuttings dressings to size
-Help to remove dressings so bandages can be
changed
Cont...
 Cont...
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Forceps/tweezers(1) slide 24-For removing
small bodies being dragged into a wound and
for thoroughly clean the wounds before
dressing.
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Hand sanitizer(2)-used when you don’t have
access to a sink with running water and soap.
-used to disinfect hands.
 Cont..
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Wheelchair (6)-used when walking is difficult
due to sickness,injury,old age or disability.
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Crutches (7)-to assist individuals with lower
extremity injuries or neurological impairment
-walking aid for weak casualty or walking aid for
casualty having leg injury.
 Cont...
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Arm sling/triangular bandage (9).-holds the
forearm in raised or horizontal position,support
an injured upper arm,forearm and wrist.
-Immobilize and stabilize the arm and shoulder
in the incident of injury.