Unit 1 : BASIC FIRST AID

BASIC FIRST AID

SCOPE OF FIRST AID

 First Aid First Aid is the assistance or help given at once to those suddenly taken ill

or injured before being taken home or hospital or before medical expert takes over or

an ambulance arrives.

 First aid is the provision of immediate care to a victim with an injury of illness,

usually effected by a lay person, and performed within a limited skill range.

 First aid is normally performed until the injury or illness is satisfactorily dealt with

(such as in the case of small cuts, minor bruises, and blisters) or until the next level of

care, such as an ambulance or doctor arrives.

AIMS OF FIRST AID

a) To save life/ Preserve life

 This does not refer to the injured part, but yourself and anyone helping you.

 Far too often, a helper will inadvertently put themselves in danger and subsequently

be another casualty for the emergency services to deal with.

  Please take a moment to assess the situation, and make sure there are no threats to you

before you step in.

b) To prevent the situation from worsening.

 If you are in no danger yourself, try to stop the situation from becoming worse by

removing any obvious dangers( such as stopping traffic, clearing people away from

the casualty, opening a window to clear any fumes)

 Also act as quickly as you can to stop the casualty’ condition from worsening.

c) To promote recovery.

 Your role as first aider is, after ensuring that the situation cannot get worse, helping

the casualty to recover from their injury or illness, or stop their condition from getting

worse.

 If the injury is severe, then the best you can do is to try to keep them alive until

emergency services arrive.

FIRST AIDER

A First Aider is a person who had received training and certificate from an authorized

training body approving him/her to render first aid.

TASKS OF FIRST AIDER

In an emergency the first aider should do the following

1) Assess the situation:

Check and ensure safety of the casualty, bystanders and first aider him/her self. Establish

the number of casualties. Identify available facilities e.g. shelter, telephone.

2) Identify the casualty’s condition:

a) This can be done through primary survey and secondary survey.

b) Get the History, the story of what happened.

c) Check the signs, what the first aider can see e.g. bleeding swelling.
d) Establish symptoms, what the casualty feels or complains of e.g. pain.

3) Give immediate and appropriate help

4) Re-assure the casualty and the bystanders.

5) Arrange for the casualty to be taken either home or hospital

PRIMARY SURVEY

A primary survey is the initial examination of the casualty this is aimed at identifying any

life-threatening conditions. In this survey the first aider should follow the SABC rule of first

aid.

SABC RULE OF FIRST AID

S- Safety, ensure safety first

A-A IRWAYS- Open and maintain a clear airway i.e. mouth, nose windpipe.

Open patient’s mouth.

If foreign material is present:

 place patient in recovery position

 clear airway with fingers.

Open airway by tilting head with chin lift.

 B - Breathing check whether the casualty is breathing. Look, listen and feel for breathing. If

breathing has stopped apply artificial respiration immediately. Normal breathing rate is 12 to

20 breaths per minute.

If the patient’s breathing is normal:

 place patient in recovery position

 monitor breathing

 manage injuries

 treat for shock.

If the patient’s breathing is not normal start CPR.

C- Circulation of blood. Check whether there is blood circulation by feeling the casualty’s

pulse. Pulse is the wave of pressure that passes along arteries indicating the pump of the

heart. Normal pulse pump rate is 60 to 80 pumps per minute.

NB IF BOTH BREATHING AND BLOOD CIRCULATION HAS JUST STOPPED QUICKLY

DO CADIO PULMONARY RESUSCIITATION.

Start CPR: 30 chest compressions followed by 2 breaths.

Continue CPR until help arrives or patient recovers.

SECONDARY SURVEY

A secondary survey is the head to toe examination of casualty; this is the survey that

identifies injuries. This survey can only be done after a primary survey. In this survey the

casualty’s facial expressions may help the first aider to identify injuries. In doing Secondary

Survey, you will start from head to toe.

HEAD

The head is also known as the skull. You palpate, look for bruises, swelling, deformities and

depressions and bleeding.

NECK

Look for lacerations, deformities, tenderness, tracheal deviation, bulging neck veins and

medical bracelets.

CHEST

Look for penetrations, impaled objects, cuts, bruises, equal chest size and spring the chest to

test normal expansion. You palpate and percuss.

ABDOMINAL CAVITY

You divide the abdominal cavity into four quadrants, right upper quadrant, right lower

quadrant, left upper quadrant and left lower quadrant. You should have knowledge of

contains in each quadrant. You palpate and percuss.

PELVIS

Compress the pelvis testing for fractures, look for male priapism, which is a sign of spinal

injury

UPPER AND LOWER EXTREMITIES

Look out for bone protrusion, dislocations, fractures, deformities, swelling, lacerations and

bleeding.

Importance of first aid

 To save life

 To prevent the situation from worsening/ prevents further injuries.

 To promote recovery.

 Increases awareness of risks

 Promotes team work

 It is vital in emergences

 First aid improves safety

 It affords people with the ability to provide help during various emergency situations:

If someone ingests hazardous substances, or suffers health-related issues like a heart

attack, or if a natural disaster occurs, a person knowledgeable in first aid becomes

more than just another bystander. Instead, they become an invaluable support not
 only to victims, but also to professional emergency responders and medical

practitioners.

 First aid helps ensure that the right methods of administering medical assistance are

provided: Knowing how to help a person is just as important in emergency situations.

It only takes six minutes for the human brain to expire due to lack of oxygen. As

such, ineptitude and misinformation will not be of much help to a person in need of

medical assistance.

 Knowledge in first aid also benefits the individuals themselves: Whether the

emergency affects themselves directly, or involves people they live and work with,

first aid stems the severity of an emergency in a given time and place.

1.1 IDENTIFYING APPROPRIATE ITEMS OF THE FIRST AID KIT

FIRST AID KIT

 A first aid kit /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.

CONTENTS OF A FIRST AID KIT

 Wound dressing

- To protect wound

- prevent infection

- reduce pain

- promote healing
 Adhesive dressings or plasters

-to cover small cuts and grazes

-protects the wound and scab from friction, bacteria, damage and dirt.

 Bandages

-support injured joints

-secure dressings

-control bleeding

 Protective items

-These are personal protective equipment

- They prevent disease transmission when giving care.

- These include latex or vinyl gloves, safety glasses, CRP protective shields, face

shield, gowns etc

 Cleansing wipes

-cleansing the skin around the wounds prior to dressings.

 Gauze pads

- Ideal for cleaning and covering cuts, scrapes, grazes and minor burns

- Draw fluids away from the wound, help clean dirt and germs from the injured

area.

 Adhesive tape

- To hold dressings in place

- To hold loose end of bandages

 Pins and clips

-to fasten loose bandage ends

 Aluminium blanket
 - Also referred to as first aid blankets, space blankets, thermal blankets or weather

blankets, foil blanket, heat sheet.

- To treat shock by retaining body warmth and prevent heat loss.

 Tweezers

-To remove splinters and other small objects

-Put things in place like bandages and dressings

- can be used also for handling medical supplies

-Application of antibiotic creams

 Scissors

Scissors can be used for cutting gauze, bandages, and tape, but they may also be

necessary for cutting away clothing to expose injured areas.

1.2 DEMONSTRATE PROPER USE OF THE ITEMS

 Combining dressing pads cover and pack bleeding wounds.

 Clean wound with water or antiseptic, avoiding clots or congealed blood.

 Remove sterile combine dressing pad from wrapping and place firmly over

wound.

 Secure combine dressing pad with a firm bandage. Ensure pressure is not too

tight by checking pulse below wound.

 Use of non- adherent dressings to cover up wounds and burns.

 Cover all open burn areas with non adherent burn dressing

 Touch only the edges on it when putting it on the skin

 Use of bandages to provide support for sprains and strains.

 [Injuries to the soft structure around the bones and joints are commonly called

strains and sprains. They are often associated with sports activities.]

1. Start bandaging from the front and injured side of the casualty. Apply the bandage firmly, but

not so tight that it’s restricting circulation.

 Leave fingers and toes exposed to help you check their circulation.

2. Use spiral turns when wrapping the bandage around the limb, working from the inside to the

outside of the limb.

3. Use pins or tape to fasten roller bandages. Otherwise you can tuck the bandage in securely.

4. Use a reef knot to tie a triangular bandage: right over left and under, then left over right and

under.

5. Once you’ve finished tying the bandage, make sure you check for circulation by pressing on

their finger or toe for five seconds until it goes pale.

 If the colour doesn’t come back after two seconds, then the bandage is too tight, and

you will need to reapply more loosely.

 Check the circulation every 10 minutes.

 Shock blankets to help manage body temperature.

- wrap the blanket around the subject, but ensure that the sides are tucked in under

the feet to keep the heat in and cold out.

1.3 ADHERE TO CORRECT FIRST AID PROCEDURES:

General safety

Following safety guidelines will help protect you and the equipment you are working on.

Always prioritize safety and seek assistance if you are unsure about any procedures.

Proper safety protocol when working with computers and other electronic equipment:

 Remove watch and jewellery and secure loose clothing.

 Turn off power and unplug equipment before performing service.

 Cover sharp edges inside the computer case with tape.

 Never open a power supply or a CRT monitor.

 Do not touch areas in printers that are hot or that use high voltage.

 Know where the fire extinguisher is located and how to use it.

 Keep food and drinks out of your workspace.

 Keep your workspace clean and free of clutter.

 Bend your knees when lifting heavy objects to avoid injuring your back.

Remove Watch and Jewellery: Take off any watches, rings, bracelets, or other jewelry

before working on electronic equipment. This helps prevent accidental short circuits or

damage.

Secure Loose Clothing: Tuck in or secure any loose clothing, ties, or long hair to prevent

them from getting caught in moving parts or fans.

Turn Off Power and Unplug: Always turn off and unplug the equipment before performing

any service or maintenance. This prevents the risk of electric shock.

Cover Sharp Edges: Use tape or protective covers to shield any sharp metal edges inside the

computer case to avoid cuts or scratches.

Never Open Power Supplies or CRT Monitors: These components can store high voltages

even when unplugged, posing a serious shock hazard. Leave these repairs to qualified

technicians.

Avoid Hot or High-Voltage Areas: Printers and other equipment may have hot surfaces or

high-voltage components. Identify and avoid touching these areas.

Know Fire Extinguisher Location: Familiarize yourself with the location and proper use of

any fire extinguishers in your workspace, in case of an electrical fire.

Keep Food and Drinks Away: Avoid consuming food or beverages near electronic

equipment to prevent spills and contamination.

Maintain a Clean Workspace: Keep your work area free of clutter, dust, and debris to

minimize the risk of static discharge or short circuits.

Lift Safely: When moving heavy equipment or objects, bend your knees and lift with your

legs to avoid back strain or injury.

Electrical Safety:

 Ensure all power is turned off and the equipment is unplugged before performing any

service or repairs.

 Avoid touching any exposed wiring or high-voltage components, as this can lead to

serious electric shocks.

 Use insulated tools and wear non-conductive gloves when working with electricity.

 If you are unsure about the electrical safety of a device, consult a qualified electrician.

In case of electric shock :

1. Quickly assess the situation.

2. Cut the power and move the injured person without endangering yourself.
  Cut the power by using a switch, removing a fuse or in a similar manner.

 If the power cannot be cut quickly, move the injured person away from the source of

electricity with an insulating object, such as a dry piece of wood, rope or clothing.

 Never use moist or metallic objects for moving the injured person.

 In high-voltage accidents, you should not start actual rescue measures before a

professional electrician has cut the power.

3. Check the condition of the injured person.

 When a person suddenly loses consciousness or appears lifeless, immediately check if

he/she can be woken up by speaking to or shaking the person.

4. Call for help

 If the injured person will not wake up and is unresponsive, call for help , follow

the instructions given by the emergency response centre.

5. Give first aid.

 Open the airways and check for breathing: Lift the chin upwards with two fingers

and tilt the head back with your other hand by pressing on the forehead. See if the

chest is moving, and if you can hear normal sounds of breathing or feel an air stream

on your cheek.

 If the person is breathing normally place the person on his/her side to

secure breathing. Monitor the breathing until professional help arrives.

 If breathing is not normal, start chest compressions. Place the palm of your hand in

the centre of the sternum and your other hand on top of it. Give 30 compressions

with
 straight arms in a piston-like motion with the speed of approximately 100

compressions per minute. Let the chest compress roughly 4 – 5 cm.

 Continue with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Open the airways again. Lift the chin

upwards with two fingers and tilt the head back with your other hand by pressing on

the forehead. Close the nostrils with your thumb and index finger. Seal your lips

tightly around the person’s mouth and blow air into the lungs 2 time while

monitoring the movement of the chest.

 Continue CPR with the rhythm of 30 compression and 2 blows, until you can hand

the responsibility over to professionals, breathing returns or you become to tired to

continue.

How to give first aid to someone who has suffered an electric shock:

 Lay the person down

 Elevate legs

 If the patient is cold – keep him/her warm with a blanket, coat or heating fabric.

 Remain calm

 Make sure that emergency services are called

 Do not leave the person alone, unless necessary to get help, for example.

The symptoms of shock develop quickly. The symptoms of shock include:

 dizziness

 thirst

 rapid and faint heart beat

 pale skin and cold sweat.

Without first aid shock will worsen and may even lead to unconsciousness. The harmful

effects of shock to the organ system can be prevented with proper first aid.
Burns in electrical accidents

In electrical accidents, the victim often sustains burns. In addition to superficial burn on the

skin, electricity causes internal burns that can be severe and cannot be visually observed.

First aid for a regular superficial burn is cooling, but in an electrical accident taking care of

burns is secondary to ensuring the victim’s vital functions. If the victim needs to be

resuscitated, nothing should be done with burns when giving first aid.

Eyes being exposed to a strong electric arc can lead to a sudden glare. A moist cold compress

eases pain. Seek further treatment if necessary.

ELECTRICAL HAZARDS

 Electrical hazards refer to the potential dangers and risks that are associated with

electrical systems. These hazards can cause dangers such as:-burns,

electrocution, arc flash, electric shock, fire ,explosions and other serious

injuries.

 In extreme cases, they can even lead to fires or explosions, posing a threat to

life, property, and the overall safety of a place and its occupants.

 One of the best ways to protect yourself against these dangers is through

awareness.

 Knowing the potential risks associated with electricity allows you to

take precautions to prevent electrical accidents and fatalities.

 Having this knowledge can also help you spot the signs of electrical hazards

immediately for prompt action, thereby contributing to the overall safety of the

workplace
 Common Electrical Hazards
Burns:
Most common shock-related injury .
Three types of electrical burns are; Electrical ,Arc flash, Thermal contact
Shock
 Body becomes part of electrical circuit .
 Reflex response to passage of electric current through the body

Arc Flash/Arc Blast Arc flash

 Sudden release of electrical energy through air when a high-voltage gap exists
and there is a breakdown between conductors
 Gives off thermal radiation (heat) and bright, intense light that can cause burns
 Temperatures as high as 35,000°F

Arc blast
 high-voltage arcs can also produce considerable pressure waves by rapidly
heating the air and creating a blast
Fire
 Most result from problems with "fixed wiring” Problems with cords,
plugs, receptacles, and switches also cause electrical fires

Explosions
 Occur when electricity ignites explosive mixture of material in the air
 Note:
-Electricity is source of these hazards,
-All hazards are of equal importance
-Lesson focuses on eliminating electrical hazards

 Contact with energized sources

- Live parts
The major hazards:
Electrical shock and burns
-Electrical shock occurs when the body becomes part of the electric circuit source
  Severity and effects of an electrical shock depend on a number of factors
- Pathway through the body
- Amount of current Length of time of the exposure
- Whether skin is wet or dry
 Water
- Great conductor
-Allows current to flow more easily in wet conditions and through wet skin

Most injuries are a result of the following:

 Poorly installed, faulty and/or ill-maintained electrical equipment.

 Faulty wiring.
 Overloaded or overheated outlets.
 Use of flexible leads and extension cables.
 Incorrect use of replacement fuses.
 Use of electrical equipment with wet hands or near the source of water.

Preventing Workplace Electrical Incidents

 Unplug or switch off electrical appliances when not in use or while
cleaning, repairing or servicing.
 Ensure that all electrical appliances are turned off at the end of the day.
 Don’t forcefully plug into an outlet if it doesn’t fit.
 Refrain from running electrical cords across doorways, under the carpets, or
in areas that witness regular activities.
 Maintain a clearance of at least 3 feet from all electrical panels.
 Use only equipment that is double-insulated and properly grounded.
 Don’t overload the outlets.
 Ensure that two extension cords are not plugged together.
 Only use electrical equipment that is approved by a national testing laboratory.
Buy electrical equipment from trusted electrical liquidators who sell good quality
electrical surplus materials.
  Pay attention to the warning signs. Equipment may heat up, spark, smoke or
make weird noise; Identify the signs and immediately take it out of service.
 Regularly check for defects in cords and equipment. Report immediately if any.
 Place a cover or guard to exposed electrical components or wires.
 While unplugging, grip the plug and pull. Don’t pull the cord from a distance.
 Do not use electrical equipment or appliances with wet hands or near water and
wet surfaces.
 Clearly identify potential electrical hazards, such as electrical panels, with
appropriate safety signs.
 Proper employee training plays a crucial role in avoiding electrical injuries

at work. Fortunately, most of the electrical hazards can be easily prevented

and controlled with a little caution and regular checks.

Maintaining a first aid kit

Well-maintained first aid kits are always ready to use.

 Keep the first aid kit stocked with the necessary supplies for your work environment.

 Replace items as soon as possible after they are used

 Check the kit after each use or regularly

 Ensure all dressings, bandages, and other supplies are kept clean and sterile.

 Check that items are in good working order, have not become unusable and haven’t

gone past their expiry date.

 Check that sterile items are still sealed

 Properly dispose of any contaminated or used items in accordance with medical

waste regulations.

Safe keeping of a first aid kit

 Store the first aid kit in a clean, accessible, and well-lit location that is known to all

employees.
 Make sure the first aid kit is not obstructed or hidden from view.

 Protect the first aid kit from dust, moisture, and extreme temperatures.

 Secure the first aid kit to prevent tampering or unauthorized access.

 Ensure the first aid kit is regularly inspected and restocked as needed.