Introduction to First Aid
Presented by
Melody Riley
OBJECTIVES
• At the end of the unit, the student will be able to:
• Define the terms first aid and casualty;
• Outline the purpose of first aid;
• Outline the personal qualities, which are characteristic of
a first aider;
• Describe the principles of first aid management.
• First Aid: Definition of terms
temporary and immediate care given to a person who is
injured or who suddenly becomes ill (Karren et al)
• emergency care or treatment given to an ill or injured
person before regular medical aid can be obtained
(Merrian-Webster)
• Includes recognizing life-threatening
conditions/situations and taking successful action to
preserve life
Casualty/victim
• Person injured or who becomes ill
Purposes of First Aid
• Preserve life (keep the person alive)
should be the overall aim.
• Ensure an open airway; unconscious
victim maybe unable to do so.
Includes life of the first aider and others
•
• Promote Improvement
• Prevent the casualty’s condition from getting
worse/deteriorate
• minimize further injury and complications
• If removing danger from the casualty is not possible you
should be prepared to remove the casualty from the
danger.
• May involve starting the recovery process (dressing a
wound, splint etc.)
Prevent complication
•Prevent the casualty moving into a life-threatening
situation
•Prepare for medical treatment
•Arrange prompt emergency medical care( call
ambulance/EMS)
•
•
Qualities of a First Aider
Organizing
•must be able to assess and take charge of the situation
• activate EMS for serious conditions
• keep calm under pressure
•prioritize and organize bystanders
• use your initiative
Self-confidence
•Demonstrate competence ( have the knowledge and the
skills to render appropriate life saving care)
•Must provide standard of care appropriate to training
Sympathy
•Empathize - being able to put yourself in the mindset of
the victim
Tact
•Practice good communication skills. Victim stressed, sad
and hopeless
•Provide kind and reassuring responses
Judgement and thought
•Remain positive, believe you have the ability to handle the
challenges
Calmness (don’t panic)
Principles of First Aid
Taking history
•Assess the accident scene as you approach it
• Establish rapport
•Keep yourself and others at the scene safe.
• Look for clues – number of victims, illness/injury/
accident/etc.
• What resources are needed.
• If scene becomes unsafe at any time get out
•Consent should be received from casualty before
assistance rendered(waived if casualty unconscious)
Assessing Casualty
Primary Survey:
•Assess if any immediate threat to life
• Provide basic life support to those whose lives are
threatened
•Prioritize - give aid to the most seriously injured victim first
•Keep voice calm and quiet
•Assess for disability or altered response
Assessing Casualty
• Scan for general appearance
• Conduct neuro exam(mental status, motor function ,
sensory function)
• determine chief complaint
• Assess vital signs
• check for any medical devices/medications-medic alert,
tags, bracelets, etc.
• Evaluate the ABCDs(airway, breathing , circulation,
disability)
Secondary Survey:
•Take a closer look at the victim
•Do a head to toe assessment
• Keep body in alignment
• Look for deformity, unusual breath sounds, etc.
•
•Check for less obvious injuries and medical problems
Maintaining Patent Airway
•Assess if breathing normally, or not.( rise and fall of the
chest, listen for air movement at mouth and nose, feel for
exhalation of warm air on the cheek)
•
•Victim conscious and talking without difficulty, the airway is
open
•If airway not open, open the airway by head-tilt/chin-lift
maneuver, If breathing place in the recovery position/side,
If not start CPR
Preventing and treating shock
•shock(loss of 15 – 30 or greater percent of blood volume)
•Check for serious or profuse bleeding
• Look for pools of blood or blood stained clothing
•
•If major bleeding apply direct pressure/pressure bandage/
Elevation
• Assess vital signs 5 -15mins
Observing vital signs
•Check pulse –radial, carotid(if unconscious). If pulseless,
not breathing and unresponsive begin CPR.
•Check at 5 minute intervals.
•
•Observe for flaring at the nostrils, use of assessor muscles
in neck, chest, abdomen, fast breathing, increase heart
rate, pale and cool skin, sweating, decrease mental status.
Observing Vital Signs
•Assess skin temperature by using the back of the hand
(hot skin –fever, heat stroke)
•low temperature – shock, spinal injury, heat exhaustion,
exposure to cold
•paleness
•cyanosis
•redness
Protecting wound
•Expose the wound to see where bleeding is coming from
• Clean and cover open wounds- clean/sterile dressing)
•mnemonic DOTS can be used to assess signs/symptoms
of injury –deformity ,open wounds, tenderness, swelling
Splinting suspected fractures
•Immobilize joint above and below the fracture to prevent
further damage
•Check:
distal pulse,
capillary refill,
sensation, to make sure circulation still adequate
• Allaying anxiety (keep calm , reassure, protect privacy
• Arranging for transfer of casualty to hospital/clinic (call
EMS during first minutes of accident(give location of
accident, phone number where you can be reached,
Information about the victim/s. Bystander can be utilized
• Observing and re-evaluating. (Observe and reassess
client every 5 -15mins
Bandaging
