FIRST AID
Is an immediate care given to a person who has been injured or suddenly taken ill.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE FIRST AIDER
1. Bridge that fills the gap between the victim and the physician.
2. It is not intended to compete with or take the place of the services of the physician.
3. It ends when the services of a physician begin.
4. Ensure safety of him/her and that of the bystanders.
5. Gain access to the victim.
6. Determine any threats to patient’s life.
OBJECTIVES OF FIRST AID
1. To alleviate suffering.
2. To prevent added/further injury or danger.
3. To prolong life.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD FIRST AIDER
1. GENTLE - should not cause pain.
2. RESOURCEFUL - should make the best use of things at hand.
3. OBSERVANT - should notice all signs.
4. TACTFUL - should not alarm the victim.
5. EMPATHETIC - should be comforting.
6. RESPECTABLE - should maintain a professional & caring attitude.
HINDRANCES IN GIVING FIRST AID
1. Unfavorable Surroundings.
2. The Presence of Crowds.
3. Pressure from the victim or relatives.
TRANSMISSION OF DISEASES AND THE FIRST AIDERS
HOW DISEASES ARE TRANSMITTED:
DIRECT CONTACT TRANSMISSION
Occurs when a person touches an infected person’s body fluids.
AIRBORNE TRANSMISSION
Occurs when a person inhales infected droplets that have become airborne as an
infected person coughs or sneezes.
VECTOR TRANSMISSION
Occurs when an animal such as dog or an insect, such as tick, mosquitoes,
transmits a pathogen into the body through a bite.
COMPARISON OF TRANSMITABLE DISEASES
HERPES - is a viral infection that causes eruptions of the skin and mucous membranes.
MENINGITIS - is an inflammation of the brain or spinal cord caused by a viral or
bacterial infection.
HEPATITIS - is a viral infection of the liver
HIV (HUMAN IMMUNE DEFICIENCY VIRUS) - Is the virus that destroys the body’s
ability to fight
infection. The resultant state is referred to as; AIDS (ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY
SYNDROME)
PRECAUTIONS TO PREVENT DISEASE TRANSMISSION
Body Substance Isolation ( B S I ) - Are precautions taken to isolate or prevent risk of
exposure from any
other type of bodily substance.
SUGGESTED FIRST AID KIT (BASIC)
RUBBING ALCOHOL
POVIDONE IODINE
COTTON
GAUZE PADS
TONGUE DEPRESSOR
PENLIGHT
BAND AID
CLOTHE MATERIALS COMMONLY USED IN FIRST AID
DRESSING OR COMPRESS - any sterile cloth material used to cover the wound.
BANDAGES - any clean cloth material sterile or not use to hold the dressing
place.
NERVOUS SYSTEM - is the system that transmits impulses throughout the body
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM - is the system that supplies oxygen and remove carbon
dioxide from the
blood.
CIRCULATORY SYSTEM - is the system that transports oxygen, food water and
removes waste
products.
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM - is the systems that absorbs food and eliminate some
waste products.
URINARY SYSTEM - is the system that removes waste products.
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM - is the system that propagates species.
MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM - is the system that gives form to the body, allow
bodily movement,
provide protection to the vital internal organs produce red blood cells and
serves as a reservoir of
calcium, phosphorus and other body chemicals.
INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM - is the system that control body temperature and
appreciate sensation
The Skin- The largest single organ in the body.
Soft Tissue Injuries (Wound)
A break in the continuity of a tissue of the body whether internal or
external
Closed Soft Tissue Injury – Skin is unbroken
OPEN WOUND
A break in the skin or mucous membrane; or the protective skin layer is
damage
Classification:
1. Puncture -Penetrating pointed instruments such as nail, ice picks,
daggers etc.
2. Abrasion-Scrapping or rubbing against rough surfaces.
3. Laceration-Blunt instruments such as shrapnel’s, rocks broken glasses,
etc.
4. Avulsion-Explosion, animal bites, mishandling of tools, etc.
5. Incision-Sharp bladed instruments such as blades, razors, etc.
BURNS
An injury involving the skin and its parts. Leading effects of accidental home
deaths.
Types of burns:
1. Thermal – Contact with fire and heat
2. Chemical – Chemicals will continue to cause tissue destruction until the
chemical agent is removed.
3. Electrical-Contact with electrical current and voltage of electricity.
Bandage – any clean cloth material, sterile or not, used to hold dressing in
place.
Dressing – any sterile cloth material used to cover wound.
BONES, JOINTS AND MUSCLE INJURIES
Common causes
Vehicular accidents, Motorbike accidents, Mishandling of tools and
equipment, Falls
MUSCLE CRAMP OR SPASM
Is the sudden, painful tightening of a muscle.
Muscle strain or pulled muscle
Is the sudden, painful tearing of muscle fiber during exertion
Muscle Sprain
Is caused by torn fibers in a ligament
Dislocation
Is the displacement of a bone from its normal position at a joint.
Fracture
Is a break or disruption in bone tissue
SHOCK
A depressed condition of many body functions due to the failure of
enough blood to circulate
throughout the body following serious injury.
