FIRST AID,

RESCUE AND
WATER SAFETY
Presented By : Ms. Marychris Verdera

College of Saint Lawrence Inc. | 2024

 FIRST AID
Immediate assistance or care to a victim of sudden, serious
or minor, illness or injury.
This is done for the patient to be relieved from pain,
recover, or prevent the worsening of condition until a
skilled medical service is available.
Includes self-help and home care treatments.
It may save a life or improve patient's vital signs such as
pulse, temperature, a patent (unobstructed) airway, and
breathing.
 Objectives of First Aid
1.To alleviate suffering.
2.To prevent further injury, damage, or danger; and
3.To prolong life

Importance of First Aid

1.To save life;
2.To prevent permanent disability; and
3.To reduced prolonged hospitalization.
 Difference between an Appointed
Person and First Aider
According to British Red Cross Society:

Appointed Person - designated to oversee first aid

arrangements including taking charge of the first aid kit and
calling an ambulance in an emergency.

First Aider - trained and therefore qualified to provide first

aid treatment in the event of an injury or illness.
 Difference between an Appointed
Person and First Aider
According to British Red Cross Society:

Appointed Person - designated to oversee first aid

arrangements including taking charge of the first aid kit and
calling an ambulance in an emergency.

First Aider - trained and therefore qualified to provide first

aid treatment in the event of an injury or illness.
Difference between an Appointed Person and
First Aider
1.Looks after first aid equipment and facilities.
2.Takes charge when someone is injured or becomes ill.
3.Calls the emergency services if they are needed.
4.Makes an initial assessment of the injury or illness.
5.Gives appropriate first aid to the casualty until help arrives
6.Maintains injury/illness records as required.
 Characteristics of First Aider

1.Gentle
2.Sympathetic
3.Cheerful.
4.Observant
5.Resourceful.
6.Tactful.
 First Aid Kit
It can be commercially purchased or made. It is essential to have
a kit at home, in the bag, places of work and schools for use
during emergency situations.

The common items found in a first aid kit are:

Bandages, roller
bandages and Sterile gauze
tape
Antiseptic wipes Absorbent Antibiotic
and swabs compresses cream

Burn ointment

Eye shield & eyewash

Mask for breathing Cold pack
 General Directions for First Aiding

1. Don't panic. The first aider must remain calm so that he

or she can clearly think assess the situation during an
emergency situation.
2. Ensure the safety of the area. In an emergency
situation, the safety of everyone must be ensured before
first aid is given to the victim. If deemed necessary, the
victim should be transported in a safe place before first aid
is performed.
3. Check for vital functions. When giving first aid, the first
aider should assess the pulse and breathing of the victim.
4. Check for injuries. A careful physical examination of the
victim should be conducted to prevent further injury. In cases of
multiple injuries, the first aider should identify which problem to
treat first.
5. Give the needed first aid urgently. The necessary and
appropriate first aid should be applied with no delay.
6. Keep the victim lying down. The victim should be examined
in a lying position to stabilize the body which prevents any head,
neck or body movement. For victims with spinal injury, any
movement may result in paralysis or death. Shaking the
unconscious person by shaking should be avoided because it
might cause further injury.
7. Keep the victim warm. The warmth would help the victim
recover faster through increased blood circulation. The victim may
be provided with a jacket, a blanket or through body heat transfer
by embracing the victim.
8. Do not give fluids to an unconscious or partly conscious
person. During first aid, the victim is not given fluids to drink as
this may enter the windpipe and block the airway passage. This
must be noted by every person not only the first aiders and
rescuers. The water may enter the windpipe and block the airway
passage.
9. Following injury, do not lift a gasping person by the belt.
Lifting a gasping person by the belt may aggravate back or internal
organ injuries.
10. Reassure the victim. The first aider should provide
reassurance to the victim by explaining the first aid being done and
how it will help him/her reduce the pain and the feelings of
anxiety.
11. Be reluctant to make statements. The first aider should not
communicate any diagnosis, evaluation, and prediction of the
illnesses and injuries to the victim and bystanders. Instead, the first
aider should focus on providing the needed immediate care
 Purposes of First Aid Training

1.To prevent accidents and injuries.

2.To train people to do the right thing at the right time.
3.To prevent added injury or danger.
4.To provide proper transportation to the victim if necessary.
5.To give first aid to large numbers of persons who are
victims of natural disasters.
 Basic Equipment Needed for First Aid
1.Spine Board 11. Penlight
2.Short Board/ Kendrick's 12. Band aid
Extrication Device 13. Gloves
3.Sets of splints 14. Scissors
4.Poles 15. Forceps
5.Blankets 16. Triangular Bandage
6.Rubbing Alcohol 17. Elastic Roller Bandage
7.Povidone lodine 18. Occlusive Dressing
8.Cotton 19. Plaster
9.Gauge pads
10.Tongue Depressor
Spine Board
Short Board/ Kendrick's Extrication Device
Set of Splints
Poles
Povidone Iodine
Tounge Depressor
Forceps
Triangular Bandage
Elastic Roller Bandage
Occlusive Dressing
First Aid Measures For Selected Situations

1.Shock 9. Dog Bites

2.Drowning 10. Allergic Reactions
3.Wound 11. Anaphylactic Shock
4.Fracture 12. Nose Bleeding
5.Burn 13. Hyperventilation
6.Heat Injury 14. Choking
7.Poison 15. Dizziness
8.Snake Bite 16. Seizure
1.Shock

a condition where several vital body functions are in a depressed

state. This condition can be life threatening even though the
injuries or conditions which caused the depression is fatal.
depressed vital functions is a result of a loss of significant amount
of blood volume, reduced blood flow, or insufficient supply of
oxygen.
the word shock should not be confused with emotional shock,
which happens when a person received bad news. Although, the
external signs for both are very similar.
 Causes of Shock
a. Significant loss of blood;
b. Heart failure;
c. Dehydration; and
d. Severe and painful blows to the body.

Signs and Symptoms of a Shock

a. Sweaty and cold, and clammy skin; f. Dilated pupils;
b. Pale skin; g. Rapid pulse; and
c. Restlessness or nervousness; h. Nausea, dizziness, or vomiting.
d. Thirst and dry mouth;
e. Rapid and shallow breathing;
 First Aid Measures for Shock

Shock may be life threatening, hence effective and immediate first aid
measures must be given. This includes:
a. Controlling bleeding;
b. Replacement of fluids;
c. Controlling or managing pain;
d. Prevention from heat exposure;
e. Loosening the victim's clothing;
f. NPO (Nothing by mouth) to an unconscious patient; and
g. Elevating the casualty's feet higher than the level of the heart (shock
position).
 Keep the feet supported and higher than the head.
Leg in the air for maximum blood flow, hence oxygen
flows to the brain.
Lack of oxygen causes weakness and confusion.
2. Drowning

type of asphyxia or the inability to breathe. This is a result of either

respiration of fluids or obstruction of the airway caused by
contraction of the larynx while the victim is submerged in the
water. If the victim has been unconscious and submerged in the
water for an extended period of time, water enters or fills the lungs
and also fills or enters the stomach.
another secondary danger occurs when water forces the stomach's
content upward which may lead to choking and vomiting. A near
drowning person is also prone to of hypothermia.
 First Aid Measures for Drowning
a. Open the airway of the drowning person by
tilting the head and lifting the chin.
b. Open the mouth and check for any obstructions.
c. If there are no obstructions, look, listen, and feel
for breathing
1. Look at the rise and fall of the chest.
2. Listen for breaths with the first aider's ear close to the nose and
mouth of the victim.
3. Feel the air coming from the victim's nose or mouth using the
first aider's cheek.
d. If the victim is breathing, place
him or her in the recovery
position.

e. If the victim is not breathing,

perform Cardiopulmonary
Resuscitation (CPR).
Hypothermia
is the decrease in the body's normal temperature. It is a common
secondary problem of near drowning.
if untreated, hypothermia leads to the slowing and eventually
stopping of breathing and heart rate.
to reduce the risk of hypothermia, place the victim on a blanket or
layer of coats to insulate him/her from the ground. Remove wet
clothing if warm and dry clothing is unavailable. If wet clothing is not
removed, cover the wet clothing with available blankets and clothes.
Cover the head to prevent heat loss. If possible, warm of increase the
temperature of the external environment.
3. Wound
a break in the continuity of a tissue of the body. Wounds are also
classified as open and closed.
an open wound is a break in the skin or in a mucous membrane.
a closed wound are caused by trauma in the tissues without a
break in the skin. Bleeding and trauma occurs under the skin or
muscle.

Types and Causes of Open Wounds

The severity of the wounds ranges based each type and what
caused it. The wounds may be classified into the following:
 a. Abrasion Wounds

Are results of scraping the skin and thereby damaging it. Bleeding
in an abrasion is characterized by oozing of blood from the ruptured
small veins and capillaries. In this type of wound, there is a danger of
contamination and infection because the dirt and bacteria may enter
through the broken tissues.
 b. Incised Wounds

Are cuts in the body tissues caused by sharp-edged objects such as

knives, metal edges, broken glasses, or surgical blades.
 c. Lacerated (Laceration) Wounds

Wounds are characterized by jagged, irregular, blunt breaks, or

tears in the soft tissues. In this type of wound, bleeding may be rapid or
extensive because the destruction of the tissue is greater in lacerations
than in cuts.
 d. Puncture Wounds

Usually caused by bullets and sharp-pointed objects, such as pins,

nails, or needles. External bleeding is usually minor, but the puncturing
object may penetrate deep into the body which can damage organs
and cause severe internal bleeding.
e. Avulsion Wounds

involve the forced separation or tearing of tissue. Avulsions are

results of animal bites and accidents involving motor vehicles,
heavy machinery, guns, and explosives.
layers of skin torn off completely or only flap of skin remains
same mechanism as laceration, but to extent that tissue is
completely ripped from it's source.
 First Aid for Open Wounds
a. Direct pressure. The first aider directly press his/her fingers or
palm on the wound with an adequate amount of force to constrict the
blood vessels and decrease bleeding.
b. Elevation. The first aider may elevate the injured part of the body
above the heart. This will allow gravity to affect the blood flow and
prevent bleeding.
c. Pressure on the supplying artery. The first aider directly press
the supplying artery that causes the excessive bleeding. This will help
avoid excessive loss of blood.
d. Tourniquet. Is a type of device, either a rubber tourniquet or a
bandage, that aids in controlling the bleeding from a vein or an artery.
Tourniquet
e. Dressing, also called compressing, is an immediate protective cover
placed over a wound to aid in controlling hemorrhage, absorbing
blood and wound secretions, preventing additional contaminations,
and easing pain. Dressings must be sterile.

Uses of Dressing
1. To control bleeding;
2. To cover the wound and keep the dirt and bacteria out which may
cause infection;
3. To absorb excess fluid;
4. To maintain temperature around the wound; and
5. To apply medication.
Rules in Applying Dressing

1. Apply dressing directly over the wound.

2. Avoid contamination of the dressing.
3. Use the tail of a dressing as bandage whenever possible.
4. If the dressing is secured by tying, place the knots where they are
easy to see. Never tie the knots over the wound.

f. Bandaging is the skillful application of bandages of various kinds,

usually in the form of triangular or roller bandages. A bandage must be
clean, but it doesn’t need to be sterile. It aids in immobilizing,
supporting, or protecting an injured part of the body.
Types and Causes of Closed Wounds
a. Petechial are pinpoint-sized,
red or purple spots on the skin
resulting from small hemorrhages
of the capillaries (smallest blood
vessels) in the skin layer.

b. Contusions are ruptures in the

tiny blood vessels beneath the skin.
However, the skin itself is not
broken.
c. Strain is an overstretching of a
muscle instead of a actual tearing.

d. Sprain is the "partial or

complete disruption in the
continuity of a muscular or
ligamentous support of a joint"
(Watson, et al., 2023).
 First Aid for Closed Wounds

a. Cold Compress. Place an ice pack on the injured area to reduce

swelling and possible internal bleeding.
b. Immobilization. For sprains, refrain from moving or massaging the
joint to avoid further injury. Put bandage on the injured joint with a
splint to keep it immobilized.

4. Fracture
Occurs when there is a break in the continuity of the bone. A
fracture is classified into two types: open and closed.
Signs and Symptoms of Fracture

1. Deformity or misshapen limb or joint;

2. Tenderness on the affected area;
3. Swelling of the fractured area;
4. Intense pain;
5. Presence of a protruding bone (open fracture);
6. Inability to move the injured part;
7. Broken skin with bleeding (open fracture); and
8. Discoloration on the affected area.
First Aid Measures of Fracture

1. Apply a splint secured by a bandage to immobilize fracture.

2. Apply cold compress to reduce pain and swelling.
3. Apply sterile dressing to an open wound to control bleeding.
4. Apply the treatment for shock.
5. If pain is severe, give a pain reliever.
6. Avoid unnecessary holding of the injured part.
7. Place the patient on a stretch and secure the injured part so it will
not move while he or she is being transported.
8. Bring the patient to the nearest medical facility as soon as possible.
Common Types of Fractures

a. Stable fracture. The broken ends of the bone line-up and are
barely out of place.
b. Open, compound fracture. The skin may be pierced by the bone
or by a blow that breaks the skin at the time of the fracture. The bone
may or may not be visible in the wound.
c. Transverse fracture. This type of fracture has a horizontal fracture
line.
d. Oblique fracture. This type of fracture has an angled pattern.
e. Comminuted fracture. In this type of fracture, the bone shatters
into three or more pieces.
Types of Bone Fractures
5. Burn

occur when a tissue is damaged as a result of excessive heat,

electricity, radioactivity, or chemicals that corrode the proteins in
the skin cells.
it burns can be infected because the damaged tissue has no
resistance to infection. Also, serious problems or complications
may arise after the initial injury.
the risk of infection increases based on the size and depth of the
burn.
Three Layers of Skin

1. Epidermis, which is the outer layer of the skin.

2. Dermis, which is made up of collagen and elastic fibers. It is where
the nerves, blood vessels, sweat glands, and hair follicles are found.
3. Hypodermis or subcutaneous tissue, is the layer of the skin
where larger blood vessels and nerves are located. This is the layer of
tissue that is most important in temperature regulation.
Causes of Burns
a. Dry Heat- This is the most common type of burn which includes
those that are caused by hot objects such as exhausts by cigarettes or
lighters.
b. Wet Heat (scald)- Usually refers to contact with hot water or
steam, but it can also include other hot liquids such as oil or fat.
Friction- This is a result of two objects rubbing together which
generates heat. It causes dry burn.
c. Chemical Burn- This is caused by exposure or contact with
industrial and household chemicals which can result to serious burns.
d. Electrical Burn - This can be cause by everyday low-voltage
current found in switches, wires, and appliances or from the high
voltage cables in the form of power lines.
Degrees of Burn
a. 1st Degree involves only the epidermis. It causes mild pain and
erythema (redness), has no blisters and the skin functions remain
intact. Example of this type is the sunburn.
b. 2nd Degree destroys the epidermis and part of the dermis. In this
type of burn, some skin functions are lost. It is characterized by
redness, blister formation, edema, and severe pain.
c. 3rd Degree destroys the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous layer.
In this type of burn, most skin functions are lost. The burned area varies
in appearance from marble-white to mahogany to black. The burned
area may be numb because the pain sensory nerve endings as the
dermis are destroyed.
Degrees of Burn
First Aid Treatment for Burn
1. Monitor the victim's airway and breathing especially when. the
victim has burn in the mouth and the airways. Be prepared to
resuscitate if necessary.
2. If possible, lay the victim on the ground to help reduce the effect of
shock.
3. Do use the burned area with cool liquid to reduce the pain, swelling,
and risk of scarring. Do not over cool to avoid hypothermia. If dousing
water from a shower, hose, or tap, ensure that the water pressure is
minimal as water hitting burned skin at speed and with pressure will
elevate the pain and worsen the damage.
4. Make an assessment if ambulance is needed.
5. Keep cooling the injured part for 10 minutes, until the victim stops
complaining, or when the pain stops.
6. Remove any jewelries as burns swells up.
7. Use sterile bandage tied very loosely over the burn to cover the
wound. If you are improvising, any clean non-fluffy material can be
used such as clean handkerchiefs, cotton cloths, or plastic wrap.
8. If possible, raise the injured part as this can help in reducing
swelling.
9. Continue to threat for shock.
10. Regularly check the victim's airway, breathing, and circulation.
The following should be avoided:
a. Do not break the blister in second degree burns because this may
increase the risk of infection.
b. Do not over cool the victim.
c. Do not remove burned clothing if it is sticking to the wound.
d. Do not put cotton wool, or any other fluffy material as it will stick to
the injury.
e. Do not apply ointment or any cream to a burned area because these
will need to be removed at the hospital.

Petroleum jelly, aloe era, banana leaves, or ointments for burns can be
alternatives to treat mild burns.
Other Types of Burn
Burn caused by lightning - if outside during a thunderstorm, seek
shelter in a car or building. If shelters are not available, make yourself
as low as possible and minimize contact with the ground by crouching.
Avoid single trees, bodies of water, and tall objects.
If struck by lightning, the first aider must check the airway and the
victim's breathing. Be ready to resuscitate, treat for any burns, and call
for a help.
Electrical Burn- Do not attempt to touch the person unless you are
absolutely certain that he or she is no longer in contact with live
equipment. If the person is still attached to an electrical current, turn
off the electricity at the main breaker.
If you cannot access the breaker, to turn off electrical equipment at the
wall socket, but do not touch the victim or the equipment. If the
breaker cannot be turned off, move the victim away from the point of
contact using non-conducting materials such as broom handle or
wood. Insulate using rubber gloves and shoes. If in doubt what to do
during such situations, call for professional help.
Check if the victim is conscious or unconscious. If unconscious,
check the airway and breathing and take appropriate action as
needed. If safe to do so, treat any burns with cold water.
Cover the burn with sterile non fluffy dressing.
Seek urgent medical attention. Stay with victim and reassure him
until medical help arrives.
High Voltage Electricity - such as power lines, subway tracks,
overhead power cables, etc. are usually fatal, causing severe burns,
heart problem, and potentially even broken bones and internal injuries
as the victim is usually thrown by the shock. If somebody is hit by
electricity, prioritize keeping yourself and others safe. High voltage
currents can jump people should be at least 60 feet back. This requires
a call for professional help.
Chemical Burn - The key point when dealing with chemical burn is
not to contaminate yourself. Chemicals spill is not always obvious as
some toxic chemicals look like water. Always be alert for signs such as
HAZMAT(hazardous materials) labels, scattered empty chemical
containers, or guidance from the bystanders. If in doubt call the
professionals rather than approaching or treating the injured person.