Chapter 1
1. recognizing that an emergency exists
2. deciding to take action
3. activating the EMS system
4. giving care until EMS personnel take over
EMS 4 steps
**infants (birth to 1 year)
**toddlers (1 to 3 years)
**school age children (5 to 12)
**adolescents (12 to 20 years)
When the injured or lll person is a child
occurs when blood flow to part of the heart muscle is blocked
heart attack
Foods
*Nuts and seeds
*Hot dogs and sausages
*Chunks of meat or cheese
*Chunks of fruit (such as apples) and whole
grapes
*Raw vegetables (such as carrots and celery)
*Popcorn
*Peanut butter
Household Objects and Toys
*Coins
*Buttons
*Small “button” batteries (found inside watches,
car key fobs, singing greeting cards, hearing
aids and other electronics)
*Magnets
*Marbles
choking hazards
**unusual sounds
**unusual odors
**unusual sights
**unusual behaivors
signs of emergency
**extend the person's arm that is closest to you above the person's head
**roll the person toward yourself onto his or her side, so that the person's head rests on his or her extended arm
**bend both of the person's knees to stabilize the body
recovery positions for adult
the pain or discomfort is persistent, lasting longer than 3 to 5 minutes, or going away and then coming back
signs and symptoms of a heart attack
A person who is choking typically has a panicked, confused or
surprised facial expression. Some people may place one or both
hands on their throat. The person may cough (either forcefully
or weakly), or he or she may not be able to cough at all.
Signs and Symptoms of Choking
usually protect responders who act the way a "reasonable and prudent person" would act if that person were in the same situation,
good samaritan laws
check for responsiveness and breathing for no more than 5 to 10 seconds
checking a person who appears to be unresponsive
**call 9-1-1 or the designated emergency number immediately. Never try to drive a person who is experiencing signs and symptoms of a heart attack to the hospital yourself. EMS personnel can transport the person to the hospital safely while initiating care.
**have the person stop what he or she is doing and rest in a comfortable position to reduce the heart's need for oxygen. many people experiencing a heart attack find it easier to breath while sitting
first aid care for a heart attack
if you think that someone might be having a heart attack, you should:
**Back blows
**Abdominal thrusts
Caring for an Adult or Child Who Is Choking
**emergency situations
**emergency conditions
What is the EMS system
you can place an infant on his or her side as you would an older child, or you can hold the infant in a recovery position by positioning the infant face-down along your forearm, supporting the infant's head and neck while keeping the mouth and nose clear
recovery positions for an infant
occurs when the heart stops breathing or breasts too ineffectively to circulate blood to the brain and other vital organs
cardiac arrest
**Back blows
**Chest thrusts
Caring for an Infant Who Is Choking
**state your name
**state the type and level of training that you have (such as training in first aid or CPR)
**explain what you think is wrong
**ask if you may help
obtaining consent to help
reassure the person by telling him or her that you will help and that EMSpersonnel have been called (if appropriate)
checking from head to toe
congenital heart disorder are at higher risk for sudden cardiac arrest
signs and symptoms of cardiac arrest
carefully lower him or her to the ground and, if you are trained, begin CPR, starting with chest compressions. After each set of chest compressions and before attempting rescue breaths, open the person’s mouth and look for the object. If you see an object in the person’s mouth, remove it using your finger
If the Person Becomes Unresponsive