First Aid Overview
Name 2 of 4 Goals for First Aid
1) Protect a person who is injured or ill from further harm.
2) Manage life-threatening medical emergencies until professional help arrives. (Keep the airway open Maintain breathing and circulation. Stop serious bleeding. Treat for shock.)
3) Get professional medical care, if needed, for the person.
4) Provide appropriate care for minor injuries and illnesses.
What is the first thing to do before helping a person who needs first aid?
Make sure the scene is safe to get involved
How can you tell if their Airway is open
They can talk or cough
What is shock?
When the body cannot provide enough blood and oxygen to the body
When should you move a person who is injured?
If staying where they are is more dangerous
Example: They are in a place that may cause further injury (fire, gas leak, water, etc)
Example: They cannot get the medical care they need unless they are moved
An ounce of ______ is worth a pound of cure
Prevention
What to do if you encounter a situation where a person needs more than just first aid?
Call for help (911)
How do you check a person for breathing?
Put ear and cheek near the person's mouth - listen and feel for breathing
Watch their chest to see if it rises
What are 2 symptoms of shock
Feeling weak
Lightheadedness
Confusion or dizziness
Skin that is clammy cool or pale
A very quick, but weak pulse
Shallow, rapid or irregular breathing
Nausea and vomiting or extreme thirst
When should you not move an injured person
If doing so is more dangerous to them
1) Back, neck other injuries may get worse by being moved
2) You cannot tell what their injuries are, and it is safe to stay where they are
Names 2 ways to prevent common first aid problems encountered on outdoor activities
Be in good physical condition before an activity
Drink water during / before activities that are strenuous
Wear sturdy clothing that covers you when outdoors (prevent scrapes, bites, plant exposure, stings)
Know where you are going and what to expect
Take care of your gear
Assess the safest way to get to an injured person
1) Example - what if they are on a highway, or fallen down a mountainside?
1) Radial artery (wrist)
2) Carotid Pulse (neck)
Why is talking calmly to an injured person important?
Assume an environment is safe - should you move a person who is in shock?
No - moving them could worsen their shock symptoms
Do not move them unless they cannot receive care otherwise
Triage is when you decide what is the most important injury to take care of first
1) Example - if multiple people are injured find out which injury would be the most harmful and needs the most immediate attention
How to protect yourself from infection while helping others
Wear gloves, a mask or glasses (eye shield) to protect from getting an infection from the person you are trying to help
Demonstrate how to take your own and partner's carotid pulse
Evaluate their efforts
Bleeding
Severe pain
Open wounds
Inadequate breathing or poor heart beat
Why should you not move a person with a Head, neck or back injury
Moving a person with an injury like this may damage the brain or spinal cord and cause additional permanent injuries
What acronymn can you add to your phone to help first responder know who to call if you are hurt and can't talk?
ICE (In Case of Emergency) - add this to one's contacts
What does it mean to "Check ABC's?"
1) Airway - is the airway open, can they speak
2) Breathing - Can you tell if they are breathing ?
3) Circulation - Is there severe bleeding? Is there a pulse
Demonstrate how to take your own and partner's radial pulse
Eliminate cause if you can find it and Send for help
Help victim lie down
Elevate legs (if victim does not have leg or back or neck injury)
Keep victim warm