Vocabulary
Providing first aid can help you....
To make your workplace, home and community a safer place to be.
The EMS system
Recognizing that an emergency exists.
Deciding to take action
Once you recognize the emergency situation, you must decide to take action.
Unusual Sounds
Screaming, moaning, yelling calls for help
Unusual Odors
A foul of unusually strong chemical odor
Lowering the risk for infection
Giving first aid care is a hands-on activity.
Blood borne pathogens
Are spread when blood from from an infected person enters the bloodstream of a person who is not infected
Safety first
Be prepared by having a first aid kit handy and adequately stocked with PPE
CPR breathing barriers
Are used to protect you from contact with saliva and other body fluids
Hand washing
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm running water when you have finished giving care
Infants (birth to 1 year)
Infants older
than 6 months often show “stranger
anxiety.” They may turn away from you, cry
and cling to their parent. If possible, check
the infant while he or she is held or seated
in the parent’s lap.
Toddlers (1 to 3 years)
A toddler may
also become anxious if separated from his
or her parent. If possible, give the toddler
a few minutes to get used to you before
attempting to check him or her, and check
the toddler while he or she is seated in the
parent’s lap. Allowing the toddler to hold a
special toy or blanket can be comforting.
School-age children (5 to 12
years)
Children of this age are usually
comfortable speaking with adults. They
are able to understand what is happening
and follow directions. Answer the child’s
questions honestly, and let the child know
if you are going to do anything that might
cause pain.
Adolescents (12 to 20 years)
Adolescents may feel embarrassed and
self-conscious about their changing
bodies. Respect their modesty, and be
aware that an adolescent may be more
comfortable being checked by a person of
the same gender.
Interviewing the Person
Begin by asking the person’s name, and use it when you speak to the person.
Heart Attack
A heart attack occurs when blood flow to part of the
heart muscle is blocked (e.g., as a result of coronary artery
disease).
Signs and Symptoms
of a Heart Attack
The pain or discomfort is persistent, lasting longer than 3
to 5 minutes, or going away and then coming back.
First Aid Care for a Heart Attack
If you think that a person is having a heart attack, call 9-1-1 or the designated
emergency number immediately. Trust your instincts.
Cardiac Arrest
Cardiac arrest, on the other hand, occurs when the heart
stops beating or beats too ineffectively to circulate blood to
the brain and other vital organs.
Aspirin for a Heart Attack
You may be able to help a person who is showing
early signs and symptoms of a heart attack
by offering the person an appropriate dose of
aspirin. Aspirin can help to prevent blood clotting
and is most effective when given soon after the
onset of signs and symptoms of a heart attack.
However, you should never delay calling 9-1-1
or the designated emergency number to find or
offer aspirin.
Choking
Choking is especially common in young children, but a person of any
age can choke. Choking occurs when the airway becomes either
partially or completely blocked by a foreign object, such as a piece of
food or a small toy; by swelling in the mouth or throat; or by fluids, such as vomit
or blood. A person who is choking can quickly become unresponsive and die, so
it is important to act quickly.
Risk Factors for Choking
Certain behaviors can put a person at risk for choking, such as talking or laughing with the mouth full or eating
too fast. Medical conditions (such as a neurological or muscular condition that affects the person’s ability to
chew, swallow or both) can increase risk for choking. So can dental problems or poorly fitting dentures that
affect the person’s ability to chew food properly.
Box 4-1. Choking Hazards
In children younger than 4 years, the following foods, household objects and toys may be choking hazards
Signs and Symptoms of Choking
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.
First Aid for Choking
If you are with a person who starts to choke, first ask the person
if he or she is choking, or check to see if an infant is crying
or making other noises. If the person can speak or cry and is
coughing forcefully, encourage him or her to keep coughing.
A person who is getting enough air to speak, cry or cough
forcefully is getting enough air to breathe. But be prepared to
act if the person’s condition changes.