Chapter 1
What does EMS stand for
Emergency medical services
How to check responsiveness in a person
Tap on a adult and child on the shoulders for response and on the bottom of the foot for a infant
What is a heart attack
It occurs when blood flow to part of the heart muscle is blocked
Chocking hazards for infants
-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
What is an acute illness
An acute illness is an illness that strikes suddenly and usually only lasts for a short period of time.
Signs of emergency
unusual sounds, odors, sights and behaviors
What is the first thing to do when giving care
Call 911 and get someone to get a first aid kit and a aed
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.
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.
What is a chronic illness
A chronic
illness is an illness that a person lives with on an ongoing basis and that often requires continuous treatment to manage.
Good Samaritan law
Protects responders who act the way a reasonable and prudent person would act if that person were in the same situation
How should you check a person
From head to toe
If you think that someone might be having a heart attack, you should:
Call 9-1-1 or the designated emergency number immediately. Have the person stop what he or she is doing and rest in a comfortable position to reduce the heart’s need for oxygen.
Caring for an Adult or Child Who Is Choking
Back blows and abdominal thrust
Signs and Symptoms of Sudden Illness
-Trouble breathing.
-Pain, such as chest pain, abdominal pain or a headache.
-Changes in level of consciousness, such as being confused
-Light-headedness or dizziness.
-Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or stomach cramps.
-A fever.
-Pale or very flushed skin, which may be excessively sweaty or dry, or excessively hot or cold.
When to activate ems
emergency situations and conditions
What is the recovery position of a grown adult
Lying on their side
What is a cardiac arrest
Cardiac arrest is not a heart attack, on the other hand, occurs when the heart stops beating or beats too ineffectively to circulate blood to the brain and other vital organs.
Caring for an Infant Who Is Choking
black blows and chest thrusts
First Aid Care for Sudden Illness
-Do no further harm.
-Monitor the person’s breathing and level of consciousness.
-Help the person rest in the most comfortable
position.
-Keep the person from getting chilled or overheated.
-Reassure the person that you will help and that
EMS personnel have been called (if appropriate).
state your name
level of training that you have
what you think is wrong
what you plan on doing
ask if you can help
How long should you check for responsiveness and breathing
no more than 5 to 10 seconds
Signs and Symptoms of Cardiac Arrest
When a person experiences cardiac arrest, you may see the person suddenly collapse. When you check the person, you will find that the person is not responsive and not breathing, or only gasping.
steps to Caring for an Adult Who Is Choking
Verify that the person is choking by asking the person to speak to you.
Give 5 back blows.
Give 5 abdominal thrusts.
Continue giving sets of 5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrusts until:
-The person can cough forcefully, speak, cry or breathe.
-The person becomes unresponsive.
Causes of Respiratory Distress
Asthma, chronic obstructive pilmany disease, lung and respiratory track infections, and severe allergic reactions