Chapter 1
a network of professionals linked together to provide the best care for people in all types of emergencies
What is the EMS system?
After sizing up the scene, if your initial check of the person reveals that he or she is responsive and awake, start by introducing yourself and getting consent to give care.
What are the first steps of checking a responsive person?
When blood flow to part of the heart muscle is blocked
What is 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.
What are signs and symptoms of choking?
An illness that strikes suddenly and usually only lasts for a short period of time.
What is acute illness?
1. Recognizing that an emergency exists.
2. Deciding to take action.
3. Activating the EMS system.
4. Giving care until EMS personnel take over
What are the 4 basic steps of the EMS system?
1. Speak in a normal voice. It is not necessary to shout. 2. Find out if any bystanders speak the person’s language and can assist by translating. 3. Do your best to communicate non-verbally, using gestures and facial expressions
What do you do if an injured or ill person speaks another language?
When the heart stops beating or beats too ineffectively to circulate blood to the brain and other vital organs.
What is cardiac arrest?
Back blows and abdominal thrusts.
How do you care for someone that is choking?
An illness that a person lives with on an ongoing basis and that often requires continuous treatment to manage.
What is chronic illness?
Unusual signs, odors, sights and behaviors
What are the signs of an emergency?
When a person is responsive but not fully awake, you put the person in this position.
What is a recovery position?
Cardiac arrest that can happen suddenly and without any warning signs.
What is sudden cardiac arrest?
Back blows and chest thrusts.
How do you care for an INFANT that is choking?
Difficulty breathing which is evidenced by signs and symptoms such as shortness of breath, gasping for breath, hyperventilation or breathing that is uncomfortable or painful.
What is respiratory distress?
A law that protects responders who act the way a "reasonable and prudent person" would act if that person were in the same situation.
What are Good Samaritan Laws?
Check for responsiveness and breathing for no more than 5 to 10 seconds
What is one of the first steps to checking an unresponsive person?
1. Have someone call 9-1-1 or the designated emergency number immediately.
2. Begin CPR immediately.
3. Use an AED as soon as possible.
What are the steps if someone has cardiac arrest?
Foods, toys and other household objects
What are choking hazards?
A chronic illness in which certain substances or conditions, called triggers, cause inflammation and narrowing of the airways, making breathing difficult.
What is asthma?
Someone who is unresponsive, confused or mentally impaired may not be able to grant consent. However, you can still obtain it through this law.
What is Implied Consent?
You use this method to check a RESPONSIVE person
What is SAMPLE?
A skill that is used when a person is in cardiac arrest to keep oxygenated blood moving to the brain and other vital organs until advanced medical help arrives
What is CPR?
Give abdominal thrusts in the same way that you would for a person who is standing. It may be necessary to kneel behind the wheelchair. If features of the wheelchair make it difficult to give abdominal thrusts, give chest thrusts instead.
How do you provide care to someone in a wheelchair who is choking?
A drug that slows or stops the effects of anaphylaxis.
What is epinephrine?