Chapter 1
The emergency medical services system is a network of professionals linked together to provide the best care for people in all types of emergencies
What is the EMS system?
From head to toe
How do you check a responsive person?
What is a heart attack?
A heart attack occurs when blood flow to part of the heart muscle is blocked.
What are risk factors for choking?
Talking/laughing with the mouth full or eating too fast. Other medical conditions could also increase the risk for choking
How can you verify if someone is choking?
If the person is unable to speak to you
Unusual sounds, odors, sights, and behaviors
What are signs of emergency?
Approach the person from the front
Where do you approach a person who has impaired hearing?
What are signs of a heart attack?
Pain and/or discomfort is persistent, lasting longer than 3 to 5 minutes, or going away then coming back
What are 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.
What do you do if the first rescue breath does not cause the chest to rise?
Retilt the head and ensure a proper seal
These laws usually protect responders who act the way a "reasonable and prudent person" would act if that person were in the same situation.
What is the Good Samaritan Laws?
What strategy can you use when interviewing the person?
S=Signs and symptoms
A=Allergies
M=Medications
P=Pertinent medical history
L=Last food or drink
E=Events leading up to the incident
What is Cardiac arrest?
Different from a heart attack, occurs when the heart
stops beating or beats too ineffectively to circulate blood to
the brain and other vital organs.
How do you care for an adult or child who is choking?
choking, give a combination of 5 back blows (blows between the shoulder blades) followed by 5 abdominal thrusts (inward and upward thrusts just above the navel)
What is the first step in using an AED?
Turn on the AED and follow the voice prompts
During emergency situations and conditions it would be necessary to activate this system.
When do you activate the EMS System?
What do you do if you detect signs or symptoms of illness or injury?
-Determine whether to call 9-1-1 or the designated
emergency number
-Help the person rest in a comfortable position.
-Give care according to the conditions that you find and your level of knowledge and training.
-Be alert to signs that the person’s condition is worsening
Who is at higher risk for cardiac arrest?
People who have a history of cardiovascular disease or a congenital heart disorder are at higher risk for sudden cardiac arrest.
How do you care for an infant who is choking?
give a combination of 5 back blows followed by 5 chest thrusts (instead of abdominal thrusts)
What do you do if a person is responsive but not fully awake?
Put the person in a recovery position?
The law assumes the person would give consent if he or she were able to do so.
What is implied consent?
How do you place an adult or child in a recovery position?
-Extend the person’s arm that is closest to you
above the person’s head.
-Roll the person toward yourself onto his/her
side, so that the person’s head rests on his/her extended arm.
What is CPR?
a cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is 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 do you do if the person becomes unresponsive?
- 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
-Don't put your finger in their mouth unless you see the object
What are CPR breathing barriers used to protect you from?
Contact with saliva and other body fluids, such as blood, as you give rescue breaths.