BASIC First Aid

with CPR

By Sgt Em kenneth A Malacaste, PAFR

Outlined Topics• First Aid Basics• Medical Emergencies• Injury Emergencies• Environmental Emergencies• CPR

First Aid Basics

DEFINITION OF FIRST AID

First Aid is an immediate care given to a person who has been injured or suddenly taken ill. It includes self-

help and home care if medical assistance is not available or

delayed.

1.1. To To alleviate suffering. suffering.2.2. To prevent added/further injury or To prevent added/further injury or

danger.danger.3.3. To prolong life.To prolong life.4. Summon more advanced medical care

as needed.5. Provide needed care for the patient.6. Assist more advanced personnel.7. Record all finding and care given to the

patient.

Objectives of First AidObjectives of First Aid

Supplying the First Aid Kit• Contains supplies you might need in an

emergency• Not all contain the same supplies• Keep the supplies in a sturdy, watertight

container that is clearly labeled• Know where the First Aid kit is• Replace what you use• Check it at the beginning of each work period

Deciding to Provide First Aid• Some people may be required to perform

First Aid while working• If they are off-duty, they can choose

whether or not to provide First Aid• Providing First Aid may be part of your job

description• Before you provide First Aid, it’s important

to ask the ill or injured person if you may help

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE

FIRST AIDER1. Bridge that fills the gap between the

victim and the physician.• It is not intended to compete with, or take the place of the

services of the physician.• It ends when the services of a physician begins.

2. Ensure safety of him/herself and that of bystanders.

3. Gain access to the victim.4. Determine any threats to patient’s life.

Characteristics of a good first aider:

• Observant - should notice all signs• Resourceful - should make the best

use of things at hand• Gentle - should not cause pain• Tactful - should not alarm the patient• Sympathetic - should be comforting

Assessing the Scene

Evaluate the scene

Assess safety

Prioritize care

Check for medical alert tags

Do head-to-toe check

Move only if necessary

Evaluate the scene

Assess safety

Prioritize care

Check for medical alert tags

Do head-to-toe check

Move only if necessary

Assessing the Scene

• Look out for danger to you and the injured person

• Look for people who can help you and look for telephones

• Who’s injured?• Where are they?

Exposure to Blood• Blood borne diseases are caused by

germs.

• A rescuer may catch a disease if germs in someone else’s blood or body fluids enter the rescuer’s body.

• Rescuers should wear personal protective equipment (PPE) to keep from touching the injured person’s blood or body fluids.

When to Phone for Help• Ask for help whenever:

– Someone is seriously ill or injured– You are not sure what to do

• Examples of someone who is seriously ill or injured:– Does not respond to voice or touch– Has chest discomfort– Has signs of stroke– Has a problem breathing

Finding the Problem

• Check the scene to be sure it is safe• Tap the person and shout “Are you OK?”

• Check if the person is breathing• Look for signs of injury such as bleeding, broken

bones, burns or bites• Look for medical information jewelry

Medical Emergencies

General Breathing Problems

• Is breathing very fast or slow

• Is having trouble with every breath

• Has noisy breathing

• Can only make sounds or speak no more than a

few words at a time in between breaths

Helping with Breathing Problems

, If

Helping a Choking Adult

• If someone is choking, they might use the choking sign

Helping a Choking Adult

Injury Emergencies

BLEEDING

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Bleeding You can See

• When a large blood vessel is cut or torn, the person can lose a lot of blood within minutes

• You can stop most bleeding with pressure • If the injured person can help you, ask them to put

direct pressure on the wound while you put on your personal protective equipment (PPE)

• If a body part has been amputated, put it on ice

Bleeding You can See

Bandaging• A bandage is material used to protect

or cover an injured body part

• A bandage may also help keep pressure on the wound

Burns

• Burns are injuries that can be caused by contact with heat,

electricity, or chemicals

• Heat burns can be caused by contact with fire, a hot

surface, a hot liquid, or steam

• If someone with a burn gets too cold, they can get

hypothermia

BurnsSmall burns

Large burns

Electrical Injuries

• Electricity can burn the body on the inside and

outside

• Electricity can stop breathing or cause a deadly

abnormal heart rhythm

• Electricity may leave only small marks on the body

Electrical Shock1. Don’t touch!2. Turn power off3. Call 9114. Remove person from live wire5. Check for breathing

Electrical Injuries

Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Environmental Emergencies

Bites and Stings• Usually insect and spider bites and stings cause

only mild pain, itching, and swelling at the bite

• Some insect bites can be serious and even fatal if:– The person bitten has a severe allergic

reaction to the bite or sting– Poison is injected into the person

Bites and Stings

Heat Cramps

Heat Cramps• Most heat-related emergencies are caused by

vigorous exercise

• Heat cramps are painful muscle spasms, most often in the calves, arms, stomach muscles, and back

• Signs of heat cramps include muscle cramps, sweating, and headache

Heat Exhaustion• Heat exhaustion is a serious condition that often turns

into heat stroke

• It often occurs when someone exercises in the heat and sweats a lot

• Signs of heat exhaustion include sweating, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, muscle cramps, feeling faint, and fatigue

Heat Exhaustion

Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation

(CPR)

New CPR Sequence

Compressions• A compression is the act of pushing on the chest

• People often don’t push hard enough because they’re afraid of hurting the victim

• An injury is unlikely, but it is better than death

• It is better to push too hard than not hard enough

Compressions

Give Breaths• Compressions are the most important part of CPR

• If you are also able to give breaths, you will help even more

• Your breaths need to make the chest rise

• When the chest rises, you know the person has taken in enough air

Open the Airway

Give Breaths

RECOVERY POSITION• For people who are unconscious, or

semiconscious, but are still breathing.• If there are spinal or neck injuries, do

not attempt to place the casualty in the recovery position.

• NOTE: Leaving the victim in this position for long periods may cause them to experience nerve compression.

STEP 1: Kneel next to the person. Place the arm closest to you straight out from the body. Position the far arm with the back of the hand against the near cheek.

STEP 2: Grab and bend the person’s far knee.

STEP 3: Protecting the head with one hand, gently roll the person toward you by pulling the far knee over and to the ground.

STEP 4: Tilt the head up slightly so that the airway is open. Make sure that the hand is under the cheek. Place a blanket or coat over the person (unless he/she has a heat illness or fever) and stay close until help arrives.

EMERGENCY METHODS OF MOVING CASUALTIES

One Man Human Crutch• Conscious• Able to walk with some assistance

Pick-a-back• Conscious• Light weight• Able to hold on using arms

Cradle method• Light weight• A child

EMERGENCY METHODS OF MOVING CASUALTIES

Fore Method• When pick-a-back or fireman’s life method cannot be used to

carry a heavy casualty down the staircase

Fireman’s Lift• Conscious• Unconscious• Light-weight

Double Human Crutch• Conscious• Able to walk with some assistance

EMERGENCY METHODS OF MOVING CASUALTIES

Two-handed Seat• Unable to walk with assistance• Able to use his arms to support

Three-handed Seat• Unable to walk with assistance• Usually with injury on one leg• Able to use his arms to support

EMERGENCY METHODS OF MOVING CASUALTIES

Four-handed SeatUnable to walk with assistanceUnable to walk with assistanceAble to use his arms to supportAble to use his arms to support

EMERGENCY METHODS OF MOVING CASUALTIESFore and Aft Method• Unconscious• Sustained abdominal injury

GOLDEN RULES IN GIVING EMERGENCY CARE• WHAT TO DO

– Do obtain consent when possible– Do think the worst. It’s best to administer first aid for

the gravest possibility– Do remember to identify yourself to the victim– Do provide comfort and emotional support– Do respect the victim’s modesty and physical privacy– Do be as calm and as direct as possible– Do care for the most serious injuries first.– Do assist the victim with his or her prescription

medication.– Do keep onlookers away from the injured person.– Do handle the victim to a minimum.– Do loosen tight clothing.

Medical emergencies can happen anytime.

Act quickly, calmly, and correctly.

Consider being certified in first aid and CPR.