CPR and First Aid Community Awareness

The Importance of CPR and First Aid Certification Skills

By Veronica Flores

CPR and First Aid Community Awareness

This Workshop IS NOT a teaching skills class to respond to cardiac, breathing, or first aid emergencies

How to recognize an emergencyUnusual appearances Unusual behaviorsUnusual noisesUnusual odors

Barriers to ActBeing unsure of the persons condition and what to doAssuming someone else will take actionBeing unsure of when to call Fear of catching a diseaseType of injury or illnessFear of being suedPanic or fear

Decide to Act Overcome Barriers

Getting the appropriate skills

Cardiac Emergencies and Common SignalsPersistent chest pain, discomfort, or pressure Discomfort in other areas of upper body Pale or ashen (gray) skin Trouble breathingSevere indigestionProfuse sweating

Follow the ACTION STEPS

If you dont have a CPR Training Check The scene and the personCall 9-1-1 or local emergency numberCare for the person by comforting as responders arrive

Recognize Breathing Emergencies

Respiratory distress:

Breathing becomes difficult

Respiratory Arrest:

Breading has stop due to a respiratory distress

Breathing Emergencies are Caused by: Chronic conditions such as asthma Lungs or abdomen problemsDrug overdosePoisoningDrowningChoking

Injury to the head brain stem, or chestIrregular heartbeatEmotional distressElectrocutionHeart attackIllness

Choking:

Call 911 if:

Most common breathing emergencies

Airway is partially or completely blocked

Person is not breathingBreathing is too fast Too slowPainfulNoisy

What to do if an adult or child is choking?Let him or her try to cough up the object

Use the combination technique to provide back blows

Followed by abdominal thrusts

What to do if an infant is choking?The combination technique of back blows followed by abdominal thrust is a little modify

If the person becomes unconscious

Check The scene and the person

Call 9-1-1 or local emergency number

Care for the person by comforting as responders arrive

Sudden Illness Fainting

Insufficient blood supply to the brain for a short period of timeIt may be a symptom of a more serious condition

Seizures

Abnormal electrical activity in the brain

Involuntary changes in body movement

Seizures Keep airway openDo not place anything is his/her mouthDo not try to stop the seizureDo not hold the person

Stroke - Brain AttackThink FASTFace: Weakness, numbness or drooping on one side of faceArm: Weakness or numbness in one armSpeech: Slurred or difficulty speakingTime: Determine when the signal began

Follow the ACTION STEPS

Check the scene and the person

Call 9-1-1 or local emergency number

Care for the person by comforting as responders arrive

Diabetic Emergencies

Hyperglycemia

Hypoglycemia

High level of sugar

Both high and low have similar characteristics

Rapid breathing and pulseAbnormal skin characteristicsDrowsiness

Low level of sugarAbnormal rapid or weak pulseChanges in level of consciousnessDizzinessConfusion

If you suspect a diabetic emergencyDo not administer insulin Call for advanced medical personal

If the patient becomes unconscious follow the Action Steps

Allergic ReactionsOver activity of the immune system Causes:

What to look for?

LatexPinots PollenAntibioticsSome drugsCertain foodsBee or insect venom

ItchingRashNauseaVomitingDizzinessWeaknessStomach crampsTrouble breathing

Injuries to the Muscle , Bones and JointsTypes of injuries

StrainsSprainsFracturesDislocations

Do not move the person if Cannot use the affected body partVisible bone fragmentsFeeling of a snap, pop or bone gratingSignificant bruising, swelling or deformity

Rest-Immobilize-Cold-Elevate

Soft Tissue InjuriesGeneral Care for Open WoundsIf bleeding does not stop call for advance assistanceControl the BleedingCover the wound with sterile dressing Apply pressure for few minutesWash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for 5 minutesCover with sterile dressing and a bandage to keep moistCheck for circulation on the

Soft Tissue InjuriesGeneral Care for embedded ObjectsCall 911If an object such as knife, a piece of glass or metalDO NOT REMOVE OBJECTPlace several dressings around the woundBandage the dressings in place around obmectKeep object immobilized

Do not forget to call for advanced medical personal if.

Suspect any cardiac emergencyThere is a breathing distressThe patient becomes unconsciousCannot use the affected body part