First Aid in Schools

Alcohol/Drug OD

Approach in a calm, professional, sympathetic manner; gain confidence

Try to find out type and amount of drug Universal precautions If vomiting, place in recovery position

and protect airway Monitor breathing Call 9-1-1 Call parents

Allergic Reactions

Sneezing, coughing, wheezing, watery eyes, swelling of face mouth and throat, difficulty breathing, weak and rapid pulse, tight chest, severe itching, cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness

Call 9-1-1 Give CPR If the child has an Epi-Pen assist with it Treat for shock by reassuring

Animal or Human Bites

Universal precautions Control bleeding Wash with soap and water and cover with

dressing Inform parents and notify animal control if

applicable Get medical help if any animal bite breaks

the skin Could be an “assault” if human bite

Asthma

Comfortable position, sitting upright leaning slightly forward

Encourage controlled slower breathing Reassure and comfort; don’t leave alone Nothing to drink Assist with bronchodilator if they have one

prescribed to them Call parents If child cannot speak or breathing is terribly

distressed, call 9-1-1

Bleeding

If severe, call 9-1-1 Apply direct pressure with clean cloth or

pressure bandage If soaked, place new OVER existing If still not stopping, apply direct pressure

and elevate area above the heart If foreign object in wound, do not remove,

apply pressure around it

Burns and Scalds

Remove rings, bracelets, footwear before swelling

Immerse briefly in cold water; if not possible, apply cool cloth soaked in cool water

If severe, get medical help

Dental Emergencies

Toothache – rinse mouth with warm saltwater, apply cold compress

Cut or bitten tongue, lip, cheek – apply ice and direct pressure with clean gauze

Broken tooth – place cold compress; if pieces can be found, save them

Knocked out tooth – handle by crown, try to place back in socket and have child hold in place with clean gauze; if necessary put tooth in cold milk or saline or wrapped in plastic with child’s saliva

Broken braces – cover with gauze and get to dentist

Diabetic Emergencies

If unconscious, call 9-1-1 and begin CPR

Have child take sugar, sugary drink or prescribed medicine if child is alert, knows what is wrong and is conscious and able to follow commands

If child is confused, give something sweet to drink and get medical help

Eye Injuries

If object can be removed by flushing with water, do so for 15 min or more

If object cannot be removed, cover with gauze and get to ER; cover both eyes

Don’t apply direct pressure to the eyeball, even if bleeding; you can apply to eyelids or surrounding areas

Fainting

If feeling faint, lie on back, raise feet, fresh air, loosen clothing at neck, chest, and waist

If actually faints, put into recovery position on side with top knee and bottom arm extended to keep from rolling onto stomach

If not breathing begin CPR and call 9-1-1 If no pulse, begin CPR and call 9-1-1

Fractures, Sprains, and Strains

Don’t move if you suspect spinal injury Don’t allow child to move injured area Goal is to immobilize fracture site as

well as joint above and below site Apply SAM Splint if you are trained

how to do so Apply cold pack 10 min on and 10 off Get to ER

Head Injuries and Concussions

Don’t move Call 9-1-1 Don’t leave alone If unconscious, begin CPR Note duration of unconsciousness Monitor for seizures

Heat Injuries

Take to cool area If conscious, offer lightly salted water

or sports drink Loosen clothing and remove

excessive clothing If not sweating or if incoherent, call 9-

1-1

Insect Bites and Stings

Scrape with fingernail or edge of credit card/DL

Ice pack If an allergic reaction, call 9-1-1, assist

with Epi-pen if they have one; begin CPR if unconscious

Nosebleeds

Child should sit up, lean forward, have child pinch nose for 10 minutes and not blow nose for a few hours

Cold pack on nose bridge can help If does not stop, call 9-1-1

Seizures

Protect child from injury by removing objects that are hard or sharp

Don’t try to restrict movements Loosen clothing Onlookers leave Do not put anything into mouth Place child on side in recovery position Call 9-1-1 if secondary seizure or no history of

seizures or becomes unconscious Note duration and number of seizures