basic first aid for short-term missions

First Aid Concepts for Short-Term Missionaries

Presented by Celia Munson (based heavily on materials by the

Philippine National Red Cross)

FIRST AID…FIRST AID…

Is an immediate care given to a person who has been injured or suddenly taken ill.

NOTE: This includes self NOTE: This includes self help if medical assistance help if medical assistance is not available or is is not available or is delayed.delayed.

Roles/Responsibilities

of the First Aider

Roles/Responsibilities

of the First Aider Act as a bridge that fills the gap between the victim and the physician.

It ends when the services of a physician begins.

It is not intended to compete with, or take the place of the services of the physician.

REMEMBER… Most REMEMBER… Most STM Missionaries STM Missionaries

are NOT are NOT certified to do certified to do

First Aid.First Aid.

REMEMBER… Most REMEMBER… Most STM Missionaries STM Missionaries

are NOT are NOT certified to do certified to do

First Aid.First Aid.

This training is to help you think clearly during times of emergency when no

other care or

caregiver is

available.

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are needed to see this picture.

Objectives of First Aid

Objectives of First Aid1.1. To To

alleviate alleviate suffering.suffering.

2.2. To prevent To prevent added/furtadded/further injury her injury or danger.or danger.

3.3. To prolong To prolong life.life.

What To Do????What To Do????

1.Plan your action.

2.Gather needed materials

3.Remember the initial response (AID)(AID)

4.Give instructions to helpers

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What is AID?What is AID?-ask for help

-intervene

-do no further harm

AA

II

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Emergency Action Emergency Action PrinciplesPrinciples

Emergency Action Emergency Action PrinciplesPrinciples

1. Survey the Scenew Is the scene safe?w What happened?w How many people

injured?w Are there bystanders

who can help?•Seek a trained CPR providerSeek a trained CPR provider

•Get consent to give care Get consent to give care

•Check for responsivenessCheck for responsiveness

2. Contact Emergency Services.

Do you know the emergency Do you know the emergency contacts in the country you contacts in the country you are in?are in?

-Fire?-Fire?

-Medical?-Medical?

-Police?-Police?

Emergency Action Emergency Action PrinciplesPrinciples

Emergency Action Emergency Action PrinciplesPrinciples

3. Do a Primary Survey of the Victim (AABBCC)-AAirway. Check airway. Head tilt and lift maneuver. Check for obstruction.

-BBreathing. Listen and feel for breathing for 10 seconds

-CCardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Emergency Action Emergency Action PrinciplesPrinciples

Emergency Action Emergency Action PrinciplesPrinciples

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Cardiopulmonary Cardiopulmonary ResuscitationResuscitation

If the victim is not breathing and not moving apply CPR.

<30 chest compressions and 2 rescue breaths/ventilations for 5 cycles.>

Emergency Action Emergency Action PrinciplesPrinciples

Emergency Action Emergency Action PrinciplesPrinciples

4. Do a Secondary Survey of the Victim (checking the victim’s non-life-threatening condition)

-Head to toe examination -(If conscious)

interview the victim by asking for a SAMPLESAMPLE History

-Position the victim to a Recovery Position (lying on side) to avoid aspiration of vomit.

Emergency Action Emergency Action PrinciplesPrinciples

Emergency Action Emergency Action PrinciplesPrinciples

SAMPLESAMPLE HistorySAMPLESAMPLE History

SS Signs and Symptoms

AA Allergies

MM Medications

PP Past Medical History

LL Last Oral Intake

EE “Extra” Information

GOLDEN RULESGOLDEN RULES in Giving Emergency

Care

GOLDEN RULESGOLDEN RULES in Giving Emergency

CareA.A. What to DO:What to DO: -Do obtain consent, when

possible -Do think “the worst” -Do remember to identify

yourself to the victim -Do provide comfort and

emotional support. -Do respect victim’s

modesty and physical privacy.

(What to DO… (What to DO… continued)continued)

(What to DO… (What to DO… continued)continued)

-Do be as calm and as direct as possible

-Do care for the most serious injuries first.

-Do assist the victim with his/her prescription medications

-Do keep onlookers away from the injured person.

-Do handle the victim to a minimum

-Do loosen tight clothing

Golden Rules…Golden Rules…Golden Rules…Golden Rules…

2.2. What NOT to DO:What NOT to DO: -Do not let the victim

see his own injury. -Do not leave the victim

alone except to get help. -Do not assume the

victim’s obvious injuries are the only ones.

(NOT to DO (NOT to DO continued)continued)(NOT to DO (NOT to DO continued)continued)

-Do not make any unrealistic promises.

-Do not trust the judgment of a confused victim and require them to make decisions.

EMERGENCY RESCUE…EMERGENCY RESCUE…EMERGENCY RESCUE…EMERGENCY RESCUE…

… is a rapid movement of a

patient from an unsafe place to a place of safety.

How to recognize UNSAFE PLACES?UNSAFE PLACES?

How to recognize UNSAFE PLACES?UNSAFE PLACES?

Danger of fire or explosion Danger of toxic gases or asphyxia due to lack of oxygen

Serious traffic hazards Risk of drowning Danger of electrocution Danger of collapsing walls

TRANSFERTRANSFERTRANSFERTRANSFER

… is moving a patient from one place to another

AFTER giving first aid.

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are needed to see this picture.

Pointers to be Pointers to be observed during observed during

transfer…transfer…

Pointers to be Pointers to be observed during observed during

transfer…transfer…1. Victim’s airway must be

maintained open.2. Hemorrhages are controlled.3. Victim is safely maintained

in the correct position.4. Regular check of the

victim’s condition is made.5. Supporting bandages and

dressing remain effectively applied.

Helping Others Helping Others Starts With You Starts With You

Being Healthy Being Healthy YourselfYourself

Helping Others Helping Others Starts With You Starts With You

Being Healthy Being Healthy YourselfYourself Rest

Exercise Food Drink/hydration Balanced Life (physical, mental, social, spiritual)