Good Samaritan Laws: Laws that protect a rescuer from being sued

after giving emergency care

Universal PrecautionsWash hands before and after giving care

Wearing gloves Using a mouthpiece for rescue breaths

Bleeding Emergencies

• Average size adult has 5-6 quarts of blood

• Types of bleeding:– Arterial: rapid blood loss

from an artery, spurts– Venous: steady from veins,

may be life-threatening– Capillary: oozes, easily

controlled

Steps to control bleeding:

1. Direct Pressure2. Elevate 3. Pressure Points4. Tourniquet: use

only as a last resort

Types of wounds:

1. Abrasion– Scraping of the outer

layers of skin

2. Laceration– Jagged cut

3. Incision– Straight, smooth cut

4. Puncture– Stab wound

5. Avulsion– Tearing of a patch of

tissue/skin

6. Amputation– Cutting off of a body

part

1. Stitches– Must be placed within 6-8

hours after injury– Helps wound to heal quicker– Infection is less likely– Scarring is lessened

2. Signs of Infection– Redness– Swelling and warmth– Pus– Fever– Swollen lymph nodes

3. Tetanus– Also called “lock jaw”– Caused by a virus and is

fatal– Can be prevented with

vaccination– Need a shot every 7-10

years

4. Rabies– Carried by warm-blooded

mammals– Fatal if not treated with

rabies shots

5. Nosebleeds– Hold head forward and

apply pressure

Thermal Burns: caused by heat (iron, stove, steam)

• Treatment involves running burned area under cool water

• DO NOT put ice, butter, vaseline on burn

• DO NOT remove clothing that is stuck to the burn

• DO NOT break blisters

• Assessing the burn:– How large is the burn?

• “Rule of Nines” is used by medical personnel to describe the % of body burned

– How deep is the burn?• 1st degree: mild redness and pain• 2nd degree: blisters• 3rd degree: all skin layers destroyed

– What parts of body are burned?• Face, hands, feet are of major concern

– How old is the victim?• Elderly and children are at higher risk for

complications

– Does the victim have any other medical conditions?

Other types of burns

• Sunburns: caused by the UV rays of sun

• Chemical burns: treatment involves running under cool water for 20+ min

• Electrical burns: victim will usually have entrance and exit burns on the body and a major concern is heart failure

Shock-occurs when the tissues or organs are inadequately supplied with oxygenated blood

Signs and Symptoms

• Eyes are dull, sunken and pupils dilated

• Skin is pale, moist, cold

• Nausea/Thirst

• Pulse is weak or absent

Treatment

1. Maintain open airway2. Control any bleeding3. Elevate the legs 12” in

most situations4. Cover with blanket to

keep victim warm5. Do not give victim

anything to eat or drink

Positions for shock1. Elevate the feet and legs about 12” for most

situations2. Elevate the head/shoulders if victim is having

breathing trouble, head injury, or possible heart attack

3. Place victim on his/her side if unconscious4. DO NOT move the victim if a neck or spinal

cord injury is suspected

Types of Shock

1. Hypovolemic– severe blood loss

2. Respiratory– inadequate breathing

3. Psychogenic– Fainting– Most cases of fainting aren’t

life-threatening– Signs are dizziness, nausea,

paleness, sweating

4. Septic– severe infection

5. Anaphylactic – severe allergic reaction– Caused by insect stings,

injections (medications), ingestion (eating foods such as peanuts, fish, milk), or inhalation (breathing in of dust, pollen, mold)

– Treatment requires immediate medical response: Epipen and 911

CPR and AED

• CPR: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

• Adult: 30 compressions and 2 breaths

• Purpose is to circulate oxygenated blood through body

• Rescue Breathing: for a victim that is not breathing but has a pulse

• AED: Automated External Defibrillator

• Purpose is to shock the body in hopes of restarting the victim’s heart rhythm

• Choking victim: give abdominal thrusts if victim is not coughing or able to speak

• Sprains and strains:– R est– I ce– C ompression– E levation