PE11: First Aid3/23/15- 6/11/15

What is First Aid?

Chapter 1BECOMING A FIRST

AIDER• To understand your own abilities & limitations

• To stay safe & calm at all times• To assess a situation quickly & calmly & summon appropriate help

• To assist the victim & provide necessary treatment• To pass on relevant information to emergency services

• To be aware of your own needs

WHAT IS A FIRST AIDER?• First aid- actions taken in response to someone who is injured/

suddenly become ill.• First aider- person who takes action while taking care to keep everyone

involved safe & to cause no further harm.

• One of the primary rules of first aid is to ensure that an area is safe for you before you approach a victim.

First Aid Priorities1. Assess a situation2. Protect yourself3. Prevent cross infection4. Comfort and reassure victims5. Assess the victim6. Give early treatment7. Arrange for appropriate help

How to Prepare Yourself•Recognize emotional/ physical needs of all involved,

including your own.•Be aware of and manage your reactions.• Talk to the victim in a kind, considerate, gentle but

firm manner.• You will inspire confidence in your actions•Generate trust between you & your victim

Key Steps to Being an Effective First Aider1. Be calm

1. In your approach2. Be aware of risks

1. To yourselves & others3. Build & maintain trust

1. From victim & bystanders4. Give early treatment

1. Treat most serious (life-threatening) conditions first5. Call appropriate help6. Remember your own needs

Protection from Infection• Important to protect yourself (& victim) from infection as

well as injury.• Remember- it is a risk even with relatively minor injuries•Wounds• Blood-borne viruses• Hepatitis B/ C• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

•Wash your hands•Wear disposable gloves

Minimizing the Risk of Cross Infection• DO wash your hands & wear latex- free disposable gloves• DO cover cuts & scrapes on your hands with waterproof

dressings• DO wear a plastic apron when dealing with large quantities

of body fluids & wear protective eye gear• DO dispose all waste safely • DO NOT touch wound with bare hands• DO NOT breathe, cough, or sneeze over a woundPAGE 17: THOROUGH HAND-WASHING

Using Protective Gloves•Wear them whenever there is a chance of contact with blood

or other body fluids• Treat only one victim•When taking off the gloves:• Hold the top edge of one glove with your other gloved

hand & peel it off so that it is inside out• Repeat with other hand without touching the outside of

the gloves• Dispose in biohazard bag

Dealing with Waste

Dealing with a Victim• Victims are often frightened

• Fears of what may happen next• Pain/ bleeding

• Establish trust with your victim• Crouch or kneel down to same height as victim• Explain what is happening

• Treat victim with dignity & respect• Consider age & appearance• Respect peoples wishes• Use simple language

• REASSURE THE VICTIM• REMAIN CALM & DO NOT DO ANTYHING WITHOUT EXPLANATION. TRY TO ANSWER ALL

QUESTIONS HONESTLY.

Dealing with a Victim: Listen Carefully• Make eye contact• Do not stare

• Use a calm, confident voice• Do not shout

• Do not speak too quickly• Keep instructions simple• Short sentences & simple words

• Use affirming nods• “mmms”

• Check that the victim understands• Use simple hand gestures• Do not interrupt the victim• Acknowledge them

When a Victim Resists Help• A victim has the right to refuse help• Stay at a safe distance until you have gained permission to move

closer• Do not argue/ disagree• Explain why you want to help• Call 911• Observe from a distance until help arrives

Treating a Victim• Be prepared to change your

manner depending on what a person feels comfortable with• Ask fewer questions• Change the subject

• Keep the victim updated• Give them options

• Do not leave someone who may be dying or seriously ill• Never allow a victim to feel

alone

Enlisting Help from Others• You may be faced with several

tasks at once• Maintain safety• Call for help• Give first aid

• Some of the people on the scene may be able to help you with the following:• Make the area safe• Call 911• Control bleeding• Help maintain the victim’s privacy• Transport the victim• Only if safe

Keeping Notes• Useful information to provide:• Victim’s details

• Name• Age• Contact details

• History• Brief description• Unusual behavior

• Treatment-where• Vital signs- level• Medical history• Medication• Next-of-kin contact• Your contact details

The Use of Medication• Usually involves helping a victim

take their own medication• Must not buy/ borrow

medication to administer to a victim or give your own• Legal action/ consequence

• *CAUTION: aspirin should NEVER be given to anyone under age 16- Reye’s Syndrome

• Whenever a victim takes medication it is essential to make sure that:• It is appropriate• It is not out of date• It is taken as advised• Any precautions are followed• Do no exceed recommended dose• Keep a record