First Aid Fundamentals

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### Introduction to First Aid First aid is immediate care for injury/illness before professional help. It preserves life, prevents harm, and promotes recovery. Critical for saving lives and reducing injury severity. #### Key Aspects * **Safety First:** Assess surroundings, ensure safety. * **ABC:** Airway, Breathing, Circulation. * **Call for Help:** Contact emergency services for serious situations. * **Basic Life Support:** CPR, managing bleeding, handling fractures/burns, recognizing medical emergencies, emotional support. ### Concepts of First Aid #### Common Medical Terminology * **CPR:** Chest compressions & rescue breaths for cardiac arrest. * **Hemorrhage:** Excessive bleeding. * **Fracture:** Broken bone. **Sprain:** Torn ligament. **Strain:** Torn muscle/tendon. * **Anaphylaxis:** Severe allergic reaction. * **Seizure:** Brain electrical disturbance. * **Burns:** Tissue damage from heat, chemicals, etc. * **Cardiac Arrest:** Heart stops pumping. **Stroke:** Brain blood supply interrupted. * **Shock:** Insufficient blood flow to organs. * **Choking:** Airway blocked. * **Hypothermia:** Dangerously low body temp. **Hyperthermia:** Elevated body temp. * **AED:** Automated External Defibrillator. ### Assessment of Client Condition #### Emergency Assessment Steps 1. **Observe:** Surroundings, signs of danger/distress. 2. **Gather Info:** From witnesses/victim. 3. **Scene Safety:** Ensure safety for all. 4. **Primary Assessment:** Check pulse, breathing, consciousness (life threats). 5. **Secondary Assessment:** Detailed check for injuries, vital signs. 6. **Recognize Signs/Symptoms:** Identify conditions like heart attack, stroke. 7. **Document & Report:** Record findings, inform authorities. 8. **Monitor:** Continuously reassess. #### Vital Signs in First Aid * **Purpose:** Detect emergencies, assess severity, track treatment, inform decisions, communicate with providers, recognize complications, provide baseline. * **BLS "3 Ps":** Preserve Life, Prevent Further Injury, Promote Recovery. ##### Measuring Temperature * **Oral:** 36.5-37.5°C (97.7-99.5°F) * **Axillary:** 35.9-36.9°C (96.6-98.4°F) * **Rectal:** 36.6-38°C (97.9-100.4°F) * **Temporal:** 35.8-37.5°C (96.4-99.5°F) * **Technique:** Wash hands, use digital thermometer, explain, proper site placement, wait, read. ##### Taking Pulse * **Adults:** 60-100 bpm (beats per minute). * **Children:** Varies by age (e.g., Newborns 70-190 bpm, Adolescents 60-100 bpm). * **Technique:** Wash hands, locate radial (wrist) or other pulse site, count for 30s x 2 or 60s. ##### Taking Respiration * **Adults:** 12-20 breaths per minute. * **Children:** Varies by age (e.g., Newborns 30-60 bpm, Adolescents 12-20 bpm). * **Technique:** Observe chest movements (rise/fall), count for 60s. ##### Taking Blood Pressure * **Adults:** ~120/80 mmHg. * **Children:** Varies by age (e.g., Newborns 60-90/20-60 mmHg, Adolescents 90-120/60-80 mmHg). * **Technique:** Prepare person, select correct cuff size, position cuff, palpate brachial artery, inflate cuff, slowly deflate and listen for systolic (first sound) and diastolic (last sound). ### Providing First Aid for Emergency Conditions #### Acute Respiratory Conditions * **Asthma:** Wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness. * **Management:** Stay calm, sit upright, assist with inhaler. Call EMS if worsens. * **Anaphylaxis (Severe Allergic Reaction):** Difficulty breathing/swallowing, swelling (face, lips, tongue), hives, rapid heartbeat, dizziness. * **Management:** Call EMS immediately, assist with EpiPen, comfortable position. Perform CPR if unresponsive/not breathing. * **Choking:** Clutching throat, inability to speak/cough, wheezing, pale/blue. * **Management:** Encourage coughing. If severe, perform Heimlich maneuver (abdominal thrusts). If unconscious, begin CPR. * **Infants:** Back blows & chest thrusts. #### CPR Steps (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) 1. **Check Responsiveness:** Shake, ask "Are you okay?". 2. **Call for Help:** Activate EMS. 3. **Open Airway:** Head tilt-chin lift. Check for breathing (max 10s). 4. **Rescue Breaths:** 2 breaths (chest rise). 5. **Chest Compressions:** 30 compressions (2 inches deep, 100-120/min). 6. **Continue Cycles:** 30 compressions: 2 breaths until help arrives or AED. * **AED:** Use in conjunction with CPR. Attach pads, follow voice prompts. #### Acute Circulatory Diseases * **Cardiac Arrest:** Sudden loss of consciousness/pulse/breathing. * **Management:** Call EMS, CPR, AED. * **Heart Attack:** Chest pain (radiating), shortness of breath, nausea, sweating. * **Management:** Call EMS, assist with prescribed meds (aspirin), keep calm. * **Stroke:** Sudden numbness/weakness (one side), difficulty speaking, severe headache. * **Management:** Call EMS, keep calm/comfortable, no food/drink. Note symptom onset time. * **Severe Bleeding:** * **External:** Profuse bleeding, rapid pulse/breathing, weakness. * **Management:** Direct pressure with sterile cloth, elevate. **Tourniquet:** Last resort for severe, uncontrolled limb bleeding. * **Internal:** Bruising, pain, shock symptoms. * **Management:** Call EMS, keep calm/still, monitor vitals. * **Shock:** Rapid/weak pulse, cold/clammy skin, confusion. * **Management:** Call EMS, shock position (legs raised), keep warm, turn head (if no neck injury). No food/drink. #### Musculoskeletal Injury * **Sprain:** Pain, swelling, restricted motion, instability (ligament). * **Management:** R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation). * **Fracture:** Intense pain, swelling, deformity, inability to bear weight (bone). * **Management:** Stabilize limb, cover open wounds, ice, splint. Seek medical aid. * **Strain:** Pain, swelling, limited motion, muscle spasms (muscle/tendon). * **Management:** R.I.C.E., OTC pain relievers. * **Dislocation:** Severe pain, deformity, loss of movement (joint). * **Management:** Do NOT attempt to relocate. Support limb, ice, immobilize. Seek medical aid. * **Head Injury (Skull Fracture):** Trauma, tenderness, bleeding (nose/ears), bruising (raccoon eyes), altered consciousness. * **Management:** Call EMS, support head/neck, gentle pressure on bleeding, stabilize lodged objects. * **Spine Injury:** Neck/back pain, numbness/paralysis, breathing difficulty, loss of bladder control. * **Management:** Call EMS, keep still, stabilize head/neck, clear airway. ##### Bandages (Purpose: hold dressing, fix splint, support, reduce edema) * **Types:** Elastic, Gauze, Triangular. * **Turns:** Circular, Spiral, Recurrent, Eight. * **Arm Sling:** Immobilizes fractured arm. * **Caution:** Not too loose/tight, fingers exposed, watch for edema, loosen if numbness. #### Other Emergency Conditions * **Seizures:** Loss of consciousness, uncontrolled movements. * **Management:** Clear area, cushion head, remove tight clothing. Do NOT restrain or put anything in mouth. * **Burns:** * **1st Degree (Superficial):** Red, painful. * **2nd Degree (Partial):** Red, blistered, swollen. * **3rd Degree (Full):** White/charred, no sensation. * **Management:** Remove from source, cool with running water (10 min), cover loosely. Call EMS for severe burns. * **Chemical Burns:** Brush off dry, flush wet. * **Electric Burns:** Shut off power, do NOT touch victim until safe. Monitor for cardiac arrest. * **Insect Bites:** Redness, itching, swelling. * **Management:** Wash, cold compress, anti-itch cream. * **Animal Bites:** Puncture wounds, pain, infection risk. * **Management:** Wash wound, direct pressure, elevate. Seek medical aid (tetanus, antibiotics). * **Snake Bites:** Two puncture marks, pain, swelling, nausea. * **Management:** Keep calm/immobile, remove constricting items, limb at/below heart level. Call EMS. * **Poisoning:** Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, altered mental state. * **Management:** Assess safety, call EMS/Poison Control. Do NOT induce vomiting unless instructed. Rinse skin if contact. * **Epistaxis (Nosebleed):** Bleeding from nose. * **Management:** Sit, lean forward, pinch nostrils (10-15 min). Cold compress. Avoid tilting head back. * **Eye Injury:** Pain, redness, blurred vision, foreign body sensation. * **Management:** Stay calm, do NOT rub, protect eye. If chemical, flush with water. Seek medical aid. ### Handling Casualties During Emergency #### Principles for Handling Casualties * **Safety:** Prioritize safety (self, others, casualties). * **Triage:** Assess severity, prioritize life threats. * **Communication:** Clear communication with all parties. * **BLS:** Administer CPR, control bleeding, stabilize injuries. * **Pain/Emotional Support:** Address pain, offer reassurance. * **Documentation:** Record injuries, care. Handover to professionals. * **Monitor:** Continuously reassess. * **Medical Aid:** Arrange transport to facilities. #### Patient Positioning * **Airway:** Recovery position for unconscious. * **Spinal Injury:** Keep supine, immobilize. * **Shock:** Flat, legs elevated. * **Chest Injuries:** Semi-upright. * **Burns:** Flat. #### Safe Patient Transportation * Ensure proper positioning, secure patients. * Use specialized equipment (stretchers). * Coordinate with transport team, monitor vitals. ### Evaluation of Client in Emergency Conditions Ongoing assessment to monitor changes, identify new issues, adjust care, and ensure follow-up. #### Evaluate Client Response * **Post-Intervention Assessment:** Re-assess ABCs, head-to-toe exam, vital signs. * **CPR Response:** Assess chest rise/fall, signs of circulation, consciousness, vital signs. * **Choking Response:** Observe behavior, effectiveness of maneuvers, assess airway/breathing post-episode. * **Poisoning Response:** Monitor behavior, consciousness, effectiveness of antidotes, vital signs. * **Unconscious Client:** Monitor vitals/consciousness, airway management, circulation, complication prevention. #### Evaluating First Aid Kits * **Quality & Completeness:** Inspect condition, presence of items, expiration dates. * **Appropriateness:** Suitability for context, quantity of supplies. * **Usability & Accessibility:** Organization, labeling, portability, clear instructions.