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GENERAL FIRST AID
DEFINITION OF FIRST AID
First Aid is an immediate care given to a person who has been injured or suddenly taken ill. It includes self help and home care if medical assistance is not available or delayed. ROLES OF FIRST AID l. It is the bridge that fills the gap between the victim and the physician. 2. It is not intended to compete with, nor take the place of the services of the physician. 3. It ends when the services of a physician begins.
OBJECTIVES OF FIRST AID
l. To alleviate suffering 2. To prevent added/further injury or danger 3. To prolong life
NEED AND VALUE OF FIRST AID
l. To minimize if not totally prevent accident. 2. To prevent added injury or danger. 3. To train people to do the right thing at the right time. 4. Accident happens and sudden illnesses are common and often serious. 5. People very often harm rather than help. 6. Proper and immediate care is necessary to save life or limb.
GUIDELINES FOR GIVING EMERGENCY CARE
l. Getting started l. Planning of action l. Gathering of needed materials l. Initial response as follows: A Ask for help I Intervene D Do not further harm Ask for help. In a crisis, time is of essence. The more quickly you recognize an emergency, and the faster you call for medical assistance, the sooner the victim will get help. Immediate care can greatly affect the outcome of an emergency. Intervene. To intervene means to do something for the victim that will help achieve a positive outcome to an emergency. Sometimes getting medical help will be all you can do, and this alone may save a life. In other situation, however, you may become actively involved in the victim’s initial care by giving first aid. Let the golden rules of emergency care guide your effort. Do no further harm. Once you have begun first aid, you want to be certain you don’t do anything that might cause the victim’s condition to worsen. Certain actions should always be avoided by keeping them in mind, you will be able to avoid adding to or worsening the victim’s illness or injuries. l. Instruct helpers 2. “Emergency Action Principles” 2. Survey the scene 2. Do a primary survey of the victim 2. Activate medical assistance/transfer facility 2. Do a secondary survey of the victim Survey the scene o is the scene safe? o what happened? o how many people are injured? o are there bystanders who can help? o Identify yourself as a trained first aider. Do a primary survey of the victim Check for vital body functions: BREATHING and CIRCULATION by following the ABC steps A Airway - Is the victim conscious? o If the victim is conscious, assess breathing as described in B. o If the victim is unconscious, start immediately airway management (open the airway refer to Module 4). B Breathing - Is the victim breathing? o If the victim is breathing, is it shallow or deep? does he appear to be choking? is he cyanotic, suggesting poor oxygenation? o If the victim appears to have any difficulty breathing, immediately support his breathing (maintain adequate open airway). o If the victim is not breathing, provide initial ventilation (refer to Module 4). C Circulation - Is the victim’s heart beating? o If it is, then how is it? (assess pulse) provide other care as necessary. o If not, perform CPR refer to Module 5. - Is he severely bleeding? o If he is, control bleeding refer to Module 9. Activate medical assistance (AMA) or Transfer Facility (In some emergencies, you’ll have enough time to call for specific medical advice before administering first aid. But in some situations, you’ll need to attend to the victim first.) Depending on the situation: o a bystander should make the telephone call for help (if available). o a bystander will be requested to call for a physician. o somebody will be asked to arrange for transfer facility. Information to be remembered in activating medical assistance: o what happened o number of persons injured o extent of injury and first aid given o the telephone number from where you are calling o person who activated medical assistance must drop the phone last. Do a secondary survey of the victim Interview the victim: o introduce yourself o get permission to give care o ask the victim’s name o ask what happened o ask “do you have any pain or discomfort?” o “do you have any allergies?” o “are you taking any medication?” 3. 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 that the victim’s obvious injuries are the only ones. Do not deny a victim’s physical or emotional coping limitation. Do not further harm the victim like the following: o trying to arouse an unconscious victim. o administering fluid/alcoholic drink. Do not make any unrealistic promises. Do not trust the judgement of a confused victim. Do not require the victim to make decisions. CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD FIRST AIDER: 1. Observant - should notice all signs. 2. Resourceful - should make the best use of things at hand 3. Gentle - should not cause pain 4. Tactful - should not alarm the victim 5. Sympathetic - should be comforting
CLOTH MATERIALS COMMONLY USED IN FIRST AID
l. Dressing or Compress l. Definition: any sterile cloth materials used to cover the wound l. Other uses of a dressing or compress: .2. control bleeding .2. protects the wound from infection .2. absorbs liquid from the wound such as blood plasma, water and pus. l. Kinds of dressing: .3. roller gauze .3. square or eye pads .3. compress or adhesive (two types:) - occlusive dressing - butterfly dressing l. Application .4. completely cover the wound .4. avoid contamination when handling and applying 2. Bandages 2. Definition: any clean cloth materials sterile or not use to hold the dressing in place. 3. Other uses of bandage: .2. control bleeding .2. tie splints in place .2. immobilize body part .2. for arm support - use as a sling 4. Kinds: .3. triangular .3. muslin binder .3. cravat .3. elastic bandage .3. roller .3. four-tail 5. Application: .4. must proper, neat and correct .4. apply snugly not too loose not too tight .4. always check for tightness caused by later swelling .4. tie ends with a square knot 6. Triangular Bandage .5. usually made from a 40-inch square piece of cloth, cut from one corner to the opposite to form a triangle. .5. can be folded to form cravats (broad cravat, semi-broad cravat or narrow broad). 2. Square knot - use square knot in the ends of bandage. .6. Rule in tying square knot: right end over left end then left end over right end (vice versa) .6. Advantages of square knot: - easy to tie and untie - it has a comfortable flat surface - once secured, does not slip nor tightened or loosen. HINDRANCES IN GIVING EMERGENCY CARE 1. Unfavorable surrounding 1. night time l. crowded city streets; churches; shopping mall l. busy highways l. cold or rainy weather l. lack of necessary materials or helpers 2. The presence of crowds 3. crowds curiously watch, sometimes heckle, sometimes offer incorrect advice. 4. they may demand haste in transportation or attempt other improper procedures. 5. a good examination is difficult while a crowd look on. 6. Pressures from victims or relatives 3. The victim usually welcomes help, but if he is drunk, he is often hard to examine and handle, and is often misleading in his response. 4. The hysteria of relatives or the victim, the evidence of pain, blood and possible early death, exert great pressure on the first aider. 5. the first aider may fail to examine carefully and may be persuaded to do what he would know in calm moments to be wrong. The first aider can meet all these difficulties. Forewarned is forearmed. He should remember that few cases demand haste, or good examination is important and can be done slowly, and he has no other job or appointment as important and so gratifying as saving a life or limb. 8. Skin to control body temperature and appreciate sensation. 9. Sense organs (the skin, ears, eyes, nose and tongue) to appreciate touch, pain, and temperature, hearing balance, sight, smell and taste. Thus, oxygen is obtained from the air which we breathe to the lungs. It then enters the bloodstream and distributed to each cell of the body. Carbon dioxide is formed within the cell and is carried by the blood to the lungs to be expelled during exhalation to the air. The food we eat and the water we take is absorbed from the digestive system into the blood. It is utilized by the cells, and waste products formed enter the blood and: go to the kidneys to be eliminated in the urine , are passed into the lower bowel to be removed in the feces , are converted to carbon dioxide and lost from the lungs. THE NERVOUS SYSTEM Controlling all activities of the body is the nervous system. It consist of the brain and the spinal cord , with nerves distributed to all organs and tissues of the body. The brain receives, coordinates and reacts to messages received from internal and external sources but also stores information so that it can react from memory. It is also responsible for the control of movements of voluntary muscles. Motor Nerves : pass from the brain to the muscles of the body to control movements. Injury to a motor nerve causes paralysis of the muscle supplied. Sensory Nerve : Sense organs are situated in the eye, ear, skin, joints, tongue and nose. Sensory nerves receive information from sense organ of sight, hearing, balance, touch, pain, temperature, taste and smell. Sensory nerves lead from these organs to the brain. Injury to sensory nerves leads to loss of function of the sense organ. Damage may be caused to the nervous system by: l. Injury 2. Loss of blood supply 3. Toxins Abnormal function of the brain or spinal cord leads to: l. Unconsciousness 2. Paralysis 3. Malfunction RESPIRATORY SYSTEM l. Parts l. Air Passages: l. Chest Cage: l. Diaphragm .l. nose and mouth .2. lungs .l. pharynx .2. heart .l. larynx .2. ribs and their .l. trachea supports .l. bronchial tubes 2. Air Inspired and Expired: Air we take in contains 21 percent oxygen and a trace of carbon dioxide approxi- mately 0 percent. For every breath, our body uses only 5 percent of oxygen we inspire to sustain life and produces 4 percent carbon dioxide waste product. During expiration we give off 4 percent carbon dioxide and l6 percent oxygen. 3. Process of Breathing: When we breath, about 500 ml (l pint) of air is taken in ( inspiration ), the diaphragm moves downward and the ribs upward and outward. This increases the volume of the chest. A partial vacuum is created in the chest cavity, the lungs expand and the air is sucked in through the mouth and the nose into the lungs. Normal breathing out ( expiration ) is produced by a relaxation of the chest wall and intercostal muscles and moving up of the diaphragm. This forces air out of the lungs. The amount of air supplied to the blood is controlled by a center in the brain at the base of the skull and in the upper part of the spinal cord ( respiratory center ). This center controls respiration by analyzing the carbon dioxide content of the blood it receives. Too much carbon dioxide causes the center to respond by increasing the depth and rate of the breathing and vice-versa. The normal breathing rate for an adult at rest is from l2-l8 times per minute, and a higher rate for children and infants at about l8-25 times per minute and if more oxygen is required as in exercise, fever or in conditions which restrict the normal function of the lungs such as pneumonia. CIRCULATORY SYSTEM The circulatory system of the body consist of the circulation of the blood through all the extremities of the body, and it involves the heart, blood vessels, blood and lymph. l. Parts 1. heart l. blood vessels l. blood 2. Functions 1 HEART The heart is a hollow muscular organ about the size of a fist, lying between the lungs, behind the breastbone. It slants obliquely downward to the left side of the chest. Function as an electromuscular pump having a left and a right chamber, each subdi- vided into a large and small chamber, provided with valves which aid in the correct circula- tion of the blood. Heart (Pulse Rate): Adult - 60 - 90 beats/min. Child - 90 - l00 beats/min. Infant- l00 - l20 beats/min. 1 BLOOD The blood is a red, sticky fluid circulating through the blood vessels, has a peculiar, faint odor, salty in taste and it varies in color from bright scarlet to a bluish red. Blood is composed of: l. Red blood cells ( RBC ) (Erythrocytes) - transport oxygen to the tissues of the body and carry carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs. crossing the mid-groin and running toward each thigh and leg, where they become known as the femoral. DIGESTIVE SYSTEM l. Parts l mouth l liver l stomach l salivary glands l gall bladder 1 intestine 1 pharynx l pancreas 1 anus l esophagus l rectum 2. Functions The food we eat is being chewed within the mouth. Three pairs of salivary glands are located under the tongue, on each side of the lower jaw and on each cheek which produce nearly l liters of saliva daily. The digestive enzyme in the saliva initiates the digestion of starches. It also serve as a binder and as a lubricant. The food and water we swallow pass the throat along the voice box. A leaf-shaped valve covering the opening of the trachea is initiated so that liquids and solids are move into the esophagus and away from the trachea. The contraction of the muscle in the esophagus propel the food through it to the stomach. Liquids will pass with very little assistance. The stomach is located at the upper left quadrant of the abdominal cavity largely protected by the lower ribs. Muscular contraction in the wall of the stomach and gastric juice convert ingested food to a thoroughly mixed semisolid mass. The main function of the stomach is to receive and store in the large quantity and provide for its movement into the small bowel in regular small amounts. Poisoning or any reaction to trauma may paralyze gastric muscular action thus causing prolong retention of food in the stomach. Pepsin, a digestive enzyme, is produced in the stomach to initiate digestion of proteins. The pancreas , a flat, solid organ, lies behind and below the liver and stomach. It contains two kinds of glands. One set of glands secretes nearly 2 liters of pancreatic juice daily. This juice contains many enzymes that help in the digestion of fat, starch and pro- tein. It flows directly to the intestine through the pancreatic ducts. The other kind of gland called the Islet of Langerhans secretes its products into the blood stream across the capillaries. These islet produce a hormone that regulates the amount of sugar in the blood. It is known as insulin. The liver is located at the upper right quadrant beneath the diaphragm. It is the largest solid organ in the abdomen and consequently one of the most often injured. It has several functions. Poisonous substances produce by digestion are brought to the liver by the blood and are rendered harmless. It also forms factors necessary for blood clotting and for the production of normal plasma. It also produces between 0 to l liter of bile to assist in the normal digestion of fat. The liver is also the principal organ for the storage of sugar for immediate use of the body. It also produces many of the factors that aid in the proper regulation of immune responses. The liver is connected to the intestine by the ducts. The gall bladder is an outpouching of a bile duct that serve as a reservoir for produce in the liver. The presence of food in the intestine triggers the contraction of the gall bladder to empty its content. It usually contains 2-3 ounces of bile. When stone is formed at the gall bladder and pass into the bile duct and causes obstruction, it will produce jaundice. Intestine. Two kinds of intestine are the small and large. The small intestine is so named because of its diameter in comparison with the large intestine. The small intestine receives food from the stomach wherein secretions from the pancreas and liver are mixed with food for further digestion. It also produce more enzymes and mucus to aid in the digestion. Appendix is small tube that opens into the first part of the arge intestine in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. It is 3 to 4 inches long. It easily becomes obstructed and as a result inflamed and infected. Appendicitis, which is the term for this inflammation, is one of the major causes of severe abdominal distress. The appendix has no major known function. The spleen , a major solid organ, is smaller than the liver. It is found in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen, just beneath the diaphragm. It is not required for life nor it is associated with the functions of the digestive tract. It’s major function ies in the normal production and destruction of blood cells. Its function, when removed, can be assumed by the liver and bone marrow.
THE URINARY SYSTEM
1 l kidney l urinary bladder l ureters l urethra 2. The urinary system consist of two kidneys which act as filters to remove waste products from the blood. These products are drained via the ureter into the bladder. The bladder holds urine until it can be conveniently expelled from the body via the urethra. THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM l. Parts l male l female .l testicles .2 ovary .l vasa deferentia .2 fallopian tubes .l Seminal vessels .2 uterus .l prostate gland .2 vagina .l urethra .l penis 2. Functions In the male, fluids from the prostate gland and from the seminal vesicles mix during intercourse. During intercourse, special mechanism in the nervous system prevent the passage of urine into the urethra. Only seminal fluids, prostatic fluid and sperm pass from the penis into the vagina during ejaculation. In the female, the ovaries release a mature egg approximately every 28 days. The egg travel through the fallopian tubes to the uterus to the vagina. The vagina receives the sperm during intercourse, when semen and sperm are deposited in it. The sperm may pass into the uterus and fertilize an egg, causing pregnancy. Should the pregnancy come to completion at the end of nine months, the baby will pass through the vagina and be born. THE SKELETAL SYSTEM The skeletal system is the framework of the body. It consist of 206 bones joined to each other loosely or firmly by means of ligaments and muscles. The junction between bones are called joints. The main bony structure are: 1. the skull 2. the vertebrae cating fluids which keeps the joint surfaces moist. The outer layer is made up of strong fibrous tissues, thickened in certain areas to form ligaments. The Ligaments The ligaments are placed in such a way to bind the bones firmly together, without restricting the normal range of movement of the particular joint. The Muscles Muscles are formed of tissues that allows body movement. There are more than 600 muscles in the human body, generally divided in three types. l. Skeletal muscles are also called striated muscle. It is responsible to all body movement resulting from contraction and relaxation. 2. Smooth muscles carry out much of the autonomic work of the body. It is also known as involuntary muscles. It is found in the walls of most of the tubular structures of the body. With its contraction and relaxation, it propels or controls the flow of the contents of these structures along their course. Smooth muscle respond only to primitive stimuli such stretching heat or the need to relieve waste. 3. Cardiac muscle. The heart is a large muscle comprise of a pair pumps of equal force - one of the lower and one of higher pressure. The heart must function continuously from birth to death. It is a specially adapted involuntary muscles with a very rich blood supply and its own intrinsic regulatory system. Microscopically, it looks different from both skeletal and smooth muscles. Cardiac muscle can tolerate an interruption of its blood supply for only a few seconds. It requires a continues supply of oxygen and glucose for normal func- tion. Because of its special structure and function, cardiac muscle is placed in a separate category. . MODULE 3. EMERGENCY RESCUE AND TRANSFER 1. EMERGENCY RESCUE - is a procedure for moving a victim from unsafe place to a place of safety. 2. Indications for Emergency Rescue. 2. Danger of fire or explosion. 3. Danger of toxic gases or asphyxia due to lack of oxygen. 4. Serious traffic hazards. 5. Risk of drowning. 6. Danger of electrocution. 7. Danger of collapsing walls. 3. Methods of Rescue 3. For immediate rescue without any assistance, drag or pull the victim in the direction of the long axis of his body preferably from the shoulder. If possible, minimize lifting or carrying the injured person before checking for injuries --unless you are sure that there is no major fracture or involvement of his neck or spine. 4. Most of the one-man drags/carries and other transfer methods can be used as methods of rescue. 4. Objectives of the First Aider -pp2- When it is necessary to remove a person from a life threatening situation, the objectives for the first aider are: 4. To ensure an open airway and to administer artificial respiration when it is needed. 5. To control severe bleeding. 6. To check for injuries. 7. To immobilize injured parts before extrication of the victim. 8. To arrange for transportation. 9. To avoid subjecting the victim to any unnecessary disturbance. TRANSFER 1. The first aider may need to initiate transfer of the victim to shelter, home or medical aid. Skill in the use of simple techniques of transfer must be practiced and selection and use of the correct method is necessary. Selection will depend upon the following: 1. Nature and severity of the injury. 2. Size of the victim. 3. Physical capabilities of the first aider. 4. Number of personnel and equipment available. 5. Nature of evacuation route. 6. Distance to be covered. 7. Sex of the victim (last consideration). 2. Pointers to be Observed During Transfer 2. Victim’s airway must be maintained open. 3. Hemorrhage is controlled. 4.Victim is safely maintained in the correct position. 5.Regular check of the victim’s condition is made. 6.Supporting bandages and dressing remain effectively applied. 7.The method of transfer is safe, comfortable and as speedy as circumstances permit. 8. The victim’s body is moved as one unit. 9. The taller first aiders stay at the head side of the victim. 10. First aiders/bearers must observed ergonomics (proper body position [back maintained straight] in lifting weights) in lifting and during transfer of victim. TRIAGE AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT 1. Disaster - a sudden and serious disruption of life caused by nature or humans that create or threaten to create injuries to a number of persons or properties. 2. Three phases of response to a disaster 2. Alarm phase which is concerned with the immediate activation of adequate and appropriate resources. 3. Work phase (or implementation phase) - it is sub-divided into four overlapping steps: .2. locate - find or determine where the victim/s is/are— .2. access - means of going to the victim/s .2. stabilize - life-threatening cases are already given necessary care or victim is already out of danger. .2. transport - transfer the victim to medical facility. 4. Let down phase - after the work is completed, all personnel must recover from the stress of the disaster with Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD). 3. Triage - a process use in sorting patients/victims into categories of priority for care and transport based on the severity of injuries and medical emergencies. 3. Highest priority o patients requiring immediate care and transport. o airway and breathing difficulties o exsanguinating hemorrhage o open chest or abdominal wounds o severe head injuries or head injuries with decreasing level of consciousness o major or complicated burns o tension pneumothorax o pericardial tamponade o impending shock- o complicating severe medical problems, such as diabetes with complications, cardiac disease, pregnancy 4. Intermediate priority - patients whose care/treatment and transportation can be delayed temporarily. o burns without complications o back injuries with or without spinal injuries o major, open or multiple fractures o eye injuries o stable abdominal injuries 5. Delayed or low priority - (the walking wounded) patients whose care and transportation can be delayed until last. o fracture and sprain o laceration o soft tissue injuries o other lesser injuries 6. Lowest priority - patients/victims who are dead or near death. o devastating injuries o little chance of survival (If resources are limited, these patients must be ignored to enable these resources to be used on “salvageable” patients.) The cardinal rule of triage is to do the greatest good for the greatest number. MODULE 4. SHOCK Many lives have been lost due to shock, the body’s physiological reaction to major physical or emotional insult. A tragic fact is that many of these deaths were needless because proper preventive measures can eliminate or lessen the danger of shock. 1. The Nature of Shock Shock is a word used in medicine to describe many varied and often unrelated abnormal condition that affect both mind and body. The meaning of the term may be clarified by mentioning a few classifications of shock which the first aiders may not have considered. 2. Definition - Shock is a depressed condition of many body functions due to the failure of enough blood to circulate throughout the body following serious injury. 3. Kinds of Shock 3. Cardiogenic shock 4. Anaphylactic shock 5. Hypovolemic shock or Hemorrhagic 6. Psychogenic shock or Emotional 7. Neurogenic shock 8. Metabolic shock 9. Respiratory shock 10. Septic shock 4. Basic Causes of Shock 4. Pump failure - the heart can be damaged by intensive muscular disease or injury, so that it fails to act properly as a pump. It does not generate sufficient energy to move blood through the system. 5. Relative hypovolemia - the blood vessels constituting the container can dilate so that the blood within them even though it is of normal volume, is insufficient to fill the system and provide efficient perfusion. 6. Hypovolemia - blood or plasma can be lost so that the volume of the fluid contained within the vascular system is insufficient to perfuse all areas well each minute. 5. Causes 5. Severe bleeding 6. Crushing injury 7. Infection 8. Heart attack 9. Perforation of stomach ulcer 10. Shell bomb and bullet wound 11. Rupture of tubal pregnancies 12. Anaphylaxis 13. Starvation and disease may also cause shock 6. Factors which contribute to shock 6. Pain 7. Rough handling 8. Improper transfer 9. Continuous bleeding 10. Exposure to extreme cold or excessive heat 11. Fatigue 7. Dangers of shock 7. Lead to death 8. Predisposes body to infection 9. Lead to loss of body part 8. Signs and symptoms of shock 8. Early stage: .1. face - pale or cyanotic in color .1. skin - cold and clammy .1. breathing - irregular .1. pulse - rapid and weak .1. nausea and vomiting .1. weakness .1. thirsty 9. Late stage: .2. if the condition deteriorates, victim may become apathetic or relatively unresponsive. .2. eyes will be sunken with vacant expression. .2. pupils are dilated. .2. blood vessels may be congested producing mottled appearances. .2. blood pressure has very low level. .2. unconsciousness may occur, body temperature falls. 9. Objectives of First Aid 9. To improve circulation of the blood. 10. To ensure an adequate supply of oxygen. 11. To maintain normal body temperature. 10. First Aid and preventive management for shock 10. Proper Position .1. keep the victim lying down flat. .1. elevate the lower part of the body a foot or so, if injury is severe from eight to twelve inches high. Observe. .1. place the victim who is having difficulty in breathing, on his back, with his head and shoulder raised. .1. head Injury - apply pressure on the injury and keep the victim lying flat. Do not elevate head or lower extremities. When color of the face return to normal, elevate head and shoulder and continue giving care to the injury. In chest injury, raise the head and shoulder slightly. .1. symptoms of nausea and vomiting or unconsciousness keep the victim lying on one side preferably opposite from his injury except for sucking wound and stroke. The position is known as recovery, coma or lateral position. 11. Proper body heat .2. maintain body temperature and victim must not be perspiring nor chilling. .2. if the weather is warm, the victim need not to be covered. .2. if victim is cold, inspite of the weather, a blanket may be placed underneath him and cover the body. NOTE: Do not give anything by mouth including water. If medical care is delayed and patient is complaining of intense thirst, you may wet his/her lips. Download