FIRST AID BASICS

Everyone should know how to:

 1. Recognize injuries
 2. Control bleeding
 3. Know how to care for burns
 4. Care for muscle, bone and joint
injuries
 5. Care for sudden illnesses
EMERGENCY ACTION STEPS

CHECK

CALL

CARE
 CHECK THE SCENE

 Isthe scene safe?

 What happened?

 How many people are injured?

 Are there bystanders who can help?

 NOTE: Obtain Consent
 From all mentally competent,
conscious adult victims
 Parent or guardian of minors or
emotionally disturbed victims
 If not available, first aid care must
be given without consent.
 If a victim is unconscious, badly
injured or so ill that he/she cannot
respond, consent is implied.
 CALL 911
In the Following Circumstances
 The victim is unconscious
 Has trouble breathing
 Has chest pain or pressure
 Is bleeding severely
 Has severe pain in the abdomen
 Is vomiting or passing blood
 Has seizures, a severe headache, or slurred
speech
 Appears to have been poisoned
 Has injuries to the head, neck or back
 Has possibly broken bones
 Victim cannot be moved easily
 When calling 911, have the
following information ready
 Location of the emergency with
cross-streets
 Phone number from which you are
calling.
 What happened?

 How many people are involved?

 What is being done?

 DO NOT HANG UP FIRST!!!

 CARE FOR THE VICTIM
 Injuries are one of our nation's most
important health problems. Most of us will
have a significant injury at some time in
our lives. Many injuries are preventable.
 The five leading causes of injuries are:
– Motor-vehicle accidents,
– Falls, Poisonings,
– Drowning,
– Choking.
BLOODY NOSE
 BLOODY NOSE
 Bloody noses are not usually painful.
 They can be caused from:

– an injury
– high blood pressure
– altitude changes
 First Aid Treatment
 Encourage them to breathe through their mouth.
 Have victim sit dawn and lean forward with chin
toward chest.
 Pinch the nostrils together firmly for a full 15
minutes.
 If bleeding continues, apply ice pack to bridge of
nose.
 Put pressure in the upper lip just below the nose.
 If the bleeding continues after another 15
minutes, repeat steps one more time.
 If there is still bleeding after 45 minutes, seek
medical help.
How to Make a Cold Compress
 Put ice in a zip-lock plastic bag
 Soak clean hand towel in cool water

 Wring out the towel

 Wrap the towel around the ice bag

 Apply to area to reduce swelling,

pain, or itchiness
BURNS
 BURNS

Exposure to heat
Chemicals

Electricity

Radiation
 Critical Burns
 Trouble breathing
 Covers more than one body part
 Covers the eyes
 On genitals
 Victim is elderly

 For critical burns, call 911

 First Aid Treatment
 Coolthe burn immediately by
immersing it in cold (not ice) water
or placing it cold running water for at
least 10 minutes.

A clean, cold, wet towel will reduce

the pain.

 For
a minor mouth burn, victim can
suck on ice.
 For Severe Burns
 Do not remove pieces of cloth that
stick to the burn.
 Do not try to clean the burn.
 Remove jewelry distal to the wound
(tell the victim where you put the
jewelry!).
 Cover the burn with dry, sterile, non-
adhesive dressing (separate toes and
fingers).
 Take Steps to Prevent Shock
 Lay the victim flat
 Elevate feet 12 inches

 Maintain normal body temperature

 Monitor breathing, circulation, and

bleeding until help arrives.
CHOKING
 CHOKING
 Ifvictim can cough or talk at all,
leave them alone (stay close and
encourage coughing)

 Iftheir hands are at their throat and

they cannot speak, call 911 and do
abdominal thrusts.
 First Aid Treatment
(Adult or child over 1 year old)
 Call 911
 Identify yourself and ask them if you can
help (get consent)
 Do not let a coughing person go away by
themselves to the bathroom!
 When doing abdomina1 thrusts, stand
behind the victim
 Wrap your arms around the victim's waist
 Abdominal Thrust Problems
 If too big (obese or pregnant), wrap
arms under their armpits and do
chest thrusts
 If they are too tall, have them kneel.

 If they are very short (or a child),

you should do the kneeling.
 Abdominal Thrusts
 Make a fist. Place the thumb side of your
fist in the middle of victim’s abdomen, just
above the navel and well below the breast
bone. Grasp your fist with your other
hand.
 Keeping your elbows out, press your fist
with a quick, upward thrust into the
victim's abdomen. Each thrust is a
separate attempt to clear the airway.
 Continue performing this maneuver until
the obstruction is cleared or the victim
loses consciousness.
If you are the one who is choking
and you are by yourself:

 Dial
911 from a land line (not a cell
phone).

 Get out where someone can see you.

 Usethe back of a chair or a table

corner to give yourself abdominal
thrusts.
If Victim Becomes Unconscious:
 Position victim on back.
 Check the mouth to see if the object is
visible (sweep it out with a finger)
 Pinch their nose shut, tilt their head back,
cover their mouth with yours.
 Attempt to ventilate.
 If unsuccessful on first try, reposition to
open airway and try again.
 If you still cannot ventilate, do abdominal
thrusts:
 Abdominal Thrusts
(Unconscious Victim)
 Straddle the victim's thighs.
 Place the heel of one of your hands
against the middle of the victim's
abdomen, just above the navel and well
below the lower tip of the breastbone.
 Place your other hand on top of your first
hand.
 Give up to 5 quick inward and upward
thrusts.
 Check the victim's mouth and do a finger
sweep to remove the object if it has been
dislodged.
 If breathing has not been restored, open
airway and attempt to give two more
breaths.
 If breaths won't go in, give another series
of up to 5 thrusts, check mouth, and
ventilate.
 Continue this sequence until help arrives.
 RESCUE BREATHING
 This is a way to breathe air into someone’s lungs
when they stop breathing.
 Besides airway obstruction, there are other
causes of lack of breathing:
– Poison or drugs
– Injury to the chest or lungs
– Near drowning
– Electrocution
– Burns
– Certain diseases or illnesses
– Allergic reaction to insect bites or stings, or food
– Shock
– Heart attack or heart disease
EXTERNAL
BLEEDING
 First Aid Treatment
 Always try to use a protective barrier.
 Locate the source of bleeding.
 Using a sterile dressing or clean cloth,
apply direct pressure to the wound.
 Raise the bleeding part above the level of
the victim's heart if it does not cause more
pain.
 If bleeding doesn't stop or if you need to
free your hands, apply a pressure
bandage.
Wounds Requiring Medical Attention
 Bleeding that cannot be controlled
 Deep injuries
 Injury caused by dirty objects
 Large or deeply embedded objects
 Human or animal bites
 Wounds that may cause a noticeable scar
 Injury to the eye, eyelid or lip
 Any injury where healing is in doubt
 Any wound where infection may be or is
present
EYE INJURIES
 EYE INJURIES
Foreign body in eye:
 Gently flush eye with water.

Chemical in eye:
 Wash eye with water, flushing from
nose outward.
 Continue flushing until EMS arrives.
Injury to eyeball:
 Never put direct pressure on eyeball.

 Place victim on his/her back.

 Do not attempt to remove any objects

that have entered eyeball.
 Place a sterile dressing around object.

 Stabilize any impaled object in place.

 Get medical attention immediately.

Blow to eye:
 Apply cold compresses immediately
and continuously for 20 minutes.
 If eye discolors, pain persists, there
is obvious bleeding in or around the
eye, or vision is disturbed, seek
medical help.
FRACTURES AND
DISLOCATIONS
 FRACTURES AND
DISLOCATIONS
 Fractures
– Chipped or cracked bones or complete breaks.
– Open fracture: involves an open wound.
– Closed fractures: skin is unbroken.
 Dislocations
– A bone separated or displaced from its normal
position at a joint, involves ligament damage.

 There will be swelling, heat, pain, and

redness. There may be deformity or loss
of function. Just because you can move it,
does not mean it’s not broken!
 First Aid Treatment
 Call 911 if there is also bleeding. You still
need to get them to the hospital if there’s
a fracture.
 Completely immobilize the injury before
moving the victim.
 Do not move a victim with a suspected
injured hip, pelvis or upper leg unless
necessary.
 Do not attempt to straighten a suspected
fracture or dislocation.
 Basic Principles of Splinting
 Splint only if possible without causing
more pain and discomfort
 Splint an injury in the position you find it

 Immobilize the fractured bone and the

joints above and below the fracture
 Check circulation before and after splinting

 Treat for shock

FROSTBITE
 FROSTBITE
 Ice crystals form in body tissues
(usually the nose, ears, chin, cheeks,
fingers or toes) restricting blood flow
to the injured part.
 Symptoms:
– Lack of feeling in affected area
– Skin appears waxy
– Skin is cold to touch
– Skin is white, yellow, or blue
 First Aid Treatment
 Cover affected area, handling gently
 Never rub the affected area
 Warm the area by soaking in warm water (not
hot)
 Do NOT let the affected area touch the bottom or
sides of the warm water container
 Keep it in the water until skin is pink and warm
 Bandage area with dry, sterile dressing
 If fingers or toes are frostbitten, place cotton or
gauze between them
 Avoid breaking any blisters
 Seek medical help as soon as possible
 HYPOTHERMIA
 Life-threatening
 The body's warming mechanisms fail to
maintain normal body temperature and
the entire body cools.
 If body temperature drops below 95 'F, the
heart begins to beat erratically
(ventricular fibrillation) and eventually
stops.
 Death then occurs.
 Signs and Symptoms:
 Shivering (may be absent in later
stages)
 Slow, irregular pulse

 Numbness

 Glassy stare

 Apathy and decreasing levels of

consciousness
 First Aid Treatment
 Remove any wet clothing and dry the
victim.
 Warm the body gradually.
 Wrap the victim in blankets or put on dry
clothing.
 Move victim to a warm environment
 If available, apply hot water bottles or
heating pads.
 If victim is alert, give warm liquids to
drink (no alcohol!)
HEART ATTACK
 HEART ATTACK
 Chest discomfort, pain, pressure,
squeezing or tightness
 An aching, crushing, constricting
feeling in the chest
 Numbness or aching in the arms,
neck, or jaw
 Heavy sweating
 Nausea
 Shortness of breath
 First Aid Treatment

Check for symptoms

Call 911

Care for victim

 If Victim is Conscious
 Have the victim stop activity and rest
in a comfortable position.

 Call 911

 Loosen restrictive clothing.

 Stay with them until help arrives

 If Victim is Unconscious
 Shake and shout to get a response

 Call 911

 Monitor ABCs
– Airway
– Breathing
– Circulation
 ABC’s
 Position the victim on their back.
A. Open the airway.
B. Look, listen, and feel for breathing.
– If not breathing, give 2 breaths
C. Check carotid pulse
– If no pulse, give 15 chest compressions and
two breaths.
– After 4 cycles of this, check for breathing and
circulation again.
– If no circulation, continue CPR until help
arrives.
HEAT STROKE
 HEAT STROKE
 Especially susceptible:
– The very young
– Very old
– Chronically ill
– Overweight
– Work in hot places
– Athletes
Heat stroke is life-threatening
Brain damage and death may result if the
body is not cooled quickly.

Symptoms:
Hot, dry, red skin (no sweat)
Fast, weak pulse
Fast, shallow breathing
Progressive loss of consciousness
 First Aid Treatment
 Get the person out of the heat.
 Call 911
 Cool the victim fast.
 Immerse victim in cool bath or wrap
in wet sheets and fan them.
 If victim is conscious, offer cool
water to drink.
– Give one-half glass (4 oz.) every 15
minutes.
INSECT STINGS AND BITES
 First Aid Treatment

 Wash area with soap and water

 Cover affected area with a dressing

 Apply cold pack with or without a salt

pack
 Salt Pack
 Mix small handful of salt with a few
drops of water
 Make a paste

 Apply to insect bite or sting

 Place cold compress on top

 Allergic Reactions (Rare)

This is LIFE THREATENING!

– Skin becomes red or swollen

– Hives, itching, rash appears
– Weakness, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness.
– Difficulty breathing
– Swelling obstructs airway
– Death

 Care for shock

 If the person has their own anaphylaxis
kit, assist them to use it.
 Diseases from Tick Bites:
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
and Lyme Disease
 Symptoms in a few days or weeks
 A rash starts around the bite

 Fever

 Headache

 Weakness

 Pain in joint and muscles

 Flu symptoms
 For Ticks
 Coat the tick with Vaseline, wait for 10 minutes
 Grasp it with tweezers close to the skin.
 Pull gently and wait for it to release.
 DO NOT try to burn it with a match or prick it
with a pin.
 If parts of the tick stay in the skin, obtain
medical care.
 Once tick is removed, wash area with soap and
water.
 Apply Triple Antibiotic ointment.
 Observe the site periodically.
 If rash develops, seek medical help.
 BLACK WIDOW SPIDER BITES

 Pain usually progresses up or down the

bitten arm or leg, finally localizing in the
abdomen and back. There may be pain in
the muscles and soles of the feet, and
eyelids may become swollen.
 Muscle and chest pain or tightness,
nausea, profuse perspiration, tremors,
labored breathing and speech, and
vomiting. In more serious cases, a weak
pulse, cold clammy skin, unconsciousness,
or convulsions may occur.
 First Aid Treatment
 Get medical attention immediately (Call
poison control center).
 Clean the site well with soap and water.

 Apply a cool compress over the bite

location
 Keep the affected limb elevated to about
heart level.
 Try to keep the patient quiet and warm.
INTERNAL INJURIES
 INTERNAL INJURIES
 Chest and Abdominal Injuries

The second leading cause of trauma

deaths each year. Approximately 35% of
all traffic fatalities in the U.S. involve
chest injuries.
Injuries to the chest may result from falls,
sports mishaps and crushing or penetrating
forces. Organs such as the heart and lungs,
and major blood vessels are the most likely
to be injured.
 Symptoms
 Difficultybreathing
 Severe pain
 Flushed, pale, or cool skin
 Obvious deformity
 Coughing up blood
 Fast pulse and breathing
 Nausea and vomiting
 Weakness and thirst
 First Aid Treatment
 Call 911
 Monitor ABC's

 Control any external bleeding (use

protective barriers if you have them).
 Care for shock.

 If victim vomits, place victim on their

side.
POISONING
POISON CONTROL CENTER
California

1-800-222-1222
 POISONING

Swallowed

Absorbed

Inhaled
 Swallowed Poison
 Overdosing on medication
 Taking drugs with alcohol

 Putting chemicals in unlabeled food

containers
 Medicines, plants and household
products within reach of children
 Signs and Symptoms
 Nausea
 Vomiting
 Diarrhea
 Chest or abdominal pain
 Breathing difficulty
 Sweating
 Loss of consciousness
 Seizures

 NOTE: Look for opened or spilled containers and

overturned plants for clues as to poison source.
First Aid for Swallowed Poisons
 Call Poison Control Center or 911
 Monitor ABC's
 Place victim on their side if vomiting.
 Save containers and any vomit to give to
medical personnel
 DO NOT induce vomiting if victim
– is unconscious
– is having a seizure
– is pregnant
– has ingested corrosive substance
– is known to have heart disease
 Absorbed Poisons
 Insecticides

 Agriculturalchemicals
 Plants such as poison ivy, oak or
sumac
 Venom from certain marine life
 Signs of Absorbed Poisons

 Skin reaction, itching

 Eye irritation

 Changes in breathing and pulse

 Headache
 First Aid for Absorbed Poisons
 Wash poison from skin

 Remove clothing or other articles

with poison on them

 Monitor ABC's
 Inhaled Poison
 Carbon monoxide (from car exhaust,
defective cooking equipment, fire
and charcoal grills)
 Carbon dioxide (from wells and
sewers)
 Smoke
 Refrigeration gases
 Fumes from spray chemicals
 Industrial and home chemicals
 Signs and Symptoms
 Dizziness

 Headache

 Breathing difficulty
 Unconsciousness

 Pale or bluish skin color

 First Aid Treatment
for Inhaled Poisons
 Get the victim to fresh air as soon as
possible
 Place victim on their side if vomiting.

 Follow directions from Poison Control

Center or 911
 Monitor ABC's

 Be prepared to do rescue breathing

or CPR if needed
SEIZURES
 SEIZURES
 Head injury
 Disease
 Fever
 Infection
 Epilepsy
– Mild blackouts
– Convulsions
 Infants and young children are at risk of
seizures from high fevers
Signs a Seizure is Coming On
 Visual hallucinations
 Hearing strange sounds

 Strange taste or smell

 An urgent need to get to safety

 Mild blackouts

 Sudden uncontrolled muscle

contractions (convulsions) lasting
several minutes
 First Aid Treatment for Seizures
 Check victim to see if they are wearing a medical
alert tag

Call 911 in the following circumstances:

 Has continuous or recurring seizures (more than 1

per hour)
 Does not awaken between seizures
 Is ill or injured
 Has never had seizures before
 Has diabetes or high blood pressure
 Is pregnant
 Has seizures that last longer than 2 minutes
 Had a seizure in the water
 During the Seizure
 If you are there when episode is coming on, try to protect
the victim from falling; help them down.
 Remove any hard or sharp objects from the area.
 Loosen any tight clothing, particularly around victim's neck.

 Do NOT restrain the victim

 Do NOT place anything between the victim's teeth
 Do NOT move the victim unless he/she is in danger.
 Do NOT perform rescue breathing on a seizure victim, even
if he or she is turning blue
 Do NOT give victim anything by mouth until the seizure has
stopped and victim is fully awake.
 After the Seizure Stops
 If you do not suspect spinal injury, place
victim on their side
 Most seizure victims regain consciousness
but then go into a deep sleep
 Do NOT try to prevent the victim from
sleeping after the seizure.
 Monitor the victim while they recover.
 Stay with the victim until he/she fully
regains consciousness or until medical
help arrives.
SHOCK
 SHOCK
 Shock occurs when the body cannot adjust
to the stress from an illness or injury. The
circulatory system fails to provide enough
oxygen to the body. Shock is life-
threatening.
 NOTE: Shock can be caused by sudden
illness, such as a heart attack or injury,
especially injuries resulting in severe
bleeding. It can also result from emotional
stress.
First Aid Treatment for Shock
 Call 911
 Check victim to see if they are wearing a
medical alert tag
 Do NOT give the victim anything by
mouth.
 Check the ABC's
 Place victim flat and elevate his/her feet 8
to 12 inches.
 Try to maintain body temperature.
 Give first aid for any underlying illness or
injury.
STROKE
 STROKE
 A stroke is disruption of the blood flow to
the brain due to a blot clot.
 Other Common Causes:
– Bleeding from a ruptured artery in the brain
– A head injury
– High blood pressure
– A weak area in an artery wall (aneurysm)
– Fat deposits lining an artery (atherosclerosis)
– A tumor or swelling from the head injury
compressing an artery.
 Signs and Symptoms
 Sudden weakness and numbness of face,
arm or leg, often on one side only
 Difficulty speaking or understanding speech
 Blurred or dimmed vision
 Pupils of the eyes unequal in size
 Dizziness
 Confusion
 Sudden severe headache
 Ringing in the ears
 Change in mood
 Unconsciousness
 Loss of bowel or bladder control
 First Aid Treatment
 Call 911 or get victim to the hospital
 Check ABC's
 Have victim rest in a comfortable position.
 Do NOT give victim anything by mouth.
 Stay with victim until medical help arrives.
 If victim loses consciousness, place
him/her on their side in the recovery
position.
 Continue to monitor ABC's until
medical help arrives
SPINAL AND HEAD INJURIES
 SPINAL INJURIES
 Improper care of injuries to the neck
and back can lead to paralysis and
possibly death.
 When in doubt, assume there is a
spinal injury.
 The leading causes of spinal injuries
are motor vehicle accidents, falls,
acts of violence, and sports.
 Causes of Head Injuries
 A fall from a height greater than the victim's
height
 Any diving mishap
 Severe blunt force to head or trunk
 Penetrating injury such as a gunshot wound
 A motor vehicle crash involving people not
wearing seat belts
 Any person thrown from a motor vehicle
 Any injury in which a protective helmet is broken
 Any incident involving a lightning strike
 Signs and Symptoms
 Changes in levels of consciousness
 Severe pain or pressure in head, neck, or back
 Tingling or loss of sensation
 Loss of movement in any body part
 Unusual bumps or depressions on head or spine
 Blood in the nose or ears
 Seizures
 Impaired breathing or vision
 Nausea or vomiting
 Persistent headache
 Loss of balance.
 First Aid Treatment
 Call911
 Minimize movement of the head
and spine.
 Monitor the ABC's

 Control any external bleeding.

 Treat for shock and maintain

normal body temperature
 If Accident Occurs in Water:
 Do NOT jump or dive into the water near the
victim.
 Approach victim carefully, to prevent unnecessary
waves from causing further injury.
 Move victim to surface of water, and rotate victim
so they can breathe.
 Move victim to shallow water if possible.
 If you do not have a backboard, support victim in
the water until EMS arrives.
 Check for breathing.
 Monitor ABC's
 Treat for shock.
SPRAINS
 SPRAINS
A sprain is the partial or complete
tearing of ligaments and other
tissues at a joint.
 The more torn ligaments there are,
the more severe the injury is.
 The severity can range from a minor
sprain to a major injury, which may
rupture the ligament and require
surgical repair.
 Signs and Symptoms
 Mild to severe tenderness
 Swelling
 Possible looseness in joint
 Deformity
 Associated muscle spasm
 Snapping or tearing sound
 First Aid Treatment
 Do NOT allow victim to move unassisted.
 Do NOT allow victim to put stress on injured area.
 Care for shock.
 Monitor ABC's
 RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation
– Rest from activities for at least 48 hours
– Ice for 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off
– Compression with Ace wrap from distal to
proximal, include all skin in the wrap (leave no
gaps)
– Elevate above heart as much as possible for 3 days
Be Safe!