FIRST AID PROCEDURES

DROWNING
When a person is drowning ,the air passages close to prevent water entering the lungs. This also prevents air from entering the lungs, thus depriving the victim of oxygen and eventually leading t unconsciousness and death . A secondary risk for the rescued person is that he or she may choke on vomit as water in the stomach forces the stomach contents upward. A near drowning person also faces the risk of hypothermia.

TREATMENT
1. Open the airway by tilting the head, checking the mouth, and lifting the chin. Check for breathing for up to 10 seconds. 2. If the victim is breathing, place into the recovery position. 3. If the victim is not breathing, provide rescue breathing before moving into an assessment of circulation and full CPR as necessary.

SHOCK
A severe loss of blood fluid will lead to a drop in blood pressure. Eventually, the bloods circulation through the body will deteriorate and the remaining blood flow will be directed t the vital organs such as the brain. The victim may appear t be confused, weak, and dizzy, and may eventually deteriorate into unconsciousness.

CAUSES Severe internal or external bleeding Burns Severe vomiting and diarrhea Problems with the heart

TREATMENT
WARTH- keep the victim warm but do not allow her to get overheated. AIR- maintain a careful eye on the victims airway and be prepared to turn her into the recovery position if necessary or even resuscitate if breathing stops. REST- keep the victim still and preferably sitting or lying down. MENTAL REST- reassure the victim but keep your comments realistic.

 TREATMENT- treat the cause of the shock and aim to prevent further fluid loss. HELP- ensure that appropriate medical help is on the way.

BREATHING DIFFICULTIES

HYPERVENTILATION- a breathing difficulty that may be triggered by the stress of an accident or some other form of emotional shock.

TREATMENT
1. If the victim is otherwise uninjured, remove her from the scene of the accident to a quiet place where there is no audience. 2. Reassure the victim but remain calm and speak firmly. Encourage the victim to regain control of her breathing. 3. If the situation persists, and you are certain that there is no underlying condition such as asthma or chest injury, let the victim inhale her own breathed-out air from a paper bag.

4. Call a doctor or ambulance if symptoms do not disappear.

ASTHMA Asthma attacks cause the muscles of the air passages to go into spasm, making it very difficult for the asthmatic to breathe, particularly to exhale. Attacks may be triggered by an allergy or by stress.

TREATMENT
1. Reassure the victim as this will have a positive effect on his breathing. 2. Help the victim into a sitting position, leaning slightly forward, as most people with asthma find this an easier position for breathing. 3. If the victim has medication, enable him to use it. Inhalers are the main form of treatment.

ANAPHYLACTIC SHOCK
An allergy is hypersensitivity to a substance that is not normally considered to be harmful. Allergies are triggered by the immune system, which reacts to the allergen as though it were a harmful substance invading the body. The most extreme response is anaphylaxis, which may result in anaphylactic shock which, if untreated, can kill.