American Academy of CPR & First Aid, Inc.

FIRST AIDWhat is First Aid?Initial help given to a person who is sick or injured.

STEP ONE:

•  Evaluate the situation.

Look for dangers to yourself and to the victim.  You cannot help the victim by putting yourself at risk.Make the area safe for yourself and the victim .

STEP TWO:

•  Call Emergency medical services (EMS). Be prepared to give the operator your locationProvide emergency aid Get help from others Reminder: always use gloves if avaiable

Positioning the victim:

Do not move victim unless necessary.  Following are situations where victims need to be  moved:If the area is a danger to you or the victimIf the victim is face down and needs CPR. Turn victim  face upIf the victim is unconscious, but breathing then place  the victim in recovery position.If you think victim has a spinal injury (back or neck   injury). Do not to move the victim.If the victim is unresponsive (unable to answer your   questions) and is having diffficulty breathing,   vomiting  or if you must leave the location to get   help, place the victim in the modified recovery   position.

Recovery position

extend one of the victim’s arms above the head and roll the body onto one side.  Use the extended arm as a pillow. Bend both legs  to keep the body on its side.

Wounds, Abrasions and Bleeding• Clean the wound or abrasion with clean running tap

water for at least 5 minutes or until the wound is totally clean (no dirt or other matter on the wound). 

• If tap water is not avaiable use bottled ( non-carbonated) drinking water.

• To stop the bleeding: apply firm steady pressure directly on the wound until bleeding stops.

• If gauze, cloth or sanitary pads are avaiable, place directly over the bleeding area and apply steady pressure.

• Continue until bleeding stops. As the gauze, cloth or sanitry pads become soaked replace with dry ones if avaiable.

• Once the bleeding has stopped, Apply an elastic bandage over the dry gauze, cloth or sanitary padApply triple antibiotic ointment on abrasions (scrapes) to prevent infections.

Road Accident• Evaluate the situation. Look for dangers to yourself and to

the victim(s).• Make the area safe for yourself and the victim e.g. Switch

off the ignition• Check the victims. Evaluate all victims quickly and give aid

to those with major injuries or not breathing first.• DO NOT move the victim unless it is absolutely necessary.

Treat the victim in the position where you find them.• ALWAYS assume that there is a neck (spinal) injury

If you think victim has a spinal injury (back or neck injury) Do not move the victim. If the victim is unresponsive (unable to answer your questions) and is having difficulty breathing, vomiting or if you must leave the location to get help, place the victim in the modified recovery position.

• Monitor and record the victim’s vital signs (pulse, breathing, response to your questions)Be prepared to give CPR, if needed

Fire• Call 911• DO NOT put your safety at risk• DO NOT attempt to fight a fire.• Pull the nearest Fire alarm. • Many buildings have maps on the

backs of doors with marked alarm locations and exits.

• DO NOT use elevators under any circumstances.

• STOP, DROP and ROLL if you or anyone else is on fire. (If possible wrap the victim in a coat, curtain, blanket, rug or other heavy fabrics.

Smoke and Fumes• Never enter a burning or smoke filled

room• Smoke and fumes in a confined space

create an environment that is low in oxygen and may be polluted by carbon monoxide and toxic fumes.

• If trapped in a burning building, get down on your knees and crawl across the smoke filled room (Air is cleanest at the lowest level).

• Go to a room with a window and close the door.

• Encourage and assist others to evacuate (leave) the area.

Electrical Injuries• Evaluate the situation. Look for dangers to yourself

and to the victim.• Make the area safe for yourself and the victim

HIGH VOLTAGE current found in power lines and overhead high-tension (HT) cables, is usually fatal.

• Immediately notify the authorities if there is high voltage electrocution, such as fallen power lines.

• LOW VOLTAGE current is found in homes and workplaces.

• DO NOT touch the victim if he/she is in contact with the electrical source because you risk electrocution.

• Break the contact between the victim and electrical supply by switching off the current at the main switch or fuse box or unplugging or disconnecting the appliance.

• If unable to reach the plug or main switch, then stand on a dry insulating material such as a wooden box, a plastic mat, or a telephone book.

• Using a wooden stick push the victim’s limbs away from the electrical source or push the source away from the victim.

• If a wooden stick is unavaiable, place a piece of rope or cord around the victim’s ankles or under victim’s arms and then pull away from the electical source.If a wooden stick or rope is unaavaiable then pull the victim by any loose, dry clothing (sleeve , pant leg or hem of shirt) being careful not to touch the body. Remember, you risk electrocution by touching the vitim’s body.

• Once the power is off, evaluate vicitm for breathing and pulse.

• Begin CPR if victim has no pulse or is not breathing.• Call 300/ emergency medical services.• All victims of electric shock need medical assistance.

Internal injuries may have occured that are not visible.• • Arrange to take or send the victim to a hospital so

that they may be evaluated by professionals

Burn: Electrical and Chemical• Skin is an organ which acts as a natural barrier to the infection and

to fluid loss. Burns disrupt this barrier causing exposure to infection and fluid loss.

Causes of burns:

Dry burn - flames, friction, contact with hot object. Scald burn - steam, hot liquids. Electrical burn - low-voltage: household appliances, high-voltage:

power cables, lightning current Cold injury - frostbite, contact with freezing metal or freezing vapors

i.e. liquid oxygen or liquid nitrogen. Chemical burn - industrial chemicals or fumes or household chemicals ( caustic soda, bleach , oven cleaner ) Radiation burn - sunburn, over exposure to ultraviolet rays from

sunlamp or exposure to radioactive source (x-rays)

• •  Types of burns:

First-degree burn: It damages the outermost layer of skin. It is characterized by redness, swelling and tenderness.Second-degree burn: It damages the epidermis (2nd layer of skin). It is characterized by redness, tenderness and blisters.Third-degree burn: it damages all the layers of skin. It is characterized by loss of pain sensation. There may be damage to the nerves, fatty tissue, muscles, and blood vessels. These burns need immediate medical attention.

• •  First aid response for burns:

Evaluate the situation. Look for dangers to yourself and to the victim.

For severe burns or burns to the airway or electrical burns, call EMS or dial 300

Apply plenty of cold liquid for at least 10 minutesPut on a disposable gloves if available.

Carefully remove the clothing around the burn, unless it sticks to the burn.

Cover the burned area with sterile dressing or folded triangular bandage, part of a sheet or plastic wrap, to protect it from infection and to prevent fluid loss.

Monitor and record vital signs – level of response, pulse and breathingBe prepared to administer CPR, if necessary.

DO NOT burst any blisters DO NOT apply lotions, ointment, or adhesive tape to the burned

area DO NOT remove anything sticking to the burn

Heatstroke • Heatstroke refers to a condition where your

body overheats.

Causes of heatstroke:Prolonged exposure to heatHigh feverDrugs

Signs of heatstroke:Headache, dizzinessConfusionHot, flushed dry skinBody temperature above 104 F (40 C)

First aid response to heatstroke: Move the person to a cool place.Call EMS or 300.Wrap the person with a sheet and apply cool water on

the sheet, until the temperature falls below 100.4 F. Once the temperature has returned to normal,

replace the wet sheet with a dry one. Monitor and record vital signs – level of response, pulse and breathing.

Be prepared to administer CPR, if necessary

Insect bites and stings• Usually an insect sting causes a localized

allergic reaction.• Stings from a bee, wasp, or hornet are

painful rather than dangerous.• Stings in the mouth or throat are potentially

dangerous because they may obstruct the airway.

• Signs of insect sting:Pain, redness and swelling which starts within minutes to hours after an insect sting.Allergic reaction may progress to anaphylactic shock

• First aid response to an insect sting:

For victims showing signs of anaphylactic shock or victims who develop mouth or throat swelling after a bite – call EMS or 300If the stinger is visible, then with remove with a blunt knife.

DO NOT use a tweezers, because it may inject more poison into the person.Apply an ice pack or cold compress.Elevate the affected partFollow up with a doctor if pain and swelling persists

Poisons & chemicals• Poison/toxin is a substance that causes temporary or

permanent damage to the body.

Types of poisons:Swallowed - drugs, alcohol, cleaning products, food poisonsInhaled- fumes from the cleaning products, fumes from fireInjected- venom from stings and bites or drugsAbsorbed through the skin- cleaning products, plant poisonsSplashed- cleaning products, home and gardening products

Signs of swallowed poisons:VomitingLook for containers near the victimPain or burning sensation in mouth and throat

First Aid response to swallowed poison:

If the person is conscious, then ask about the exposure or ingestion history.

Give frequent sips of cold milk or water. Call EMS 300 DO NOT attempt to induce vomiting. Monitor and record vital signs – level of response,

pulse and breathing. Be prepared to administer CPR, if necessary

Obtain medical help if symptoms continue or worsenIf the person is unconscious then call EMS or 300 and start CPR.

Drowning Evaluate the situation. Look for dangers to yourself and to the

victim. Make the area safe for yourself and the victim. If possible stay on land and pull victim from the water with your

hand, a stick, or a rope. If victim is unconscious you may have to wade or swim to the

victim and bring to shore. Evaluate for breathing and pulse. Begin CPR if breathing and or pulse is absent. Start CPR with 2 effective ventilation followed by compressions,

complete 5 cycles (2 minutes) and then activate emergency services. If two people are present then send one person to activate emergency services and the other to start CPR.

Once the victim is out of the water, place the victim in a position so that his/her head is lower than the rest of the body to reduce the risk of inhaling the water and protect body from the wind to prevent his body from getting colder.

Remove wet clothing if possible and cover the victim with dry materials (blankets, towels, clothes)

Arrange to take or send the victim to a hospital. As with electrical injuries the victim may have suffered injuries that are not obvious.

Shock• Shock is a life threatening condition.

It occurs when the circulatory system (heart and/or blood vessel system) fails, and it cannot supply oxygen to the important organs i.e. brain, kidneys, and heart.

Signs of shock: Rapid pulse / heart beats Pale, cold, clammy skin and sweating

Weakness and dizziness Gray-blue skin (cyanosis), especially inside

the lips, nail bed and earlobes Rapid, and shallow breathing, which

progresses to gasping for air. In later stages, pulse is weak (faint) and

eventually heart stops working

Causes of shock:

• Severe blood loss (more than 1 Liter).• Severe diarrhea and vomiting• Severe burns• Severe infection• Severe allergic reaction (anaphylactic

shock)• Low body temperature

(hypothermia)• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)• Drug overdose• Spinal cord injury

First aid:

Treat the underlying cause, and activate EMS. Raise victim’s legs (above the level of the

heart) to improve the blood supply to the vital organs. unless you suspect a spinal injury or broken bones.

Cover the victim to maintain body temperature.

If victim begins to vomit - place them on their left side.

Monitor and record vital signs – level of response, pulse and breathing.

Be prepared to administer CPR, if necessary & call 300.

Anaphylactic Shock• Anaphylactic shock is a severe allergic

reaction which occurs within seconds or minutes, of exposure to the trigger/allergen and is potentially fatal.

Causes of anaphylactic shock:

Drug reaction (injection or by mouth) Stings of insects (bees for example) Ingestion of certain food (peanuts for example)

Signs of anaphylactic shock: Anxiety Skin rash Swelling of the tongue and throat Rapid, and shallow breathing( wheezing)which progresses to

gasping for air. Signs of shock

Fainting Fainting refers to a brief loss of consciousness, due to

decrease blood flow to the brain.

Causes of fainting:

Lack of food/fluids Reaction to pain Exhaustion Emotional stress Prolonged periods of physical activity/inactivity (sitting or

standing) in a warm environment.

First aid response for fainting:

When a person feels faint, ask them to lie down Raise their legs and support ankles on your shoulders. This

should improve the blood flow to the brain. Once the victim is fully recovered encourage them to drink

plenty of fluids. If the victim does not regain consciousness, then activate EMS

and administer CPR.

Fractures A fracture means that there is a break or crack in a bone.

Causes of fractures:o Direct force i.e. heavy blow to the bodyo Indirect force i.e. twisting or wrenching (usually occurs

when the bones are weak)

Types of fractures:

Open fracture: • Skin above the fracture is broken i.e. one of the broken bone ends

may be sticking out of the skin or there is a wound at the fracture site.

• Since the skin is broken, there is a high risk of infection. Closed fracture: • Skin above the fracture is intact. Stable fracture: • The broken bone ends do not move. Unstable fracture: • The broken bone ends can easily move out of position. • As a result can cause severe damage to the blood vessels, nerves,

and organs.

First aid response for fractures:

Closed fracture: Support the injured part. Bandage the injured part to the closest

parallel unaffected part of the body. For the lower limb fractures, bandage the

injured leg to the uninjured. For the upper limb fractures, immobilize the

arm against the trunk. Arrange to transport to the nearest hospital

or doctor’s office. Check the circulation (pulse point nearest the

fracture) every 10 minutes. If circulation is weak , loosen the bandage

Open fracture:

Place on a disposable gloves, if available. Cover the wound with clean pads or sterile dressing. Apply gentle pressure to control bleeding. Secure the dressing and padding with a bandage.

Bandage the injured part to the closest parallel unaffected part of the body. For the lower limb fractures, bandage the injured leg to the uninjured. For the upper limb fractures, immobilize the arm against the trunk.Arrange to transport to the medical facility.Check the circulation every 10 minutes. If circulation is weak then loosen the bandages. Monitor and record vital signs – level of response, pulse and breathing.Be prepared to administer CPR, if necessary.DO NOT move the person until the injured part is secured and supportedDO NOT allow the person to eat or drink until cleared by the physician

Nosebleed• Bleeding from the nose occurs when small

blood vessels inside the nostrils are ruptured.

Causes of nose bleed: Sneezing / upper respiratory infection Picking the nose Blowing the nose High blood pressure

First aid response for nosebleed:

Place person in seated position. Ask the person to breathe from the mouth and to pinch the

soft part of the nose for up to 10 minutes. If the bleeding has not stopped, then the person can repeat

the pinching of the nose for 10 minutes. This procedure may be done for a total of thirty minutes. Advise him/her to rest quietly for few hours and try not to

swallow, cough, spit or sniff, because it may restart the nose bleed.

If the nose bleed is due to an injury (head or nose injury) arrange for medical attention

Thanks

Dr. Abdulrahman Ahmed