basic first aid. always dial 911 first if possible! lives can be saved by the steps anyone can take...
TRANSCRIPT
ALWAYS dial 911 first if possible! Lives can be saved by the steps anyone can
take until medical help can arrive.
First Aid Kits Every office, factory, home and school should have an
accessible first aid kit Every kit should have the following items
First aid book Band aids of various sizes Elastic bandages Gauze and adhesive tape Antiseptic wipes (alcohol wipes) and cotton wool Safety pins and tweezers Scissors Latex gloves Calamine lotion Clinical thermometer Analgesic tablets (aspirin)
Severe Bleeding, Wounds and Injuries
Blood can be lost very rapidly from a severed or torn artery.
Severe blood loss can lead to shock, unconsciousness or death
External Bleeding
If an adult looses more than 1 liter of blood or a child looses as little as 1/3 of that amount loss is considered severe.
Arm or Leg Injuries Treat by
1. Laying the victim down and if possible, raise the injured part.
2. Press hard on the wound with a clean pad. If the wound is gaping, hold the edges together firmly
3. If there is a foreign body in the wound (glass, metal, etc) apply pressure alongside
4. Take a firm pad and bind it firmly over the whole wound so that pressure is maintained. (A scarf or tie can be used)
5. If blood soaks through the bandage do not remove it. Instead continue to apply pressure to the wound for 7-10 minutes.
6. Seek medical attention
Head Injuries Signs
Blood or fluid from the ear Loss of consciousness Wound Sometimes no signs
Treatment Very carefully, try to put flaps of skin back into position Press firmly on the wound with a clean, (sterile if possible) pad Hold the dressing in place with more clean cloth If the victim is conscious, lay them with their head and shoulders
slightly raised If fluid comes from the ear, cover the ear with a clean pad and
lay them on that side to allow free drainage of the fluid from the ear.
See medical help immediately
Chest Injuries
Cover the wound immediately using the palm of your hand or the victims if they are conscious
Place a sterile dressing or clean pad over the wound then cover the pad with a plastic bag, kitchen film or foil, held in place with adhesive strapping or firm bandaging to form an airtight seal
If victim is conscious, support him/her in a comfortable position
Call 9-1-1
Burns
3 Degrees Caused by heat, chemicals or radiation Scalds are caused by steam or hot liquids WARNING
1. Never put butter or greasy ointment on a burn. 2. Always seek medical attention if:
The victim is a child or elderly Burn covers more than one body part Burn is located on any sensitive part of the body Burn is third degree Burn is caused by chemicals
First Degree Burns
Damage the outer layer of skin Signs
Redness Mild pain Swelling
Treatment Plunge in cold water or hold under a cold running
tap for 10 minutes or the until the pain stops or lessens
Cover with a clean gauze dressing for protection
Second Degree Burns Go through to the second layer of skin Signs
Blisters Rough, red skin Swelling Extreme pain
Second Degree Burns Treatment
Remove all clothing, jewelry, watches from the burned area unless it is sticking to the skin
Pour large amounts of cold water over the affected area for at least 10 minutes
Gently blot areas. DO NOT rub; rubbing may break blisters
Lightly cover the entire burned area with a clean, dry dressing. If fluid soaks through cover with another layer.
Raise a burned arm or leg to reduce swelling but be careful not to burst blisters
Call 9-1-1
Third Degree Burns
Less painful than 2nd degree burns because the nerve cells in the affected tissue are destroyed but the damage is greater.
The burn goes through to the third layer of skin.
Skin appears whitish or charred
Third Degree Burns
Do not remove any clothing near or at the site of the burn
Do not apply cold water or medication Place clean, dry cloths over the damaged area If burns are on arms or legs, raise the arm or leg to
reduce swelling If burns are on the face, check frequently to make
sure that he/she is not having difficulty breathing Get victim to a hospital IMMEDIATELY
Cuts & Grazes
Bleeding usually stops within a few minutes Treat by cleaning the area with a gauze or
cotton pad Small cuts heal best if covered Antibiotic ointments may be used
Foreign Body in the Eye Eye
When on the pupil or embedded in the white of the eyeNever try to remove the objectCover the injured eye with a clean padBandage both eyesTake the victim to the hospital
Eyes When floating on the white of the eye
Advise the victim not to rub the eyeHave them sit down facing a light so that
you can see into the eye clearlyUsing your finger or thumb gently pull the
eyelids of the injured eye apartWhen you see the foreign body wash it out
with clean water If the foreign body has not moved, try to lift it
off with a moist swab or the dampened corner of a tissue or handkerchief.