emergency first aid guidelines for california schools an overview of content and how to use

Emergency First Aid Guidelines for California

SchoolsAn Overview of Content

And How to Use

Purpose

To serve as a basic “what to do in an emergency” for school staff with or without medical training.

The guidelines were created as a recommended procedure.

In a true emergency situation use your best judgment.

It is strongly recommended…

…that staff who are in a position to provide first-aid to students complete an approved first-aid and CPR course.

…that you familiarize yourself with the format of the guidelines prior to the actual emergency situation.

…that you use the guidelines for reference before, during and/or after an event.

What do the Guidelines address?

Emergency procedures When to call 9-1-1 Basic information on infection

control Information on emergency

planning Planning for persons with special

needs Recommended first-aid

equipment Emergency phone numbers

The Design

Alphabetical order with tabs Flow charts guide you through

decision steps to treat common illnesses and injuries

Flow charts use color-coded shapes to clarify steps

Key to Shapes and Colors

This note provides background information.

This type of box should be read

before emergencies occur.

START HERE


? Question Being Asked?You need to choose

based on person’s condition.Follow the pathway for your answer.

NO YES

Provides First-Aid Instructions


STOP HERE.This is the

final instruction.

Final instruction for the algorithm. In some emergencies, multiple algorithms may be used.

Additional Informationor

Signs and Symptoms


TIME TO CALL 9-1-1• There may be additional directions to

continue care or see another algorithm.

Don’t Delay 9-1-1 When Needed

Have someone contact the 911 system, as soon as possible, after it is known that their assistance is needed. Delay in accessing the 911 system could result in worsening of a person’s condition and may lead to additional injury.

Direct Fire/Ambulance

Have someone meet fire or ambulance response units

Give directions to location of person.

Always Remember ABCs

Airway – Open the airway – 1st No Air in, all else is lost.

Breathing – Ensure Breathing – 2nd You may need to breath for the person

or do CPR

Circulation (i.e., bleeding) – 3rd Heart beating or CPR – Nothing else

matters Control Bleeding – Prevent the loss of

blood

Call 9-1-1 For:

Blocked Airway Unable to get air into lungs (i.e.,

choking) Difficulty Breathing

Absent or labored breathing Wheezing due to an allergic

reaction (i.e., after a bee sting) Near drowning – even if awake and

appears ok water can have a delayed effect on lungs

Call 9-1-1 for

Uncontrollable Bleeding – you can’t stop it

Unconsciousness After any injury If person has history of Diabetes Unexplained reason

Head Injury Possible Poisoning

Call 9-1-1 Immediately

GET ADVANCED MEDICAL HELP ASAP

Answer Questions Follow Instructions Do Not Hang Up Stay Calm Provide First Aid until

ambulance arrives

WHAT TO DO FIRSTCHECK FOR

RESPONSIVENESS

If Unresponsive, send someone to call 9-1-1

AIRWAY ENSURE AIRWAY IS OPEN. If patient is unconscious use head tilt-chin lift or jaw thrust

WHAT TO DO NEXT

BREATHINGENSURE PERSON IS BREATHING LOOK, LISTEN, AND FEEL for breathing. If no breathing, SEE CPR and Give Rescue Breaths

CIRCULATIONCHECK FOR SIGNS OF CIRCULATION (Pulse, movement, breathing, color). If no signs of circulation, SEE CPR. CONTROL BLEEDING

DISABILITY - TREAT INJURIES/ILLNESS THAT

MAY RESULT IN DISABILITY. (Head injuries, spine injuries, and fractures will need medical attention)

DO NOT FORGET THESE

FIRST AID / MEDICAL AIDProvide first aid and medical support to most serious injuries/illness risks first.

Which One First?

Scenario Child falls

from bleachers

Dirty, abrasions

Bleeding scalp

Unconscious, then awakes

Remember ABC’s1. Unconscious due

to injury – call 911

2. Is awake, therefore airway open & breathing

3. Bleeding, See “Bleeding” apply direct pressure

4. Abrasions, See “Cuts, Scratches & Scraps”

Ready to Try One?

Try this One

Child is holding hand and tells teacher he was bitten by a dog. There is some blood oozing from several small punctures/scrapes. Child otherwise is crying and looks normal.

BITES (Human & Animal)Wear disposable gloveswhen exposed to blood

or other body fluids

• Hold bite area under running water for 2-3 minutes

• Wash with soap and water • If wound bled, apply

clean bandage

Is the person bleeding?

CALL 9-1-1See “Bleeding”

·Press firmly with a clean dressing/cloth on bleeding

site·“See Bleeding”

Check immunization record for DT, DPT (tetanus). See “Tetanus” for more information.

Is bite from a human?

If bite is from a snake, scorpion or other reptile, hold the bitten area

still and below the level of the heart.

Call POISON CONTROL CENTER1-800-876-4766

See “Snake Bite”, if appropriate

· Don’t try to catch or touch the animal

· Get description and location of animal

· Report to Animal Control or proper authority, usually the local Health Department, so

that animal can be caught & watched for rabies

Contact responsible school nurse or administrator and parents/legal guardians. Inform if a human bite

that both the person bitten and the person biting may

have been exposed to blood from other person. ENCOURAGE IMMEDIATE

MEDICAL CAREFile Incident Report

Is bite large or gaping?Is blood spurting?

Is bleeding uncontrolled?

The Whole Thing

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

Yes

No

No

BITES (Human & Animal)

Wear disposable gloves

when exposed to bloodor other body fluids

Is the person bleeding? · Press firmly with a clean dressing/cloth on

bleeding site· See “Bleeding”

YES

Yes decision Leads to action box

Check second protocol for additional help

BITES – First Aid


NO


· Hold bite area under running water for 2-3 minutes

· Wash with soap and water · If wound bled, apply

clean bandage

NO

First Aid Steps

YES • Press firmly with a clean dressing/cloth on bleeding

site• See “Bleeding”

BITES (Con’t)· Press firmly with a clean

dressing/cloth on bleeding site· See “Bleeding”



YES

NODifferentAction steps

GET HELP

! Emergent condition,

do you need 9-1-1?


BITES – Next StepsBandage

NO

YES


YES

Decision,

what

type?

If bite is from a snake, scorpion or other reptile, hold the bitten area still and below the level of

the heart.Call POISON CONTROL

CENTER1-800-876-4766

See “Snake Bite”, if appropriate.

Use Poison Control, and

follow directions

BITES – Last Steps· Don’t try to catch or touch the animal· Get description and location of animal· Report to Animal Control or proper

authority, usually the local Health Department, so that animal can be caught

& watched for rabies


Contact responsible school authority and parents/legal

guardians. Inform if a human bite that both the person bitten and the

person biting may have been exposed to blood from other

person. ENCOURAGE IMMEDIATE


The END

BITES (Human & Animal)Wear disposable gloveswhen exposed to blood

or other body fluids

• Hold bite area under running water for 2-3 minutes

• Wash with soap and water • If wound bled, apply

clean bandage



·Press firmly with a clean dressing/cloth on bleeding

site·“See Bleeding”



If bite is from a snake, scorpion or other reptile, hold the bitten area

still and below the level of the heart.

Call POISON CONTROL CENTER1-800-876-4766

See “Snake Bite”, if appropriate

· Don’t try to catch or touch the animal

· Get description and location of animal

· Report to Animal Control or proper authority, usually the local Health Department, so

that animal can be caught & watched for rabies

Contact responsible school nurse or administrator and parents/legal guardians. Inform if a human bite

that both the person bitten and the person biting may

have been exposed to blood from other person. ENCOURAGE IMMEDIATE




The Whol

e Thing

Yes

No No

No

No

Yes

Implementing the Guidelines

Review the Guidelines in advance Write down your local emergency

phone numbers Make available to all who might use Provide training to staff. Encourage all school staff to take 1st

Aid and CPR training. Check with designated first aid

person and local policies.

emergency first aid guidelines for california schools an overview of content and how to use

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