First AidFirst Aid

Text E-mail: hadams@astate.edu Power Point:

http://www.clt.astate.edu/hadams Yellow card 20 minutes from hospital National Safety Council Red Cross American Heart Association

Course InformationCourse Information

PracticalPreventionEasy Class? Easy A?Concern for the victimAdvanced training?

First AidFirst Aid

In the U.S. every year:– 2 million hospitalized due to injuries

– 140,000 die from injuries

– 500,000 die from heart attacks

– 150,000 die from strokes

InjuriesInjuries

The leading cause of death and disability in children and young adults

Brain and spinal cord injuries: 80,000 unnecessary and permanently disabled

Disabling injuries from unintentional causes:

– One disabling injury every 2 seconds

– One fatality every 6 minutes

Expenses Related to Unintentional InjuriesExpenses Related to Unintentional Injuries

480.5 billion dollars each year

Prevention is much less expensive

Leading Injury Related Deaths

Leading Injury Related Deaths

Motor vehicle crashesFallsPoisoningDrowningFires, burns

Heart ProblemsHeart Problems

1 of every 4 Americans has a heart problem

Emergency FrequencyEmergency Frequency

ASU: 10,000 studentsStudent in this class

The Golden HourThe Golden Hour

Why Learn First AidWhy Learn First Aid

What is First Aid?–First aid is the immediate care

given to the injured or suddenly ill until more advanced care is obtained

Goals of First AidGoals of First AidKeep victim alivePrevent victim from getting worseHelp promote recoveryEnsure victim receives medical care

First AidFirst Aid

Proper procedures may mean the difference between:– Life and death

– Rapid or slow recovery

– Hospitalization

– Temporary disability or permanent injury

Lawsuit SocietyLawsuit Society

Legal AspectsLegal Aspects

No one is required to render first aid unless:–You have already begun first aid

procedures

–Designated by employer

–Pre-existing responsibility

Legal Aspects #2Legal Aspects #2

Once first aid has begun, you are not to leave until:– The victim is under the care of

someone with equal or greater training

– The victim refuses treatment or transportation

Legal Aspects #3Legal Aspects #3

If you do leave, you may be charged with:

– ABANDONMENT

Standard Of CareStandard Of Care

What type of first aid care is appropriate and acceptable?

If you act reasonably and with the same amount of training as others who would deal with similar circumstances

Scope of CareScope of Care

If you follow recommendations identified by the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, National Safety Council, etc. you fall under: Published Recommendations

ConsentConsent

Expressed Consent:– Nod, oral, or written permission (parents /

guardian of incompetent individuals)– Do not withhold first aid from a minor just

to obtain consent Implied Consent:

– Deals with the unconscious– Deals with conscious who does not resist

help

Consent #2Consent #2

Touching another person without permission is unlawful! (battery)

Right To Refuse CareRight To Refuse Care

Why might someone refuse care? –(student didn’t believe in going to

the doctor)Try to convince victim that they

need care

If Victim Refuses Care:If Victim Refuses Care:

DO NOT give aid or transport

Make note of witnessesDocument events (put all

info in writing)

If Parents Refuse Help For A Child:

If Parents Refuse Help For A Child:

Convince otherwiseCall policeDocument events in

writingIdentify witnesses

If Intoxicated Or Belligerent And Refuse Care

If Intoxicated Or Belligerent And Refuse Care

Convince otherwiseDocument events in writingIdentify witnessesDrugs and alcohol may mask

injury

Protect Yourself from a Law Suit

Protect Yourself from a Law Suit

Act only as you have been trainedGet consentDo not move victim unnecessarilyCall for professional helpContinue care until help arrives

Good Samaritan LawsGood Samaritan Laws

Vary from state to stateProtects those acting in good faith

without gross negligence or willful misconduct.

Your protection consists of proper training and application of skills

ConfidentialityConfidentiality

Rescue DoctrineRescue Doctrine

In some cases, the injured rescuer has the right to recover for injuries sustained while attempting to help–(amputated leg)–(downed power line - sued power

company)

Will You Help?Will You Help?

Consider The FollowingConsider The Following

Consider your health as well as the victim’s

Try to decide ahead of time if you will help

Are you bothered by blood, HIV risks, Hepatitus B and C?

Calm yourself, take deep breaths

Will You Help? #2Will You Help? #2

Protect yourself by wearing gloves– (victim in street)

Glove removal

Will You Help? #3Will You Help? #3

All human blood and body fluids should be considered infectious–Wash hands extremely well–Clean spills with diluted

bleach

Will You Help? #4Will You Help? #4

If you don’t think you can handle a situation, call EMS–Do not call a friend or relative

first

–Teach children to call 911

The Dying VictimThe Dying Victim

Avoid negative statementsAssure victim that family will be

locatedAllow for some hopeUse a gentle voice

The Dying Victim #2The Dying Victim #2Use the victim’s nameReassure by touching the

victimDo not pronounce death

–Even paramedics can’t pronounce death

GrievingGrieving

For the victim’s family and for yourself

Don’t tell survivors everything at once

Counseling (paramedics-Westside)