helping someone who is unconscious firstaidpowerpoint.com
TRANSCRIPT
Helping someone who is unconscious
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Introduction
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What is ‘unconsciousness’?
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“complete or near-complete lack of responsiveness”
“unaware of both self and external surroundings”
Unconsciousness vs sleeping
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• The difference between being asleep and being unconsciousness is that an unconscious person will not wake up.
• Unconsciousness is a medical emergency
Why the fuss?
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• When someone goes unconscious, they loose muscle toneo This means they go all ‘floppy’ – like a rag doll
• The tongue (a muscle) can block their airway when it looses muscle toneo This is known colloquially as “swallowing your own tongue”
• In addition, loss of control over their stomach muscles can cause stomach contents (vomit) to travel back up to the throat which can block the airway
What is the ‘airway’?
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• The airway is a series of tubes which caries air from your mouth & nose to your lungs
• It can become blocked by the tongue and regurgitation of stomach contents
• This will stop the casualty from breathing
Helping someone who is unconscious
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• You can use the mnemonic “DR ABC” to remember what to do!
• If you suspect someone is unconscious, do not leave them!
D: Danger
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• Check to see if there are any dangers to yourself or the casualtyo For example electrical cables, moving traffic, other people etc.
• Try and make the scene as safe as possible
• If the area is too dangerous then stay back and call the emergency services
R: Response
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• Attempt to wake the person up by shouting loudly in both ears and tapping them on the shoulders
• If you do not get a response, then the person is unconscious
A: Airway
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• Open the airway by tilting the head backwards and lifting the chin with two fingers.
B: Breathing (1)
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• Keep your hands on the person’s head & chin• Place your cheek above their mouth and look at their
chest• Look, listen and feel for regular breathing for up to
10 seconds.
B: Breathing (2)
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• If the person is not breathing, commence cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
• If they are breathing, then place them in the recovery position in order to protect their airway
• The recovery position involves rolling the casualty onto their side with their head tilted back.
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The recovery position - steps
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1. Kneel by the casualty’s waist2. Grasp the hand nearest to you, place the back of
their hand against their cheek closest to you3. Lift the left furthest away from you at the knee and
place their foot on the floor4. Using their knee as a lever, pull the person onto their
side5. Ensure their head is still tilted back and they are on
their side
C: Call an ambulance
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• Once the person is in the recovery position call an ambulance if this has not been done already!
• Recheck the casualty’s airway and breathing every few minutes until the ambulance arrives
• Keep the casualty warm and dry if you can