RECOGNIZING + RESPONDING TO AN EMERGENCY

First Aid/CPR

Mr. Gagliardo

Recognizing an EmergencyFour ways to sense an emergency

situation:• Unusual Sights – blood, fire, smoke• Unusual Appearances/Behaviors –

person who is uncomfortable, unconscious, or has trouble breathing• Unusual Odors – gasoline, smoke,

unrecognizable smell• Unusual Noises – screaming, sudden

silence, explosion, glass breaking

Overcoming Barriers to Act

• Normal to feel hesitant/unsure about what to do in an emergency situation• Common barriers:–Fear of disease transmission–Fear of being sued–Fear of doing something wrong–Type of injury/illness in question

Obtaining Consent• **You MUST obtain consent to help an

ill/injured person• Unconscious person? – IMPLIED CONSENT• How to obtain consent: State your name,

tell the person you are trained in First Aid, ask to help, explain what YOU THINK may be wrong, explain WHAT YOU PLAN TO DO.

The Good Samaritan Law

• You are FREE OF LIABILITY in the act of aiding someone who is ill/injured as long as you:–Act in good faith–Are not negligent–Act within your SCOPE OF

TRAINING

Preventing Disease Transmission

• Precautions when giving care:–Avoid blood/bodily fluids, use

protective equipment (gloves, breathing barriers), and wash hands IMMEDIATELY after care.

• Disease transmission risk when giving aid is LOW

Emergency Action Steps• CHECK – Check the scene for safety; check the

person for life-threatening conditions• CALL – 9-1-1/local emergency number• CARE – For the ill/injured person*IF ALONE? CALL OR CARE FIRST?-CALL FIRST: Cardiac emergencies-CARE FIRST: Breathing emergencies (2 min. of

care, THEN call 9-1-1)