First Aid and CPR: Chapter 1

Advanced emergency medical techician (AEMT)

A person trained in emergency care, with the additional training to allow insertion of IVs, administration of medications, performance of advanced airway procedures, and setting up and assessing of electrocardiogramds (ECGs or EKGs); formly referred to as EMT-Intermediate

Barriers to act

Reasons for not acting or for hesitating to act in an emergency situation

Certification

Credentialing at the local level; usually entails completing a probationary period and updating and/or recertification to cover changing knowledge and skills

Lay responder

a layperson ( someone who does not have special or advanced medical training or skill) who recognizes an emergency and decides to act

Emergency

A situation requiring immediate action

Emergency medical dispatcher (EMD)

A telecommunicator who has received training to respond to a request for medical services via 9-1-1 or local emergency number and to allocate appropriate resources to the scene of an emergency. Some EMDs are trained to provide pre-arrival medical instructions to a responder before more advanced medical personnel arrive.

Emergency medical responder (EMR)

A person trained in emergency care who may be called on to give each such care as a routine part of his or her job until more advanced medical personnel take over. EMRs can be paid or volunteer and often are the first trained professionals to respond to emergencies; formerly called “first responder.”

Emergency medical services (EMS) system

A network of community resources and medical personnel that provides emergency care to people who are injured or suddenly become ill.

Emergency medical technician (EMT)

A person who has successfully completed a state-approved EMT training program; EMTs take over for the less-trained responder at the emergency scene, and work on stabilizing and preparing the patient for transport; formerly referred to as EMT-Basic.

First aid

Immediate care given to a person with an injury or sudden illness until more advanced care can be obtained.

Good Samaritan laws

Laws that protect people who willingly give first aid without accepting anything in return

Injury

Damage that occurs when the body is subjected to an external force, such as a blow, a fall, a collision, an electrical current ot temperature extremes.

Life-threatening emergency

An illness or injury that impairs a person’s ability to circulate oxygenated blood to all the parts of his or her body

Non-life-threatening emergency

A situation that does not have an immediate impact on a person’s ability to circulate oxygenated blood but still requires medical attention.

Paramedic

A person with more in-depth training than an AEMT; paramedics can perform all of the duties of an AEMT plus have more knowledge about more invasive procedures than any other prehospital care provider; formerly referred to as EMT-Paramedic

Prehospital care

Emergency medical care provided before a person arrives at a hospital or medical facility

Sudden illness

A physical condition requiring immediate medical attention

Define the three main aims when administering first aid

• Perserve life

• Prevent worsening of the condition (if possible)

• Promote recovery

Roles and Responsibilities of a First Aider

• Manage the incident and ensure the continuing safety of themselves, bystanders and the patient

• Assess victims and find out the nature and cause of their injuries

• Arrange for further medical help or other emergency services at attend

• If trained, prioritise casualties based upon medical need

• Provide appropriate first aid treatment as trained

• If able, make notes/observation of casualties

• Fill out any paperwork as required

• Provide a handover when a further medical help arrives

If any incident is too dangerous to approach, ______ ________ and await the arrival of the emergency services.

stay back

Effective ________ is vital to reduce the risk of transmitting infection

Handwashing