first aid chapter 2

emergencies are

dangerous

unusual and rare

different from one another

unforeseen

urgent

the bystander must make a series of decisions quickly and reliably

recognize the emergency

decide to help

call 911 if needed

check the injured or ill person

give first aid

bystanders are less likely to offer help in public places if

they lack knowledge

confused about what is an emergency

they are influenced by other factors

recognize the emergency

Severity

 Physical distance

 Relationship

 Time exposed

 Scene conditions

 Person’s appearance

decide to help

 Appreciate importance of bystander help.

 Feel confident enough about helping.

 Be willing to take time to help.

 Put potential risks of helping in perspective.

 Feel comfortable about taking charge.

 Feel comfortable about seeing or touching the perso

decide not to help

 Helping could be harmful.

 Helping is not worth the effort.

 Helping requires advanced training and skills.

 Unpleasant conditions.

 No other bystanders are helping

know when to call 911

 Is the person’s condition life-threatening?

 Could the condition get worse?

 If you move the person, will it cause further injury?

 Does the person need EMS?

 Would distance or traffic conditions cause delay?

when is immediate transport necessary

Difficulty breathing

 Lasting chest or upper abdominal pain

 Fast heartbeat

 Fainting or unresponsiveness

 Difficulty speaking

 Numbness or weakness

 Sudden dizziness

 Confusion or changes in mental status

 Unusual behavior

 Difficulty walking

 Sudden blindness or vision changes

 Bleeding that will not stop

 Broken bones visible through an open wound (or a broken leg

when is immediate transport necessary more

 Drowning (submersion)

 Choking

 Severe burn

 Allergic reaction

 Extremely hot or cold body temperature

 Poisoning or drug overdose

 Sudden and severe headache or pain

 Severe or persistent vomiting or diarrhea

 Coughing or vomiting of blood

 Behavioral emergencies

 Wounds requiring immediate medical care

give the following info to EMS

location

your number and name

description of what happened

number of people needing help

description of the person condition

quick scene size-up

 Are hazards present?

 How many people?

 What is wrong?

 What happened?

 Can bystanders help?

As you approach the emergency scene, look for

obvious hazards.

 Try to determine the cause of the injury or illness.

 Determine the number of people involved

how long should you rub your hands together when washing hands

15 to 20 seconds

hand sanitizer

Use (at least) a 60% alcohol-

based hand sanitizer if soap and

water are not available.

 Apply gel.

 Rub hands together

until hands are dry.

what tyoe of gloves when handling blood

nitrile

face mask

covering worn inpublic for disease prevention, such as covid-19

face shield

clear plastic mask that covers the eyes, nose, and mouth

cleaning up

Wear thicker gloves over disposable medical exam gloves.

 Use absorbent barriers to soak up blood and other materials.

 Clean the area using soap and water.

 Disinfect.

 Discard contaminated materials properly

exposure to blood or body fluids

 Wash contaminated area with soap and water.

 Report incident to supervisor.

 Contact personal physician.

 Seek medical care if exposure was significant

death and dying

Avoid negativity.

 Assure the person you will locate and inform their family.

 Allow some hope.

 Do not volunteer information to others.

 Offer simple, clear, information if asked.

 Use a gentle tone and a reassuring touch.

 Indicate that everything that can be done to help will be.

 Give realistic answers; try to be positive.

 Do not make a promise you cannot keep

the grieving process

denial

anger

bargaining

depression

acceptance

interacting with survivors

 Interacting with survivors

 Leave the confirmation of death to physician.

 Allow survivors to grieve.

 Provide simple, honest, clear information.

 Offer support and comfort.

 Do not leave an individual survivor alone.

 Use a gentle tone and a reassuring touch