SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTRALIA

First Aid Workbook

PUAEME001A

First Aid Handbook Surf Life Saving Australia 1 NSW DET 2001

 NSW Department of Education and Training (DET) 2001 All rights reserved. This work is copyright to DET. It is obtainable at cost recovery, but permission is given to trainers and teachers to make copies by photocopying or other duplicating processes for use within their own training organisations, or in a workplace where training is being conducted. This permission does not extend to the resale of this material to third parties, the making of copies for use outside the immediate training environment for which they are made, and the use of the materials for hire. Outside these guidelines, all material is subject to copyright under the Copyright Act 1968 (Commonwealth) and permission must be obtained in writing from the NSW Department of Education and Training. Disclaimer The views in this work do not necessarily represent the views of the NSW Department of Education and Training. The NSW Department of Education and Training does not give warranty nor accept any liability in relation to the content of this work. Acknowledgement This work has been produced initially with the assistance of funding by the NSW Department of Education and Training, Training Development Unit, through the Industry Skills Training Program advice from the Project Steering Committee Project Team

Project Steering Committee

Further copies of this resources are available from

First Aid Handbook Surf Life Saving Australia 2 NSW DET 2001

Introduction to First Aid

First aid knowledge and skills are invaluable. Can you think of a time when you wished you had more first aid knowledge?

There are four aims of First Aid can you think of an example for each one? Promote a safe environment Example:

Preserve life Example:

Prevent injury or illness becoming worse (cause no harm) Example:

Provide reassurance and comfort to the ill or injured Example:

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Calling for medical aid One of a first aiders responsibilities is to contact or arrange contact for further assistance. Read the following case study and answer the questions. CASE STUDY Calsita and Harrison had been out at a cocktail party. Driving home along a deserted part of the coast they came across a car accident. There were three people involved. One was lying still on the road with no obvious injuries, another was trapped in a car bleeding and screaming and another was inside a car but hardly visible and the car door was jammed shut. Calista has a mobile phone. How could she describe where the accident was?

How would she describe each patients condition?

Is there any other information she would need to tell emergency services?

What is the first thing Calista and Harrison should consider?

Personal Protection
Personal protection is the first concern of anyone dealing with an emergency situation. Sketch a poster that could be used to educate the public about the three lines of defence. Include information about: Immunisation Personal Protection Precautions Communicable disorders Containers Hygiene Sharps

Needle Stick Injuries

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Cleaning of First Aid Rooms substances

Management of blood and body

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First Aid Handbook Surf Life Saving Australia 6 NSW DET 2001

First Aid Documentation

Documenting all incidents is vital, it provides protection for the injured person, the first aider and anyone else who might be involved in the incident. Read the following case study and answer the questions. Case Study Ben and Jennifer were working on a film set for a new music video. Ben slipped over on some spilled water and hurt his ankle. Jennifer applied her first aid skills and assisted Ben until medical assistance could get there. Ben need extensive rehabilitation to get full movement and strength back into his ankle and due to his injury missed out on a lucrative contract. Why would it be important for Jennifer to have documented this incident?

How would she go about documenting it?

What details would she need to include?

Who would she give copies of her documentation to?

There are a number of relevant legislative and procedural documents that may impact on an emergency or first aid situation. How would Ben and Jennifers incident be effected by: Occupational Health and Safety Act?

Code of Practice?

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Duty of Care?

Negligence?

Protection against litigation?

Referral to appropriate care?

Hand over?

Anatomy and Physiology

The circulatory system The circulatory system is made up of the heart and blood vessels. When providing first aid it is vital that the first aider can skillfully feel for a pulse. With a partner practice finding a pulse at the following points: The carotid artery The radial artery The brachial artery Why are some arteries easier to find than others?

Why might it be easier to find a pulse in some people than in others?

First Aid Handbook Surf Life Saving Australia 8 NSW DET 2001

The skeletal system The skeletal system is made up of many things. Match the body part with the injury Joints Ligaments Muscles and Tendons Bones Sprains Fractures Strains Dislocations

The cervical spine is the area of the spinal column that is most vulnerable. There are a number of reasons for this. Tick the reasons that are correct:

It is a narrow canal It is where people wear a lot of jewellery It is easily sunburned even when wearing a long sleeve shirt Lack of extra support It supports a heavy skull and brain It is a hard area to exercise and strengthen

The respiratory system The respiratory system is made up of many parts lots of which have complicated sounding names. For each of the following write down any alternative name the part is known by, what it does and where it is located in the body. The upper section The lower section

The oropharynx
First Aid Handbook Surf Life Saving Australia 9 NSW DET 2001

The trachea

The larynx

The main bronchus

The bronchi

The oesophagus

The cardiac sphincter

The lungs The nervous system The nervous system is the control center of our bodys. Different parts of it are responsible for different actions and reactions. In the following examples which part of the nervous system is likely to be responsible the cerebellum/cerebrum (c) or the brain stem (b). Kicking a goal Vomiting after drinking too much Breathing Digesting food Picking up a potato chip
First Aid Handbook Surf Life Saving Australia 10 NSW DET 2001

c or b c or b c or b c or b c or b

The integumentary system The skin is the largest organ in the body. What are some things that can go wrong with your skin?

The digestive system The digestive system is responsible for what happens to the food we eat. Where do you think the saying you are what you eat comes from?

The urinary system The urinary system is responsible for filtering he blood and regulating fluid and electrolytes, excreting or reabsorbing as required. Why do you think it is recommended that we drink at least 8 glasses of water a day?

First Aid Handbook Surf Life Saving Australia 11 NSW DET 2001

Resuscitation and CPR

In these topics you will learn about ways of responding to emergency situations. One of the most important things is knowing what to do next. Read the text in the manual and watch and practice EAR and CPR. Then respond to the following situations. DRABCD The principles of DRABCD apply in all first aid cases. How would they apply in the following case studies? CASE STUDY Charles is a man in his mid fifties who has a highly stressful job, in recent years he has had many family problems. His friend Camilla arrives at his house to find him lying in the shower seemingly unconscious. D

First Aid Handbook Surf Life Saving Australia 12 NSW DET 2001

CASE STUDY Victorias 4 year old son Brooklyn has fallen off his bike, he comes into the house with grazes on his knees crying and seems unsteady on his feet, Victoria is heavily pregnant. D

CASE STUDY Phoebe has walked into the bathroom and found her friend Monica lying on the floor with a hair dryer next to her hand. D

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Principles of Management
RICE The principles of RICE are employed to deal with any soft tissue injury. How would you apply them in the following situations? CASE STUDY Dwight has tripped over a team mate playing touch football on the beach. There is no first aid kit. R I C E

CASE STUDY

First Aid Handbook Surf Life Saving Australia 14 NSW DET 2001

Wesley is playing basketball in the school yard and he falls badly, landing heavily and hurting his shoulder. R I C E CASE STUDY Christina is dancing in very high heels in a night club she falls and badly hurts her ankle and her wrist trying to catch herself. R I C E Body Checks In pairs practice body checks. Do not forget to look for things which may cause discomfort such as keys or glasses in pockets, tight clothing etc

First Aid Handbook Surf Life Saving Australia 15 NSW DET 2001

Wound Dressing, Bandages, Triangular Bandages, Roller Bandages, Reef Knots, Splints, Slings, Pressure and Immobilisation. You will learn about and practice these dressings and bandages in class. Think of an example where you may need to use each one. Wound Dressing

Bandages

Triangular Bandages

Roller Bandages

Reef Knots

Splints

Slings

Pressure and Immobilisation

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Basic First Aid

Bleeding and cuts and abrasions The standard procedure for treating a seriously bleeding patient is listed in the manual. Explain how you would apply it in the following scenario. CASE STUDY You walk into a bathroom in a hotel on a Friday night. One of the other patrons is bleeding profusely from an open wound on their leg. The blood flow is brisk, spurting and bright red. What do you do?

Shock The person in shock is in danger and needs immediate treatment. What types of situations might send someone into shock?

First Aid Handbook Surf Life Saving Australia 17 NSW DET 2001

Fainting Fainting is fairly common but can still be a distressing experience for the person involved. Find out if anyone in the class has fainted, ask them how it felt.

Needle Stick Injury Needle stick injuries are no longer only experienced by health care workers they are becoming more of a problem for the community at large. In Surf Life Saving we are very careful to document and report any needle stick injuries. Why do you think this is?

Sunburn What are some strategies that you can employ to prevent sunburn?

First Aid Handbook Surf Life Saving Australia 18 NSW DET 2001

Senior First Aid

Care of the unconscious patient There are many causes of unconsciousness. Can you think of any scenarios in your work or home life that may cause unconsciousness to yourself, colleagues or family?

Internal bleeding Internal bleeding can be hard to diagnose. What types of events might cause internal bleeding?

Bleeding from ear Bleeding from the ear is considered a very serious symptom. Why do you think I is taken so seriously?

Tooth avulsions In order to transport a tooth to the dentist it is suggest that it is put in the patients mouth between the cheek and the teeth. Can you think of any hazards that may be associated with this course of action?

What could you do to minimize these hazards? Eye Injuries

First Aid Handbook Surf Life Saving Australia 19 NSW DET 2001

Eye injuries are relatively common. What type of activities are likely to cause injury to the eye?

Why is it particularly distressing for a patient with an eye injury?

What could you do to alleviate some of this distress?

Amputations It is important to transport amputated body parts with a patient to give the best possible chance of reattachment. What hazards to yourself might present themselves in the collection and transportation of the amputated body part?

What could you do to minimize these risks?

Soft Tissue Injuries, Fractures and Dislocations In pairs practice identifying and treating
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Sprains Strains Fractures Dislocations Head, Neck and Spinal Injuries What is the difference between a spinal injury and a neck injury?

Why do you think it is that many people who suffer from neck injuries are young people in situations where alcohol is involved?

Why, in the unconscious patient do we always treat it as a suspected spinal injury?

How would you deal with the following situation? CASE STUDY Murray, Anthony, Jeff and Greg are at a beach party, they are having a great time drinking and dancing. Jeff challenges Greg to a swimming race from the jetty into the shore. Both men dive into the water and start swimming. When they get to shore Jeff complains he hit his head. A little while later he starts complaining that he has a weakness in one side of his body and he is getting pins and needles. His friends laugh it off as an effect of the alcohol he has been drinking. Murray is worried
First Aid Handbook Surf Life Saving Australia 21 NSW DET 2001

though and he knows you know first aid. He comes and tells you the story. What do you do?

Cardiovascular Emergencies Cardiovascular emergencies always involve the heart and are therefore serious incidents. What is the difference between: Angina Heart Attack Chronic Heart Failure When would you take someone to hospital?

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Respiratory Emergencies Asthma Asthma is a common but serious disorder. Most asthma sufferers are aware of their condition and carry appropriate medication. Read this case study and answer the question. CASE STUDY Tom and Penelope were at Friday night drinks at their local hotel. Tom started to have trouble breathing. He sat down on a bar stool but it did not help. He started coughing and wheezing. What should Penelope do?

Choking Choking is a particular issue with young children. Why do you think that is?

Smoke/Gas inhalation Smoke or Gas inhalation can been a problem in some work places. In your work place or home where do you think there is a potential fo this becoming a problem?

How could you minimize these risks?

Hyperventilation Hyperventilation is usually a reaction to an emotional situation. What types of situations can you think of that might inspire such a reaction?

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Burns There are many causes of burns, sketch a poster that could be used in the home, school or workplace to alert people to the dangers and treatment of burns.

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Chest and Abdominal Injuries Collapsed lungs and fractured ribs can be a result of many different types of activites. Are there any activities that you engage in that could put you at risk of these conditions?

Extremes of Temperature Hypothermia and Heat Exhaustion/Heat Stroke Match the treatment to the condition: Douse the patient with water Give the patient warm, sweet drinks Hypothermia Rest the patient in a cool, shaded place Loosen clothing Curl up in a ball Body warmth from a companion Cool the patient with fans Heat Stroke Heat Exhaustion

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Poisons List some common poisons found around the home, school yard and workplace:

How could you minimise the risk of these poisons being inhaled or ingested?

Bites and stings Bites and stings need to be treated differently depending on the type of creature that inflicted the wound. How would you treat the following bites of stings? Bee sting

Stone fish injury

Stingray sting
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Mosquito bite Chironex box jellyfish sting Snake bite Red back spider bite Sea snake bite Medical Emergencies List the types of situation you may encounter people suffering from the following conditions Diabetic emergency? Allergic reaction? Stroke? Epilepsy? Diving Injury?

First Aid Handbook Surf Life Saving Australia 27 NSW DET 2001

First Aid Handbook Surf Life Saving Australia 28 NSW DET 2001