FIRST AID

CO-ORDINATOR Mrs. Urmila Bhardwaj

PRESENTED BY M.Sc FIRST YEAR

INTRODUCTION
Every moment accidents and emergencies are occurring throughout the world. When accidents takes place, the first impulse is to help victims.
It is generally observed that those people interested in giving first aid know little or nothing about human body or basic principles of first aid management

DEFINITION
First aid is the immediate care given to those who are suffering from the effects of accidents and sudden illness to preserve life, assist recovery and prevent worsening of condition until medical assistance is obtained.

AIMS OF FIRST AID

Promote recovery.
Prevent further injury and worsening of the casualty. Transport the causality to the hospital or home. Preserve life.

Cardiac Arrest ? Sudden stopping of the pumping action of the heart Unconscious Major pulse absent VFelectrocution /MI Asphyxia drowning / drug overdose in majority of children Myocardial infarction Stroke Electrocution Drowning Choking

BLS is a

CHECKING FOR RESPONSE Ensure that the scene is safe. Assess the victim's level of consciousness

Unresponsive adult

When there is no movement or response to stimulation )

If the victim also has absent or abnormal breathing (i.e. only gasping) , assume victim is in cardiac arrest.

If you witness an adult who suddenly collapses, check the response by tapping the victim on shoulder and shouting at him.

DIALS 109

Give exact location of victim

The lay rescuer should not check for a pulse and should assume that cardiac arrest is present if an adult suddenly collapses or an unresponsive victim is not breathing normally.

The healthcare provider should take not more than 10 seconds to check for a pulse and, if the rescuer does not definitely feel a pulse within that time period, the rescuer should start chest compressions

CHEST COMPRESSIONS

In adults , compress chest with heel of both hand in center of chest at nipple line.

1.

In children ( about 1-8 yrs of age) lower half of sternum at nipple line.

2.

 In children ( upto 1 yrs) compress chest with 2 fingers,just below the nipple line i.e lower half of sternum

3.

PUSH HARD & PUSH FAST

Compression ventilation ratio 30:2

100 compressions / min

Compression depth 2 inches / 5 cms

Allow complete recoil of chest

Minimize interruptions in chest compressions

COMPRESSIONS
Ratio 30:2
Depth 2 in. Or 5 cm Rate 100 comp/ min

Cycle 5 cycles in 1.5 minutes

MANAGING THE AIRWAY

Head tilt & Chin Lift

Jaw Thrust

MANAGING THE AIRWAY

CAB rather than ABC

Airway maneuvers should be performed quickly and efficiently so that interruptions in chest compressions are minimized
chest compressions should take priority in the resuscitation of an adult.

RESCUE BREATHING

Occlude victims nose. Maintain chin lift. Place a piece of cloth or gauze piece over the mouth and ensure a good mouth-to-mouth seal Take deep breath. Blow steadily into patients mouth

 Watch

for visible chest rise. Maintain chin lift and remove mouth. Watch for visible chest fall. Deliver each rescue breath over 1 second.

Once chest compressions have been started, a trained rescuer should deliver rescue breaths by mouth-tomouth or bag-mask to provide oxygenation and ventilation

Deliver each rescue breath over 1 second

Give a sufficient tidal volume to produce visible

chest rise

Use a compression to ventilation ratio of 30 chest compressions to 2 ventilations.

CHOKING
Occurs when foreign object is lodged in windpipe This blocks oxygen supply to brain

In adults, choking occurs due to food

In children it also occurs on swallowing an object Choking could be fatal, if first aid not given

Causes
Swallowing a large piece of food Swallowing food that is not well chewed Eating food quickly Eating and talking Consuming alcohol before a meal Wearing dentures Being careless about children Walking / playing with food in mouth

Symptoms
Hands will grasp throat

Breathlessness
Noisy breathing Inability to cough

Skin, nails and lips may turn blue

Loss of consciousness

Heimlich Maneuver on a standing person

Stand behind the person Form a fist with one hand Place fist below ribcage, thumb inward Hold the fist with other hand Keep arms off ribcage Give four inward and upward thrust Repeat till the object is ejected Same method is used for a child too

Heimlich Maneuver On an Unconscious Person

If person is lying down, straddle the person with your knees Place heel of one hand above waistline

Place other hand over the first

Give four inward and upward thrust Repeat till object is coughed out

Prevention
While eating, concentrate on the task

Do not eat quickly, without chewing

Supervise children while they eat Give easily chewable, soft food to children

Do not leave tiny objects within the reach of children

EPISTAXIS

EPISTAXIS
A nose bleed occurs when a small vein, along the lining of nose, bursts. Most nosebleeds look scary, but are harmless. Can be treated at home.

Common in children/elderly.

Causes
Dryness
Nose picking Blowing nose with force Use of medications, like aspirin Introducing objects into nose (mostly children)

Injuries

Contd.
High BP Atherosclerosis Blood-clotting disorders Use of cocaine Allergies Infections

Symptoms
Bleeding from nose. Sometimes bleeding from ears/mouth too.

Treatment
If your nose bleeds

Sit down and lean forward

Using your thumb & index finger, squeeze soft part of nose This part is between end of nose and the bridge of nose Continue holding till bleeding stops.

contd
Do not stop in-between If bleeding continues, hold for another 10 minutes If the patient is a child, divert attention by TV/ Stories Avoid picking, blowing or rubbing nose for 2 days Place an ice pack on the bridge of nose.

Consult a doctor
If, The bleeding continues for more than 15 minutes The bleeding is caused by an injury You get nosebleeds often

Prevention
oKeep fingernails short
o Quit smoking oOpen your mouth while sneezing

How can I take care myself?

Follow the treatment prescribed by your health care provider. Use a humidifier or vaporizer to add moisture to the air. Put petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline), a saline nasal spray, or an ointment recommended by your health care provider or pharmacist in your nose to control dryness. Check with your health care provider about any medicines you are using. Nosebleeds may be more severe or frequent if you are taking aspirin.

..contd
Do not use cocaine. Do not smoke. Do not take hot showers. Avoid bending over, straining, and lifting heavy objects. Do not exercise vigorously for a few days after a nosebleed. If you have many or heavy nosebleeds, see your health care provider.

FRACTURE

FRACTURE
A broken or cracked bone Occurs when pressure is applied to bone

Occurs with / without displacement of bone fragments

Types
Open fracture: Skin breaks causing open wound Closed fracture: Skin not broken

Complicated fractures: Damage of adjacent organs Greenstick fracture: In children's flexible bones

Symptoms
Severe pain
Difficulty in movement Swelling/ bruising / bleeding Deformity / abnormal twist of limb Tenderness on applying pressure

FIRST AID
Depends on type & location of fracture

For open / closed fractures

Check the breathing Calm the person Examine for other injuries Immobilize the broken wound Apply ice to reduce pain / swelling Consult a doctor

DONOT
Massage the affected area

Straighten the broken bone

Move without support to broken bone Move joints above / below the fracture Give oral liquids / food

Prevention
Wear protective pads / helmets when driving
Teach children / practice, safe habits

SHOCK
Shock is a life-threatening condition

When vital organs fail to get enough blood, shock results

Causes
Severe infections

Allergic reactions
Heat Stroke Trauma Poisoning Injury

Symptoms
Cool, clammy skin Lacklustre eyes Dilated pupils Vomiting/nausea

Feeling weak

.Contd
Confusion Excitement Anxiety Shallow/ slow breathing or rapid/ deep breathing

Weak and rapid pulse

Treatment
Get emergency medical help.

Meanwhile- Make the person lie down on the back Raise the legs above head level
If raising the legs is painful, keep the person still Check for breathing

Contd
Make the person comfortable by loosening tight clothes Cover the person with a blanket If vomiting or bleeding from mouth -turn the patient on the side Do not feed the person orally

Prevention
Learn ways of preventing shock

If you have a known allergy, carry emergency kits

Teach family and friends how to use the kit

DROWNING

DROWNING
Drowning normally occurs when air can't get into the lungs, usually because a small amount of water has entered them.

FIRST AID MANAGEMENT

You should begin artificial respiration as soon as possible. Do not wait to get water out of the patients chest first. If you can not get air into his/her lungs, quickly turn the patient on his/her side, putting his head lower than the leg and push the body. Then give mouth-to-mouth artificial respiration. If the condition of the victim is not improving refer the victim to the next health facility.

STROKE

STROKE

Stroke is also called 'Cerebro vascular Accident

It is an acute neurological injury

It may be due to blood clot (ischemic) or bleeding (hemorrhagic)

Leads to stoppage of blood supply to a part of brain Oxygen supply is decreased This results in a cerebral stroke

Signs and Symptoms of Stroke

Weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg (usually on one side of the body) Blurred or decreased vision, especially in one eye. Problems speaking or understanding
Unexplained, severe headache

Dizziness, unsteadiness, or sudden fall

Causes/Risks
High Blood Pressure Diabetes Cigarette smoking

Heart Disease

Treatment
If you suspect stroke, call emergency medical help

Reassure the patient

Lay the patient down with head and shoulders slightly elevated If patient is not breathing well do a CPR Place the patient on the left side if breathing/not responsive Keep the chin slightly extended

Steps To Avoid
Never give a suspected stroke victim anything to eat/drink Do not permit the victim to move

Prevention
Do regular checkups for BP

Eat food with less salt

Exercise regularly Eat a balanced, healthy diet Take the BP pills regularly

INSECT BITES AND STINGS

STINGS AND BITES

Insect bites are, mostly, not severe
Sometimes they cause a severe allergic reaction, anaphylaxis Anaphylaxis is life-threatening if not treated on time Sting of bees, wasps, hornets / bite of fire ants, painful

Bites of insects, like mosquitoes, cause itching

The bite of a black widow spider can be fatal, if left untreated

Causes
Examples of biting insects Mosquitoes Fleas Mites Spiders Examples of stinging insect Bees Wasps Hornets

Symptoms
Localized Pain Swelling Redness Itching Numbness Burning Tingling sensation Breathlessness Weakness

Treatment
Remove the stinger using a straight- edged object.

Wash the area thoroughly with soap and water

Place ice wrapped in a cloth on the affected area

Repeat after every 10 minutes

Apply a gentle cream to prevent itching

Take anti histamines if necessary

Observe for signs of infection like pain, redness or swelling

In case of emergencyTry to keep the person calm Check the person's breathing Remove constricting items, like rings, from finger/nose/ears If the person is carrying an emergency kit, use it If required, treat the person for signs of shock Seek medical help as soon as possible

Consult a Doctor
In case of the following, seek medical help
o Wheezing o Swelling on the face o Difficulty in breathing o Tight feeling in the throat o Body turning blue

Steps to Avoid
Do not remove the stinger using a tweezer

Do not apply a tourniquet

Aspirin, pain medications, should not be given unless advised by a doctor

Prevention
Avoid placing hand near the mouth of a seizureaffected person Take caution to prevent your child from developing biting habit

FOREIGN BODY IN EYE

FOREIGN BODY IN EYE

Any object that lodges itself in the eye
Small objects will be washed out by tears / blinking Others need medical attention

Causes
Dust
Debris

Sand
Contact lens Eye lash Make up Flying objects like glass

Symptoms
Itching
Irritation Pain Sensitivity to bright light Blurry vision

Treatment
Wash hands before helping the victim Seat the person in a lighted area Gently examine the eye Pull lower eyelid downward Ask the person to look upward Then hold upper eyelid while person looks down If object is floating try flushing it out Otherwise, touch the object with wet cotton bud Object should cling to the cotton bud If object is removed, flush eyes with saline/warm water If object cannot be removed, see a doctor If object is embedded, do not touch Cover the eyes with paper cups and tape it Consult doctor immediately

Steps to Avoid
Avoid rubbing eyes
Do not remove an embedded object Do not try to remove a large object

THANK YOU