First Aid: Initial Assessment The basic first aid initial step to check the casualty is DRABC.

. DRABC stands for Danger Response Airway Breathing and Circulation.

While you see the casualty, check the casualty and things around the casualty which can further cause damage to the casualty. If you see anything which with contact can cause harm to casualty then first thing is to move the casualty away from the place. It can be an electric wire or any hard thing falling from height on casualty.

It is very important that you look for your safety also. Check the casualty very carefully to observe damages and treat them as soon as possible.

Response: In any critical situation it is very important to check whether the casualty is conscious or unconscious. If the casualty is then casualty requires immediate treatment. If the casualty is ask the casualty his/her name later ask the casualty about the unseen damages which needs to be treated immediately. Treat life threatening injuries first. Calm the casualty as it can lead to further damage.

 Airway

Check the casualtys mouth if their is any obstruction which can block the airway. at the chest breathing movements for breathing by drawing yourself near.

Breathing

the breath using your cheek and ear This treatment is called as LLF that is look, listen and feel. If the casualty is not breathing call for emergency help and than give mouth to mouth

 Circulation Check

the pulse rate. Hold the hand of casualty with your thumb and first two fingers. If the pulse is between 60 - 100 then the casualty is safe.

FIRST AID SKILLS: The CORE skills: First aiders have to focus on the "ABC"s of first aid before giving additional Rx: Airway Breathing Circulation

 AIRWAY:

Clear the airway Put the person on his or her back on a firm surface. Open the person's airway using the head tilt-chin lift. Put your palm on the person's forehead and gently push down. Then with the other hand, gently lift the chin forward to open the airway.

 Check

for normal breathing, taking not more than 10 seconds: Look for chest motion
Listen

for breath sounds

Feel

for the person's breath on your cheek and ear.

BREATHING: Breathe for the person Rescue breathing can be mouth-to-mouth breathing or mouth-to-nose breathing if the mouth is seriously injured or can't be opened. With the airway open (using the head tilt-chin lift), pinch the nostrils shut for mouth-to-mouth breathing and cover the person's mouth with yours, making a seal. Give two rescue breaths. Give the first rescue breath lasting one second and watch to see if the chest rises. If it does rise, give the second breath. If the chest doesn't rise, repeat the head tilt-chin lift and then give the second breath. Begin chest compressions go to "CIRCULATION" below.

 CIRCULATION:

Restore blood circulation (CPR) Place the heel of one hand over the center of the person's chest, between the nipples. Place your other hand on top of the first hand. Keep your elbows straight and position your shoulders directly above your hands. Use your upper body weight (not just your arms to compress the chest. Push hard and push fast give two compressions per second.

 After

30 compressions, tilt the head back and lift the chin up to open the airway and repeat the procedure. If someone else is available, ask that person to give two breaths after you do 30 compressions. Continue until there are signs of movement or until emergency medical personnels take over.

 Question: You

are having a communal lunch at Mmadinare Main Kgotla with friends, you discover one of your friends is struggling to breath with his hands on his neck

What

is the problem? How can you help him?

1. Choking: First aid Choking occurs when a foreign object becomes lodged in the throat. Causes: Piece of fruit, Food, Water, Denture The universal sign for choking is hands clutched to the throat. Other signs are: Inability to talk Difficulty breathing or noisy breathing Inability to cough forcefully Skin, lips and nails turning blue or dusky Loss of consciousness If choking is occurring, perform the Heimlich

maneuver.

How to perform the Heimlich maneuver Stand behind the person. Wrap your arms around the waist. Tip the person forward slightly. Make a fist with one hand and position it slightly above the person's navel. Grasp the fist with the other hand. Press hard into the abdomen with a quick, upward thrust as if trying to lift up the person. Repeat until the blockage is dislodged.

Pregnant woman or obese person: Position your hands a little bit higher than with a normal Heimlich maneuver, at the base of the breastbone, just above the joining of the lowest ribs. Proceed as with the Heimlich maneuver, pressing hard into the chest, with a quick thrust. Repeat until the food or other blockage is dislodged or the person becomes unconscious.

Clearing the airway of an unconscious person: -Clear the airway. If there is a visible blockage at the back of the throat or high in the throat, reach a finger into the mouth and sweep out the cause of the blockage. Be careful not to push the food or object deeper into the airway - If the object remains lodged and the person doesn't respond after you take the above measures, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The chest compressions used in CPR may dislodge the object. Remember to recheck the mouth periodically.

 Watch

video.

 You

at home and sudden you hear your child is crying running to you with blood on his hand.
do you think happened to

What

him?
What

can you do?

 2.

Wound and Bleeding: Bleeding is the loss of blood from circulation Causes: Opening of blood vessel caused by a cut wound etc Types of bleeding Minor bleeding Severe bleeding nasal bleeding

First aid Mild bleeding - clean the wound with soap and water then dress it with gauze/ piece of clean cloth under pressure. Severe bleeding - risk of death is high (act quickly) What to do? apply direct pressure to the wound to arrest bleeding Elevate the wound above the level of heart. Note: Avoid use of tourniquet it can cause death of organ below

3. Nasal bleeding - Pinch/compress the nostrils until you reach to the health facility 4. Fracture - First aid for fractures includes stabilizing the break with a splint in order to prevent movement of the injured part, which could sever blood vessels and cause further tissue damage.

5. Burn Minor Burn: Cool the burnt area by holding it under cold water for at least 10 - 15min/until the pain subsides or use cold compression - That reduces pain and stops the burning process to the deeper tissues Cover the burn with bandage or clean cloth. - reduce pain and protect skin Give over counter pain killer e.g. PCM Note: dont use ice to cool the burn, dont break blisters it make vulnerable to infections

Major Burns: Remove pt from danger Dont immerse major burn it can cause shock Do ABC Cover the burn

6. Poisoning Signs poisoning (danger signs) Nausea Vomiting Pain Difficult in breathing Fit etc

How does poison get into our bodies? air by breathing poisonous gas CO skin Ingestion improper handled food, contaminated water with agric/industrial chemicals, drug over dosage etc

VIDEOS

What to do? Do not panic Remove anything remained in the mouth Dont neutralize poison by giving raw eggs, salt water etc Never attempt to induce vomiting by sticking your finger Poison in the eye: Wash eyes with warm water for 10 min Poison on the skin: Remove the contaminated clothes Rinse the affected area with water and soap Inhaled poison: Take the pt to the fresh air immediately

7. Spinal injury: First aid -If you suspect a back or neck (spinal) injury, do not move the affected person. It can result to permanent paralysis and other serious complications Assume a person has a spinal injury if: There is an ongoing change in the person's level of consciousness. The person complains of severe pain in his or her neck or back. The person is unable to move his or her neck. An injury has exerted substantial force on the back or head. The person complains of weakness, numbness or paralysis or lacks control of his or her limbs, bladder or bowel.

What to do? Call for medical assistance. Keep the person in as much the same position as he or she was found. Keep the person still. Place heavy towels on both sides of the neck or hold the head and neck to prevent movement. Provide as much first aid as possible without moving the person's head or neck. If the person shows no signs of circulation (breathing, coughing or movement), begin CPR, Do not tilt the head back to open the airway. Use your fingers to gently grasp the jaw and lift it forward. If you absolutely must roll the person because he or she is vomiting, choking on blood or in danger of further injury, use at least two people. Work together to keep the person's head, neck and back aligned while rolling the person onto one side.

A dislocation is an injury in which the ends of your bones are forced from their normal positions. The cause is usually trauma resulting from a fall, an auto accident (RTA) or a collision during sports.

In adults, the most common site of dislocation is the shoulder. In children, it's the elbow. Dislocation usually involves the body's larger joints

The injury will temporarily deform and immobilize your joint and may result in sudden and severe pain and swelling. A dislocation requires prompt medical attention to return your bones to their proper positions. What to do? - Get medical help immediately. - Don't move the joint. Stabilize the affected joint with the splints Note:- Don't try to move a dislocated joint or force it back into place. This can damage the joint and its surrounding muscles, ligaments, nerves or blood vessels. - Put ice on the injured joint. This can help reduce swelling by controlling internal bleeding

SNAKE BITE There are many types of viper, some are harmless while some are deadly. Some exceptionally venomous snakes are rattlesnake, coral snake, water moccasin and copperhead. Their bites can be lifethreatening. Most of the poisonous snakes have slit-like eyes. Their heads are triangular, with a depression (pit) midway between the eye and nostril on either side of the head.

To reduce your risk of snakebite, avoid touching any snake. Instead, back away slowly. Most snakes avoid people if possible and bite only when threatened or surprised.

1. Remain calm. 2. Immobilize the bitten arm or leg, and stay as quiet as possible to keep the poison from spreading through your body. 3. Remove jewelry before you start to swell. 4. Position yourself, if possible, so that the bite is at or below the level of your heart. 5. Cleanse the wound, but don't flush it with water, and cover it with a clean, dry dressing. 6. Apply a splint to reduce movement of the affected area, but keep it loose enough so as not to restrict blood flow.

1. Don't use a tourniquet or apply ice. 2. Don't cut the wound or attempt to remove the venom. 3. Don't drink caffeine or alcohol. 4. Don't try to capture the snake, but try to remember its color and shape so you can describe it, which will help in your treatment.

Call 998 or seek immediate medical attention, especially if the area changes color, begins to swell or is painful.

 If

you find someone drowning, do the following:-

Notify

a lifeguard, if one is close. If not, ask someone to call AFP 997/8/9. If you are alone, follow the steps below.
Take

the person out of the water.

 Place

your ear next to the person's mouth and nose. Look to see if the person's chest is moving. Do you feel air on your cheek?

Check

the person's pulse for 10 seconds.

Carefully place person on back.

Do 30 chest compressions. Let the chest rise completely between pushes. Check to see if the person has started breathing.

Open the airway by tilting the head back and lifting the chin and repeat the procedure again. Pinch the nose of the victim closed. Take a normal breath, cover the victim's mouth with yours to create an airtight seal, and then give 2 one-second breaths as you watch for the chest to rise.

Give 2 breaths followed by 30

chest

compressions.

Continue this cycle of 30 compressions and 2 breaths until the person starts breathing or emergency help arrives.