AN INTRODUCTION TO

FIRST AID

DR. QASIM AHMED

SENIOR INSTRUCTOR
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CENTER
DOW UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES, KARACHI.
 EMERGENCY MEDICAL AID
TIPS
 Stay calm.
 If you feel dizziness or vertigo at the place of accident or
emergency, get away from there as you may become a
victim too.
 Do not move patient, unless there is an immediate danger
e.g. a car on fire.

 Check responsiveness of the patient, if unconscious, ensure

open airway and give artificial respiration.
 FIRST AID

 Medical Emergencies

 Fainting & Seizures

 Stroke
 Drug poisoning
 Domestic chemical poisoning
 FIRST AID

 Accidental Emergencies

 Bleeding
 Head and Spine injuries
 Fractures and Sprains
 Burns
 Drowning
 Eye injuries
 FIRST AID

 Environmental Emergencies

 Animal Bite
 Temperature related emergencies
 FAINTING

 Fainting, "black outs" or syncope is the

temporary loss of consciousness followed
by the return to full wakefulness
 FAINTING
SYMPTOMS:

 Patient may present with paleness and

sweating
 Numbness and tingling of hands and feet
 Dizziness, nausea and possible disturbance
of vision.
FIRST AID:

 Leave the patient in lying down position and

loosen tight clothing.
 Do not give anything by mouth.
 If still unconscious, call a doctor.
 If a known diabetic person is feeling faint and
gives history of no oral intake since 6-8 hours,
immediately check blood sugar levels and give
him candy or glucose.
 SEIZURES

 A seizure may involve the entire body or just

parts of it; there can be a lot of movement when
a seizure is occurring or no obvious movement
at all.
 Some seizures cause loss of consciousness,
while others do not.
 EPILEPSY
 It is a common and diverse set of chronic
neurological disorders characterized by seizures.

SYMPTOMS:
 Rigidity of the body followed by jerky
movements.
 May pass urine/feces, blue face and lips.

 Foaming at mouth or drooling.

FIRST AID:

 Prevent patient from hurting himself.

 Do not place a blunt object between teeth.
 Do not restrain.
 Do not pour any liquid in his mouth.
 If necessary give artificial respiration.
 If repeated convulsions, call a doctor.
 STROKE

 A stroke, or cerebrovascular accident

(CVA), is the rapid loss of brain
function(s) due to disturbance in the blood
supply to the brain.
 STROKE
SYMPTOMS:

 Unconsciousness, paralysis or weakness

on one side of the body
 Difficulty in breathing or swallowing.
 Loss of bladder or bowel control.
 Unable to talk or slurred speech.
 If you suspect stroke, call emergency
medical help
 Reassure the patient
 Lay the patient down with head and
shoulders slightly elevated. This will
diminish blood pressure on the brain.
 If patient is not breathing well do a CPR
 Place the patient on the left side if
breathing/not responsive
 DRUG POISONING

 Poisoning can result from an overdose of

either prescribed drugs or drugs that are
bought over the counter.
 It can also be caused by drug abuse or
drug interaction
Effects of poisoning

 upper abdominal pain

 nausea & vomiting
 ringing in the ears
 ‘sighing’ when breathing
 confusion and delirium
 dizziness.
Your aims:
To maintain breathing and circulation
To shift the victim to hospital.

If the victim is conscious:

 Help them into a comfortable position
 Look for evidence that might help to identify the drug,
such as empty containers. Give these samples and
containers to the paramedic or ambulance crew.
 Ask them what they have taken and how much time
has passed. If less than 4 hours have passed, there is
a high chance that the drug would not have been
absorbed and have not entered the circulation.
If the victim becomes unconscious:
 open the airway and check breathing

 be prepared to give chest compressions

and rescue breaths if necessary
 place them into the recovery position if
the casualty is unconscious but breathing
normally
 Do not induce vomiting in case of
corrosive poisoning.
 DOMESTIC CHEMICAL
POISONING
 Usually these chemicals are corrosives- acids,
alkalis, insecticides or petroleum products such
as kerosene.
 open the airway and check breathing
 DO NOT induce vomiting in these cases.
 Look for evidence that might help to identify
the drug, such as empty containers. Give
these samples and containers to the
paramedic or ambulance crew.
 Call ambulance
 ACCIDENTAL BLEEDING

 Most bleeding can be controlled with a

clean dressing applied directly over the
wound area.
 Once a dressing is placed over the wound,
do not remove it, and just place another
dressing over the existing dressings.
 If bleed continues, elevate the part above
the heart level, press the supplying artery,
or apply tourniquet.
 NOSE BLEED

SYMPTOMS:

 Injury, disease, often a cold

 a period of strenuous activity or
exposure to high altitude may give
rise to profuse and prolonged
bleeding.
FIRST AID:

 While patient is in the sitting position,

apply pressure directly at the site of
bleeding by pressing the nostril towards
midline.
 Apply cold compresses to nose and face.
 CUTS AND BRUISES

SYMPTOMS:

 Cuts bleed and produce pain

 They may get contaminated to cause
infection.
 Bruises get red, swollen and produce pain.
FIRST AID:

 Raise the cut area and apply pressure to

stop bleeding.
 Clean with soap and water.
 Apply bandage.
 For bruises apply ice or cold packs to
relieve pain and swelling.
 HEAD AND SPINE INJURY

 Common causes of head injury are motor

vehicle traffic collisions, home,
occupational accidents and falls
Signs & Symptoms:

 The scalp, neck or back bleeds.

 Pain is felt in the back, neck, and/or head. The pain can
be severe.
 Stiff neck.
 Abdominal pain and vomiting.
 Blood or fluid comes from the mouth, nose, or an ear
 Loss of vision. Blurred or double vision. Pupils are not of
the same size.
 Confusion. Drowsiness.
 Convulsions.
 Loss of consciousness.
FIRST AID
 Check the patient's breathing pattern
 If necessary do Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation
(CPR)
 To minimize spine injury - hold head, neck and body in
one line. Immobilize the patient
 In case of bleeding, press area with a clean cloth
 If the cloth soaks, place a fresh cloth over the first one
 Do not remove debris from the wound
 If person is vomiting turn on the side and lower the head
Keep the head, neck, and back perfectly still.
If available, a collar can be used for Cervical Spine stabilization
 FRACTURES

 It is a condition in which there is a break

in the continuity of the bone.
 FRACTURES

 Stop any bleeding.

 Immobilize the injured area.
 Apply ice packs to limit swelling and help relieve
pain until emergency personnel arrive.
 Treat for shock. If the person feels faint or is
breathing in short, rapid breaths, lay the person
down with the head slightly lower than the trunk
and, if possible, elevate the legs.
 SPRAIN

 A sprain is an injury to a ligament caused by

tearing of the fibers of the ligament. The
ligament can have a partial tear, or it can be
completely torn apart.
 Of all sprains, ankle and knee sprains occur
most often.
 Sprained ligaments swell rapidly and are painful.
Generally, the greater the pain and swelling, the
more severe is the injury
FIRST AID:

Follow the instructions for R.I.C.E.

 Rest the injured limb.

 Ice the area. Use a cold pack, a slush bath or a

compression sleeve filled with cold water to help limit
swelling after an injury. Try to ice the area as soon as
possible after the injury and continue to ice it for 15 to
20 minutes, four to eight times a day, for the first 48
hours or until swelling improves
 Compress the area with an elastic wrap or bandage

 Elevate the injured limb above your heart whenever

possible to help prevent or limit swelling.
 FIRST AID FOR FIRE BURNS
If you see anyone on fire, tell him to:

Put WATER for 10-15 minutes

 Pour water
 Purpose of pouring water: cooling the body
part, decrease pain and depth of burn in fire
burn
 washing is also beneficial in chemical burn for
removal of chemical in early and late hours of
burn which decreases its pain , burning
sensation and depth.
 Keep other parts away from diluted chemical
while washing
Important Measures in Fire Burns
 Never put butter, baking soda, tooth paste,
oil, onion, egg, laal davai, blue davai, haldi,
etc. on burn.
 Never use ointment, lotions or oil as first aid.
 Never de-roof blisters that may form.
 Never pull away burnt clothing stuck to
body.
 Never handle or touch the injury
unnecessarily.
 Removal of clothes and metal objects
(ring, necklace or bracelets)
 ELECTRICAL BURNS
 Switch off current.
 Do not directly touch the victim when in
contact with live wire.
 Assess Breathing and Heart.
 Start Heart Massage and Kiss of Life if necessary.
 Treat the victim for shock by elevating the legs 8”
– 12” if no spinal injury is suspected
 CHEMICAL BURNS

Brush dry powder chemicals from the skin before

flushing
 Remove clothing
 Flush with water ASAP for 15 – 20 minutes
 Get name / source of Chemical
 Seek Medical Attention ASAP
 Never try to neutralize chemical
 GAS POISIONING
(Carbon monoxide/ Exhaust gases)

SYMPTOMS:

 May loose consciousness.

 Die within few minutes without warning
symptoms.
 Lips and skin are characteristically cherry
red.
FIRST AID:

 Remove the patient to a source of fresh

air.
 Give artificial respiration.
 Loosen clothing.
 Seek medical assistance as quickly as
possible.
 DROWNING
SYMPTOMS:
 Unconscious, pale or blue skin. May be frothing.

FIRST AID:
 Do not try to get water out of a patient.

 Start artificial respiration right away.

 As soon as he is able to breath for himself, give

him care for shock and medical assistance
 EYE INJURIES
SYMPTOMS:

 Redness of eyes, burning sensation, pain,

headache and over production of tears.
 Permanent vision loss may occur.
FIRST AID:
 In case of any chemical injury wash the
eyes with water till the burning sensation
subsides.
 Cover both eyes with a clean dressing or
bandage to protect the injured eye from
moving.
 If the object is sticking in or embedded in
the eye, do not try to remove the object.
 Contact doctor
 ANIMAL BITES

SYMPTOMS:

 May result in an open wound.

 Redness, swallowing, bleeding, pain
and teeth mark.
 Anxiety and restlessness.
FIRST AID:

 Thoroughly wash the wound with soap

and water.
 Flush the bitten area and apply a dressing.
 Avoid movements of the affected part.
 Do not kill the animal.
 Contact doctor.
 SNAKE BITE
IMMEDIATE MEASURES:

 Reassure the patients that all snakes are not

poisonous.
 Remove any jewellery or tight fitting clothing.
 Apply a constricting band between the bite site
and the level of heart.
 The band should not be so tight as to constrict
blood flow.
INSECT BITES AND STINGS

SYMPTOMS:

 Mild to excruciating kind of pain at the site

of sting bite.
 Possible allergic shock leading to shock
and difficulty in breathing.
FIRST AID:

 Cold application.
 Soothing lotion such a calamine.
 May require artificial respiration.
 Apply a constricting band above the injection
site.
 If history of allergic reactions persists contact
doctor
 HEAT STROKE (SUN STROKE)

Occurs when a person is exposed to

radiant heat from the sun

SYMPTOMS:
 Very high body temperature (107-110 F)

 Skin hot, red and dry.

 No sweating, rapid and strong pulse.

 May be unconscious.
FIRST AID:

 Cool the body quickly by undressing and

repeatedly sponging the bare skin with
cool water.
 Use fan or A.C.
 Do not give stimulants.
 HEAT EXHAUSTION
It is characterized by giddiness and fainting
followed by prolonged exposure to high
temperature, sudden changes in posture, or
exercise in hot weather. It is due to circulatory
instability.

SYMPTOMS:
 Normal body temperature.

 Pale and clammy skin.

 Profuse sweating, tiredness, weakness

 headache, dizziness and possible fainting.

FIRST AID:

 Give sips if salt and water (one

teaspoonful of salt per glass)
 Lay him down and raise his feet. (8”-12”)
 Loosen tight clothing.
 Apply cool, wet cloth.
 Use fan or A.C.
 HEAT CRAMPS
 Occurs during heavy muscular work in
high temperature
 Painful spasmodic cramps of skeletal
muscle.
 Body temperature may be normal or
slightly increased
 In severe cases give I.V. Saline
 Water or fruit juice and salt should be
given by mouth.
Questions