UNIT 10 FIRST AID

First

aid is immediate and temporary treatment of a person who has been injured or become ill.

The

primary aim of first aid is to save lives in a critical situation

Basic rules of first aid to follow are; ensuring the airway is clear, checking and restoring circulation, stopping the bleeding, covering the wound to prevent infection and obtaining help and preparing to transport.

REVIVAL METHODS

The revival methods are: 1-Heimlich manoeuvre 2- Artificial Respiration (Rescue Breathing) 3-Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Heimlich manoeuvre

The Heimlich manoeuvre is the best known method of removing an object that blocks the airway of a person.

To perform the Heimlich manoeuvere:

Stand behind the victim wrap your arms around his or her waist, bend the person slightly forward. make a fist with one hand place it slightly above the person's navel and grasp your fist with the other hand press hard into the abdomen with an upward thrust repeat until the object is expelled from the airway.

2- Artificial Respiration (Rescue Breathing)

Steps for artificial respiration are: Clear the victims airway , tilt his/her head back (unless possible neck injury ) Pinch nostrils, seal the mouth Start to blow, watch for chest to rise and fall Repeat 12-16 times per minute for adults 16-20 times per minute for children

3-Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is used in heart attack, choking, and drowning. In these situations, the person is unconscious and has stopped breathing.

The goal of CPR is to restore circulation.

 If

you are unable to find a pulse in an unconscious person, heart compression is necessary to restore circulation.

 These

compressions must be coordinated with artificial respiration; the breathing delivers air to the lungs; heart compression pumps the oxygenated blood to the brain.

 CPR

can cause injury to a person's ribs, liver, lungs, and heart.

 However,

these risks must be accepted if CPR is necessary to save the person's life.

Injuries & Disorders

Asphyxia or Obstruction of Air Passage

Symptoms:

Bluish face and lips, gasping, inability to speak, unconsciousness.

 Treatment:

For asphyxia caused by gas or fumes, remove victim to a clear atmosphere; use artificial respiration.

 Try

the Heimlich manoeuvre if the victims airway is blocked.

Bleeding

Treatment: Apply pressure over wound with wad of sterile gauze or other clean material.

If bleeding continues, elevate wound. If bleeding still continues, apply pressure to blood vessels leading to area.

Use a tourniquet only when it has been decided that the sacrifice of a limb is necessary to save life.

Burns
Burns are divided into three degrees: First-degree burns are those in which only the outer layer of skin is burned. Second-degree burns are those in which the first layer of skin has been burned through and the second layer of skin is also burned. Third-degree burns are the most serious and involve all layers of skin.

 Treatment:

Cold water may be applied to first and second degree burns. All burns should be covered with sterile non-adherent dressings.

 Chemical

burns should be washed with large quantity of water.

Drowning

Treatment: If the victim is not breathing, begin artificial respiration at once; if the victim vomits, turn the head to the side to allow drainage and clear the airway of any remaining particles with your finger, continue artificial respiration.

Fractures and Joint Injuries

Symptoms:

Pain or tenderness, deformity of bones, swelling, discoloration.

 Treatment:

Prevent movement of injured parts until splint is applied, splint entire limb before moving.

splint

 For

sprains, elevate affected part and apply cold compresses. Elastic bandages may be used for immobilization.

Hypothermia

Hypothermia

results from the loss of body heat.

 Immersion

in cold water or exposure to cool air can lead to hypothermia.

 Symptoms:

Shivering, muscle stiffness, slurred speech, stumbling and drowsiness

 Treatment:

The condition is severe when shivering has stopped. Unconsciousness and stopped breathing may follow. The goals of first aid are to prevent further loss of body heat and to get medical help quickly.

Move the victim to shelter. Remove wet clothing and wrap in warm covers. Give warm drinks if the victim is conscious. Monitor breathing and pulse. Give artificial respiration if needed. If there is no pulse give CPR, otherwise continue AR.

Poisoning
The

poison may be solid, liquid or gas. The poison can be taken in through the lungs, swallowed, injected or absorbed through the skin.

 Symptoms:

Nausea, bellyache, diarrhoea, expansion of pupils, abnormal breathing, unconsciousness, convulsions, vomiting, and sweating.

 Treatment:

Remove the poison and prevent the damaging effects of poisoning.

Shock

Symptoms:

Cold and pale skin, weak pulse, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, faintness.

 Treatment:

The best first aid for shock is proper care for the injury or illness that caused it.

 Ensure

a clear airway and give artificial respiration if necessary. Keep victim lying down and covered enough to prevent loss of body heat.

 Victims

in shock may improve if the feet are raised 2030 cm.

 For

electric shock, cut off current or separate victim from contact with electricity and administer CPR.

ANSWER THE QUESTIONS

1- What is the primary aim of first aid?

2- What are the revival methods?

3-What a situation is CPR used for?

4- What is the basic treatment for the choking?

5- Can you give examples of the symptoms of poisoning?

6- On what conditions may hypothermia occur?

ETYMOLOGY

Heart < Middle English, herte < Latin, cor<Grek,kardia < IndoEuropean, kerd, heart Hypothermia < Greek, hypo, under, below + themia, heat Nausea <Greek, nausia, seasickness < naus, ship or nauts, sailor

SOME WORDS

Asphyxia (n) - Lack of oxygen by disruption of breathing

Hypothermia (n) - Abnormally low body temperature

Infection (n) - The invasion of body by any of infectous agents (bacterias, viruses etc.) and the reaction of body

Nausea (n) - The feeling that you are going to vomit

Respiration (n) - The act of breathing

Tourniquet (n) - Bandage that is drawn tightly around an injury to prevent blood loss

Treatment (n) - Medical care Unconsciousness (n) - Condition of being unaware

1- Which is not necessary to be done by a first aider to a victim who has severe bleeding?

a. stopping bleeding b. covering wound to prevent infection c. preparing the person to transport d. applying tourniquet e. employing the Heimlich manoeuvre

1- Which is not necessary to be done by a first aider to a victim who has severe bleeding?

e. employing the Heimlich manoeuvre

2-Bleeding is usually associated with which of these?

a. wounds b. choking c. heart attack d. fracture e. food poisoning

2-Bleeding is usually associated with which of these?

a. wounds

3-Which first aid procedure is usually considered as a last action?

a. using a splint b. clearing the airway c. applying a tourniquet d. starting artificial respiration e. employing the Heimlich manoeuvre

3-Which first aid procedure is usually considered as a last action?

c. applying a tourniquet

4-What is the purpose of the Heimlich manoeuvre?

a. stop bleeding b. start breathing c. restore circulation d. removing the object that blocks airway e. prevent nausea

4-What is the purpose of the Heimlich manoeuvre?

d. removing the object that blocks airway

5-What can be the first step taken while administering CPR?

a. treat for shock b. check for the pulse c. stop the bleeding d. wrap the victim in warm cloths e. lay the victim face down

5-What can be the first step taken while administering CPR?

b. check for the pulse

6-With what disorder are these symptoms associated?

a. burn b. poisoning c. hypothermia d. frostbite e. fracture

6-With what disorder are these symptoms associated?

b. poisoning

7-Which is the best treatment for a chemical burn?

a. taking victim to a clear atmosphere b. washing with large quantity of water c. artificial respiration d. splinting e. keeping victim lying down

7-Which is the best treatment for a chemical burn?

b. washing with large quantity of water

8-Immersion in cold water can cause;

a. shock b. poisoning c. heat exhaustion d. asphyxia e. hypothermia

8-Immersion in cold water can cause;

e. hypothermia

9-Which is not a treatment?

9-Which is not a treatment?

d. choking

10-Which means sickness?

a. nausea b. pain c. vomiting d. swallowing e. drowsiness

10-Which means sickness?

a. nausea