FIRST AID NOTES

GED 123

Duty to Act
A duty to act requires an individual to provide first aid. No one is required to give first aid when
no legal duty exists.

 When employment requires it. If your employer designates you as responsible for
providing first aid to meet Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
requirements and you are called to an emergency, you are required to perform first aid.
 When a preexisting responsibility exists. You may have a preexisting relationship with
other person’s that makes you responsible for them, which means you must give first aid
if they need it.

Consent
A first aider must have the consent (permission) of a responsive (alert) person before providing
care. The victim must give permission verbally or with a nod of the head. Introduce yourself to
the victim and inform them about your training in first aid. However if the person is
unresponsive you have the go ahead to treat them.

Recognizing Emergencies
The bystander is a vital link between medical care and the victim. A bystander who recognizes a
situation as an emergency should act to help the victim. The bystander first has to notice that
something is wrong; usually, a person’s appearance or behavior or the surroundings suggest that
something unusual has happened.

Deciding to Act
At some point, everyone will have to decide whether to help another person. You will be more
likely to get involved if you have previously considered the possibility of helping others. The
most important time to make the decision to help is before you encounter an emergency.

Perform a Scene Size-up

Briefly survey the scene, considering three things:
 1. Before approaching the victim, scan the area for immediate dangers (such as oncoming
traffic, electrical wired, or an assailant).
2. Is it an injury or illness, and is it severe or minor?
3. There may be more than one victim, so look around and ask about others who might have
been involved.

Calling 5-1-1
In most areas you simply dial 5-1-1. When you call the dispatcher will request certain
information:

1. Your Name and number.

2. The victim’s location.
3. Who is injured or ill
4. Number of persons needing help and any special conditions.
5. Victim’s condition.

Do not hang up the phone until the dispatcher instructs you to do so. He may also give you
instructions to follow until EMS arrives.

Disease Transmission
The risk of acquiring an infectious disease while providing first aid is very low but it can be
lower if you know how to protect yourself against diseases transmitted by blood and air.

Bloodborne Disease
Some diseases are carried by infected person’s (blood borne diseases). Contact with infected
blood may result in infection by one of several viruses, such as the following:

 Hepatitis B virus
 Hepatitis C virus
 Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. Viruses cause most cases of hepatitis. Hepatitis B is an
infection of your liver. It can cause scarring of the organ, liver failure, and cancer. It can be fatal
if it isn't treated. It's spread when people come in contact with the blood, open sores, or body
fluids of someone who has the virus. Hepatitis C virus can cause both acute and chronic
hepatitis, ranging in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious, lifelong illness.
HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It is the virus that can lead to acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS, if not treated. HIV attacks the body's immune system,
specifically the CD4 cells (T cells), which help the immune system fight off infections.

Airborne Diseases

Diseases transmitted through the air by coughing or sneezing, such as tuberculosis. Tuberculosis
is a bacterial disease that usually affects the lungs.

Protection
You can control the risks of exposure to diseases by wearing personal protective equipment
(PPE) and simple procedures. PPE blocks entry of organisms into the body. All first aider kits
must have in several pairs of gloves. Protective eyewear and breathing devices may also be
necessary in some emergencies.

First aiders can protect themselves and others against diseases by following these steps:

1. Wear appropriate PPE, such as gloves. If gloves are not available, put your hands in
plastic for protection.
2. If you have been trained in the correct procedures, use absorbent barriers to soak up
blood or other infectious materials.
3. Clean the spill area with an appropriate disinfecting solution, such as diluted bleach (one
fourth cup of bleach in gallon of water).
4. Discard contaminated materials in an appropriate waste disposal container.
5. Wash your hands with soap and water after giving first aid.
6. If the exposure happened at work, report the incident to your supervisor. Otherwise,
contact your personal physician or seek emergency care.

Handwashing
Handwashing is an effective way to prevent disease transmission. When washing hands with
soap and water:

1. Wet your hands with clean running water and apply soap.
2. Rub hands together to make a lather. Scrub all surfaces for at least 20 seconds.
3. Rinse hand under running water.
4. Dry your hands with a clean towel.

If soap and clean water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to clean your
hands.
Scene Size up
A scene size up is a quick survey of an emergency scene prior to providing care. If the scene
is not safe avoid rushing into the environment, contact emergency personnel and await their
arrival. Having declared the scene safe identify the immediate life threatening conditions first
and try to gather information about the event that caused the injury or the illness.

Do a quick scene survey to determine:

1. Safety,
2. Types of injuries or illnesses need to be treated
3. Level of severity
4. How many victims

Primary Check
The primary check is the first step in dealing with an emergency situation. This determines
whether they are life threatening problems requiring quick care.

This involves checking the following:

1. Responsiveness
2. Breathing
3. Severe Bleeding

Responsiveness and Breathing

If the victim is alert and talking, then breathing and a heartbeat is present. Ask the victim to
identify themselves and explain what happened. If the victim responds the victim is alert.

If the victim is lying motionless, you must determine responsiveness and breathing. Gently
talk the victim and ask “Are you okay?” If there is no response the victim is considered
unresponsive.

While checking for unresponsiveness, check to see if the victim is having any obvious
difficulties breathing.

1. Look at the victim’s chest and face

2. Listen for abnormal breathing sounds
3. Call 511 for unresponsive victims or those having breathing problems. Provide CPR
for unresponsive victim.

Severe Bleeding
Check for severe bleeding by scanning the body.
 1. Look for blood-soaked clothing
2. Look for blood collecting on the ground or floor
3. If bleeding is found control it by applying pressure

Positioning the Victim

Proper positioning is an important of providing first aid.

1. For an unresponsive victim lying face down, roll the victim on their back so that CPR can
be started if necessary.
2. If the victim is vomiting and has heavy secretions roll the victim into the recovery
position.
3. If you have to leave the victim unattended to seek help also place them in the recovery
position.
4. The recovery position allows the vomit or secretions to drain from the mouth and keep
the airway clear. This position is also acceptable for possible neck or back injuries, but
ensure to support the head when turning the body.

Secondary Check
The secondary check is the process of checking the body and gathering information about the
victim’s condition. On completion of the primary check and there are no life threatening
conditions resent, perform the secondary survey.

1. Check for abnormalities

2. Gather information that may be helpful for immediate care

For victims with injuries, look and feel for abnormalities. These include deformities, open
wounds, tenderness, and swelling.

The acronym D.O.T.S is helpful for remembering the above key signs of a problem.

D= Deformities: these occur when bones are broken, causing an abnormal shape

O= Open wounds: These cause a break in the skin and often bleeding

T= Tenderness: Sensitivity, discomfort, or pain when touched

S= Swelling: The body’s response to the injury. Fluids accumulate, so the area looks larger than
usual.

Most victims are normally responsive and able to identify the problem so the physical
examination or affected area can be the primary focus. Victims who have multiple injuries may
require a full body check for injuries. In this case do not move the victim and do a head to toe
assessment.

1. Head: Check for D.O.T.S. Compare the pupils which should be the same size and react
to light. Check the ears and nose for clear of blood-tinged fluid
2. Neck: Check for D.O.T.S. Look for a medical identification necklace
3. Chest: Check for D.O.T.S. Gently squeeze
4. Abdomen: Check for D.O.T.S. Gently push to see if there is any tenderness.
5. Pelvis: Check for D.O.T.S. Gently push inward on the sides of the hips. If there is any
movement, stop pushing.
6. Extremities: Check both arms and legs for D.O.T.S.
7. Back: If no spinal injury is suspected, turn the victim on his or her side and check for
D.O.T.S
8. While checking the head, check the colour, temperature and moisture of the skin, which
can provide valuable information about the victim.

Medical Identification Tags

A medical identification tag is a bracelet or necklace that notes wearer’s medical problem/s

The most common type of medical identification tags are bracelets or necklaces which indicate
an important medical condition that might require medical care. These identification tags can
also provide a telephone number for further medical guidance.

Sample History
S: signs and symptoms

A: Allergies

M: Medications

P: Past medical history

L: Last Oral Intake

E: Events leading up to injury

Heart Attack and Cardiac Arrest

A heart attack occurs when heart muscle tissue dies because its blood supply is severely is
severely reduced or stopped. This often occurs because of a clot in one or more coronary arteries.

If damage to the heart muscle is too severe, the victim’s heart stops beating, which is identified
as cardiac arrest.
Caring for Cardiac Arrest
Few victims experiencing sudden cardiac arrest outside of a hospital survive unlessa rapid
sequence of events take place. One way of describing an ideal sequence of care that should take
place when a cardiac arrest occurs is to think about the links in a chain. Each link is dependent
upon the other for stretch and success. In this way, the links form a chain of survival.

Chain of Survival: A concept involving five critical links to help improve survival from cardiac
arrest.

Breathing Difficulty
Breathing difficulty can result from injuries to the chest or head and from illnesses such as heart
attack, anaphylaxis or asthma. Asthma is a condition in which air passages narrows and mucus
builds up, resulting in poor oxygen exchange. It can be triggered by such things an allergy,
exposure to cold and smoke. Hyperventilation is a fast breathing which can be cause by
emotional stress, anxiety and medical conditions.

Recognizing Breathing Difficulty

The signs of breathing difficulty include the following:

 Breathing that is abnormally fast or slow

 Breathing that is abnormally deep (gasping) or shallow.
 Noisy breathing, including wheezing (seen with asthma) or gurgling or snoring sounds
 Bluish lips
 Need to pause while speaking to catch your breath

Care for Breathing Difficulty

To care for a victim with breathing difficulty:

1. Help the victim into the most comfortable position, this is often seated upright.
2. Call 511
3. If the victim has a prescribed asthma inhaler assist the victim in using it
4. If the victim is hyperventilating (breathing fast) due to anxiety, have him /her inhale
through the nose, hold the breath for couple seconds then exhale slowly

Airway Obstruction
People can choke on all kinds of objects. Foods such as candy, peanuts and grapes are major
offenders because of their shapes. Nonfood chocking deaths are often caused balloons, toys and
coins inhaled by children and infants.
An object lodged in the airway can cause mild or sever airway obstruction. Airway obstruction is
the result of a foreign body which air flow to the lungs is reduced or completely blocked.

In mild airway obstruction, good air exchange is present. The victim is able to make forceful
coughing efforts in an attempt to relieve the obstruction. The victim should be encouraged to
cough.

A victim with a severeairway obstruction will have poor air exchange. The signs of a severe
airway obstruction will have poor air exchange. The signs include:

Breathing becoming more difficult

Weak ineffective cough

Inability to speak or breathe

Skin, fingernail beds, and the inside of the mouth appear bluish gray (indicating Cyanosis)

Choking victims may clutch their necks to communicate they are choking. Hus motion is the
universal sign for choking.

Caring for Airway Obstruction

For a responsive adult or child ask the victim “are you choking?” if the vicim is unable to repond
but nods yes, provide care for the victim.

Move behind the victim

Reach around the victim’s waist with both arms

Place a fist with a thumb navel side against the victim’s abdomen, just above the navel

Grasp the fist with your other hand and press the abdomen with quick inward and upward
thrusts. (Heimlich maneuver)

Continue thrusts until the object is removed or the victim becomes unresponsive.

For a responsive victim with severe airway obstruction, give back blows and chest compressions
instead of abdominal thrusts to relieve the obstruction.

Support the infant’s head and neck and lay the infant face down in your forearm. Then lower
your arm to your leg. Give five back blows between the infant’s shoulder blades with the heel of
your hand. While supporting the back of the infant’s head, roll the infant face up and give five
chest compression with two fingers on the infant’s sternum in the same location used for CPR.
Repeat these steps until the object is removed or the infant becomes unresponsive.
Heart Attack
A heart attack occurs when the heart muscle tissue dies because its blood supply is reduced or
stopped. Usually a clot in a coronary artery ( the vessel that carries blood to the heart muscle)
blocks the blood supply. The heart may stop if certain areas of the heart or too much of the heart
is damaged and this is known as cardiac arrest.

Recognizing Heart Attack

Prompt Medical care

The signs of a heart attack include the following :

 Chest pressure, squeezing, or pain that lasts more than a few minutes or that goes away
and comes back. Some victims have no chest pain.
 Pain spreading to the shoulders, neck, jaw or arms
 Dizziness, sweating, nausea
 Shortness of breath
 May women do not have the classic signs of heart attack seen in males. Instead, they
often have severe fatigue, upset stomach and shortness of breath.

Care for Heart Attack

1. Seek medical care by calling 5-1-1. Medications to dissolve a clot are available but must
be given early.
2. Help the victim into the most comfortable resting position.
3. If the victim is alert and not allergic to saprin, give four chewable asprin (81mg) or on
regular asprin (325mg)
4. If the victim has prescribed medication for heart disease, such as nitroglycerin, help the
victim use it
5. Monitor Breathing

Angina
Angina is chest pain caused by lack of blood to the heart muscle. Angina is brought on by
physical activity, exposure to cold, or emotional stress.

Recognizing Angina
The signs of angina similar to those of a heart attack, but the pain seldom lasts longer than ten
minutes.

Stroke
A stroke is a blockage or rupture of arteries in the brain caused when part of the blood flow to
the brain is suddenly cut off.

Recognizing Stroke
The signs of a stroke include the following:

Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, am arm or leg on one side of the body

Blurred or decreased vision

Problems speaking

Dizziness or loss of balance

Sudden, severe headache

Sudden confusion

Care for Stroke

Call 5-1-1

Have the victim rest in a comfortable position. This is often back with the head and shoulders
elevated.

If vomiting, roll the victim to his or her side (recovery position).

External Bleeding
External bleeding refers to when blood can be seen coming from an open wound. The term
hemorrhage refers to a large amount of bleeding in a short time.

Recognizing External Bleeding

Capillary bleeding oozes slowly from a wound steadily but slowly. It is the most common type
and easiest to control.

Venous bleeding flows steadily because it is under less pressure and coming from a vein.

Arterial bleeding spurts with each heart beat as it is bleeding from an artery. This type of
bleeding is difficult to control.

Care for External Bleeding

Care for serious external bleeding involves controlling the bleeding and protecting the wound
from further injury.
A minor shallow wound should be cleaned to prevent infection

For severe bleeding, leave the pressure bandage in place until the victim can get medical care.

To care for a shallow wound:

1. If available, put on medical gloves
2. Wash the wound with soap water
3. Flush the wound with running water under pressure
4. Apply an antibiotic ointment.
5. Cover the area with a sterile and , if possible non-stick dressing. Change the dressing and
bandage periodically.
6. Seek medical care for wound with a high risk for infection (such as an animal bite or a
puncture)

Wound Infection
Any wound, large or small, can be infected. Seek medical care for infected wounds. The signs of
infection include:

Swelling and redness around the wound

A sensation of warmth

Throbbing pain

Pus discharge

Fever

Swelling of lymph nodes

Red streaks leading from the wound toward the heart

Amputations
The loss of a body part is a devastating inujury that requires immediate medical care.

To take care of an amputation:

Call 5-1-1

Control bleeding

Care for shock

Recover the amputated part and wrap it in dry sterile gauze or a clean cloth
Seal the wrapped amputated part in a plastic bag or other water proof container

Keep the part cool (for example, ice and water in a bowl), but do not freeze.

Internal Bleeding
A close wound results when a blunt object does not break the skin but tissue ad blood vessels
beneath the skin’s surface are crushed causing internal bleeding. A closed wound can be difficult
to detect but can still be life threatening.

Recognizing Internal Bleeding

The signs of internal bleeding may appear quickly or may take days to appear:

 Bruising
 Painful, tender area
 Vomiting or coughing up blood
 Stool that is black or contains bright red blood

Care for Internal Bleeding

For minor internal bleeding ( bruise on the leg from bumping into the corner of a table):

1. Apply ice or cold pack on the injured area for 20 minutes.

2. Compress the injured area by applying an elastic bandage for 2-3 hours
3. Elevate an injured arm or leg, if it is not broken.
4. Repeat these steps.

For serious internal bleeding:

1. Call 5-1-1
2. Care for shock by placing the victim on his or her back and covering the victim to
maintain warmth
3. If vomiting occurs, roll the victim onto his or her side to keep the airway clear.
4. Monitor breathing

Dressing and Bandages

A dressing is a sterile pad or clean cloth covering placed over an open wound to help absorb
blood, prevent infection and protect the wound from further injury.

A bandage is a roll of gauze used to cover a dressing to keep it in place on the wound and to
apply pressure to help control bleeding

Bandages and dressing both come in different shapes and sizes

Shock
Shock occurs when the body’s tissues do not receive enough oxygenated blood.

Recognizing Shock
The signs of shock include the following:

Altered mental status:

Agitation

Anxiety restlessness

Confusion

Pale or bluish, cold and clammy skin, lips and nail beds

Nausea and vomiting

Rapid breathing

Unresponsiveness (when shock is severe)

Anaphylactic Reaction

Anaphylaxis is a life threatening allergic reaction. This happens when a substance to which the
victim is very sensitive enters the body. It can be deadly within minutes if untreated. The most
common causes of anaphylaxis include: Medication, Food, Insect stings and plants.

Recognizing anaphylaxis
The most common signs:

 Breathing difficulty; shortness of breath and wheezing

 Skin reaction; itching or burning skin, especially over the face and upper part of the
chest, with rash or hives
 Swelling of the tongue, mouth or throat

Other signs of anaphylaxis can include:

 Sneezing, Coughing
 Tightness in chest
 Blueness around lips and mouth
 Dizziness
 Nausea and vomiting
Care for Anaphylaxis
 Call 5-1-1
 Determine if the victim has medication for allergic reactions. If the victim has a
prescribed epinephrine auto-injector, help the victim use it.
 Keep a responsive victim sitting up to help breathing. Place an unresponsive victim on
their back or on their side (recovery position) if vomiting occurs.

Types of Burns
Burns can be classified as thermal, chemical or electrical

Thermal burns can be caused by contact with hot objects such as steam or hot liquid.

Chemical Burnsoccur when chemical agents cause tissue damage and death if they come in
contact with the skin.

Electrical burns are caused by contact with electricity the severity of injury from contact
depends on the type of current, voltage and duration of contact.

Depth of Burns
Burns are described as superficial, partial thickness and full thickness.

Superficial burns affect the outer layer of the skin. Characteristics include swelling, tenderness
and pain.

Partial Thickness burns extend through the skin’s entire outer layer and into the inner layer.
Blisters, swelling, weeping of fluids and weeping of fluids identify these burns

Full thickness burns penetrate all the layers of the skin into the underlying muscle. The skin
looks leathery, waxy, pearly grey and sometimes charred. A full thickness burn requires medical
care.

Extent of Burns
Part of determining the severity of burn requires you to estimate how much body surface area the
bun covers. You can use the rule of the Hand to estimate the size of the burn. The victim’s entire
hand represents about 1% of his or her total body surface

Care for Thermal Burns

Care for First Degree Burns
 1. Cool the burn with cool water until the part is pain free (this often takes 10 minutes)
2. After the burn cools, apply a skin moisturizer to keep the skin moistened and to reduce
peeling
3. Give an over-the- counter pain medication such as ibuprofen

Care for Small Second degree burns

1. Cool the burn down with water until the part is pain free (often takes 10 minutes)
2. After the burn has been cooled, apply anti-biotic ointment. Do not apply lotions or aloe
vera.
3. Cover the burn loosely with a dry nonstick sterile or clean dressing. Do not break any
blisters.
4. Give an over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen
5. Seek medical care

Care for Large Second Degree and all Third Degree Burn

1. Remove clothing and jewelry that are not stuck to the burned area
2. Cover the burn loosely with a dry nonstick, sterile or clean dressing.
3. Care for shock
4. Call5-1-1

Chemical Burns
A chemical results when a caustic or corrosive substance touches the skin. Chemical continue to
burn as long as they are in contact with the skin so should be removed from the skin as rapid as
possible.

Care for Chemical Burns

1. Immediately flush the area with a large quantity of water for 20 minutes. If the chemical
is a dry powder, brush the powder from the skin before flushing with water.
2. Remove the victim’s contaminated clothing and jewelry while flushing with water.
3. Cover the affected area with a dry, sterile or clean dressing.
4. Seek medical care

Electrical Burns
There are three types of electrical injuries: thermal burn (flame), arc burn (flash), and true
electrical injury (contact).

A thermal burn results when clothing or objects in contact with the skin are ignited by an electric
current. These injuries are caused by the flames produced by the electric current
An arc burn occurs when electricity jumps, or arcs, from one spot to another. Although duration
of the flash may be brief, it usually causes extensive superficial injuries.

A true electrical injury happens when an electric current passes directly through the body, which
can disrupt the normal heart rhythm and cause cardiac arrest, other internal injuries, and burns.
This type of injury is often characterized by an entrance and exit wound.

Care for Electrical Burns

Make sure the area is safe. Unplug, disconnect, or turn off the power. If that is impossible call
511

Check responsiveness and breathing

Provide CPR if necessary

Care for shock

Call 5-1-1

Head Injuries
Any head injury is potentially serious. If not treated properly treated, injuries that seem minor
could become life threatening. Head injuries include scalp wounds, skull fractures and brain
injuries. Spinal injuries can also be present.

Scalp wounds
The scalp has many blood vessels, so any cut can cause heavy bleeding. A bleeding scalp wound
does not affect the brain.

Care for Scalp Wounds

1. To care for a Scalp wound:
2. Apply a sterile or clean dressing and direct pressure to control bleeding
3. Keep the victim’s head and shoulders slightly elevated to help control bleding if no
spinal injury is suspected.
4. Seek medical care.

Skull Fracture
A skull fracture is a break of part of the skull, caused by significant force applied to the head.

Recognizing Skull Fracture

Signs of Skull Fracture:
  Pain at point of injury
 A break in or deformity of the skull
 Drainage or clear or bloody fluid from the ears or nose.
 Heavy scalp bleeding (A scalp wound may expose the scull or brain tissue).
 Penetrating wound, such as from a bullet or an impaled object

Care for Skull Fracture

To care for skull fracture:

1. Check responsiveness and breathing and provide any necessary care

2. Control any bleeding by applying a sterile or clean dressing and applying pressure around
the edges of the wound, not directly on it.
3. Call 5-1-1
4. Stabilize the head and neck movement

Brain Injuries
The brain can be shaken by a blow to head. A temporary disturbance of brain activity known as a
concussion can result. Concussions do not involve bleeding under the skull or swelling of brain
issue.

Recognizing Brain Injury

 Signs of brain injury:
 Befuddled facial expression (vacant stare)
 Slow to answer questions or follow directions
 Unaware of where they are or day of the week (amnesia)
 Slurred speech
 Stumbling, inability to walk
 Loss of responsiveness
 Complaints of headache, dizziness and nausea within minutes or hours of injury
 Making repetitive statements or asking the same questions over and over again

Care for Brain Injuries

To care for a brain injury:

1. Check responsiveness and breathing and provide any necessary care
2. Stabilize the head and neck to prevent movement
3. Control scalp bleeding with a sterile or clean dressing and direct pressure. If you suspect
a skull fracture, apply pressure around the wound edges, not directly on the wound.
 4. If the victim vomits roll the victim onto their side to keep the airway clear moving the
head and body as one unit.
5. Call 5-1-1

Eye Injuries
An injury can produce severe lifelong complications, including blindness if not treated properly.
When in doubt about severity, seek medical care.

Foreign Objects in Eye

Many different objects can enter the eye causing irritation or damage.

Care for Loose Foreign Objects in the Eye

Pull the upper lid over the lower lid, so that the lower lashes can brush the object off the inside of
the upper lid

Hold the eyelid open, an gently rinse with warm water

Examinethe lower lid by pulling it down gently. If you can see the object, remove it with
moistened cotton swab.

Examine the underside of the upper lid by grasping the lashes of the upper lid and rolling the lid
upward over a cotton swab. If you can see the object, remove it with moistened sterile gauze or
clean cloth.

Penetrating Eye injuries

Penetrating eye injuries result when a sharp object penetrates the eyeball and then is withdrawn
or when an object remains embedded in the eye.

Care forPenetrating Eye injuries

Stabilize long embedded objects with bulky dressings or clean cloths held in place.

Ask the victim to close the uninjured eye

Call 5-1-1

Blows to the Eye

Blows to eye range from an ordinary black eye to severe damage that threatens eyesight
Care for Blows to the Eye
 Apply ice or cold pack for about 15 minutes to reduce pain and swelling. Do not apply it
directly on the eyeball or apply any pressure on the eye.
 Seek medical care if there is pain, double vision or discoloration.

Eye Avulsion
An eye avulsion occurs from a blow to the eye that knocks the eyeball from its socket.

Care for Eye Avulsion

1. Cover the injured eye loosely with a sterile or clean moistened dressing. Do not try to
push the eyeball back into the socket.
2. Protect the injured eye with a paper cup, held in place by tape
3. Have the victim keep the uninjured eye closed
4. Call 5-1-1

Cuts of the Eye lid

Cuts of the eyelid require very careful repair to restore appearance and function.

Care for Cuts of the Eye lid

If the eyeball is cut, do not apply pressure on it. If only the eyelid is cut apply a sterile or clean
dressing with gentle pressure

Have the victim keep the uninjured eye closed.

Call 5-1-1

Chemicals in the Eye

Chemical burns in the eye, usually caused by an acid or alkaline solution, need immediate care
because can occur in as little as one

Care for Chemicals in the Eye

Hold the eye wide open and flush with warm water for atleast 20 minutes, continuously and
gently. Irrigate from the nose side of the eye toward the outside to avoid flushing material into
the eye.
Loosely bandage the eyes with wet dressings

Call 5-1-1

Eye burns from light

Burns can result from looking at a source of ultra violet light. Severe pains occur after exposure.

Care for Eye burns from light

1. Cover both eyes with wet dressings and cold packs. Tell the victim not to rub the eyes.
2. Seek medical care

Nose Injuries
The nose often gets hit during sports activities, physical assaults and motor vehicles crashes.

Nose Bleeds
Rupture of tiny blood vessels inside the nostrils by a blow to the nose, sneezing or picking or
blowing the nose, cause nose bleeds.

There are two types of nose bleeds:

Anterior nosebleeds – bleeding from the front of the nose

Posterior nosebleeds – bleeding from the back of the nose into the mouth or down the back of the
throat

Care for Nose Bleeds.

1. Place the victim in a seated position with the victim’s head tilted slightly forward.
2. Pinch or have the victim pinch the soft parts of the nose between the thumb and two
fingers wit steady pressure for at least 5 to 10 minutes.
3. Seek medical care if bleeding cannot be controlled or you suspect a broken nose

Broken Nose
A blow to the nose can break the nose.

Recognizing a Broken Nose

Pain, swelling, or deformity

Bleeding and breathing difficulty through the nostrils

Black eyes appearing 1 to 2 days after the injury

Care for a Broken Nose
If bleeding, provide care as for a nosebleed

Apply an ice or cold pack to the nose. Do not try to straighten a crooked nose.

Seek medical care

Mouth Injuries
Mouth injuries can involve damage to the lips, tongue, and teeth. These injuries can cause
considerable pain and anxiety.

Care for Bitten Lip or Tongue

Apply direct pressure

Apply a cold ice pack

If the bleeding does not stop seek medical care

Knocked-Out tooth
A knocked out tooth is a dental emergency. For successful replantation of the tooth, it is
important to locate the tooth.

Care for Knocked-Out Tooth

1. Place a rolled or folded gauze pad in the socket to control bleeding.
2. Handle the tooth by the crown, not the root
3. Get the victim to a dentist promptly so the tooth can be successfully replaced in its
socket. If more serious injuries exist, seek medical care.
4. The tooth should be kept moist. Several option exist:
 If the victims is an adult and alert, the tooth can be laid inside the lower lip, between the
teeth and lip.
 If it is not possible to place the tooth in the mouth, have the victim spit into a cup, and
place the tooth in the saliva.
 If neither of the proceeding options are possible the tooth can be placed in milk or
saltwater. Use regular water if these options are not available.
 And try to get to a Dentist within thirty (30) minutes

Spinal Injuries
Motor vehicle crashes, direct blows, falls from heights, physical assaults and sports are
common causes of spinal injury.
Recognizing Spinal Injuries
Inability to move the limbs

Numbness, tingling, weakness or burning sensation in the limbs

Deformity (odd-looking angle of the victim’s head and neck)

Neck or back pain

Care for Spinal Injuries

Stabilize the head and neck to prevent movement

Check responsiveness and breathing. In case of vomiting, raise one arm above the head and
roll the victim so the head rests on the raised arm.

Call 5-11

Chest Injuries

Chest injuries can be closed or open. In a closed chest injury, the victim’s skin is not broken.
This type of injury is usually caused by blunt trauma. In an open chest injury, the skin has
been broken and the chest walls are penetrated by an object such as a knife of bullet.

A responsive chest injury victim should usually sit up or, if the injury is on a side, be placed
with the injured side down. This position prevents blood inside the chest cavity from seeping
into the uninjured side and allows the uninjured side to expand.

Care for Rib Fractures

1. Help the victim find the most comfortable resting position to make breathing easier.
2. Stabilize the ribs by having the victim hold pillow or other similar soft object against
the injured area, or use bandages to hold the pillow in place.
3. Call 5-1-1.

Recognizing an impaled Object

Impaled objects are open chest injuries where an object, such as a knife, is stuck in the chest.

Care for an Impaled Object

 1. DO NOT remove object. Removing an embedded object can cause more damage.
2. Use bulky dressings or cloth to stabilize the object.
3. Call 5-1-1.

Recognizing a Sucking Chest Wound

A sucking chest wound results when a chest wound allows air to pass into and out of the
chest cavity with each breath.

The signs include:

 Blood bubbling out of a chest wound

 Sound of air being sucked into and out of the chest wound

Care for a Sucking Chest Wound

1. Seal the wound with plastic or aluminum foil to stop air from entering the chest
cavity
2. If the victim has trouble breathing or seems to be getting worse, remove the cover to
let air escape, and then reapply
3. Lay victim on the injured side
4. Call 5-1-1