BASIC LIFE SUPPORT 1

First aid is the emergency care a sick or injured person gets. In some
cases, it may be the only care someone needs, while in others, it may help
them until paramedics arrive or they are taken to the hospital. The best way to
prepare for these events is to get official first aid training, but until you are
able to do so, you can learn some basic life-saving steps.

Objective:
To maintain circulation and breathing in a person experiencing cardiac
arrest, respiratory arrest, or airway obstruction until advanced medical help
becomes available.

There are three primary goals of first aid. They are known as The 3 P's
and are as follows:
 Preserve life
 Prevent further injury
 Promote recovery
Easy enough, basic common sense. If you want to learn more you can
read our blog post on the Three Ps of First Aid.
But how does one actually preserve life or promote recovery? In order to
accomplish The 3 P's you need to follow The 3 B's, of which include the use
of the ABCs.

The 3 B's Are The Core First Aid Skills

No matter what first aid course you take they will teach you about the 3
B's. These three skills are considered core in any first ald training and provide
the basis of all other first aid information. They help you preserve life, prevent
further injury and promote recovery. The 3 B's are:
 Breathing
 Bleeding
 Bones
 And they should always be followed in this given order. This means a first
aider should attend to the breathing of a patient before checking for bleeding
or broken bones. Where do the ABCs come in?
ABC is a mnemonic we use to help remember the proper procedure to
follow when dealing with someone who is not breathing. Remember, the first
thing we have to do is check for breathing. ABC stands for Airway, Breathing
and Circulation.
It is the order of the steps taken to get a person breathing again. The 3 B's
and ABC are the foundation of your first aid training.

The role and responsibilities of an emergency first alder

An emergency first aider has various roles and responsibilities. It is
important first aiders take these roles and responsibilities seriously as first aid
is potentially lifesaving in an emergency situation.
The role of a first aider is to provide immediate, lifesaving, medical care
before the arrival of further medical help. This could include performing
procedures such as:
 Placing an unconscious casualty into the recovery position
 Performing Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
 Using an automated external defibrillator (AED)
 Stopping bleeding using pressure and elevation
 Keeping a fractured limb still

A first aider's overall aim should be to preserve life. Other aims of first aid
include prevent the worsening of the patient's condition and to promote
recovery. Take a look at our article on the aims of first aid for more
information.
A first aider has various responsibilities when dealing with an emergency
situation. A first aider should:
Manage the incident and ensure the continuing safety of themselves,
bystanders and the casualty Assess casualties and find out the nature &
cause of their injuries.
 Arrange for further medical help or other emergency services to attend
(e.g: the fire service). If trained, prioritize casualties based upon medical need
to:
 Provide appropriate first aid treatment as trained
 If able, make notes/observations of casualties
 Fill out any paperwork as required
 Provide a handover when further medical help arrives

First aid is the emergency care a sick or injured person gets. In some
cases, it may be the only care someone needs, while in others, it may help
them until paramedics arrive or they are taken to the hospital. The best way to
prepare for these events is to get official first aid training, but until you are
able to do so, you can learn some basic life-saving steps.

ABCs of First Aid

Remember: CAB of BLS:
 C – Circulation (start compressions)
 A – Airway (open the airway)
 B – Breathing (give breaths)

Airway: If someone's not breathing, clear their airway.

Breathing: If the airway is clear and they're still not breathing, provide rescue
breathing.
Circulation: Perform chest compressions to keep blood circulating, as well as
rescue breathing. If the person is breathing but unresponsive, check their
pulse. If their heart has stopped, provide chest compressions.
Some courses also include D and E:
D can stand for disability assessment, deadly bleeding, or automated
external defibrillator (AED), which is a device that shocks the heart so it
begins beating.
 E stands for examination-evaluating the person for signs of injury,
bleeding. allergies, or other problems once you know they're breathing and
their heart is beating.

CPR and AEDS

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, is one of the most important
emergency medical procedures. If a person is in cardiac arrest, in which their
heart is not beating. they could die. Performing CPR or using an AED could
save their life.
AEDs are available in many public areas and businesses. These
devices are simplified for use even if you have never been trained.

What to Do:
When you suspect someone is in cardiac arrest, follow these steps:
1. Get someone to call 911.
2. Start chest compressions immediately. Using both hands, push down hard
and fast in the center of the chest, allowing the chest to come back up
naturally between compressions. Continue until someone with more
training has arrived.
3. If you're trained in CPR, use chest compressions and rescue breathing.
4. Use an AED if available. However, don't delay chest compressions to find
the device. If possible, have someone else look for it instead.

Taking a formal CPR class will help you become familiar with chest
compressions, rescue breathing, and AED use. To take a class, contact the
American Red Cross or search for local or online options.

Bleeding
The color of the blood and how it's leaving the body can give you a
sense of the extent of the injury:
  Capillaries: Bleeding from capillaries, which are the smallest blood
vessels, looks like a trickle and will usually stop on its own.

 Veins: A consistent blood flow and blood that's a dark red color is most
likely coming from the veins. It can range from mild to severe.

 Arteries: Arteries are the largest blood vessels and carry a lot of
oxygen. If they are injured, bright red blood typically spurts out. Blood
can be lost really quickly from this type of bleed.

Almost all bleeding can be controlled. If severe bleeding is allowed to

continue, it can lead to shock and eventually death.

What to Do:
While it is important to stop bleeding, remember the ABCs of first aid
and check for something more serious first.
Then:
1. Wash your hands or put on disposable gloves, if possible. This can
help protect you from diseases like viral hepatitis and HIV/AIDS.
2. Rinse the wound with water.
3. Cover the wound with a gauze or cloth (towel, blanket, clothing,
whatever's available).
4. Apply direct pressure to stop the blood flow and encourage clotting,
which is when blood naturally thickens to stop blood loss.
5. If possible, elevate the bleeding body part above the heart.
6. Don't remove the cloth if it becomes soaked through, but add more
layers if needed. Removing the first layer will interfere with the clotting
process and result in more blood loss.
7. Once bleeding has stopped, apply a clean bandage.

Get medical help if:

 The wound is deep
  The wound has widely separated sides
 The injury oozes blood after pressure has been applied
 The injury is from an animal or human bite
 The injury is a puncture, burn, or electrical injury
 You suspect arterial bleeding
 Blood is soaking through bandages
 Bleeding won't stop

Make sure someone keeps treating the person during the drive to the
hospital or while you wait for an ambulance.

Choking
Choking due to a blockage in the throat is a serious situation that can
lead to unconsciousness or even death.

Signs include:
 Gagging, gasping, or wheezing
 Inability to talk or make noise
 Turning blue in the face Grabbing at the throat
 Waving arms
 Appearing panicked

The Heimlich maneuver is a series of abdominal thrusts that can help

dislodge whatever someone may be choking on. It should only be done if
someone is truly choking.
Before doing anything, simply ask the person if they are choking. If
someone is coughing or talking, they aren't choking. If they are unresponsive
or exhibit any of the above signs, proceed with the Heimlich.

What to Do:
To perform the Heimlich maneuver:
1. Stand behind the person and lean them slightly forward.
2. Put your arms around their waist.
3. Clench your fist and place it between their navel and rib cage.
4. Grab your fist with your other hand.
5. Pull the clenched fist sharply backward and upward under the rib cage
in 5 quick thrusts. Repeat until the object is coughed up.

For someone who's obese or pregnant, perform thrusts around the chest
instead of the abdomen.
If someone is unconscious:
1. Place them on their back and kneel over them.
2. Place the heel of your hand slightly above the navel.
3. Place your other hand on top of it.
4. Give quick upward thrusts to dislodge the obstruction.
1. Note: Methods are different for babies.

Burns
The first step to treating a burn is to stop the burning process.
Chemicals need to be cleaned off. Electricity needs to be turned off. Heat
needs to be cooled down with running water. Those with sunburns need to be
covered up or go inside.
The severity of a burn is based on its depth and size:

 First-degree burn: This affects only the outer layer of skin and causes
redness and swelling. It is considered a minor burn.
 Second-degree burn: This affects two layers of skin and causes
blistering, redness, and swelling. It is considered a major burn if it's
more than three inches wide or is on the face, hands, feet, genitals,
buttocks, or over a major joint.
  Third-degree burn: This affects deeper layers of skin and causes white
or blackened skin that may be numb. It is always considered a major
burn.

What to Do:
Major burns need emergency medical attention. Call 911 or get
someone else to call once the burning process has been stopped.
For other burns, take these first aid steps:
1. Flush the burned area with cool running water for several minutes. Do
not use ice.
2. Apply a light gauze bandage. (You may apply an ointment, like aloe
vera, before doing so if the burn is minor.)
3. Take Motrin (ibuprofen) or Tylenol (acetaminophen) for pain relief, if
necessary.
4. Do not break any blisters that may have formed.

Blisters
Blisters are designed to protect the damaged skin underneath while it
heals.
Whether or not it should be treated, and how so, depends on the qualities of
the blister and your overall health.

What to Do:
If the blister is small, unbroken, and not very painful, it's best to leave it
alone. Cover it to prevent rubbing that could cause it to swell and possibly
burst. Popping a blister may let in bacteria that could lead to an infection.

If the blister is large or painful, follow these steps:

1. Wash your hands and sterilize a needle with alcohol.
2. Make small punctures at the edge of the blister.
3. Gently push the fluid out.
4. Apply antibiotic ointment.
 5. Put on a bandage.
6. If possible, take steps to protect the area from further rubbing or
pressure.

If you have a compromised immune system, you have a greater risk of

infection and shouldn't drain a blister on your own. Your healthcare provider
may want to drain it to protect you from infection. If the blister broke open on
its own:
1. Gently wash with clean water only.
2. Smooth the flap of broken skin over the newly exposed skin, unless it's
dirty, tom, or pus has gathered under it.
3. Apply petroleum jelly.
4. Bandage it.
Change the bandage any time it gets wet. Take it off when you go to bed so
the area can air out.

Broken Bone or Fracture

Any injury to your limbs, hands, and feet needs to be treated as a
broken bone until an X-ray can confirm what you're dealing with.
While broken bones or fractures do need medical treatment, they don't all
require an emergency trip to the hospital.

What to Do:
 Call 911 immediately if:
The person is bleeding profusely, is unresponsive, not breathing, or
has numerous injuries
You suspect a fracture or other serious injury to the spinal column,
head, hip, pelvis, or thigh. In this case, the person should not be moved
except by trained medical personnel.
A broken bone protrudes from the skin, known as an open or
compound fracture
 The area below an injured joint feels cold and clammy or becomes
bluish. You can't immobilize the injury well enough to transport the person
If these don't apply, use first aid and then go to an urgent care or
contact your healthcare provider for guidance.

Steps to take:
1. Don't try to straighten the bone.
2. For a limb, use a splint and padding to keep it still and elevate it.
3. Put a cold pack on the injury, with a barrier between it and the skin to
prevent tissue damage. If ice is all that's available, put it in a plastic bag
and wrap it in a shirt or towel.
4. Give anti-inflammatory drugs like Advil (ibuprofen) or Aleve (naproxen)
for pain.

Research has shown that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

like Advil (ibuprofen) and Aleve (naproxen sodium) can slow bone healing.
However, short-term NSAID use appears to have little or no effect on healing.

Sprains
A sprain is an injury to the ligaments, which are connective tissues that
hold bones. cartilage, and joints together. Sprains are generally caused by
twisting a joint, which overstretches or tears these tissues. They commonly
occur in the ankle and wrist.
Symptoms of a sprain are similar to those of a broken bone, so an X-
ray will likely be used for diagnosis.

What to Do:
The first thing to do is make sure the injured person stops any
unnecessary activity so they don't make the injury worse.
Sprains often don't require emergency treatment. However, you should
get immediate medical care if the injured person has:
  Severe pain with movement or touch
 Ongoing inability to bear weight on the injured joint
 Increased bruising
 Numbness or pins-and-needles near the sprain
 Signs of infection
 Little or no improvement during the first week

If they don't, begin first aid:

1. Keep the limb still.
2. Apply a cold pack.
3. Elevate the injured part if you can do so safely.
4. Use NSAIDs for pain.

Nosebleeds
The biggest cause of a nosebleed is digital trauma, better known as
picking your nose. Other causes may include:
 Dry or hot air
 High altitudes
 Chemical fumes that irritate the nasal passage
 Colds and allergies
 Blowing your nose hard or often
 Trauma to the nose
 Deviated septum, which is crooked nasal cartilage
 Nasal polyps or tumors, which are non-cancerous or cancerous
growths in the
 nasal passage and sinuses
 Bleeding disorders, including hemophilia and leukemia
 High blood pressure
 Pregnancy
 Frequent use of nasal sprays, decongestants, and antihistamines
 NSAIDS
 Blood thinners such as Coumadin (warfarin)
  Cocaine and other snorted drugs

Many of these things dry out or damage the delicate nasal membranes
in your nostrils, causing them to become crusty and burst when irritated.

What to Do:
First aid for nosebleed includes:
1. Lean slightly forward, not back.
2. Pinch the nose just below the bridge, high enough that the nostrils
aren't pinched closed.
3. Check after five minutes to see if bleeding has stopped. If not, continue
pinching and check after another 10 minutes.
4. You can also apply a cold pack to the bridge of the nose while
pinching.

See a healthcare provider if:

 You get frequent nosebleeds
 You have anemia symptoms like weakness, faintness, fatigue, and
pale skin
 You're taking blood thinners
 You have a clotting disorder
 You just started a new medication
 You also have unusual bruising
 A nosebleed needs emergency medical treatment when:
 It won't stop even after more than 15 minutes of direct pressure
 There is a lot of blood loss
 You have a hard time breathing
 You've swallowed a lot of blood and vomited it up
 You've had a serious injury or a blow to the head
 The biggest cause of a nosebleed is digital trauma, better known as
picking your nose.
 Other causes may include:
  Dry or hot air
 High altitudes
 Chemical fumes that irritate the nasal passage
 Colds and allergies
 Blowing your nose hard or often
 Trauma to the nose
 Deviated septum, which is crooked nasal cartilage
 Nasal polyps or tumors, which are non-cancerous or cancerous
growths in the
 nasal passage and sinuses
 Bleeding disorders, including hemophilia and leukemia
 High blood pressure
 Pregnancy
 Frequent use of nasal sprays, decongestants, and antihistamines
 NSAIDS
 Blood thinners such as Coumadin (warfarin)
 Cocaine and other snorted drugs

Many of these things dry out or damage the delicate nasal membranes in
your nostrils. causing them to become crusty and burst when irritated.

First aid for nosebleed includes:

1. Lean slightly forward, not back.
2. Pinch the nose just below the bridge, high enough that the nostrils
aren't pinched closed.
3. Check after five minutes to see if bleeding has stopped. If not, continue
pinching and check after another 10 minutes.
4. You can also apply a cold pack to the bridge of the nose while
pinching.

See a healthcare provider if:

 You get frequent nosebleeds
  You have anemia symptoms like weakness, faintness, fatigue, and
pale skin
 You're taking blood thinners
 You have a clotting disorder
 You just started a new medication
 You also have unusual bruising
 A nosebleed needs emergency medical treatment when:20
 It won't stop even after more than 15 minutes of direct pressure
 There is a lot of blood loss
 You have a hard time breathing
 You've swallowed a lot of blood and vomited it up
 You've had a serious injury or a blow to the head

Frostbite
Frostbite occurs when the body's tissues freeze deeply in the cold. This
is the opposite of a burn, but the damage it does to your skin is almost
identical.

What to Do:
Treating frostbite is a delicate procedure of gradual warming the
affected area. If at all possible, this should be done by a medical professional.

If that's not possible, or while awaiting an ambulance, you can begin first aid:
1. Get out of the cold.
2. Immerse the affected area in warm water (98 to 105 F) for 20 to 30
minutes.
3. Do not rub the affected area.
4. Do not use sources of dry heat, like a heating pad or a fireplace.
5. For fingers and toes, after they're warm, put clean cotton balls between
them.
6. Loosely wrap the area with bandages.
7. Use Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen) for pain.
 8. Get medical attention as soon as possible.

For small areas of minor frostbite, you can also warm the area with skin-to-
skin contact.
Get emergency treatment if the skin is hard and begins turning white.

Bee Stings
Bee stings may be painful for some people, but they can also be
deadly for those who are allergic to bee venom.
An allergy can develop at any time, so it's important to always watch for signs
of an allergic reaction after a bee sting. These include:
 Swelling away from the area that was stung
 Flushing
 Hives, which are raised, large red or skin-colored bumps
 Itching
 Signs of anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction that can cause
hives, swelling, chest pain, confusion, sweating, blue lips and nails,
and difficulty breathing

What to Do:
Call 911 immediately or get the person to the hospital if any signs of
allergy appear.
If the person who was stung has a known allergy to bee stings, use an
EpiPen to prevent anaphylaxis.
In someone without a known bee allergy, watch for signs of an allergy while
performing first aid:
1. Get the stinger out any way you can to keep it from injecting more
venom. The method doesn't matter. What's most important is that this
is done quickly.
2. Wash the area with soap and water.
3. Use a cold pack to reduce swelling at the site, but don't apply ice
directly to the skin.
4. Use an allergy medication, or antihistamine, like Benadryl to reduce
swelling and itching.
5. Use Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen) for pain.