Chapter 1
First Aid for Colleges
and Universities
10 Edition
Introduction to
First Aid Care
Slide Presentation prepared by
Randall Benner, M.Ed., NREMT-P
© 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.
Learning Objectives
• Identify the need for properly prepared First
Aiders.
• Identify the principal aims of first aid.
• Identify skills performed by a First Aider.
• Understand the legal aspects of first aid and
emergency medical care.
• Explain the factors constituting negligence.
• Understand how infectious diseases are
transmitted.
© 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.
Learning Objectives
• Understand the infectious diseases of concern in
an emergency setting.
• Describe ways to prevent the spread of
infectious diseases in an emergency setting.
© 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.
Introduction
• First Aiders are the first (trained) people on an
emergency scene who can initiate life-saving
measures, including
– Airway and respiratory intervention
– Cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillation
– Bleeding control
– Special wound care
– Stabilization of spinal injuries
– Splinting of fractures
© 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.
What is First Aid?
• Temporary and immediate care given to
a person who is injured or who suddenly
becomes ill.
• Does not replace physicians, nurses, or
paramedics.
• A primary principle is to active the EMS
(emergency care system) in all cases of
serious injury.
© 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.
Principal Aims of First Aid Care
• Recognize life-threatening situations.
• Activate the EMS system.
• Supply artificial ventilation and circulation.
• Control bleeding.
• Minimize further injury and complications.
• Prevent infection.
• Make the victim as comfortable as possible.
© 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.
General Procedures
• Basic plan of action
– Observe the scene upon approach.
– Keep yourself and others at the scene safe.
– Activate the EMS system.
– Gain access to the victim, and determine immediate
threats to life.
– Provide basic life support to those whose lives are
threatened; provide care to those most seriously
injured first.
© 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.
Infectious Disease Transmission
• An infectious (communicable) disease can be
transmitted from person to person, or from
animals or the environment to people.
• All body fluids should be considered potentially
infectious.
– Saliva
– Blood
– Vaginal secretions
– Semen
– Amniotic fluid (or liquor amnii is the protective liquid contained by the amniotic sac of a
pregnant female)
– Fluids that lubricate internal organs, the spine, joints,
and tendons
© 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.
Infectious Disease Transmission
• For disease to spread, three things must happen
– Infecting organisms (such as bacteria and viruses)
must survive outside their hosts.
– An infecting organism must then move from one place
to another (i.e., be transmitted).
– An infecting organism must then invade a new host’s
body and multiply there.
© 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.
Infectious Disease Transmission
• All of the following symptoms should be
considered potentially infectious
– A rash or skin lesion
– An open sore
– Diarrhea
– Vomiting
– Coughing or sneezing
– Draining or oozing wounds
– Headache with a stiff neck
– Yellowish skin or eyes
© 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.
Infectious Disease Transmission
© 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.
Diseases of Concern in an Emergency
Setting
• Three bloodborne diseases are of particular
concern.
– Hepatitis B: Most common type of hepatitis; a viral
infection of the liver; symptoms resemble the flu.
– Hepatitis C: Caused by a different virus than
Hepatitis B; can lead to permanent liver damage or
cancer.
– HIV: This virus suppresses the immune system; may
lead to AIDS, which is eventually fatal.
© 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.
Diseases of Concern in an Emergency
Setting
• Other diseases of concern include
– Herpes: Highly contagious infection of the skin and
mucous membranes.
– Tuberculosis: Severe lung infection.
– Meningitis: Infection of the membranes in the brain
and spinal cord.
© 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.
Protection from Infection
• Keep immunizations current.
• Take body substance isolation precautions.
• Wash hands thoroughly after providing care.
• Avoid touching your mouth, nose, eyes, or
personal items until after hand washing.
• Cover abrasions with protective clothing or
gloves.
• Wear a mask.
• Seek immediate care if you’re exposed to blood
or body fluids.
© 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.
Safety at the Scene
• Staying safe is your first priority.
• Don’t enter an unsafe situation without proper
training and equipment.
• In addition to activating EMS, you may need to
request specialized personnel to deal with fire,
unstable structures, motor vehicle accidents,
electrical hazards, water emergencies, or
incidents involving hostility and violence.
© 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.
Summary
• First aid is temporary, immediate care for
a person who is injured or who becomes
suddenly ill.
• It does not replace the care of a physician,
nurse, or paramedic.
• A primary principle is to activate the EMS
system.
© 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.
Summary
• First Aiders should be able to recognize life-
threatening situations; apply artificial ventilation,
circulation, and defibrillation; control bleeding;
prevent further injury; and minimize
complications.
• Care should always be provided to the most
seriously injured victims first.
• A First Aider should be familiar with and
understand key legal aspects including Duty
to Act, Good Samaritan Laws, Reasonable-Man
Test, and Right to Refuse Care.
© 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.
Summary
• Infectious diseases are of particular concern in
an emergency setting.
• You should minimize your risk of infection by
following key guidelines including wearing
protective gear, thoroughly washing hands, and
avoiding touching your face or personal items
until after hand washing.
© 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.
