First AID : initial care of the ill or injured at accident scene until a qualified health care

               professional arrives.

 

Aim : * Promote a safe environment

        * Preserve life

        * Prevent injury or illness from becoming worse

        * Help promote recovery

        * Provide comfort to the ill or injured

 

 At an accident scene, the first aider provides help and assistance to people who are injured

 or ill. There are many things to consider,  such as :

 > What should a first aider do?

 > What about safety?

 > Which casualty do I treat first?

 > What about bystanders?

 > How do you ensure that you do not get infected?

 

 

 } What should a first aider do?

 - Assess the situation quickly

 - Identify the nature of the injury or illness as far as possible

 - manage the casualty promptly and appropriately

 - Arrange for emergency services to attend

 - Stay with the casualty until able to hand over to a health care professional

 - Give further help if necessary

 

 

  } What  about  safety?

- emergency scene must be made safe for all ( first aider, bystander, casualty )

- You need to determine if :

      @ any continuing danger ( fallen powerline )

      @ anyone's life is in immediate danger ( from a fire, inflammable )

- assess sutuation ->  remote danger / prevent new danger

                                ( child electrical shock at hm, turn off elec )

 

- if scene found unsafe wait and watch until emergency personnel

 

 

 } Use of Bystander  ( only ones at the scene )

 -  any witnesses to the incident

 - relatives  &  close friends of the casualty

 -   any bystanders you ask to stay to help

 

    @ tell you exactly how accident happened

    @ information on relevant med problems / aller 

    @ help make scene safe

    @ help protect the privacy of the casualty

    @ find a first aid kit or alternative material

 

 

} Imformation required  by  Emergency  services

- When calling emergency services

    @ make sure you have all the necessary information before speaking to the operator.

    @ keep message brief and accurate

    @ ensure messages are not given too quickly, clear and easily understood.

 

} Which casualty do I treat first?   ( Priorites of Management )

- Important to determine which injury/condition needs your attention most.

 

    @ Casualty is conscious

    @ airway is clear and open

    @ casualty is breathing

    @ casualty  has a pulse

    @ any bleeding

 

 -  If unconscious casualty ?   -  Life Threatening

    

    @ the airway must be blocked if tongue has relaxed and falllen to back of throat

    @ risk of choking as a casualty can't swallow, cough out any object

    @ capacity for self protection from potential danger (fire) may be lost

 

 } Movement of Casualty

   * Unless absolutely needed, DO NOT move a casualty until medical aid arrives

     ( risk of further injury )

   * If life endangered

     ( explosion, drowning, collapse of burning building )

     -> remove casualty from scene regardless

 

   * If neck or spinal injury suspected -> support for the neck before moving (later)

 

 } Management of infection conotrool and standard precautions

  * Befor First Aid

    - Wash your hands

    - Use plastic or disposable gloves

    - Use a plastic apron and eye protection if available

    - Consider mouth to mask if possible

 

 

 } During First Aid

   * Ensure glove worn and not torn 

    - Consider double gloving

    - Ensure hygiene towards the casualty

    - Do not cough or sneeze over wounds

    - Use clean bandage

    - Wash body fluids off immediately

    - If accidentally cut, wash immediately with running water and seek medical advice

 

 } After first Aid

   - Dispose gloves

   - Wash equipment in a beach solution

   - Wash hands

   - Wash any blood off clothes

   - Clean all surfaces