First Aid

Prepared by
David R. Legarto III R.N., R.M.
 FIRST AID

Is an immediate care given to a person who

has been injured or suddenly taken ill. It
includes self-help and home care if medical
assistance is not available or delayed.
ROLES AND Responsibilities
OF THE FIRST AIDER
1. Bridge that fills the gap between the victim and the
physician.

- It is not intended to compete with or take the place

of services of the physician.

- It ends when the services of a physician begin

2. Ensure personal safety and that of the patient and

bystander.

3. Gain access to the victim.

4. Determine any threats to patients life.

5. Summon more advance medical care as needed.

6. Provide needed care for the patient.

7. Assist Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and

medical personnel.

8. Record all assessments and care given to the patient.

OBJECTIVES OF FIRST AID

1. To alleviate suffering.

2. To prevent added / further injury or

danger.

3. To prolong life.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF A
GOOD FIRST AIDER
1. Gentle should not cause pain.

2. Resourceful should make the best use of the things at

hand.

3. Observant should notice all signs.

4. Tactful should not alarm the victim.

5. Empathetic should be comforting.

6. Respectable should maintain a professional and caring

attitude.
 HINDRANCES IN GIVING
FIRST AID
1. Unfavorable Surroundings

Nighttime

Crowded city, streets, churches, shopping malls

Busy highways

Cold and rainy weather

Lack of necessary materials and helpers

2. The presence of crowds

Crowds curiously watch , sometimes heckle,

sometimes offer incorrect advice

They may demand haste in transportation or attempt

other improper procedure

A good examination is difficult while a crowd looks on

3. Pressure from victim or relatives

The victim usually welcomes help, but if he is drunk, he is often

hard to examine and handle, and is often misleading in his
responses.

Hysteria of the relative or the victim, the evidence of pain, blood

and possible early death, exert great pressure on the first aider

The first aider may fail to examine carefully and may be

persuaded to do what he would know in calm moments to be
wrong.
 TRANSMISSION OF DISEASES
AND THE FIRST AIDER
1.How the disease are transmitted

Direct contact transmission occurs when a person touches an

infected persons body fluid. This type of transmission presents
the greatest risk of infection for the first aid provider.

Indirect contact transmission occurs when a person touches

objects that have been contaminated by the blood or another
body fluid of an infected person. These include soiled dressing,
equipment and vehicle surfaces with which an infected person
comes in contact.
 Airborne transmission occurs when a
person inhales infected droplets that have
become airborne as an infected person
coughs or sneezes.

Vector transmission occurs when an animal

such as a dog or an insect, such as tick,
transmits a pathogen into the body through a
bite.
2. Diseases that cause concern.

As a first aider, you should be familiar with

diseases that can have severe consequences
if transmitted. These includes herpes,
meningitis, tuberculosis, hepatitis, and HIV
infection, the virus that causes AIDS.
 SIGNS & MODE OF INFECTIVE
DISEASES SYMPTOMS TRANSMISSION MATERIAL

HERPES is a viral Lesions, general ill Direct contact Broken skins,

infection that feeling. Sore throat mucous
causes eruptions in membranes
the skin and
mucous
membranes
MENINGITIS is an Respiratory illness, Airborne, direct Food and water,
inflammation of the sore throat, contact and indirect mucus
brain or spinal cord nausea, vomiting contact
caused by a viral or
bacterial infection

TUBERCULOSIS is Weight loss, night Airborne Saliva, airborne

a respiratory sweats, occasional droplets
disease cause by fever, general ill
bacteria feeling
HEPATITIS is a
viral infection of
Contd.
Fluke, jaundice
Direct and indirect
contact
Blood, saliva,
semen, feces,
the liver food, water, other
products

HIV(HUMAN Fever, night Direct and indirect Blood, semen,

IMMUNE sweats, weight contact vaginal fluid
DEFFICIENCY loss, chronic
VIRUS) is the diarrhea, sever
virus that destroys fatigue, shortness
the bodys ability of breath, swollen
to fight infection. lymph nodes,
The resultant lesions
state is referred to
as
AIDS(ACQUIRED
IMMUNE
DEFICIENCY
SYNDROME)
3. Body substance Isolation (BSI)

Precautions taken to isolate or prevent risk of

exposure from any other type of exposure risk, you
must follow basic precautions and safe practices each
time you prepare procedure to provide care. Basic
Precaution and practices are as follows:

Personal hygiene Maintaining good personal hygiene

habits, such as frequent hand washing and proper grooming,
are two important ways to prevent
 Protective equipment It includes all equipment and supplies
that prevent you from making direct contact with infected
materials. This includes disposable gloves, gown, mask and
shield, protective eyewear and resuscitation devices.

Equipment cleaning and disinfecting It is important to clean

and disinfect equipments to prevent infection. Handle all
contaminated equipment, supplies, or other materials with
the outmost care until they are properly cleaned and
disinfected.
2. Suggested first aid kit
contents:
- Plaster
- Rubbing alcohol
- Gloves
- Povidone iodine
- Scissors
- Cotton
- Forceps
- Gauze pad
- Bandage (Triangular)
- Tongue depressor
- Elastic bandage roller
- Penlight
- Occlusive dressing
- Band aid
FIRST AID EQUIPMENTS AND
SUPPLIES

1. Basic equipment:

Spine board

Short boards/ Kendricks extrication device

Sets of splints

Blankets
3. Clothe materials commonly used in first aid:

Dressing or compress any sterile cloth materials

used to cover the wound.

Other uses of a dressing or compress:

Control bleeding

Protects the wound from infection

Absorbs liquid from the wound such as blood plasma, water

and pus.
 Kinds of dressing

Roller gauze

Square or eye pads

Compress or adhesives

Occlusive dressing

Butterfly dressing

Application

Completely cover the wound

Avoid contamination when handling and applying

 Bandages any clean cloth materials sterile or not use to hold the
dressing in place

Other uses of bandages:

Control bleeding

Tie splint in place

Immobilize body part

For arm support use as a sling

 Kinds:

Triangular

Cravat

Roller

Four-tail

Muslin Binder

Elastic bandage
 Application:

Must be proper, neat and correct

Apply snugly not too loose, not too tight

Always check for tightness, may cause later swelling

Tie the ends with a square knot

 Triangular Bandage

Usually made from a 45- 50 inch square piece

cloth, cut from one corner to the opposite to
form a triangle.

Can be folded to form cravats ( broad cravats

or narrow cravats)
 Tying a square knot

Pass the left end over and under the right

Bring both ends up again

Pass the right end over and under left

Pull the ends firmly to tighten; tuck ends

 Untying a square knot

Pull one end and one piece of bandage apart

Hold the knot, pull the end through and out

 HUMAN BODY

The human body have unique structures

and functions. Understanding the human
body will be a guide in providing proper
emergency care
 ANATOMICAL TERMS

It is important to describe a patients

position, direction, and location to other
medical personnel. Using correct terms
will help you communicate the extent of a
patients inquiry quickly and accurately.
 Terms of position
include the following:
Anatomical position. In this position, a patients body
stands erect with arms down at the sides, palms facing
you. Right and left refer to the patients right and left.

Supine position. The patient is lying face up on his or her

back.

Prone position. The patient is lying face down on his or

her stomach.

Lateral recumbent position. In this position, the patient is

lying on the left or right side. This is also known as the
recovery position.
 Terms of direction and
location are as follows:

Superior means toward, or closer to, the head.

Inferior - means towards, or closer to, the feet.

Anterior is toward the front.

Posterior is toward the back.

Medial means toward the midline, or center of the

body.
 Lateral - refers to the left or right of the midline.

Proximal means close, or near the point of reference.

Distal - is distant, or far away from the point of reference.

Superficial is near the surface.

Deep - is remote or far from the surface.

Internal means inside. External means outside.

 Golden rules in giving
emergency care
What to DO:

1. Do obtain consent, when possible.

2. Do think the worst, its the best to administer first aid for the
greatest possibility.

3. Do remember to identify yourself to the victim.

4. Do provide comfort and emotional support.

5. Do respect the victims modesty and physical privacy

6. Do be as calm and as direct as possible.

7. Do care for the most serious injuries first.

8. Do assist the victim with his or her prescription medication.

9. Do keep onlookers away from the injured person.

10. Do handle the victim to a minimum.

11. Do loosen tight clothing.

 What not to do:

1. Do not let the victim see his/her injury.

2. Do not leave the victim alone except to get help.

3. Do not assume that the victims obvious injuries are the only
ones.

4. Do not make any unrealistic promises.

5. Do not trust the judgment of a confused victim and require

them to make decisions
 Emergency rescue

Is a rapid movement of patient from

unsafe place to a place of safety.
- Indications for emergency rescue

1. Danger of fire or explosion

2. Danger of toxic gases or asphyxia due to lack of oxygen

3. Serious traffic hazards

4. Risk of drowning

5. Danger of electrocution

6. Danger of collapsing walls

- Methods of rescue

- For immediate rescue without any assistance, drag or

pull the victim in the direction of the long axis of his
body preferably from the shoulder. If possible,
minimize lifting or carrying the injured person before
checking for injuries unless you are sure that there
is no major fracture or involvement of his neck or
spine

- Most of the one-man drags/ carries and other transfer

methods can be used as methods of rescue
 Transfer

Is moving patient from one place to another

after giving first aid.
 The first aider may need to initiate transfer of the patient to shelter,
home or medical aid.

Skill in the use of simple technique of transfer must be practiced and

selection and use of the correct method is necessary. Selection will
depend upon the following:

Nature and severity of the injury

Size of the victim

Physical capabilities of the first aider

Number of personeL and equipment available

Nature of evacuation route

Distance to be covered

Sex of the victim (last consideration)

- Pointers to be observed during transfer

Victims airway must be maintained open

Hemorrhage is controlled

Victim is safety maintained in the correct position

Regular check of the victims condition is made

 Supporting bandages and dressing remain effectively
applied

The method of transfer is safe, comfortable and as

speedy as circumstances permits

The patients body is moved as one unit

The taller first aider stays at the head side of the

victim

First aider / bearers must be observed ergonomics in

lifting and moving of patient
- Methods of transfers

One man Firemans drag

assist/carries/drags
Blanket drag
Assist to walk
Armpit/shoulder drag
Carry in arms (cradle)
Cloth drag
Pack strap carry
Feet drag
Piggyback carry
Inclined drag (head
Firemans carry first-passing a stair
way)
- Two-man assist / carries

Assist to walk

Four hand seat

Hands as litter

Chair as litter

Carry by extremities

Firemans carry with assistance

- Three-man carries

Bearers alongside (for narrow alleys)

Hammock carry
 Four/six/eight man carry

Blanket

Commercial stretchers

Ambulance or rescue van

Other vehicles
 Improvised stretcher using two poles with:

Blanket

Empty sack

Shirts or coats

Triangular bandages
 WOUND

Is a break in the continuity

of body tissue
either internal or external.
 TWO CLASSIFICATION OF
WOUNDS:

Closed wound Involves in the underlying

tissue without break/damage in the skin or
mucous membrane.

Causes:

Blunt objects result in contusion or bruises

Application of the external forces such as motor vehicle

accidents and falls
 Factors or other injuries which may be involved:

Damage beneath the epidermis depends on varying

depth.

Depending on extent of force, cells are damaged and

small blood vessels are usually torn.

Varying amount of edema fluid and blood leak into the

damaged area.

Possible fracture.
Signs and symptoms:

Pain and tenderness

Swelling

Discoloration (black or blue which is called ecchymosis)

Hematoma may occur (pool of blood collected within the damaged tissue)

Uncontrolled restlessness

Thirst

Symptoms of shock

Vomiting or cough-up blood

Passage of blood in the urine or feces

Sign of blood along mouth, nose and ear canal

 First Aid Management:

Ice application Ice or cold packs can be effective in helping

control both pain and swelling and cause the blood vessel to
constrict, which will slow bleeding.

Compression Manual compression over the area of injury will

compress the blood vessel and also decreases the bleeding

Elevation Elevating the injured part will decrease the amount of

swelling.

Splinting Immobilizing the soft tissue injury with a splint is

another way to decrease bleeding.
 Open wound a
break in the skin or
mucous membrane;
or the protective
skin layer is
damaged.
 NAME CAUSE CHARACTERISTICS

PUNCTURE Penetrating pointed Deep and narrow;

instruments such as serious or slight
nails, ice picks, bleeding.
daggers, etc.
SCRAPE Scraping or rubbing Shallow; wide; oozing
against rough with blood; dirty
surfaces.
LACERATION Blunt instruments Torn with irregular
such as shrapnels, edges; serious or
rocks, broken glasses, slight bleeding
etc.
AVULSION Explosion, animal Tissue forcefully
bites, mishandling of separated from the
tools, etc. body
INCISION Sharp bladed Clean cut; deep;
instruments such as severe bleeding;
blades, razors, etc wound is clean
 Dangers:

Hemorrhage lost 1 glass (approx. 250 cc) is normal; 2 4

glasses victim becomes anemic and predisposes to infection; 4
6 glasses will be fatal.

Infection delays the healing of the wound; gangrene may

develop; amputation may be necessary to prolong life; may lead
to unnecessary death.

Shock predisposes body to infection; may lead to loss of body

part; may lead itself to death.
 Kinds of bleeding:

Arterial bleeding occurs when an artery is severed

or opened. Characterized by the irregular spurting of
blood.

Venous bleeding occurs when a vein is severed or

punctured. Characterized by an even flow of blood.

Capillary bleeding described as capillary oozing.

This type of bleeding is expected in all minor cutes,
scratches, and abrasions.
 First Aid Management: Wound
with severe bleeding

Control bleeding by:

Direct pressure (Main Help) with the use of a compress,

pressure is applied directly over wound; can be applied to
any kind of bleeding and to any part. DO not apply direct
pressure on:

Eye injury

Wound with embedded object

Head injury with possibility of skull fracture

 Elevation raise the bleeding part above level of
victims heart if you dont suspect a broken bone
and if elevating the injury doesnt cause the
victim more pain.

Pressure point bleeding control (pressure on

supplying artery) if direct pressure and
elevation dont control the bleeding from an
uninjured arm or leg, compress the major artery
that supplies the blood to the injured area while,
pressure is applied while direct pressure and
elevation are maintained.
 Brachial artery ( between the large muscles [biceps and
triceps] on the upper arm) for the arm injury.

Femoral artery ( in the groin at the top of the leg bends) for
leg injury

Cover the wound with dressing and secure with a bandage.

Care for shock

Consult or refer to physician

 WOUND WITH BLEEDING: NOT
SEVERE (HOME CARE)

Clean the wound with soap and water

Apply mild antiseptics

Cover wound with dressing and bandage

 REMINDERS:

1. All wounds must be thoroughly inspected and

covered with a dry dressing to control bleeding and
prevent further contamination.

2. Once bleeding is controlled by compression, the

limb should be splinted to further control bleeding,
stabilize the injured part, minimize the victims pain
and facilitate the patients transport to the hospital.
3. As with closed soft tissue injuries, the injured part
should be elevated to just above the level of the
victims heart to minimize severity.

4. Amputated body parts should be saved, wrapped in

a dry gauze, placed in a plastic bag, kept cool, and
transported with the patient.

5. Do not include further bleeding to clean the wound.

6. Do not use absorbent cotton as dressing.

BURNS - is a type
of injury to flesh caused
by heat, electricity, chemic
als, light, radiation or fricti
on.
 Burns are injuries resulting
from exposure to heat,
chemicals, electricity, or
radiation. The severity of burns
depends on their depth, size,
and location.
 Burns are more serious when
they are located on the face, neck
and hands, feet and genitals;
when they are spread over large
areas of the body; or when they
are combined with other injuries,
such as fractures.
 Burns bring the possibilities of
shock, pain and infection; they
are also more serious for the
very young and very old.
 Common Causes:

Burns have many causes,

including carelessness with
matches and cigarettes; scalds
from hot water and other
liquids; cooking, and electrical
equipment etc.
 The hazards of fire include not
only the visible burns but also
respiratory and circulatory
emergencies.
 Degrees of Burns:

Burns are classified

according to their depth, or
degree. The deeper the burn,
the more severe it is.
 First-degree burns

arethe least severe. They are

characterized by redness of
discoloration, mild swelling,
and pain.
 They are usually the result of
overexposure to the sun, light
contact with hot objects, minor
scalding by hot water or
steam, or brief contact with
chemicals.
 Second degree burns
aredeeper than first-degree
burns. They look red or
mottled and have blisters.
They may also look a little wet
from the loss of fluid through
the damaged skin layers.
 They are usually the result of
very deep sunburn, contact
with hot liquids, or flash
burns when products such
as gasoline or kerosene
burst into flame.
 Second degree burns are
often the most painful because
most of the nerve endings are
still intact, even though the
tissue damage is severe.
 Third degree burns
are the deepest burns. Burns of
this type may look white or
charred, or they may look like
second-degree burns. They
extend through all skin layers,
and sometimes into the structures
below the skin.
 Because they are so depth,
only the edges will heal; scars
will eventually cover the rest of
the burned area..
 Third-degree burns are most
frequently caused by ignited
clothing, immersion in hot
water, or contact with flames,
hot objects or electricity
 With third degree burns, the
victim may complain of severe
pain. If most nerve endings are
destroyed, however, he or she
may feel very little pain.
 SAFETY MEASURES
Keeping matches out of reach
of children.

Supervising the play of

children and never leave them
at home alone.
 Teach children fire prevention
measures and the dangers of
fire.

Turning of handles of spots in

stoves so that they dont point
outward where people stand
and walk.
 Supervising the smoking of
adults who are unable to
protect themselves.

Keeping space heaters and

materials that can catch on
fire away from children.
 POISONING AND INGESTION

A poison is any
substance-solid-liquid, or
gas that causes injury or
death when introduced
into the body.
 There are four ways a
person can be poisoned; by
swallowing, by inhaling, by
absorbing through the skin,
and by injecting
 Children are frequent
victims; in adult may be
accidental from
carelessness or poor vision
when reading labels or
sometimes it is suicide
attempt.
Poisoning can occur in
health care environment
when pharmaceutical
products are administered
improperly.
 TO PREVENT
Having child proof caps on
all medicine containers and
household products.

Labeling all medicine

containers and household
products clearly.
 Storingpoisonous materials in a
place that is high, locked and out
of reach of children.

Storing poisonous materials in

their original containers and not in
food containers.
 Keeping medicines out of purses
where children may find them.

Making sure there is adequate

lighting so that labels can be
read accurately.