First Aid

What is an accident? Accidents happen every day, but what are

they? Accidents are any event that was not intended

to happen

What are some examples of events that are accidents?

What is first aid? Immediate temporary care given to an

injured or ill person until her or she can get professional help.

Why is it important to know basic first aid?

Can prevent further injury Can speed recovery Knowing how to correctly give first aid can

be the difference between life and death

First-Aid Supplies The following supplies

are typically found in a first-aid kit… Tweezers Scissors Thermometer Cotton swabs Cold pack Antiseptic ointment

More first-aid kit supplies… Guaze pads Adhesive tape Adhesive bandages Tissues Hand cleaner Disposable gloves Plastic bags

What is EMS? Emergency Medical Services A network of police, fire and medical

personnel, and other community resources

The EMS System The chain of command: 5 links

1. Citizen responder (YOU) Recognizes emergency and calls 9-1-1

2. EMS dispatcher Answers your call, directs police/EMTs to scene Keeps citizen responder calm.

3. 1st Responder First official on scene, usually police. Takes control, gives higher level of care

4. EMT (emergency medical technician) Medically trained personnel, give care at the scene Transports injured person to hospital

5. Hospital Doctors, nurses, and emergency staff

How do you fit in to the EMS system?

Your role as the Citizen Responder includes four steps: Recognize that an emergency exists Decide to act Activate the EMS Give care until help arrives

STEP 1: Recognizing Emergencies Often signaled by something unusual that

catches your attention Use your senses! (hearing, sight, smell) Look for…

Unusual sights Unusual appearances or behaviors Unusual odors Unusual noises

Unusual Sights Car run off the road Downed electrical wires Person lying motionless Smoke or fire Spilled medication Broken glass

Unusual Appearances or Behaviors Unconsciousness Trouble breathing Unusual skin color Clutching chest or throat Confused behavior or speech Unable to move body part

Unusual Odors Stronger than usual smells Gasoline fumes Chemical smell at home

If there is an unusual or very strong odor, LEAVE THE AREA because some fumes are POISONUS!

Unusual Noises Screaming, yelling, moaning or calling for

help Breaking glass Screeching tires Sudden loud or strange sounds (falling

ladders, collapsing of building) Unusual silence

STEP 2: Decide to act You may feel hesitant or want to back away

if… There are other people around Don’t feel comfortable with the injury Fear of catching a disease Fear of doing something wrong Fear of being sued Unsure of when to call 911

Good Samaritan Laws Give legal protection to people who willingly

provide emergency care to ill or injured people without accepting anything in return

Act like a “reasonable and prudent person” Move a person only if their life is in danger Ask a conscious person for permission before giving care Check for life-threatening conditions Call 9-1-1 Give care until more highly trained personnel arrive

Spread of Disease Infectious diseases develop when germs

invade the body and cause illness. Most common germs - bacteria and viruses

Spread through touching, breathing and biting

Universal Precautions WASH YOUR HANDS AFTER GIVING FIRST AID! Avoid contact with blood or other body fluids Use protective breathing barriers Use bandage to cover any of YOUR cuts, sores, scrapes or

skin conditions Use gloves Don’t eat, drink, or touch your mouth, nose or eyes until you

have washed your hands Do not touch personal items until hands are washed Do not touch blood soiled objects Tell EMS personnel if you came into direct contact with any

blood or body fluids

Step 3: Activate EMS system Call 9-1-1 Describe the emergency to the operator

Include where you are (address or describe location)

Stay on phone until told to hang out

Operator will alert police, fire, etc…

Step 4: Provide care until help arrives

Stay with victim until help arrives Loosen tight clothing Use coat or blanket to keep them warm Provide shade if the weather is warm

HIV and AIDS AIDS – Acquired immune deficiency syndrome

Condition caused by HIV HIV damages the immune systems that fight

infection Weakened immune systems allow infections to

develop People with HIV might not look or feel sick People with AIDS develop life-threatening

infections, which lead to death NO VACCINE FOR HIV, PREVENTION IS BEST

Transmission of HIV during First Aid Unprotected direct contact with infected blood.

Infected blood/fluids from one person enter another person through entry sight (eyes, mouth)

Ex) blood splashes from infected person into the responders eye

Unprotected indirect contact with infected blood Touch an object that contained infected blood/fluids and

the infected blood/fluids enter body through entry site Ex) responder picks up blood soaked bandage with bare

hand and the infected blood enters through a cut in the skin

Testing If you think you put yourself at risk for

contracting HIV, get tested! Questions?

Can call the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) national AIDS hotline:

1-800-342-2437