MANAGE INJURIESMANAGE INJURIES

BLOOD LOSS AND SAFETYBLOOD LOSS AND SAFETY

Wear gloves Wear gloves If contaminated, wash hands thoroughly If contaminated, wash hands thoroughly with soap and waterwith soap and waterPlace all needles and sharp objects in a Place all needles and sharp objects in a sealed hard plastic containersealed hard plastic containerEncourage the casualty to treat Encourage the casualty to treat themselves where possible.themselves where possible.Place a non-absorbent physical barrier Place a non-absorbent physical barrier between the site of bleeding and the first between the site of bleeding and the first aider.aider.

MANAGEMENT OF WOUNDS MANAGEMENT OF WOUNDS AND BLOOD LOSSAND BLOOD LOSS

You must take into account of the casualty’s You must take into account of the casualty’s whole situation before applying any first whole situation before applying any first aid techniques:aid techniques:

ExampleExample Do not apply pressure over any broken bone, an Do not apply pressure over any broken bone, an

embedded object or the internal organs.embedded object or the internal organs. Do not elevate a broken bone or a limb that has Do not elevate a broken bone or a limb that has

been bitten or stung by a poisonous creature.been bitten or stung by a poisonous creature.

Management of wounds and Management of wounds and blood loss (general principles)blood loss (general principles)

DRABCDDRABCD If the situation requires professional assistance, If the situation requires professional assistance,

call for help as soon as possible.call for help as soon as possible. Protect yourself from becoming contaminated Protect yourself from becoming contaminated

with blood and other body fluids.with blood and other body fluids. Assess the whole situation before applying first Assess the whole situation before applying first

aid techniques.aid techniques. Provide reassurance.Provide reassurance. Assess for and manage shock.Assess for and manage shock.

APPLYING A PRESSURE APPLYING A PRESSURE BANDAGEBANDAGE

– Place a pad over the bleeding site and apply direct Place a pad over the bleeding site and apply direct pressure.pressure.

– If possible, try to bring the wound edges together.If possible, try to bring the wound edges together.– Elevate the limb to assist in slowing the flow of blood.Elevate the limb to assist in slowing the flow of blood.– When bleeding slows, apply a roller (elastic) bandage to When bleeding slows, apply a roller (elastic) bandage to

the bleeding area.the bleeding area.– Ensure that the bandage is firm enough to stop Ensure that the bandage is firm enough to stop

bleeding, but not too tight to stop blood supply to the bleeding, but not too tight to stop blood supply to the limb.limb.

-- Assess circulation below the level of the bandage Assess circulation below the level of the bandage using pulse, warmth, and colour. If casualty using pulse, warmth, and colour. If casualty

complains of tingling, numbness, or if there complains of tingling, numbness, or if there is a is a weak pulse or changes to colour and weak pulse or changes to colour and warmth, this warmth, this indicates bandage is too tight indicates bandage is too tight and need loosening.and need loosening.-- If bleeding continues through bandage – If bleeding continues through bandage – apply a apply a firm second bandage firm second bandage over topover top of of first.first.-- If possible – elevate the limb.If possible – elevate the limb.

FOREIGN OBJECT IN THE EYEFOREIGN OBJECT IN THE EYE

1.1. Remove any foreign bodies that can be Remove any foreign bodies that can be dislodged quickly and easily with running water.dislodged quickly and easily with running water.

2.2. Pad and bandage the affected eye(s) shut and Pad and bandage the affected eye(s) shut and seek medical advice.seek medical advice.

If foreign body is unable to be dislodged with If foreign body is unable to be dislodged with running waterrunning water

1.1. Place thick padding above and below the eyePlace thick padding above and below the eye2.2. Do not place any direct pressure over the eye or Do not place any direct pressure over the eye or

foreign objectforeign object3.3. Lie casualty flat on their back and keep head Lie casualty flat on their back and keep head

stablestable4.4. Seek Seek urgenturgent medical help. medical help.

NOSE BLEEDNOSE BLEED

Lean the person forward.Lean the person forward. Pinch the soft part of the nose, just Pinch the soft part of the nose, just

below the bone for at least 10 below the bone for at least 10 minutes.minutes.

Apply a cold compress to the back of Apply a cold compress to the back of the neck, forehead, or bridge of the the neck, forehead, or bridge of the nose.nose.

If heavy bleeding continues seek If heavy bleeding continues seek medical advice.medical advice.

PENETRATING CHEST INJURYPENETRATING CHEST INJURY

Damage may have caused injury to the internal organs e.g. lungs and Damage may have caused injury to the internal organs e.g. lungs and heart. There may be a hole in the chest with a sucking sound heart. There may be a hole in the chest with a sucking sound when casualty breathes.when casualty breathes.

If conscious:If conscious: Call 000Call 000 Place in a position of comfort – usually half sitting and leaning Place in a position of comfort – usually half sitting and leaning

towards the injured side.towards the injured side. Place an airtight dressing over the wound hold and secure on three Place an airtight dressing over the wound hold and secure on three

sides leaving bottom edge opensides leaving bottom edge open If the casualty’s breathing becomes more difficult after application If the casualty’s breathing becomes more difficult after application

immediately remove.immediately remove. Closely monitor airway, breathing and signs of lifeClosely monitor airway, breathing and signs of life

If unconscious:If unconscious: DRABCD and call 000DRABCD and call 000 Place casualty in the recovery position, laying on the injured side.Place casualty in the recovery position, laying on the injured side. Closely monitor airway breathing and signs of life.Closely monitor airway breathing and signs of life.

EMBEDDED OBJECTEMBEDDED OBJECT

1.1. DRABCDDRABCD2.2. Do not remove the objectDo not remove the object3.3. Immobilise the object in the current Immobilise the object in the current

position using a ring bandage or other position using a ring bandage or other methodmethod

4.4. Keep the area restedKeep the area rested5.5. Apply pressure around the object to Apply pressure around the object to

control bleedingcontrol bleeding6.6. Do not apply direct pressure over the Do not apply direct pressure over the

object.object.7.7. Seek medical advice or call 000Seek medical advice or call 000

AMPUTATIONAMPUTATION

1.1. Manage the casualty’s bleeding with a firm pressure Manage the casualty’s bleeding with a firm pressure bandage and elevationbandage and elevation

2.2. Do not clean the damaged area as this may cause further Do not clean the damaged area as this may cause further damagedamage

3.3. Place the amputated body part in a sealed plastic bag or Place the amputated body part in a sealed plastic bag or container.container.

4.4. Place the plastic bag or container in iced waterPlace the plastic bag or container in iced water

5.5. Do not allow the amputated part to come in direct Do not allow the amputated part to come in direct contact with the water or icecontact with the water or ice

6.6. Manage shock and provide reassurance.Manage shock and provide reassurance.

7.7. Call for help as soon as possible.Call for help as soon as possible.

8.8. Ensure that the amputated body part is transported to Ensure that the amputated body part is transported to the hospital with the casualty.the hospital with the casualty.

INTERNAL BLEEDINGINTERNAL BLEEDING

A severe injury is likely to cause internal bleeding. Signs A severe injury is likely to cause internal bleeding. Signs include:include:

Pain, tenderness and visible swelling at injury site.Pain, tenderness and visible swelling at injury site. Blood coming from a body opening e.g. mouth, ear or nose. Blood coming from a body opening e.g. mouth, ear or nose.

From lungs – usually read and frothy. From stomach – may From lungs – usually read and frothy. From stomach – may be brown and like coffee grounds.be brown and like coffee grounds.

Signs and symptoms of shockSigns and symptoms of shock

Management includes:Management includes:

1.1. DRABCDDRABCD

2.2. Rest the casualty.Rest the casualty.

3.3. If possible lay the casualty down and elevate legs.If possible lay the casualty down and elevate legs.

4.4. If the casualty is unconscious, place him or her in the If the casualty is unconscious, place him or her in the recovery position.recovery position.

5.5. Assess for and manage shock.Assess for and manage shock.

6.6. Provide reassurance.Provide reassurance.