Emergency Responder Review (not necessarily comprehensive)

First Responder A person trained in emergency care to be called on to use that in the routine of the job.
Responsibilities: 1. Scene safety for self and others 2. Provide initial care 3. Determine threats
4. Summon advanced help. 5. Gain access to victims 6. Assist advanced personnel.
When to terminate care: 1. Advanced help arrives 2. Scene becomes unsafe. 3. Presented with a DNR
order. 4. Become too exhausted. 5. Person revives.
Medical Oversight The process by which a physician directs the care given to out-of-hospital providers
to an ill or injured person.
Helping victims families: Recognize their needs for: communicate, expression, privacy. Listen, reassure
but not falsely, comfort, use touch if appropriate.
How disease spreads: 1. Pathogen is present 2. Sufficient quantity 3. Susceptibility of person 4.
Transmission through entry site
4 Ways disease enters body: 1. Direct 2. Indirect 3. Airborne- breathing 4. Vector- bites, stings
Meningitis a severe infection of the brain. Direct, indirect, and airborne modes of transportation.
Tuberculosus a respiratory disease. Airborne mode of transportation
Infectious diseases Diseases that can be passed from an animal, insect or human to another.
Implied Consent A situation in which someone would ask for help if they could.
DNR Orders A do not rescusitate order.
Negligence Failure to follow reasonable care standards
Needed for Negligence lawsuit: 1. Duty 2. Breech 3. Cause 4. Damage.
The Vital organs: Heart, Brain, Lungs. The brain is the master organ
Trachia the Windpipe

Epiglottis Flap of tissue protecting windpipe from food

Body Cavities: Cranial Head. Spinal Spine. Thoracic chest. Abdominal Digestive (not
protected by bones) Pelvic cavity
Initial Assessment is for: General impressions, Assess Levels of Consciousness, ABCs (airway,
breathing, Circulation), skin color and bleeding.
DOTS: Deformity, Open injuries, Tenderness, Swelling
SAMPLE history: Signs/Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past medical history, Last oral intake (food
meds), Events leading up to injury
Ongoing Assessment: Check the victim every 5 minutes for an unstable patient. Every 15 min. for stable
Why do we do an initial assessment? TO CHECK FOR IMMEDIATE THREATS TO LIFE.
Main thing to consider as a first responder, especially with regards to moving/lifting a victim:
YOUR OWN LIMITATIONS.
Asthma Wheezing and gurgling noises, struggling to breath.
Cyanosis Nail bed blue, not enough oxygen-rich blood. (Especially check after bandaging)
Anaphylaxis Severe allergic reaction, suffocation imminent.
Respiratory distress and Arrest distress is difficulty breathing. Arrest is pulse but no breathing.
Airway Obstructions Anatomical (tongue) and Mechanical (dentures, food etc)
Suction no more than 15 seconds.
For suctioning measure from earlobe to corner of mouth or earlobe to tip of nose.
When Bleeding: Do NOT remove bandages. Put more clean ones on top.
Care for minor internal bleeding or Bruising: Ice the area and elevate (above heart if possible)
Shock = Hypoperfusion Circulatory system fails. Oxygen doesnt get to body. May also be emotional.
First aid will not help. Get them comfortable and seek more advanced help.
First sign of shock: Restlessness and irritability.
Skin = Largest organ of the body.
4 Open Wound types: 1. ABRASION skin scrape 2. LACERATION cut, split apart. 3.
AVULSIONS- skin peeled back. 4. PUNCTURE a piercing. (Leave the object IN.)
Occlusive dressings: Do not breathe. They are like plastic- like for a sucking chest wound.
3 ways for Injury: 1. Direct Force 2. Indirect Force 3. Twisting force.
Aura = Unusual feeling/sensation, hallucination, strange sounds.

Hypothermia: GENERALIZED: Entire body cools several degrees.

LOCALIZED: Frostbite- Body tissues and fluids in cells freeze.
Behavioral Emergencies: A person exhibits abnormal behavior that is unacceptable or intolerable.
Poisoning: Medical Emergency brought on by external substances entering the body.
4 for Poison to enter: 1. Injection- bites stings. 2. Absorption skin rubbed against 3. Inhalation Breathed in 4. Ingestion eaten
If contractions are less than THREE min apart, prepare for the babys arrival.
Crowning: the babys head begins to emerge.
Help mother focus on breathing and focusing on something across the room. Baby will be slippery.
Have a towel to also help keep the baby warm. Give baby to mother and encourage nursing.
Nursing stimulates the uterus to contract and speeds up the recovery process.
SIDS: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. 95% of SIDS Infants die between 2-4 months. 90% die while
Sleeping. Actual cause UNKNOWN
Infant = considered time from birth to 12months old.
START: Simple Triage And Rapid Treatment.

Triage = To sort.

Body systems Regulations: Circulatory system, Nervous system, Respiratory system.

Body Substance Isolation/BSI = An Infection control concept that assumes all body substances are
harmful. Use PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)- Gloves, gowns, goggles, mask etc.
Why document everything: To ensure proper follow up care.
In-line stabilization: Keeping the head and neck in line with the body.
Infections: Condition caused by disease-producing micro organisms called PATHOGENS, such as
Bacterium, virus, fungus, or parasite
Chemical Burns: Flush with water to dilute. Change clothes.
Incident Commander: The person in charge of the scene: the BOSS.
Packaging: Preparing a patient for transport.
Battery: Unlawful touching without consent.
ALWAYS ASSUME DOWNED WIRES ARE LIVE.
Child Abuse: Physical, Psychological, sexual assault of a child resulting in injury and emotional trauma/
Most Prominent symptom of Heart Attack: Persistant Chest pain.
Cardiac Arrest: Heart stops or beats too weak for any circulation.
Head Neck Chin Lift: Method for opening airway. JAWTHRUST if head, neck or back injury possible.
Abdominal Thrusts/Back blows (formerly the Heimlich)
CONSCIOUS ADULT: 5 Back Blows, 5 Abdominal Thrusts. 1 -2 inches
CONSCIOUS CHILD: 5 Back Blows, 5 Abdominal Thrusts 1-1 inches
CONSCIOUS INFANT: 5 Back Blows, 5 Abdominal Thrusts, less hard, upside down, -1 inches
Give 2 breaths, if they dont go in, retilt head and give 2 more. Still dont go in, assume blockage.
UNCONSCIOUS ADULT/CHILD: 5 Abdominal Thrusts, 2 breaths.
UNCONSCIOUS INFANT: 5 Back Blows, 5 Abdominal Thrusts, 2 breaths.
CPR: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation:
ADULT 30 compressions, 2 breaths 1 -2 inch. CHILD 30 compressions, 2 breaths 1-1 inch.
INFANT 30 compressions, 2 breaths -1 inch 2 person CPR- ADULT 30/2 CHILD/INFANT 15/2
CPR is most effective with victim on their back, on a firm, flat surface.
AED = AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR
Defibrillation = Electric shock

Ventricular Fibrillation/V FIB = Totally disorganized

Ventricular Tachycardia/ V TACH = Very Rapid rhythm

Confirm cardiac arrest to use AED

Pads go on upper right, lower left (of victim). Some need put onto the victim THEN Plugged in.
Dont use AED on child under EIGHT Yrs or 55 LBS. Once AED Arrives, STOP CPR.
AED shocks the heart in the hopes it will reset the heart to a normal rhythm
For cardiac problems: call EMS first.

For Breathing problems: Rescue breathe then call.