GENERAL FIRST AID

GENERAL FIRST AID

• FIRST AID IS THE IMMEDIATE CARE

GIVEN TO A PERSON WHO HAS BEEN
INJURED OR SUDDENLY TAKEN ILL.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD FIRST
AIDER
1. Gentle – should not cause pain
2. Resourceful – should make the best use
of things at hand
3. Observant – should notice all signs
4. Tactful – should not alarm the victim
5. Emphatic – should be comforting
6. Respectable – should maintain a
professional & caring attitude
 HINDRANCES IN GIVING
FIRST AID

• Unfavorable surroundings
• The presence of crowds
• Pressure from victim of relatives
 GOLDEN RULES IN GIVING
EMERGENCY CARE
• What to DO:
– Do obtain consent when possible
– Do think the worst. It is best to administer first aid for the
gravest possibility.
– Do remember to identify yourself to the victim.
– Do provide comfort and emotional support.
– Do respect the victim’s modesty and physical privacy.
– Do be as calm and as direct as possible.
– Do care for the most serious injuries first.
– Do assist the victim with his or her prescription medication.
– Do keep onlookers away from the injured person.
– Do handle the victim to a minimum.
– Do loosen tight clothing.
• What Not to DO:
– Do not let the victim see his/her own injury.
– Do not leave the victim alone except to get
help.
– Do not assume that the victim’s obvious
injuries are the only ones.
– Do not make any unrealistic promises.
– Do not trust the judgment of a confused
victim and require them to make decision.
 BURNS
• is an injury involving the skin, including
muscles, bones, nerves and blood
vessels. This results from heat, chemicals,
electricity or solar or other forms of
radiation.
 Common Causes

• Carelessness with match and cigarette

smoking.
• Scald from hot liquid.
• Defective heating, cooking and electrical
equipment.
• Immersion in overheated bath water.
• Use of such chemicals as lye, strong
acids and strong detergents
 Types of Burn Injuries

• Thermal – not all-thermal burns are

caused by flames. Contact with hot
objects, flammable vapor that ignites and
causes a flash or an explosion, and
steams or hot liquid are other common
causes of burns.
 Factors to determine the
seriousness of thermal burns.
• 1. The Depth. The deeper the burn, the more severe it is.
Three depth classifications are used.
1. First degree burns (Epidermis)
2. Second degree burns (Dermis)
3. Third degree burns (Subcutaneous, Epidermis, Dermis,
Muscles, Bones, Veins)
• 2. The extent to the affected body surface area. This means
estimating how much body surface area the burns covers.
• 3. Location of the burns. Burns on the face, hands, feet, and
• genitals are more severe than on other body parts.
• 4. Victim’s age and medical condition. Determine if other injuries
• or preexisting medical problems exist of it the victim is elderly
• (over 55) or very young (under %).
 Care for Thermal Burns
– Care of First-Degree and Second-Degree
Burns
• Relieve pain by immersing the burned are in cold
water or by applying a wet, cold cloth. If cold water
is unavailable, use any cold liquid you drink to
reduce the burned skin’s temperature.
• Cover the burn with dry, nonsticking, sterile
dressing or a clean cloth.
 Care for Third-Degree Burns

• > Cover the burn with a dry, nonsticking,

sterile Dressing or a clean cloth.
• > Treat the victim for shock by elevating
the legs and keeping the victim warm with
a clean sheet or blanket.
 2. Chemical – Chemicals will continue to cause tissue
destruction until the chemical agent is
removed.

• Care for chemical burns

• immediate remove the chemical by flushing with water.
• Remove the victim’s contaminated clothing while flushing
with water.
• Flush for 20 minutes or longer. Let the victim wash with a
mild soap before a final rinse.
• Cover the burned area with a dry dressing or, for large areas,
a clean pillowcase.
• If the chemical is in the eye, flood it for at least 20 minutes,
using low pressure.
• Seek medical attention immediately for all chemical burns.
Electrical – The injury severity from exposure to electrical
current depends on the type of current (direct
or altering), the voltage, the area of the body
exposed, and the duration of contact.
• CARE FOR ELECTRICAL BURNS
* Unplug, disconnect, or turn off the power. If that
is impossible, call the Power Company or ask
for help.
* Check the ABCs, (Air Way, Breathing,
Circulation) Provide Rescue Breathing (RB) or
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) if
necessary.
* If the victim fell, check for spine injury.
* Treat the victim for shock.
* Seek medical attention immediately. Electrical
injuries are treated in burn center.
 POISON
is any substance: solid, liquid or
gas, that tends to impair health or
cause death when introduced into
the body or onto the skin surface.
A poisoning emergency can be
life threatening.
• Causes:
• Common in suicide attempts.
• Occasional accidental poisoning.
• Ways in which poisoning may
occur:
• Ingestion – by mouth
• Inhalation – by breathing
• Injection – by animal bites, stings,
syringes.
• Absorption – by skin contact.
Common Household Poison:
• Sleeping pills
• Pain relievers
• Insect and rodent poisons
• Kerosene
• Denatured alcohol
• Lye and acids including boric
• Poisonous plants
• Contaminated water
• Fume
Ingested Poison - is one that is
introduced into the digestive tract by way of
the mouth. One form of ingestion poisoning
is food poisoning, a general form that covers
a variety of conditions.
• Suspect food poisoning if:
• The victim ate food that “didn’t taste right” or that
may have been old, improperly prepared,
contaminated, left At room temperature for a long
time, or processed with an excessive amount of
chemicals.
• Several people who ate together become ill.
 Signs and symptoms:
• Altered mental status.
• Burns around the mouth
• Odd breath odors.
• Nausea, vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
 Instances when vomiting
should not be induced..
• If unresponsive.
• Cannot maintain an airway open.
• Has ingested an acid, a corrosive such
as lye, or a petroleum product such as
gasoline or furniture polish.
• Has a medical condition that could be
complicated by vomiting, such as heart
attack, seizures and pregnancy.
First Aid
ADMINISTRATION…..

• Try to identify the poison.

• Place the victim on his or her left side.
• Save any empty container, spoiled food
for analysis.
• Save any vomitus and keep it with the
victim if he or she is taken to an
emergency facility.
Inhaled Poison - is a poison breathe
into the lungs.
Sign and Symptoms
• Breathing difficulty.
• Chest pain.
• Cough, hoarseness, burning sensation in the
throat.
• Cyanosis (bluish discoloration of skin and
mucous membranes).
• Dizziness, headache.
• Seizures, unresponsiveness (advance stages).
First Aid Administration

• Remove the victim from the toxic

environment and into fresh air
immediately.
• Seek medical attention.
Absorbed Poison- is a poison that
enters the body through the skin.
Sign and Symptoms:
• History of exposures.
• Liquid or powder on the skin.
• Burns
• Itching, irritation.
• Redness, rash, blisters.
First Aid Administration…

• Remove the clothing.

• With a dry cloth blot the poison from the
skin. If the poison is a dry powder, brush
it off.
• Flood the area with copious amounts of
water.
• Continually monitor the patient’s vital
signs.
Injected Poison- is a poison that
enters the body through a bite, sting or
syringe.
1.INSECT BITES:
Signs and Symptoms
*Stinger may be present
* Swelling
*Pain
* Possible allergic reaction
First Aid Administration…

1. Remove stinger
2. Wash wound
3. Cover the wound
4. Apply a cold pack
5. Watch for signals of allergic reaction.
 2. Spider/Scorpions bites

• Signs and Symptoms

– Bite mark * Nausea and vomiting
– Swelling * Difficulty breathing or
– Pain swallowing.
First Aid Administration…

– Wash wound.
– Apply a cold pack.
– Get medical care to receive antivenim
– Call local emergency number, if necessary
3. Marine Life Sting Bites

Signs and Symptoms :

• Possible marks
• Swelling
• Pain
• Possible allergic reaction
First Aid Administration…

– If Jellyfish – soak area in vinegar

– If sting ray – soak in nonscalding hot
water until pain goes away
– Clean and bandage the wound.
– Call local emergency number, if
necessary.
4. Snake Bites

• Signs and Symptoms

* Bite mark
* Pain
• First Aid Administration
– Wash wound
– Keep bitten part still, and lower than the heart.
– Call local emergency number.
5. Human or Animal Bites

• Signs and Symptoms

– Bite Mark
– Bleeding
• First Aid Administration
– If bleeding is minor – wash wound.
– Control Bleeding.
– Apply antibiotic ointment.
– Cover the wound.
– Get medical attention if wound bleeds severely or if
you suspect animal has rabies.
– Call local emergency number or contact animal
control personnel.
• General Care of Poisoning
– Survey the scene
– Remove the victim from the source of the
poison.
– Do a primary survey
– Care for any life threatening condition.
– If the victim is conscious, do a secondary
survey.
– Do not give the victim anything by mouth
unless advised by medical professionals.
Soft Tissues Injuries

• Wound - is a break in the continuity of a

tissue of the body either internal or
external.
Two Classification of Wounds:
1. Close Wound
Causes:
- Blunt object result in contusion or bruises.
- Application of external forces.
Signs and Symptoms:
• Pain and tenderness
• Swelling
• Discoloration
• Hematoma
• 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
• I- ice application- first an hours
• C- compression
• E- elevations- above heart level
• S- splinting- to mobilize the injured part
2. Open Wound
CLASSIFICATION of
CAUSES CHARACTERISTICS
OPEN WOUND
P- PUNCTURE Penetrating pointed Deep and narrow, serious
instruments such as nails, ice or slight bleeding.
picks, daggers, etc.

A- ABRASION Scrapping or rubbing against Torn with irregular edges,

rough surfaces. serious or slight bleeding.
L- LACERATION Blunt instrucnents such as Tissue forcefully
sharpnels, rocks, broken separated from the body
glasses, etc.

Explosion, animal bites, Tissue forcefully

A- AVULSION mishandling of tools, etc. separated from the body.

I- INCISION Sharp bladed instrument such Clean cut, deep, severe

as blades, razors etc. bleeding, wound is clea
Dangers
– Hemorrhage
– Infection
– Shock
Kinds of bleeding
– Arterial bleeding
– Venous bleeding
– Capillary bleeding
First Aid Management
Wound with severe bleeding
* C- control bleeding
* C- cover the wound
* C- care for shock
* C- consult physician
First Aid Management….
Wound with bleeding not severe (home care)
• Clean the wound with soap and water.
• Apply mild antiseptics.
• Cover wound with dressing and bandage.
Reminders :
• All wounds must be thoroughly inspected and covered with a dry
dressing to control bleeding and prevent further contamination.
• Once bleeding is controlled by compression, the limb should be
splinted to further control bleeding, stabilize the injured part,
minimize the victim’s pain and facilitate the patient’s transport to the
hospital.
• As with closed soft tissue injuries, the injured part should be
elevated to just above the level of the victim’s heart to minimize
severity.
• Amputated body parts should be saved, wrapped in a dry gauze,
placed in a plastic bag, kept cool, and transported with the patient.
• Don’t induce further bleeding to clean the wound.
• Don’t use absorbent cotton as a dressing.
SHOCK- is a depressed condition of many body
functions due to failure of enough blood to
circulate throughout the body following serious
injury.

Dangers of Shock:
– Lead to death
– Predisposes body to infection
– Lead to loss of body part
 Causes

• Severe bleeding
• Crushing injury.
• Infection
• Heart Attack.
• Perforation
• Shell bomb and bullet wound.
• Rupture of tubal pregnancies.
• Anaphylaxis (extreme sensitivity to a substance such as a
protein or drug) Microsoft® Encarta® 2006. © 1993-2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.)
• Starvation and disease may also cause shock.
Factors which contribute to shock
• P- Pain
• R- Rough handing
• I- Improper transfer
• C- Continues Bleeding
• E- Excessive exposure to extremes in temperature
• F- Fatigue

Signs of Symptoms of Shock

Early stage:
• Face-pale or cyanotic in color
• Skin-cold and clammy
• Breathing-irregular
• Pulse-rapid and weak
• Nausea and vomiting
• Weakness
• Thirsty
Late stage:
• Apathetic or relatively unresponsive.
• Eyes will be sunken with vacant expression.
• Pupils are dilated.
• Blood vessels may be congested producing mottled
appearances.
• Blood pressure has very low level.
• Unconsciousness may occur, body temperature falls.
Objectives of First Aid
• To improve circulation of the blood.
• To ensure an adequate supply of oxygen
• To maintain normal body temperature.
First Aid and Preventive Management of
Shock
• Proper positioning
• Proper body heat
• Administration of saline solution or proper hydration
FOREIGN BODY AIRWAY
OBSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
CAUSES OF OBSTRUCTION
– Improper chewing of large pieces of food.
– Excessive intake of alcohol.
– The presence of loose upper and lower dentures.
– For children-running while eating.
– For smaller children of “hand-to-mouth” stage left
unattended.
TWO TYPES OF OBSTRUCTION
– Anatomical. When tongue drops back and obstructs
the throat. Other causes are acute asthma, croup,
diphtheria, swelling, and cough (whooping).
– Mechanical. When foreign objects lodged in the
pharynx or airways; fluids accumulate in the back of
the throat.
• CLASSIFICATION OF OBSTRUCTION
1. Partial obstruction with good air exchange. The
victim is responsive and can cough forcefully,
although frequently there is wheezing between
coughs.
• 2. Partial obstruction with poor exchange. The
victim has a weak, in effective cough, high-
pitched noise while inhaling, increased
respiratory difficulty, and possibly cyanosis.
• 3. Complete or total obstruction. The victim is
unable to speak, breathe, or and may clutch the
neck with the thumb and fingers. Movement of
air is absent.
BODY SYSTEM
BODY REGIONS
1. Cranial Cavity
– Brain
2. Spinal Cavity
– Spinal Cord
3. Thoracic Cavity
– Heart
– Lungs
4. Abdominal Cavity
– Liver * Large Intestines
– Pancreas * Bladder
– Stomach * Gallbladder
5. Pelvic Cavity
– Uterus * Urinary Bladder
– Ovary * Rectum
– Ureter

• The Respiratory System

It delivers oxygen to the body, as well as removes carbon dioxide from the
body. The passage of air into and out of the lungs is called respiration.
Breathing in is called inspiration or inhaling. Breathing out is called
expiration or exhaling.
Breathing and Circulation
• Air that enters the lungs contains about 21% oxygen and only a
trace of carbon dioxide. Air that is exhaled from the lungs contains
about 16% oxygen and 4% carbon dioxide.
• The right side of the heart pumps blood to the lungs, where blood
picks up oxygen and releases carbon dioxide.
• The oxygenated blood then returns to the left side of the heart,
where it is pumped to the tissues of the body.
• In the body tissues, blood releases oxygen and takes up carbon
dioxide after which it flows back to the right side of the heart.
• All body tissues require oxygen, but the brain requires more that
any other tissue.
• When breathing and circulation stop, this is called Clinical Death
(0-4 minutes brain damage not likely, 4-6 minutes, damage
probable)
 7. When the brain has been deprived of oxygenated
blood for a period of 6 minutes or more an
irreversible damage probably occurred. This is
called Biological Death (6-10 minutes brain
damage probable; over 10 minutes brain damage is
certain).

8. It is obvious from the above stated facts that both

respiration and circulation are required maintain life.
• The Nervous System
- It is composed of the brain, spinal cord and nerves.
It has two major functions – communication and
control. It lets a person be aware of and react to the
environment. It coordinates the body’s responses to
stimuli and keeps body systems working together.
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE

• Risk Factors to Cardiovascular Disease

1. Risk Factors that cannot be changed (Non-modifiable)
*Age * Sex * Heredity
2. Risk Factors that can be changed or controlled
(Modifiable)
* Cigarette Smoking * Diabetes
* Obesity * High Blood Pressure
• High Cholesterol Level * Lack of Exercise

• Heart Attack. It occurs when the oxygen supply to the

heart muscle (myocardium) is cut-off for a prolonged
period of time. This cut-off results from a reduced blood
supply due to severe narrowing or complete blockage of
the diseased artery. The results is death (infarction) of
the affected part of the heart.
Warning Signals
* Chest discomfort characterized by:
Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or
tightness, aching, crushing, constricting, oppressive or heavy.
* Sweating
* Nausea
* Shortness of breathe

• First Aid Management

– Recognize the signals of heart attack and take action.
– Have patient stop what he or she is doing and have
him/her sit or lie down in a comfortable position. Do not
let the patient move around.
– Have someone call the physician or ambulance for
help.
– If patient is under medical care, assist him/her in taking
his/her prescribed medicine/s.
 GUIDELINES IN GIVING
EMERGENCY CARE
GETTING STARTED
1. Planning of Action
2. Gathering of needed materials
3. Remember the initial response as follows:
A – Ask for Help
I - Intervene
D – do not Further Harm
4. Instructions to helper/s

EMERGENCY ACTION PRINCIPLES

1. Scene Survey
Take time to answer these questions:
– Is the scene safe?
– What happened?
– How many people are injured?
– Are there bystanders who can help?
– Identify yourself as a trained CPR Provider.
– Get consent to give care.
• 2. Activate Medical Assistance
– Depending on the situation
• Phone First and Phone Fast
• A bystander should make the telephone call for help (if
available)
• Somebody will be asked to arrange for transfer facility.
– Information to be remembered in activating
medical assistance:
• What happened?
• Location?
• Number of persons injured?
• Extent of injury and first aid given?
• The telephone number from where you are calling?
• Person who activated medical assistance must
identify him/herself and drop the phone last.
3. Primary Survey
– Check for Responsiveness or Consciousness
– Check for Airway
• Ways in opening the airway
1. Head Tilt-Chin Lift Maneuver
2. Jaw-Thrust Maneuver
– Check for Breathing
– Check for Circulation
4. Secondary Survey
– Interview the victim.
– Check vital signs
– Perform head-to-toe examination
BYE-
BYE!!!