First Aid

First Aid – First aid is the immediate and basic care that is delivered to someone acutely after any injury or illness.

Basics of First Aid

Basics of First Aid – Recognizing the illness or injury and deciding to help the injured or ill is the basic first step in providing First Aid.

Safety

Safety – It is vital to always stay safe and not injure yourself in an attempt to help the patient.

Handwashing and Personal Protective Gear

Handwashing and Personal Protective Gear – Whenever you care for others it is vital that you decrease the risk of infection.

First Aid Equipment

First Aid Equipment – Providers who are prepared for the unforeseen event, have an organized first aid equipment available.

Medical Concerns

Medical Concerns – A wide range of medical concerns may require first aid.

Respiratory Distress

Respiratory Distress – Respiratory distress can happen because or underlying lung issues like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma or infections like pneumonia.

Allergies

Allergies – Allergies can be reactions to triggers in the environment, medicines, foods or bites from insects.

Heart Emergencies – Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS), which includes the heart attack, is a common cause for heart emergencies and early diagnosis is essential for treatment.

Fainting

Fainting – Fainting can happen due to many medical problems.

Diabetes and Low Blood Glucose

Diabetes and Low Blood Glucose – Diabetes is an increasing common disorder in which the person’s becomes insensitive to insulin, the hormone that regulates the blood glucose levels.

Stroke

Stroke – Stroke is a syndrome, similar to a heart attack, in which the brain suddenly loses blood flow.

Seizures

Seizures – Seizures are caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain matter.

Shock

Shock – Shock happens when the body’s tissues and organs don’t receive adequate nutrients and oxygen from the blood.

Trauma

Trauma – As a provider of first aid, you may need to help a person who is a victim of trauma.

Controlling Bleeding

Controlling Bleeding – Blood loss may be frightening, but remember that even a small amount of blood can seem significant.

Injury to the Teeth

Injury to the Teeth – A blow to the face, a fall or other injury could lead to broken teeth or even tooth loss.

Nosebleeds

Nosebleeds – A person suffering from a nosebleed may be in distress and can lose a good amount of blood.

Puncture Wounds

Puncture Wounds – A person may encounter a puncture wound from a sharp object. This can be problematic because the sharp object can penetrate deeply into the tissue, damaging blood vessels, nerves and muscles.

Injury to the Eye – A varieties of injuries can occur in the eye. These include a foreign body entering the eye, unconscious scratching and blows to the eye.

Injuries to the Head – An injury to the head can occur whenever a person suffers a trauma.

Injuries to the Spine

Injuries to the Spine – Injuries to the spine can happen following any major injury. These include falling from a height, motor vehicle accident, combat sports or extreme sports, a diving injury or other activities that can cause severe forces.

Injuries to the Joints and Bones

Injuries to the Joints and Bones – Injuries to the bones or joints can occurring during routine activities.

Injuries from Burns

Injuries from Burns – Burns are the results of not only source of heat, but also exposure to electrical current and some noxious chemical.

Injury from Environmental Triggers

Injury from Environmental Triggers – While there is a much to enjoy in the great outdoors, we must be aware that there are some environmental agents that can result in the need for first aid treatment.

Stings and Bites

Stings and Bites – Stings and bites from insects are quite common. Culprits range from bees and hornets to scorpions and spiders.

Hyper and Hypo-thermia

Hyper and Hypo-thermia – Hyperthermia occurs when the body becomes over heated.

Exposure to Toxins

Exposure to Toxins – A wide variety of toxin exposure are possible. While the extent of possible toxins will not be covered in this review, it is vital to know the common pathway for managing such an exposure as a first aid provider.

Caring for the Adult in Distress

Caring for the Adult in Distress – Good quality CPR, is essential to saving lives.

CPR in Adults

CPR in Adults – If you have no training in CPR, you can still provide CPR without rescue breathing (hands only) in which you provide compressions without stopping and do not give rescue breaths.

CPR Compressions – Chest compressions are vital to save a life when there is a cardiac arrest.

Rescue Breaths

Rescue Breaths – Providing rescue breaths provides oxygen to a person who is not breathing or is breathing inadequately.

Mouth-Mask Respirations

Mouth-Mask Respirations – It is best to use a pocket mask if you have one available.

AED in Adults

AED in Adults – Do not waste time trying to fix the AED if it is not properly working. CPR is vital and should not be stopped for longer than 10 seconds if possible. The AED cannot be used in water. Remove all medication patches before applying the pads. Do not place pads over a skin bulge as this may indicate a pacemaker.

Contacting Emergency Services (911)

Contacting Emergency Services (911) – If you come upon a person who is having an emergency, especially if you are concerned for cardiac arrest, it is very important that you contact emergency medical services at once.

Choking in the Adult

Choking in the Adult – Choking happens when an object such as a piece of food is lodged in the airway.

Caring for the Child in Distress

Caring for the Child in Distress – While adult cardiac arrest is most commonly due to heart problems, cardiac arrest in children is usually due to respiratory issues.

CPR in Children (12 Months to Puberty)

CPR in Children (12 Months to Puberty) – If you have no training in CPR, you can still provide CPR without rescue breathing (hands only) in which you provide compressions without stopping and do not give rescue breaths.

Compressions

Compressions – Do not be afraid to provide chest compressions in a child.

Giving Breaths

Giving Breaths – While adult cardiac arrest is most commonly secondary to acute myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest in children and infants is usually secondary to respiratory arrest. Therefore, in the Pediatric Survival Chain, the provider should focus on prevention.

Mouth-Mask Respirations

Mouth-Mask Respirations – It is best to use a pocket mask if you have one available.

AED for the Child

AED for the Child – As in adults, AEDs are useful in the child arrest.

Contacting Emergency Services (911)

Contacting Emergency Services (911) – If you come upon a child who is in an emergency, it is very important that you contact emergency medical services at once.

Choking in the Child

Choking in the Child – Choking happens when an object such as a piece of food is lodged in the airway.

Choking Relief – Abdominal Thrusts (or Heimlich)

Choking Relief – Abdominal Thrusts (or Heimlich) – It is important to remember that abdominal thrusts are only performed if the person is conscious.

Caring for the Infant in Distress

Caring for the Infant in Distress – Similar to children, infants are more likely to have an underlying respiratory problem that leads them to become unconscious.

CPR in Infant (30 Days to 12 Months)

CPR in Infant (30 Days to 12 Months) – If you have no training in CPR, you can still provide CPR without rescue breathing (hands only) in which you provide compressions without stopping and do not give rescue breaths.

Compressions

Compressions – Remember to push fast and strong when providing compressions to an infant, as you would for a child or adult.

Giving Breaths

Giving Breaths – Like children, emergencies in infants are usually secondary to respiratory arrest. Therefore, in the Pediatric Survival Chain, the provider should focus on prevention.

Mouth-Mask Respirations

Mouth-Mask Respirations – It is best to use a pocket mask if you have one available.

Contacting Emergency Services (911)

Contacting Emergency Services (911) – Make sure that both you and the infant are safe.

Choking in the Infant

Choking in the Infant – Choking happens when an object such as a piece of food is lodged in the airway.

Choking Relief

Choking Relief – It is important to remember that back blows/chest thrusts are performed in conscious infants.

The CPR/AED & First Aid Certification Exam

The CPR/AED & First Aid Certification Exam – The CPR, AED & First Aid Certification Exam requires a passing score of 80%.