Key Concepts:
Vocabulary: first aid, Good Samaritan laws, universal precautions
Providing First Aid
First Steps in an Emergency
Main Idea: The three steps for responding to an emergency are check, call, and care.
Ifyou ever find yourselfin an emergency-like a car crash, a hurricane, or even a terrorist attack-would you know what to do? In a situation like this, knowing first aid could save someone’s life. First aid is the immediate, temporary caregiven to an ill or injured person until professional medical care can be provided. In the seconds and minutes right after an emergency strikes, first aid can mean the difference between life and death. By learning and using proper first-aid procedures,you can help prevent victims from suffering further injury and reduce the number ofvictims who die.
Recognizing an emergency is the first step in responding to it. The next step is to check the scene to make sure it’s safe for you to respond. Look out for hazards such as downed electrical lines or oncoming traffic that might put your own life at risk if you approach. Remember, you can’t help the other person if you become injured yourself. Once you’ve determined that the scene is safe, you can follow the three Cs of emergency care.
The three Cs include these steps:
Check the victim. A victim who is unconscious or has a life-threatening condition (for example someone who is not breathing) needs immediate care. Only move the victim if he or she is in direct physical danger or if you must move the victim in order to provide lifesaving care.
Call 911 or your local emergency number. If the victim is in need of immediate care, get someone else at the scene to call 911 while you provide first aid. Ifno one else is present, make the call yourself. Emergency operators may be able to talk you through the steps ofhelping the victim. Stay on the line until help arrives.
Care for the victim. If possible, get the victim’s permission before giving first aid. Ifthe victim refuses help, respect this decision. However, if the victim can’t speak to give permission, don’t hesitate to provide care. Most states have Good Samaritan laws-statutes that protect rescuers from being sued for giving emergency care.
Universal Precautions
One risk of giving first aid is that blood and other body fluids can carry pathogens, including the viruses that cause AIDS and hepatitis B. Health care workers follow universal precautions-steps taken to prevent the spread-of disease through blood and other body fluids when providing first aid or health care. These steps require people who provide first aid or medical care to treat all body fluids as if they could carry disease. Universal precautions include:
First Aid for Bleeding
Main Idea:The steps for treating bleeding depend on the type of injury and how severe it is.
Minor injuries that cause bleeding, such as small cuts and scrapes, can usually be treated at home. Severe bleeding, however, can be a life-threatening emergency. The appropriate first aid for bleeding depends on what type of wound you are dealing with and how severe the bleeding is.
Types of Open Wounds
Open wounds are injuries in which the skin is broken. Types of open wounds include the following:
Abrasions, also known as scrapes. These occur when the skin is scraped against a hard surface, bursting the tiny blood vessels in the outer layer of skin. The chief danger with this type ofwound is that dirt and bacteria can pen- etrate the skin. It’s important to clean the wound well to prevent infection and speed healing.
Lacerations. These are cuts caused by a sharp object slicing through layers of skin. Minor lacerations can be treated at home, but medical care is needed for deep cuts, cuts that won’t stop bleeding, and cuts on the face and neck. These wounds may require stitches. A tetanus booster may also be needed.
Punctures. A puncture wound is a small but deep hole caused by a sharp and narrow object (such as a nail) that pierces the skin. Puncture wounds do not usually cause heavy bleeding, but they do carry a high risk of infection, including tetanus infection. If a puncture wound is deep, dirty, or in the foot, see a doctor. The victim may need a tetanus shot or booster.
Avulsions. An avulsion occurs when skin or tissue is partly or completely torn away. Such wounds usually require stitches. I a body part, such as a finger, is partly or completely separated from the body, seek emergency medical care right away. If possible, wrap the severed body part in a cold, moist towel to preserve the tissue; doctors may be able to reattach it.
Follow these steps to control the bleeding:
If possible, raise the wounded body part above the level of the heart.
Cover the wound with sterile gauze or a clean cloth.
Press the palm ofyour hand firmly against the gauze. Apply steady pressure to the wound for five minutes or until help arrives. Do not stop to check the wound; you may interrupt the clotting of the blood.
If blood soaks through the gauze, add another gauze pad on top of the first and continue to apply pressure.
Once the bleeding slows or stops, secure the pad firmly in place with a bandage, strips ofgauze, or other material. The pad should be snug, but not so tight that you can’t feel the victim’s pulse.
If you can’t stop the bleeding after five minutes, or if the wound starts bleeding again, call for medical help (ifyou have not done so already). Continue to apply pressure to the wound until help arrives.
Certain types of injuries can cause internal bleeding- blood from a damaged blood vessel entering one of the body’s cavities. Internal bleeding is difficult to detect. However, bleeding from the eyes, nose, mouth, or ears may be a sign that internal bleeding is occurring. Internal bleeding requires emergency care, so call for help right away. While waiting for help to arrive, you can take steps to prevent the victim from going into shock.
First Aid for Burns
Main Idea: Treatment for burns depends on the severity of the burn.
Burns can occur in a variety of ways. Burns caused by heat are the most common type. They may occur as a result of exposure to flame, touching a hot object such as a stove, scalding with hot water or steam, or overexposure to the sun.Burns can also result from exposure to electricity and to certain chemicals, such as bleach. Electrical and chemical burns require special first-aid procedures.
The figure shows how to distinguish the different types of burns. First-degree burns and small second-degree burns considered minor and can be treated with these steps:
Cool the burned area by holding it under cold, running water for at least five minutes. Ifthis isn’t possible, immerse the burned area in cool water or wrap it in cold, wet cloths. Do not use ice, which may cause frostbite and further damage the skin.
Cover the burn loosely with a sterile gauze bandage.
3. The victim may take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Make sure the victim isn’t allergic to the medication.
4. Minor burns usually heal without further treatment, though the skin may be discolored. If signs of infection develop-including increased pain, redness, fever, swelling, or oozing-seek medical help.
Some second-degree burns and all third-degree burns require immediate medical care. Call 911 and provide first aid until help arrives. Cover the burned area with a clean, moist cloth, but do not remove burned clothing unless it is still smoldering. Do not immerse a large burned area in cold water; the victim could go into shock. Be prepared to give first aid for shock or loss of circulation (see Lesson 2).
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