FIRST AID

Definition of First-Aid
“Help given to a sick or injured person
until full medical treatment is available”

Aims of First-Aid
 Preserve life
 Prevent further harm

First Aid Training 2

 Managing an unresponsive patient

Check for pulse and breathing

If present If not present

Put him in to recovery or 3/4th prone Initiate CPR

position

First Aid Training 3

 Managing an unresponsive patient

• When the victim does not respond to oral

commands, he is considered as
UNRESPONSIVE PATIENT

Begin examination and proceed by checking (CAB)

[Link]
2. Airway
3 .Breathing

First Aid Training 5

 "C" is for CIRCULATION
• In order to determine if the victim's heart is
beating, place two fingertips on his carotid
artery, located in the depression between the
windpipe and the neck muscles (Figure 1),
and apply slight pressure for several seconds.
 Circulation is known
• .

First Aid Training 8

• If there is no pulse then the victim's
heart is not beating, and you will have
to perform chest compressions
 No Breathing
•Administer CPR:
– Lay the person on his or her back
– Give chest compressions
– Tilt head slightly
– Breathe into the person’s mouth
– Continue until EMS personnel arrive

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 1110

 COMPRESSIONS

• When performing chest compressions,

proper hand placement is very important.
To locate the correct hand position place
two fingers at the sternum (the spot where
the lower ribs meet) then put the heel of
your other hand next to your fingers.
• Push fast 100/min Push continuously Do not
interrupt for > 10 seconds (when mouth
breathing cannot be done)
• Place one hand on top of the other and
interlace the fingers.
• Lock your elbows and using your body's
weight, compress the victim’s chest.
• The depth of compressions should be
approximately 1½ to 2 inches -
remember: 2 hands, 2 inches.
• Count aloud as you compress 30 times at the
rate of about 3 compressions for every 2
seconds.
• Finish the cycle by giving the victim 2 breaths.
• This process should be performed four times –
30 compressions and 2 breaths - after which
remember to check the victim's carotid artery
for pulse and any signs of consciousness.
• If you feel or hear slight cracking sound,
you may be pressing too hard. Do not
become alarmed and do not stop your
rescue efforts! Damaged cartilage or
cracked ribs are far less serious than a
lost life. Simply apply less pressure as
you continue compressions.
 "A" is for AIRWAY
• If the victim is unconscious and is unresponsive, you
need to make sure that his airway is clear of any
obstructions. The breaths may be faint and shallow
- look, listen and feel for any signs of
breathing. If you determine that the victim is not
breathing, then something may be blocking his air
passage.
• The tongue is the most common airway obstruction
in an unconscious person.
• With the victim lying flat on his back, place
your hand on his forehead and your other
hand under the tip of the chin
• Gently tilt the victim's head backward. In this
position the weight of the tongue will force it
to shift away from the back of the throat,
opening the airway
Airway is established by-----
Head tilt & chin lift method

First Aid Training 19

 "B" is for BREATHING
• With the victim's airway clear of any
obstructions, gently support his chin so as to
keep it lifted up and the head tilted back.
Pinch his nose with your fingertips to prevent
air from escaping once you begin to ventilate
and place your mouth over the victim's,
creating a tight seal.
Breathing is assessed by LLF Principle

Look
Listen
Feel

First Aid Training 21

• As you assist the person in breathing,
keep an eye on his chest. Try not to
over-inflate the victim's lungs as this
may force air into the stomach, causing
him to vomit.
• If this happens, turn the person's head
to the side and sweep any obstructions
out of the mouth before proceeding.
• Give two full breaths. Between each
breath allow the victim's lungs to relax -
place your ear near his mouth and listen
for air to escape and watch the chest fall
as the victim exhales
CPR Procedure in children

First Aid Training 25

 HOW CPR WORKS
• The air we breathe in travels to our lungs
where oxygen is picked up by our blood and
then pumped by the heart to our tissue and
organs. When a person experiences cardiac
arrest the heart goes from a normal beat to
an arrhythmic pattern called ventricular
fibrillation, and eventually ceases to beat
altogether.
 HOW CPR WORKS (contd)
• This prevents oxygen from circulating
throughout the body, rapidly killing cells
and tissue.
• CPR is an artificial way of providing
‘fresh’ blood to the vital organs of a
victim till medical help arrives / victim
reaches hospital.
 HOW CPR WORKS (contd)
• This prevents oxygen from circulating
throughout the body, rapidly killing cells
and tissue.
• CPR is an artificial way of providing
‘fresh’ blood to the vital organs of a
victim till medical help arrives / victim
reaches hospital.
• CPR may not save the victim even when
performed properly, but if started
within 4 minutes of cardiac arrest and
defibrillation is provided within 10
minutes, a person has a 40% chance of
survival.
 CPR TIME LINE

• 0-4 mins. brain damage unlikely

• 4-6 mins. brain damage possible
• 6-10 mins. brain damage probable
• Over 10 mins. probable brain death
Choking - back blows

First Aid Training 32

 Choking

What you will see:

• difficulty with speaking or breathing (mild
obstruction)
• unable to speak or breathe (complete obstruction)
• red-purple colour around the neck and the face
• pointing to or grasping the mouth or throat.
Causes of choking 2/7

– Obstruction
• Mass of food or foreign body such as artificial teeth
etc in the air passage.
• Tongue falling back in an unconscious patient.
• Swelling of tissues of the throat and as a result of
scalding ( boiling water) or injury, burns and
corrosive.
 First-Aid in case of choking
1. Give Back Blows

– Give up to 5 blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your

hand.

2. If Person Is Still Choking, Do Thrusts

– Stand behind the person and wrap your arms around the waist.

– Place your clenched fist just above the person’s navel. Grab your fist

with your other hand.

– Quickly pull inward and upward.

– Continue cycles of 5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrusts until the

object is coughed up or First

theAidperson
Training starts to breathe or cough. 36
 Choking- Abdominal thrusts
Called as HEIMLICH PROCEDURE

First Aid Training 37

Choking - back blows

First Aid Training 39

First-Aid in case of
electric shock

First Aid Training 40

 First-Aid in case of electric shock

• Do NOT touch the victim with your bare hands, or else the
electric current will pass through you as well.

• First step is to switch off the current source

• If you are barefoot, stand on some clothes or any non-

conductive material like wood or paper. Make sure you are
not standing on anything that is wet.

• Otherwise, move the source using a dry wooden stick

First Aid Training 41
First-Aid in case of electric shock

• Attend to the victim Check for breathing No

breathing, do CPR
• If there is burn , fracture give first aid

• Refer to higher centers in complicated cases

First Aid Training 42

 First-Aid in case of drowning
• Take the person out of the water

• Check for ABC

• The wet clothes should be removed immediately

• Keep him warm by covering with a blanket.

• Remove debris from mouth and pharynx

• Put him in recovery position to drain water from

nose , mouth and pharynx.
First Aid Training 43
 • POISONING
• BY SWALLOWING
• BY INHALATION

First Aid Training 44

Poisoning by swallowing

• Check for ABC

• If the person vomits, clear the person's airway

• The person should be rolled onto one side

• remove the clothing and flush the skin with water.

First Aid Training 45

 Inhalation poisoning
• Call for emergency help. Never attempt to rescue a
person without notifying others first.

• Open windows and doors to let out the fumes.

• Hold a wet cloth over your nose and mouth.

• Do not light a match

• Check for Airway, Breathing & Circulation(ABC)

• Even if the person seems perfectly fine, get medical

help.

• Move the person against wind direction

First Aid Training 46
 Shock
– Lay the victim down
– Cover
– Raise feet

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 1110

 SYMPTOMS OF SHOCK
• DAZED LOOK
• SWEATING
• DILATED PUPILS
• SHORT BREATHS
• WEAK, RAPID PULSE
• PALE APPEARANCE
• INCOHERENT
 SHOCK TREATMENT

• POSITION FLAT ON BACK, FEET RAISED (IF NO

HEAD, NECK OR SPINE INJURY SUSPECTED)
• CPR (IF INDICATED AND TRAINED)
• WARM – COVER WITH BLANKET (IF PATIENT
NOT HOT)
• NOTHING BY MOUTH – MAY MOISTEN LIPS
• NEVER GIVE ALCOHOL
 Fainting
– Check for breathing
– Administer CPR if
necessary
– If conscious, lay the
victim down with feet
elevated
 BLEEDING

• BLEEDING - A COMMON CAUSE OF DEATH IN

ACCIDENTS
• CAUSED BY RUPTURE OF BLOOD VESSELS DUE
TO SEVERITY OF INJURY
• EXTERNAL BLEEDING
• INTERNAL BLEEDING
 TYPES

• ARTERIAL BLEEDING
• VENOUS BLEEDING
 SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
• FAINTNESS AND COLLAPSE
• SKIN- PALE AND CLAMMY
• PULSE- RAPID but WEAK
• BREATHING- SHALLOW
• SWEATING- PROFUSE
• THIRST
 Control of Bleeding

ELEVATION
DIRECT PRESSURE

PRESSURE BANDAGE
COLD APPLICATIONS
• FIRST AID IN C/O EXTERNAL BLEEDING
1/2

– BRING THE SIDES OF THE WOUND

TOGETHER AND PRESS FIRMLY
– PLACE CASUALTY IN COMFORTABLE
POSITION
– APPLY CLEAN DRESSING AND MAINTAIN
PRESSURE
• FIRST AID IN C/O EXTERNAL BLEEDING
2/2

– ADD MORE PADS IF REQUIRED, BUT DO

NOT REMOVE PADS APPLIED EARLIER
– BANDAGE FIRMLY but NOT TIGHTLY
– TREAT FOR SHOCK
– TRANSPORT
• BLEEDING FROM EAR, NOSE OR MOUTH –
VIEW SERIOUSLY.
• IT MAY BE FROM SKULL INJURY.
– ASK CASUALTY NOT TO BLOW HIS NOSE
– PACK EAR / NOSE LIGHTLY.
– TRANSPORT IMMEDIATELY
FRACTURES
• A FRACTURE IS A COMPLETE or PARTIAL
BEND, CRACK OR BREAKAGE OF A BONE
FRACTURES
 SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
• PAIN
• TENDERNESS
• SWELLING
• LOSS OF NORMAL MOVEMENTS
• DEFORMITY
• IRREGULARITY OF THE BONE
• CREPITUS
• UNNATURAL MOVEMENT
• If you suspect that the victim has
sustained spinal or neck injury, DO NOT
move or shake him.
• Otherwise, shake the victim gently and
shout "Are you okay?" to see if there is
any response.
• If the victim is someone you know, call
out his name as you shake him.
 MANAGEMENT 1/4

• HANDLE GENTLY
• SEND INFORMATION TO HOSPITAL AND
RELATIVES
• FIRST AID FOR SHOCK
 MANAGEMENT 2/4

• DON’T WASH OPEN FRACTURES

• DON’T HANDLE UNNECESSARILY
• NEVER REDUCE
• NIL ORALLY
 MANAGEMENT 3/4

• STABILISE THE FRACTURE IMMEDIATELY

• STEADY & SUPPORT
• IMMOBILISE
• MANAGEMENT OF NECK AND SPINE FRACTURES
 Fractures
• Immobilize the injured area..

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FRACTURES SPLINTING AND IMMOBILIZING

Splints Magazine

Shirt Flap Shirttail

 Major burns

• Extinguish the flames.

• If person is on fire get them to

drop and roll

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• Burn injuries can be classified as follow:
– Thermal (heat) burns caused by:
• Flames
• Hot objects
• Flammable vapor that ignites
• Steam or hot liquid
– What to Do:
• Stop the burning
– Remove victim from burn source
– If open flame, smother with blanket, coat or similar
item, or have the victim roll on ground.
• Determine the depth (degree) of the burn
 First-Aid in case of minor burns
• let the water run over the burnt area for as
long as you can

 Cover the burnt area with a cool,

moist (if possible sterile) dressing

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TREATMENT

1. TREATMENT SHOULD BEGIN

IMMEDIATELY TO COOL THE
AREA OF THE BURN. THIS WILL
HELP ALLEVIATE PAIN.
2. REMOVE ANY HOT OR BURNED
CLOTHING.
 Wash the area thoroughly with plain
soap and water. Dry the area with a clean
towel. You should not attempt to manage
blisters but should seek competent medical
help.
 FLAME
A. REMOVE THE PERSON FROM THE SOURCE OF THE HEAT.

B. IF CLOTHES ARE BURNING, MAKE THE PERSON LIE DOWN

TO KEEP SMOKE AWAY FROM THEIR FACE.

C. USE WATER, BLANKET OR ROLL THE PERSON ON THE

GROUND TO SMOTHER THE FLAMES.

D. MANAGE THE PERSONS AIRWAY, AS ANYONE WITH A FLAME

BURN SHOULD BE CONSIDERED TO HAVE AN INHALATION
INJURY.
 ELECTRICAL BURNS

Are thermal injuries resulting from high

intensity heat. The skin injury area may
appear small, but the underlying tissue
damage may be extensive. Additionally,
there may be brain or heart damage or
musculoskeletal injuries associated with the
electrical injuries.
a. Safely remove the person from the source
of the electricity. Do not become a victim.
b. Check their Airway, Breathing and
Circulation and if necessary begin CPR. If
the victim is breathing, place them on their
side to prevent airway obstruction.
c. Due to the possibility of vertebrae injury
secondary to intense muscle contraction,
you should use spinal injury precautions
during resuscitation.
d. Elevate legs to 45 degrees if possible.
e. Keep the victim warm until EMS arrives.
 CHEMICAL BURNS

Most often caused by strong acids or alkalis.

Unlike thermal burns, they can cause
progressive injury until the agent is
inactivated.
Flush the injured area with water while at
the scene of the incident. Don’t delay or
waste time looking for or using a
neutralizing agent. These may in fact
worsen the injury by producing heat or
causing direct injury themselves.
 First-Aid in case of chemical splash

• Flush your eye with water. for at least 20 minutes

• Remove contaminated cloth

• Wash hands and body with water

• Remove contact lenses

• Don't rub the eye — this may cause further damage

• Don't put anything except water

Eye wash bottle First Aid Training 79

FOREIGN BODIES
 Foreign Bodies
• Foreign Body under the Skin.
Thorns, Glass, Iron pieces, Needles etc.

Management
Unless very easy to deal with, DON'T
interfere. Dress the wound, immobilise the
part with splints and get medical aid.
 Eye Injuries
– Splashes
– Particles in eye
– Blow to eye
– Cuts near eye
– Penetrating objects

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 1110

 Foreign Body in the Eye
Wings of insects, dust, coal, metal particles ,
wood particles and loose eyelashes.
Pain and later redness.
Splinters that get lodged in the cornea may
cause severe trouble
Penetrating foreign bodies are a danger to
the eye itself.
 Management
• Avoid rubbing the eye.
• Examine under light.
• Pull the lower lid down. If the foreign body is
floating and not embedded remove it with a
narrow moist swab. The corner of a
handkerchief twisted to a fine point will also
do.
• If the foreign body is not visible, it may be
under the upper eyelid.
• Ask the patient to keep clean water in the
hand and blink briskly into the water.
• If unsuccessful, pull the upper lid forwards,
push the lower lid upwards and let go of both
the lids. The lashes of the lower lid usually
dislodge the foreign body. Try this two or
three times.
• If the foreign body is embedded in the eye,
particularly in the cornea (the black of the
eye), don't touch it.
• Apply a soft pad, ask the patient not to rub
his eye and take him quickly to the hospital.
• Penetrating foreign bodies are easily made out
by bleeding, pain etc. These are for doctors to
handle. Just put a pad on the eye and rush to
the hospital
• When injury with corrosive acid, alkali or
juices from plants are suspected, blinking
eyelids under water a number of times or
flushing with a large quantity of water is the
best thing to do.
• Then apply a soft pad and take the patient to
the hospital at once.
Foreign Body in the Ear
• If the foreign body is an insect, fill the ear with
warm salt water. The insect will float up and
can be removed easily.
• If there is nothing floating up, leave it alone,
don't meddle at all but get the patient to a
doctor as soon as possible.
Foreign Body in the Nose
• Reassure
• Make the patient breathe through the mouth.
• Do NOT try to remove the foreign body.
• Get the patient to a doctor.
ANIMAL BITES
Dog Bite

• Sometimes are very serious.

• Risk of rabies & infection.
• Dog to be kept under observation for a ten-
day period.
• First Aid in a case of dog bite is to prevent
rabies, to reduce the risk of infection and to
get medical aid as soon as possible.
• Management
• Wipe the saliva away from the wound using a clean
cloth or handkerchief. Do not come into contact with
the saliva that gets wiped away.
• Wash the wound thoroughly with plenty of soap
and water.
• Cover the wound with a dry, sterile dressing. Do not
put carbolic acid, nitric acid etc. on the wound.
• Get medical aid or send the patient to the hospital as
soon as possible.
Snake Bite
• There are more than 2500 different kinds of
snakes. Only about 200 of them are
venomous.
• All snake bites are not fatal. Only a very small
quantity of venom may have been injected
and some people may even die not from the
venom but from fear.
• The aim of First Aid is to reassure the person,
take steps to stop the spread of the venom
and to obtain medical aid.
 Snake bite first aid
• Protect the person and others from further
bites
• Keep the person calm and assure

• Immobilization of the affected part

• Arrange for transport to the nearest hospital

• Do not give the person anything to eat or

drink
First Aid Training 96
First-Aid in case of scorpion bite

• Most of the time bites are harmless

• Wash the affected area: If possible, get the site of the sting under cold

water immediately.

• application of ice-packs may reduce pain

• Watch for A Serious Reaction

• Go to the hospital: Because some scorpion stings can be fatal

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SCORPION STING
• Usually not fatal
• More dangerous in children
• Very distressing pain

First aid-
• Reassure
• Wash with soap and water
• Apply ice
• Transport
• DO NOT make wound larger by cutting etc
INSECT BITES, BEE STINGS
• Reassure
• Wash with soap & water
• Look for the sting
• Remove sting by a card / paper
• Transport immediately in case of multiple
stings
• Casualty may suffer allergic reaction
• ABC
First-Aid in case of seizures

Involuntary relaxation and

contraction of long muscles
First Aid Training 100
Epilepsy

• Epilepsy - repeated episodes of convulsions.

• Patients are in danger of hurting themselves
when they fall down, when they bite their
tongue or may either aspirate or even
asphyxiate during the episode.
How to identify a seizure or convulsion?

Minor Seizure
• Pale
• Eyes -fixed and staring
• Unconsciousness for a few seconds. He soon
resumes his work as though nothing has
happened.
Major Seizure
• Aura
• Phase I - Sudden loss of consciousness, fall to the ground. The
patient may cry or scream.
• Phase II - Body becomes rigid for a few seconds and the face
becomes flushed.
• Phase III - The fits begin in full force. The patient may injure
himself by striking himself hard against nearby objects. There
is frothing at the mouth and the tongue may be bitten. The
patient may pass urine or motion during this phase.
• Phase IV - The attack lasts for a few minutes and then the
convulsion stops. The patient appears dazed and confused. He
may lapse into slumber or may act in a strange manner for a
few hours without knowing the exact nature of his actions.
After a few hours he becomes normal again.
 Epileptic Seizures
– Remove victim from
hazards
– Check for breathing
– Keep comfortable
– Keep rolled cloth in btn
upper & lower jaw

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 1110

Management of a Convulsing Patient (1/2)

• Try to keep the patient under control.

• Do not use force to stop the convulsions.
• Remove any objects in the vicinity that may
cause injury to the convulsing patient.
• Prevent tongue bite.
Management of a Convulsing Patient (2/2)

• Wipe the froth from the mouth.

• Follow the general rules for treating an
unconscious patient.
• Watch for recurrence, if any.
• Do not leave the patient until you are sure
that he is aware of his surroundings.
• Advise the patient to see a doctor soon.
CARBON MONOXIDE (lighter than air)
• Car-exhaust fumes, household coal gas, charcoal
stoves, coal mines.
Management
• Ensure circulation of fresh air before entering the
room by opening the doors and windows.
• Before entering the enclosed space take two or
three deep breaths and hold your breath as long as
you can.
• Crawl along the floor (as the gas is lighter than air)
• Remove the casualty as quickly as possible to fresh
air.
• Loosen his clothes at neck and waist and give
artificial respiration, if asphyxiated.
• Dos
• Attend the casualty immediately
• Reassure the casualty and make him
comfortable
• Stop bleeding if any
• Turn the face on one side if vomiting
• Be confident
• Call for help and start CPR if casualty is
unconscious & non-responsive
• Don’ts
• Don’t waste time
• Do not attempt to move patient with an
injured back unless necessary
• Do not feed an unconscious patient
• Do not remove the impacted foreign body like
rod in the body or pencil in the eye
• Do not panic
Match the problem with the correct first-aid procedure.

BLEEDING CPR

CHOKING ELEVATE FEET

NO BREATHING KEEP STILL

HEART ATTACK DIRECT PRESSURE

SHOCK ABDOMINAL THRUSTS