FIRST AID EDUCATION

Characteristics of a Good First Aider

OBJECTIVES  A good first aider must be gentle, resourceful, observant,
At the end of this TOPIC, the learners are expected to: tactful, sympathetic, consoling, and respectful. He/She
should maximize the use of materials at hand, know how
1. explain the meaning and principles of first aid to improvise and how to assess the situation and the
education; victim properly, and exhibit professionalism. Moreover,
2. hone and apply first aid skills during emergency he/she must not cause further harm by making the victim
situations; and panic.

3. participate actively in the delivery of first aid The roles and responsibilities of a first aider are as follows:
services. 1. Since the first aider does not perform the functions of a
doctor or compete with the latter, he/she immediately
transfers the medical task and care of the victim to a
First Aid qualified physician who comes to the rescue.
2. He/She ensures the safety of bystanders.
 First aid is the immediate treatment using available facilities 3. He/She assesses the condition of the victim.
or materials and given to an injured or ill person while 4. He/She identifies the risks or threats to the victim’s life.
waiting for medical assistance to arrive. It includes either 5. He/She calls for medical assistance as needed.
emergency measures for life-threatening conditions which 6. He/She provides the immediate and necessary care.
require further medical attention or care for less serious 7. He/She assists the medical personnel.
injuries which may be adequately treated on the spot. As an 8. He/She records the situation, care given, etc.
urgent care given to an injured or unexpectedly ill person,
first aid also involves home care and self-care if medical General Directions for First Aid
assistance is delayed or not available.
 A first aider may encounter various problem situations.
First Aider His/Her decisions and actions depend on the circumstances
that cause the accident or sudden illness; the number of
 The first aider deals with the whole situation involving the persons involved; the immediate environment; and the
patient and the injury or illness. The Philippine National Red availability of medical assistance, emergency equipment, and
Cross (PNRC) conducts trainings for people who like to help from others. The first aider needs to adapt to the
become first aiders. If interested parties are physically and situation at hand and improvise as necessary.
mentally fit, they can go to their local PNRC chapter and  The first aider should keep two fundamental things in mind.
register for free. The one-week training focuses on basic first One, he/she must determine the best way of rescue such as
aid and provides the needed medical kit. removing the victim from water, fire, or a place filled with
 carbon monoxide or smoke. Two, he/she must ensure that
the victim has an open airway and must administer mouth-
to-mouth or mouth-to-nose artificial respiration if necessary,
including controlling severe bleeding.
 Unless it is safe to do so, the victim should not be moved at
once. He/She should be kept in the position best suited to
his/her condition or injury. The victim should not be allowed
to get up or walk around.
 The first aider, in turn, is not expected to explain the victim’s
probable condition to bystanders or even to reporters.
He/She is expected, however, to remain in charge until the
victim can be placed in the care of qualified persons, for
example, a physician, an ambulance crew, a squad, or a
police officer; the victim can take care of himself/ herself; or
the victim can be taken care of by relatives. Above all, the
first aider should know the limits of his/her capabilities.
He/She must make minimal effort to avoid further injury to
the victim in his/her attempt to provide the best possible
emergency first aid care.

Basic Life Support

Life support is a series of emergency life-saving procedures that are
carried out to prolong the life of a victim. It is classified under three
types:
1. Basic life support is an emergency procedure that consists of
recognizing respiratory or cardiac arrest or both and the
proper application of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
to maintain life until a victim recovers or advanced cardiac
life support can be administered.
2. Advanced cardiac life support is the use of special
equipment to maintain the breathing and blood circulation of
the victim.
3. Prolonged life support is the post-resuscitation and long-term
resuscitation.
Chain Of Survival
1. The first link or early access is initiated immediately after
the patient collapses. It entails calling the local emergency
number as quickly as possible and giving the hotline as much
vital information as you can about the emergency.
2. The second link or early CPR is initiated while waiting for
the arrival of emergency medical services (EMS) personnel
who are trained to provide care. The probability of survival
approximately doubles when it is done before the arrival of
the EMS.
3. The third link or early defibrillation is most likely to improve
survival. It is the key intervention to increase the chance of
survival of the patient outside without hospital care.
4. The fourth link or early advance care is provided by highly
trained EMS personnel and paramedics who monitor the
patient closely on the way to the hospital.
5. Note that the immediate aims of the first aider are to ease the
pain, prevent further harm or danger, and extend the life of
the victim. Furthermore, the first aider must eradicate the
hindrances in giving the initial intervention such as the
surroundings, curious and unruly crowd, the victim’s
 relatives, panic, pressure, etc. It must be remembered that the (6) the identity of the person who activates the medical
safety percentage for the first aider is 80% and that for the assistance.
victim is 20%.
Emergency rescue is the quick transfer of a patient from an
unsafe place to a safe place. The indications for emergency
What is an Emergency? rescue are:
 Emergency is the sudden onset of medical or surgical 1. Danger of fire or explosion
severity that, in the absence of immediate medical attention, 2. Risk of toxic gases or asphyxia due to lack of oxygen
could reasonably and expectedly result in serious danger to 3. Serious traffic hazards
health or impairment of bodily functions. 4. Risk of drowning
5. Danger of electrocution
Emergency Action Principles 6. Danger of collapsing walls
• The scene must be surveyed entirely. Is the scene safe?
What happened? How many were injured? Are there Methods of Rescue
bystanders who can help? The first aider must get the 1. For immediate rescue without any assistance, drag or
consent to give care; check for responsiveness such as pull the victim.
alertness, verbal response, pain stimuli, and 2. Most of the drags/carries/lifts and other transfer
unresponsiveness; and protect the spine, if necessary. methods can be used as methods of rescue.
• To activate medical assistance, the first aider can do
care first or call first, especially in cardio-related Transfer is moving a patient from one place to another
problem—adult and care first, and in respiratory after giving first aid. The factors to consider in choosing the
problem—child and infant. A bystander can be transfer method are as follows:
requested to call a physician. 1. Nature and severity of the injury

Take note of the following in activating medical assistance: 2. Size of the victim
(1) situation of the person injured; 3. Physical capabilities of the first aider
(2) location;
(3) number of persons injured; 4. Number of personnel and equipment available
(4) extent of injury and first aid given; 5. Nature of evacuation route
(5) telephone number from where you are calling; and
6. Distance to be covered
 7. Gender of the victim cloth drag, feet drag, and inclined drag (head first in
passing a stairway).
2. Two-man assists such as assist to walk, four-hand seat,
The following guidelines must be followed during transfer: hands as a litter, carry by extremities, and fireman’s
carry with assistance.
1. Victim’s airway must be maintained open. 3. Three-man assists such as bearers alongside (for narrow
2. Hemorrhage is controlled. alleys) and hammock carry.
3. Victim is safely maintained in the correct position.
4. The victim’s condition is regularly checked.
5. S u p p o r t i n g b

applied.
6. The method of transfer is safe, comfortable, and as
speedy as circumstances permit.
7. The patient’s body is moved as one unit.
8. The taller first aiders stay at the head side of the Ankle Pull
victim. The ankle pull is the fastest method for moving a victim a short
9. First aiders/bearers must observe ergonomics in distance over a smooth surface. This is not a preferred method
lifting and moving the patient. pf patient movement.
 Grasp the victim by both ankles or pant cuffs.
Methods of Transfer  Pull with your legs, not your back.
 Keep your back as straight as possible
1. One-man assists/carries/drags such as assist to walk,  Try to keep the pull as straight and in-line as possible.
carry in arms, carry in a pack-strap method, carry in a  Keep aware that the head is unsupported and may
fireman’s way, blanket drag, armpit/shoulder drag, bounce over bumps and surface imperfections.
  Rescuer 1 squats at the victim’s head and grasps the
victim from behind at the midsection.
 Rescuer 2 squats between the victim’s knees, grasping
the outside of the knees.
 Both rescuers rise to a standing position.

Chairs Carry
This is a good method for carrying victims up and down stairs
or through narrow or uneven areas.
 Pick the victim up and place them or have them sit in a
chair. Two Handed Seat
 The rescuer at the head grasps the chair from the sides This technique is for carrying a victim to the longer distances.
of the back, palms in. This technique can support an unconscious victim.
 The rescuer at the head then tilts the chair back onto its
rear legs.  Pick up the victim by having both rescuers squat down
 For short distances or stairwells, the second rescuer on either side of the victim.
should face in and grasp the chair legs  Reach under the victim’s shoulders and under their
 For longer distances, the knees.
second rescuer should separate  Grasp the other rescuer’s wrists.
the victim’s legs, back into the  From the squat, with good lifting technique, stand.
chair and, on the command of  Walk in the direction that the victim is facing.
the rescuer at the head, both
rescuers stand using their legs.

Two Persons Carry (by arms and

legs)
 Single rescuer to lift a victim safely by arm carry.
 Rescuer holding the victim around the victim’s back and
under the knees.

Fire Fighters Carry

This technique is for carrying a victim longer distances. It is
very difficult to get the person up to this position from the
ground. Getting the victim into position requires a very strong Blanket Drag
rescuer or an assistant. This is the preferred method for dragging a victim from confined
 The victim is carried over one shoulder. area.
 The rescuer’s arm, on the side that the  Place the victim on the blanket by using the “logroll” or the
victim is being carried, is wrapped across three-person lift.
the victim’s legs and grasps the victim’s  The victim is placed with the head approx. 2 ft. from one
opposite arm. corner of the blanket.
 Wrap the blanket corners around the victim.
 Keep your back as straight as possible.
 Use your legs, not your back.
 Try to keep the pull as straight and in-line as possible.

Shoulder Pull
One Person Arm Carry
The shoulder pull is preferred to the ankle pull. It supports the The importance of first aid is hard to overestimate. Among the major
head of the victim. The negative is that it requires the rescuer to benefits of first aid are the ff.:
bend over at the waist while pulling.  Providing quick medical treatment until professional
 Grasp the victim by the clothing under the shoulders. assistance arrives.
 First aid helps ensure that the right methods of
 Keep your arms on both sides of the head.
administering medical assistance are provided.
 Support the head.
 Knowledge in first aid also benefits the individuals
 Try to keep the pull as straight and on-line as possible. themselves.
 It affords people with the ability to provide help during
various emergency situations

FIRST AID BANDAGING

One Person Pack-Strap

Carry
This method is better for longer distances to lift a victim safely.
 Place both the victim’s arms over your shoulders.
 Cross the victim’s arms, grasping the victim’s opposite
wrist.
 Pull the arms close to your chest.
 Squat slightly and drive your hips into the victim while
bending slightly at the waist.
 Balance the load on your hips and support the victim
with your legs.

Bandages and Bandaging Techniques

Imporatnce of First Aid:
  Bandages and dressings are both used in wound or fracture  Start at the armpit.
management. A bandage is a piece of cloth or other material  Cross-over at injured shoulder
used to bind or wrap a diseased, injured, or fractured part of  Tie at the opposite armpit (side of front)
the body. Usually shaped as a strip or pad, bandages are
either placed directly against the wound or used to bind a
fracture of the body.

Underarm Sling

 Same procedure as arm sling except that the lower end of the
base is tucked under the injured arm.
 Secure end of base and apex with a square knot the center
indention at the back.

BANDAGING
Bandages have three key uses:applying pressure to bleeding wounds;
covering wounds and burns; and providing support and
immobilization for broken bones’ sprains, and strains. These includes
gauze, triangular, elastic, and tubular bandage.
Arm Sling

 Place folded base

vertically over
Shoulder Armpit Cravat  One arm, with pointed directly under the elbow of injured
arm
  Lower ends of base at the side of the neck using a square  Bring ends up and across each other in overlapping spiral
knot turns. Continue one end end up arm and the other end down
 Make a several twist with apex and tie a knot forearm.
 Hide the knot  Bring ends to front of elbow and tie.

Chest Bandage Hand Bandage

 Apex at the shoulder of injured part  Place the hand in the middle of the triangular bandage with
 Pull back folded base and secure with square knot at the the wrist at the base of the
center indention of the back.  Place the apex over the fingers and tuck any excess material
 Knot/tie longer end with apex into the pleats on each side of the hand
 Cross the ends on top of the hand, take them around the
wrist, and tie the with a square knot.

Cravat for Elbow

 Bend arm at elbow and place center of cravat at point of

elbow
  Ask casualty to try not to move eyes.
 Place sterile pad or dressing over injured eye.
 Ask casualty to hold this in place
 Bandage dressing in place, covering injured eye.
Cravat Bandage for the Eye  If penetrating eye injury, lie casualty on back, place pad
 Lay center of the first cravat over top of the front end falling around object and bandage in place.
over uninjured eye.
 Bring second cravat around head, over eyes, and over loose Cravat Bandage for the Cheek or Ears
ends of first cavat. Tie in front.  Use wide cravat. Start with the middle of the cravat
 Bring ends of first cravat back over top of head, tying there over the compress covering the cheek or the ear.
and pulling second cravat up and away form uninjured eye.  Carry one end over the top of the head and the other
under the chin.
 Cross the ends at the opposite side.
 Bring the short end back around the forehead and the
long end around the back of the head.
 Tie them down over the compress

Eye Injury & Bandaging Cravat for the Forearm, Arm, Leg and Thigh
A penetrating eye injury is usually caused by a sharp object  Place center of cravat over the dressing
which has gone in, or protruding from the eye.  Begin ascending turns with upper end and descending
WARNING: turns with lower end, with each turn covering two-third
 Do not touch the eye or any contact lens. of preceding turn until dressing is covered.
 Do not allow casualty to rub eye.  Terminate by tying both ends in square knot.
 Do not try to remove any object which is penetrating
the eye.
 Do not apply pressure when bandaging the eye. First Aid: Injuries and Accidents
Bandaging: Characteristics of a Good First Aider
 Support casualty’s head to keep it as still as possible.
  Observant – notice all signs  Nausea
 Resourceful – make best use of all things  Weakness
 Gentle – shouldn’t cause pain  Paleness
 Tactful – shouldn’t be alarming  Ringing in the ears
 Sympathetic – should be comforting  Blurred vision
First Aid

Fracture The major principles of open-wound treatment are to:

 a medical condition in which there is a break in the  Control bleeding

continuity of the bone. A bone fracture can be the result - Direct pressure
of high force impact or stress, or trivial injury as a - Elevation
result of certain medical conditions that weaken the  Prevent further contamination of the wound (wound
bones dressing & bandaging)
 Immobilize the injured part
First Aid  Stabilize any impaled object
 Initial treatment for fractures of the arms, legs, hands  Sit down and lean forward slightly.
and feet in the field include splinting the extremity in  Pinch the lower part of the nose for 10 minutes while
the position it is found, elevation and ice. breathing through the mouth
Immobilization will be very helpful with initial pain  Release nostrils slowly, repeat procedure if bleeding
control. continue.
 Do not touch or blow the nose for about 24 hrs. Do not
Conditions Requiring First Aid
pact the affected nostrils with cotton.
Fainting  Bring patient to hospital if necessary
 Lay the person flat on the ground. Elevate the legs to
 caused by a sudden fall in the supply of blood to their
coax more blood into your brain.
brain that results in the temporary loss of
 If person is on chair, push his head down between his
consciousness.
knees.
Signs & Symptoms
 Loosen tight clothing.
 Sweating
 Dizziness  Avoid crowding the patient.
 Call a doctor if necessary.
The immediate care given to a person/victim who has suddenly  Puncture wounds – caused by an object puncturing the
become ill or has been injured. skin, such as a nail or needle.
 Avulsion wounds – this is a wound that occurs due to
the integrity of any tissue is compromised.
Closed Wound
Basic First Aid for Open Wounds
The types of closed wounds are:
1. Cover the wound – a clean cloth over the wound will
 Contusions – more commonly known as bruises, help protect against infection (replace with new cloth
caused by a blunt force trauma that damages tissue periodically)
under the skin. 2. Stop the bleeding – apply direct pressure with a thick
 Strained Muscles – over- stretching of muscles that clean cloth (using latex gloves if possible). Use
have not been sufficiently warmed-up (could be called tourniquet if bleeding is severe.
“cold” muscles). 3. Elevate the wound above heart – use gravity to slow
 Sprained Ligament – sudden force causing joint to down the blood loss
move beyond its natural range of movement e.g. to 4. Pressure Point – used if direct pressure along with or
break one’s fall at speed during an activity such as ice- elevation don’t work.
skating

Wounds
Open Wounds Opend wounds
Some types of open wounds include:
 A break in the skin’s surface that results in external
 Incisions – caused by a clean, sharp-edged objects such bleeding and may allow bacteria to enter the body that
as knife, a razor or a glass splinter. can cause infection
 Lacerations – rough, irregular wounds caused by 1. Abrasion – the top layer of the skin removed
crushing or ripping forces. 2. Laceration – a cut skin with jagged, irregular edges
 Abrasions (grazes) – a superficial wound in which the and caused by a forceful tearing away of skin tissue.
topmost layers of the skin are scraped off, often caused 3. Incisions – smooth edges and resembles a surgical or
by a sliding fall onto a rough surface. paper cut.
 4. Punctures – deep, narrow wounds such as a stab  Put the wrapped amputated part in a plastic bag or other
wound from a nail or a knife in the skin and underlying waterproof container
organs.  Keep the amputated part cool, but do not freeze
5. Avulsion – flap of skin is torn loose and is either o Place the bag or container with the wrapped part
hanging from the body or completely removed. on a bed of ice
6. Amputation – cutting or tearing off of a body part such  Seek medical attention immediately
as finger, toe, hand, foot, arm, leg, etc.
Wounds Care ACTION PLAN
 Assess the situation
 Remove small objects that do not flush out by irrigation  Safety of yourself and the casualty
with sterile tweezers.  Assess the casualty
 If bleeding restarts, apply direct pressure.  Treat the casualty
 Use roller bandages (or tape dressing to the body)  Arrange the removal of the casualty to hospital or safe
 Keep dressings dry and clean area
 Change the dressing daily, or more often if it gets wet  Write a report / Communicate the status
or dirty.

Amputation
What to Do:
 Control the bleeding
 Treat the victim for shock
 Recover the amputated part and whenever possible take
it with the victim
To care for the amputated body part:
 The amputated part does not need to be cleaned
 Wrap the amputated part with a dry sterile gauze or
other clean cloth