First Aid Part I

FIRST AID

• interventions to provide gap
• immediate care given to persons who has been injured or suddenly taken ill.
• words of encouragement, evidence of willingness to help, promotion of confidence.

3 groups - Victims, rescuers, bystanders

Concept of Protection:

• mouth barrier/guard
• basic first aid techniques and not medical treatment
• comfort, safety and well-being

Objectives:

• alleviate suffering
• prevent added/further injury or danger
• prolong life

Good First Aider: gentle, resourceful, observant, tactful, empathetic, respectable, compassionate

Hindrances:

• unfavorable surroundings
• the presence of crowds
• pressure for victim or relatives

Transmission of Diseases:

• Direct contact
• indirect contact
• airborne
• vector-borne

Body Substance Isolation (BSI) : infection control concept and practice that assumes that all body fluids are potentially infectious.

• proper hand washing
• personal protective equipment
• equipment cleaning and disinfecting

First Aid Kit contains: antiseptic (Betadine), cotton swabs (sterile), gauze pads (sterile and non-sterile, assorted sizes), adhesive strips (band-aid, assorted sizes), occlusive dressing, triangular bandages, elastic roller bandages (assorted sizes), gloves, bandage scissors, forceps, tongue depressors, penlight with batteries, instant cold packs.

Guidelines in Giving First Aid

• Know what to do. First A - ask for help; I - intervene; D - do no further harm.
• Emergency action principles:

1. Survey the scene.
2. Do primary survey of the victim. In life threatening conditions, do ABC (Airway, Breathing and Circulation).
3. Activate medical help. Call 911. Provide name, nature of emergency, no. of victims, victims injuries and first aid given, hazards and other special situations. Hang up last.
   
4. Do secondary survey of the victim. Interview, check vital signs, head-to-toe examinations.