BASIC FIRST AID TECHNIQUES RAPID ASSESSMENT FOR FIRST AID CARE: DIFFICULTY BREATHING, CHOKING, BASIC CPR – PRESSURE WRAP METHOD: These four areas of the body should be surveyed to rapidly assess an injured person. CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION • The pressure wrap in the kit is designed to apply pressure HEAD AND NECK: It is recommended that the untrained person using this manual receive professional instruction in basic cardiac life FIRST AID INSTRUCTIONS to a serious wound to stop bleeding. • If person is unconscious a head or neck injury may be present. Use your hands to support by an official course recognized by the local chapter of the American Heart Association. William W. Forgey, M.D. • Place a sterile gauze pad over the wound and apply check for obvious injuries to scalp, head and neck. DO NOT MOVE NECK IN pressure wrap over gauze pad. UNCONSCIOUS PERSON . If person is unconscious, secure the neck. See FIRST AID AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES. • Recognized by the victim grasping his throat, panicked appearance, and inability to talk. Caused by a foreign object such • Wrap should be tight enough to stop bleeding, yet allow • Check the pupils in the victim’s eyes: normally, they should be reactive to light and as food lodged against the vocal cords obstructing the flow of air into the lungs. Emergency Phone Numbers you to still feel a pulse in the extremity. equal in size. An unequal, large pupil that does not react to light may mean a severe • Usually occurs during eating and can result in unconsciousness, and cardiopulmonary arrest if not relieved. DIAL 911 or: • No need for tape; wrap is self-adherent. life-threatening head injury. PARTIAL OBSTRUCTION Paramedics/ • Do not leave pressure wrap on for more than 10 minutes • If a conscious person complains of neck pain after an accident or trauma, then his neck should be secured. See FIRST AID TECHNIQUES. Recognition: Victim may be able to talk and get some air past the object. There may be wheezes Fire ______________________________________ without loosening. between coughs. Victim is coughing in an attempt to remove the object. Ambulance ______________________________ • Remove dentures, gum or any food from the mouth of an injured person to prevent airway obstruction. Treatment: If the victim has good air exchange, DO NOT attempt to remove the object. Poison SECURING THE HEAD AND NECK Encourage coughing. Call for medical help immediately. Center ___________________________________ • In an unconscious person, or in a person with head or neck injury, keep the neck • Check carotid pulse on ONE SIDE OF THE NECK ONLY. See FIRST AID TECHNIQUES. Personal (Name) _________________________ from moving to prevent damage to the spinal cord; this could cause paralysis. • In a neck injury check person for the presence of normal sensation and the ability to COMPLETE OBSTRUCTION Recognition: Unconsciousness can occur in a few minutes followed by cardiopulmonary arrest. Doctor ___________________________________ • The neck can be made immobile by the following: move fingers and toes. Do not allow victim to move neck. Victim cannot speak or nods yes when asked, “Are you choking?” Victim appears Pharmacist/ 1. Hold the victim’s head steady with your hands. dusky in color and panicky because no air is getting to the lungs. Allergist _________________________________ WOUNDS OF THE HEAD AND NECK: 2. Secure the victim’s body before securing the neck. Treatment: Relative/ The scalp, face and neck will bleed profusely when cut. Scalp wounds are best controlled 3. Place a hard surface under the victim’s back and secure DON’TS • Don’t stick your finger or other object into the victim’s mouth. Friend ___________________________________ head with pressure wrap. with direct pressure. Lacerations of the face are also controllable with direct pressure. • Don’t give victim anything to drink until you are sure the object is swallowed or CAUTION: A pressure wrap must not obstruct breathing Neck wounds too should be controlled with direct pressure. DO NOT wrap pressure removed. or be around neck. dressing around neck! • Don’t interfere if victim is moving air into lungs. ©2005 Sawyer Products 4. In the field, place large rocks or small logs beside victim’s P.O. Box 188, Safety Harbor, FL 34695 An object that is impaled in the head or neck should never be pulled out. Any penetrating DO’s • Call for medical help. neck and secure the head with pressure wrap to prevent object should be left in. Trauma in the face, mouth and nose can result in blood being • If the victim is speaking and moving some air, encourage continued coughing the neck from moving. swallowed or breathed into the airway. A victim with these injuries should be rolled onto and breathing through nose. his side to prevent blood and vomitus from being inhaled into the airway and causing • Ask, “Are you choking?” If the victim cannot answer, then full obstruction exists. CHECKING PULSES aspiration. Rolling the victim on his side should be done only when the neck is secured. BASIC FIRST AID • Apply the abdominal thrust technique: • Wrist Pulse (Radial Artery) Read and familiarize yourself with these aids Head and Neck Injuries to the eye can involve penetration of the eyeball itself or 1. Get behind victim and place your arms around his abdomen. for any emergency. Located on the thumb side of the hand, it can be easily felt using two fingers. superficial wounds. If a chemical injury occurs (SEE REVERSE 2. Make a fist with one hand and place the thumb side of your fist against victim’s The hand is supplied by another large artery, therefore SIDE) then immediate flushing with water is critical or sight may abdomen above the navel and below the ribs. EMERGENCY FIRST AID: injuries to the radial artery do not result in complete loss of be jeopardized. Eye wounds and injuries from foreign objects 3. Grasp your fist with your other hand. blood supply. should be seen by expert medical help. Lightly apply a patch to DO’s AND DON’TS Radial Artery 4. Make quick upward and inward forceful thrusts until the foreign body is the eye and seek medical help. expelled or the patient becomes unconscious. DO’S: FOR VICTIM WHO BECOMES UNCONSCIOUS: • Neck Pulse (Carotid Artery) • 1. Call 911. • 3. Attempt rescue breathing. If unsuccessful, reposition the 1. Remain calm. Panic delays effective Located on each side of the neck just underneath the angle • 2. Open mouth and head and try again. medical care. Carotid Artery of the jaw. sweep deeply with a • 4. If air will not go in, kneel astride the victim’s thighs, place the heel of Can be felt using two fingers. hooked finger in an one hand on the victim’s, abdomen in the midline slightly above the 2. Check airway, breathing, and CHEST AND BACK: Never attempt to feel both sides of the neck arteries at the same • Look for obvious wounds and bruises. attempt to remove navel and well below the ribs, and perform up to five abdominal thrusts. circulation (See CPR). time since this could reduce blood to the brain and cause foreign body. • 5. Repeat steps 2 and 4 until foreign body is removed. fainting. • Watch the pattern of breathing. The chest wall should rise and fall evenly on both sides 3. Check for serious bleeding and shock of the lungs. NOTE: Children are treated the same as adults. (See Shock section on reverse side). Femoral Artery • Feel the chest wall for deformities and pain. AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION IN INFANTS • DON’T attempt to remove obstructing object with fingers • Hold infant head slightly down and give five back blows • Groin Pulse (Femoral Arteries) • Check for back injuries but do not move the victim who is unconscious or who has 4. Maintain body core temperature (See Heat since this may push object further back against airway. between the shoulder blades. and Cold Injuries). Located just below the abdomen next to the genital region. back pain. • Turn infant face up and give five chest thrusts with two The femoral arteries are easily felt in the midline. 5. Check for other injuries as directed by this fingers on the lower half of the sternum (breastbone). guide. WOUNDS OF THE CHEST AND BACK Do not give infant abdominal thrusts. Lacerations or penetrating wounds to the chest or back can penetrate into the lungs and • Repeat if necessary. 6. Check for medical information (usually cause the lung to collapse (pneumothorax). Lung collapse can also be caused by blunt • Foot Pulse (Pedal Artery) found in wallet, on bracelet or neck non-penetrating trauma that fractures a rib. chain) that describes a medical problem Located on the top (dorsum) of the foot, in the center, in Pedal Pulse A chest or back wound that has air alternately escaping and BASIC CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION – CPR or allergy. line with the middle two toes. being sucked into the wound must be closed by use of an WHEN TO PERFORM CPR – FOR UNCONSCIOUS PERSON ONLY airtight seal bandage (See FIRST AID TECHNIQUES). A sucking 1. Determine if victim is responsive by loud voice. DO NOT SHAKE VICTIM. 7. Seek medical attention immediately, if wound of this sort can be sealed with plastic wrap. Leave any #5a. 2. Call for help. Dial 911. needed. Chest and Back penetrating object in the secure (See FIRST AID TECHNIQUES). 3. If there is injury above the collarbone, secure the neck (First Aid Techniques). BUILDING A SPLINT If a victim has been impaled by a penetrating object, then 4. If no injury is suspected, then lay person on back and clear the airway. Use a single attempt to cut object off at base but do not remove object.