First Aid Course

First Aid covers safety precautions from cuts, burns, fractures and nosebleeds. The first step is understanding First Aid procedures and properly attending to the unexpected emergency. First Aid knowledge can save lives!

• Assess the scene to ensure both you and the ill or injured person are safe.
• Activate EMS (Call 9-1-1)
• Assess the emergency and provide care.
• Stay with the ill or injured person until help arrives.
• Check the ill or injured person for medical tags (on the neck, wrist and ankle).
• If you come upon an unconscious ill or injured person, assume they want your help.

Prepare a Frist Aid Kit and make sure to know where it is stored at all times. Make sure the Frist Aid Kit is kept in a watertight container and it is always checked to ensure that no products in the kit have expired. The First Aid Kit should include the following:

• Latex gloves
• Tweezers
• Scissors
• Gauze and Adhesive Tape
• Box of Band-Aids
• Blanket
• Hand Sanitizer
• Wipes or Solution for cleaning a wound
• Pain Relievers
• Allergy Medications

• Preserve life – keep the person alive.
• Prevent further injury – keep the person safe and stop the person from being injured even more. If possible, avoid moving the person.
• Promote recovery – help the person heal their injury and preserve their health status.

Protects individuals from legal liability for providing reasonable medical aid to an injured, ill or imperil person.

Do not provide Frist Aid to a person that refuses your assistance. If the person refuses, activate EMS (call 9-1-1). Giving First Aid without consent from the person is unlawful. Only provide care to a person that agrees. If the person is unconscious, assume they want your help.

Express Consent – Express Consent must be obtained from any conscious, mentally competent person. You must state you are First Aid trained and explain Frist Aid procedures you are planning on performing.

Implied Consent – Implied Consent is obtained from an unconscious person in a life-threatening situation.

Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when applying First Aid. Protect yourself from transmission of possible diseases. Use disposable gloves to avoid direct contact with blood or bodily fluids. Always wash your hands with water and soap before and after applying First Aid.

Access to free airways is the first consideration but respiratory emergencies may range from a person having labored or rapid breathing or not being able to breathe at all.

There are many causes that can lead to respiratory emergencies. Here is a list of the most common emergency examples:

• Allergic reactions
• Asthma
• Chest injury or infection
• Choking
• Fear, pain or anxiety
• Fumes inhalation
• Heat attack
• Heart disease or heart failure
• Collapsed or punctured lungs
• Injury to the head, neck or chest
• Smoke, dust or air pollution
• Plants or mold

First Aid Actions/Treatment:

Ask the person if they have prescribed medication. Get the medication for the person and assist them with administering the medication. Assist the person to administer an inhaler or an epi-pen if they are having a reaction. Take off or loosen any tight clothing. Activate EMS (Call 9-1-1) and try to keep the person calm until medical professionals arrive.

Choking occurs when a foreign object (food or item) is blocking the throat or windpipe (blocking the flow of air). Food is the number one cause of choking in adults. Choking can also be caused by eating too fast, too much food in the mouth, pocketing food in the mouth, laughing or talking while eating, swallowing without chewing properly.

The universal sign for choking is hands clutched to the throat but the following can also be an indication that the person is choking or not able to breathe properly:

• Inability to talk
• Difficulty breathing or wheezing
• Gasping for air
• Weak or forceful coughing
• Skin, lips or nails turning blue
• Loss of consciousness

First Aid Actions/Treatment:

Activate EMS (Call 9-1-1) and start performing Heimlich maneuver – stand behind the person choking. Place one foot slightly in front, lean the person slightly forward and wrap your arms around their waist. Press hard with a closed fist into the abdomen, and then grab your fist with your other hand. Perform five quick upward thrusts. If the object is still stuck in the person’s throat/windpipe, continue to do thrusts until the object comes out (repeat the cycle).

The nervous system is a complex collection of nerves and specialized cells known as neurons that transmit signals between different parts of the body. The nervous system takes in information through our senses, processes the information and triggers reactions, such as making your muscles move or causing you to feel pain. The nervous system controls the five senses (sight, smell, taste, hearing, and touch), the ability to think and reason, voluntary and involuntary functions, and regulates blood flow and blood pressure.

Head/Neck or Spinal Injury Warning Signs:

• Severe head or facial bleeding
• Bleeding or fluid leakage from the nose or ears
• Change in level of consciousness
• Black-and-blue discoloration below the eyes or behind the ears
• Confusion
• Loss of balance
• Unequal pupil size
• Slurred speech or trouble speaking
• Seizures
• Severe pain or pressure in the head, neck, back
• Tingling or loss of sensation in the extremities
• Sudden loss of memory
• Impaired breathing or impaired vision as a result of injury
• Nausea or vomiting

First Aid Actions/Treatment:

If you suspect a head/neck or spine injury, activate EMS (Call 9-1-1). Keep the person still until medical help arrives. Do not move the affected person. Keep the injured person laying down with the head and shoulders slightly elevated, avoid moving the person’s neck. If the person is wearing a helmet, do not remove it!

Heart attack occurs when an artery supplying your heart with blood and oxygen becomes blocked. This is when the heart muscle is starting to die from a lack of oxygen. Fatty deposits build up over time, forming plaques in your heart’s arteries. If a plaque ruptures, a blood clot can form and block your arteries, causing a heart attack. A heart attack generally causes chest pain for more than 15 minutes, but it can also have no symptoms at all.

Heart Attack Warning Signs:

• Chest pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Shortness of breath
• Discomfort in the arms, back, neck, jaw and abdomen
• Bluish/pale skin
• Rapid but weak pulse
• Shallow breathing
• Cold sweat
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting

First Aid Actions/Treatment:

If you suspect the person is having a heart attack, make the person comfortable and Activate EMS (Call 9-1-1). If the person is not allergic to Aspirin and they are not bleeding give them an Aspirin. If the person is unconscious, you may be advised to begin CPR by the Emergency Medical Responder. If you are not CPR trained, doctors recommend performing only chest compressions (about 100 to 120 compressions a minute). The Emergency Medical Response dispatcher can instruct you in the proper procedures until help arrives.

A seizure is a sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain. It can cause changes in behavior, movements or feelings, and in levels of consciousness. A person may experience mild shakes or more severe convulsions (rapid and uncontrollable shaking).

First Aid Actions/Treatment:

Let the seizure take its course. Move nearby objects away from the person, which may hurt the person. Do not hold or restrain the person. Place a soft object under the person’s head. Do not put anything in the person’s mouth. Loosen any clothing that may restrict breathing. Let the seizure take its course.

Stroke affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. Stroke is the fifth cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is blocked by a clot or bursts (or ruptures).

Stroke Warning Signs:

• Sudden and severe headache
• Dizziness
• Loss of consciousness or balance
• Blurring, loss of vision (particularly in one eye)
• Slurred speech
• Drooling
• Inability to understand words
• Weakness
• Paralysis on one side of the body
• Unsteadiness or a sudden fall

First Aid Actions/Treatment:

During a stroke, every minute counts. If you suspect the person is having a stroke Activate EMS (Call 9-1-1) immediately. Make the person comfortable until help arrives.

Most allergies are mild, causing little more than redness, itching, stinging or minor swelling. A life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) can cause shock, a sudden drop in blood pressure and trouble breathing. In people who have an allergy, anaphylaxis can occur minutes after exposure to a specific allergy-causing substance (allergen). In some cases, there may be a delayed reaction or anaphylaxis may occur without an apparent trigger. Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that is rapid in onset and may cause death.

Anaphylaxis Warning Signs:

• Throat or tongue swelling
• Shortness of breath
• Low blood pressure
• Skin reactions, including hives, itching, and flushed or pale skin
• Swelling of the face, eyes, lips or throat
• Constriction of the airways, leading to wheezing and trouble breathing
• A weak and rapid pulse
• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
• Dizziness, fainting or unconsciousness
• Hoarseness or trouble speaking
• Loss of consciousness

First Aid Actions/Treatment:

If you suspect the person is having a severe allergic reaction Activate EMS (Call 9-1-1) immediately! Assist the person with their allergy medication or Epi-pen. Usually it would require the person to inject the Epi-pen in their thigh and holding it in place for several seconds. Loosen tight clothing. Do not give the person anything to drink. Take steps to minimize shock and provide care as needed until medical professionals arrive.

Shock is the state of insufficient blood flow to the tissues of the body (sudden drop in blood flow through the body). Shock may result from trauma, heatstroke, blood loss, an allergic reaction, severe infection, poisoning, severe burns or other causes. When a person is in shock, his or her organs aren’t getting enough blood or oxygen. If untreated, this can lead to permanent organ damage or even death.

Shock Warning Signs:

• Cool, clammy skin
• Pale skin
• Rapid pulse
• Rapid breathing
• Nausea or vomiting
• Enlarged pupils
• Weakness or fatigue
• Dizziness or fainting
• Unusual behavior

First Aid Actions/Treatment:

If you suspect a person is in shock Activate EMS (Call 9-1-1) immediately! Assist the person by laying them down on their back. Elevate their legs and feet slightly to help blood circulate to the vital organs. Loosen tight clothing. Do not give the person anything to eat or drink.

Accidents from bites and stings can happen anywhere (at home, work or even while you are traveling). Most reactions to insect bites and stings are mild, causing little more than redness, itching, stinging or minor swelling. However, some bites and stings can have severe reactions.

Bites and Sting Warning Signs:

• Pain
• Fever
• Difficulty breathing
• Local swelling
• Swelling of the lips, eyelids or throat
• Dizziness, faintness or confusion
• Rapid heartbeat
• Hives
• Nausea, cramps or vomiting
• Stinger may be present, Hives or rash

First Aid Actions/Treatment:

Move the person to a safe area to avoid more bites or stings and use universal precautions. Wash the affected area with soap and water and apply a cool compress. Apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to affected area. Cover the wound with clean dressing and or bandage. Administer an antihistamine (Benadryl) to reduce itching and administer a pain reliever for pain.

There are three levels of heat emergencies: Heat Cramps, Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke. Overexposure to extreme temperature can seriously affect a person.

Heat Cramps – Heat cramps are the least severe of the heat-related emergencies. Heat cramps are painful, involuntary muscle spasms that usually occur during heavy exercise in hot environments. Muscles most often affected are the abdomen, calves, arms and back.

Heat Exhaustion – Heat exhaustion is a condition of your body overheating. If heat exhaustion is not treated, it can lead to heat stroke, which is life-threatening. Heat exhaustion may occur if a person is in the heat for a long period or is sweating a lot.

Heat Stroke – Heat stroke is a form of hyperthermia in which the body temperature is elevated dramatically. Heat stroke is the least common heat-related emergency but the most severe. Heat strokes can be life-threatening if not promptly treated. Heat stroke is an elevation in body temperature, often accompanied by dehydration.

Heat Stroke Warning Signs:

• Body temperature above 103° F (40 C) or greater
• Hot, red, dry skin or heavy sweating
• Nausea and vomiting
• Rapid pulse, rapid breathing
• Disorientation
• Flushed skin
• Fatigued/Weakness

First Aid Actions/Treatment:

If you suspect the person is having a heatstroke, immediately remove them from the heat source and Activate EMS (Call 9-1-1). Remove excess clothing and cool the person by using cool wet towels, sponge with cool water or ice packs. You can also immerse the person in a tub of cool water up to their chin to allow the body to cool down. If possible, have the person under a cool shower or sprayed with a garden hose. Lastly, if the person is able to drink, provide them with a cool drink of water to rehydrate.

Hypothermia occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce heat, causing a dangerously low body temperature. Normal body temperature is around 98.6 F (37 C), Hypothermia occurs when body temperature falls below 95 F (35 C). Hypothermia can lead to death if not treated right away!

Hypothermia Warning Signs:

• Shivering
• Numbness
• Glassy stare
• Weak pulse and slow breathing
• Slurred speech or mumbling
• Hard and painless body parts
• Confusion or memory loss
• Exhaustion and drowsiness

First Aid Actions/Treatment:

If you suspect the person has hypothermia, get the person to a warm place. Remove wet clothing and warm the person by wrapping them with a blanket or a warm-dry clothing article. Warm the person’s trunk first, not hands and feet (warming extremities first can cause shock). Offer the person a warm nonalcoholic beverage. Do not apply direct heat to any parts of the person’s body.

FROSTBITE EMERGENCY

Frostbite is an injury caused by freezing of the skin and underlying tissues. Skin becomes very cold and red, then numb, hard and pale. Frostbite is most common on the fingers, toes, nose, ears, cheeks and chin. Exposed skin in cold, windy weather is most vulnerable to frostbite. The most severe frostbite cases can lead to the loss of the affected body part.

Frostbite Warning Signs:

• Numbness (lack of feeling in the area)
• Pale patch of skin
• The person showing signs of hypothermia
• Part of the person’s body or skin turns white and hard or black

First Aid Actions/Treatment:

First check for hypothermia. If the person doesn’t have hypothermia you can treat the affected area by placing it under warm water (not hot water!). Pat the affected area dry and wrap it with a cloth to keep the area warm and prevent it from refreezing. Do not rub the frostbitten area; it will further damage the affected area.

An open wound is an injury involving an external or internal break in body tissue, usually involving the skin. The wound can range from a small cut or a scrape to a deeper injury, puncture of the skin.

First Aid Actions/Treatment:

• Wash your hands to prevent infection.
• Stop the bleeding. Apply pressure with a clean bandage or cloth.
• Clean the wound. Rinse the wound with clear water.
• Apply an antibiotic. Apply a thin layer of an antibiotic cream or ointment (Neosporin).
• Cover the wound with bandage or dressing.
• For the first two days, rewash the area and reapply the antibiotic when you change the dressing.
• Watch for signs of infection.

CLOSED WOUND EMERGENCY

Closed wounds have damage that occurs without exposing the underlying body tissue. Wounds on the skin’s surface that do not break the skin such as bruises are considered closed wounds. Impactful closed wounds can severely damage tissues, blood vessels and muscles leading to internal bleeding.

First Aid Actions/Treatment:

Rest the bruised area and wrap it with an ice pack in a towel. Leave the wrapped ice pack for 10 to 20 minutes. Repeat this process several times a day for one or two days. Compress the bruised area if it is swelling. Elevate the affected area.

Hemorrhage is a rapid loss of blood (severe bleeding) or when a large amount of bleeding occurs in a short amount of time. Rapid loss of blood can be life-threatening due to lack of oxygen circulating to tissues and tissues dying.

First Aid Actions/Treatment:

• Wear disposable protective gloves if available.
• Remove any clothing or debris on the wound.
• Do not remove large or deeply embedded objects.
• Stop the bleeding. Place a sterile bandage or clean cloth on the wound.
• Press the bandage firmly with your palm to control bleeding.
• Apply constant pressure until the bleeding stops.
• Do not put direct pressure on an eye injury or embedded object.
• Secure the bandage with adhesive tape or continue to maintain pressure with your hands.
• If possible, raise an injured limb above the level of the heart.
• Leave the bandages in place and get the injured person to an emergency room as soon as possible.

NOSE BLEEDING EMERGENCY

Nosebleeds are common and typically not a medical emergency. Nose bleeding is simply bleeding from the blood vessels in the nose. Common causes of nosebleeds are drying of the nasal membranes and nose picking.

First Aid Actions/Treatment:

Sit the person upright and leaning slightly forward (do not have the person lie down or tilt the head backward). Pinch the nostrils (use your thumb and index finger to pinch the nostrils shut). Ask the person to breathe through their mouth. Continue to pinch the nostrils for 5-10 minutes. If the bleeding still continues, seek medical emergency care for the person.

Bone, muscle or joint emergencies occur when they are impacted by more force or pressure than they can support. The impact can lead to broken bones, sprains, fractures and other injuries.

Fracture Warning Signs:

• A loud snap
• Inability to move
• Bruising and swelling
• Even gentle pressure or movement causes pain
• The limb or joint appears deformed
• The bone has pierced the skin
• The extremity of the injured arm or leg, such as a toe or finger, is numb or bluish at the tip

First Aid Actions/Treatment:

Do not move the injured person unless they are still in harm’s way. Activate EMS (Call 9-1-1). Stop any bleeding by applying pressure to the wound with a sterile bandage, a clean cloth or a clean piece of clothing. Do not try to realign any joint or bone. Apply ice packs to limit swelling and help relieve pain. Do not apply ice directly to the skin.

SPRAIN/STRAIN EMERGENCY

Ligaments are tough which are elastic-like bands that connect bone to bone and joints in place. Sprains are an injury to a ligament. Sprains occur when a ligament is partially or completely torn apart. Most common sprains happen in ankles. Wrist, knee and finger sprains are common as well.

Sprain/Strain Warning Signs:

• Rapid swelling
• Painful when moving the affected part
• Inability to move
• Bruising

First Aid Actions/Treatment:

Use the RICE method when dealing with a sprain or strain.

• Rest – Rest the sprained or strained area. Do not move or straighten the injury.
• Ice – Ice the sprained or strained area. Ice for 20 minutes every hour. Do not put ice directly on the injured area.
• Compress – Compress the sprained or strained area with an elastic wrap.
• Elevate – Elevate the sprained or stained area above the heart level if possible and only elevate the part if it doesn’t cause more pain.

A burn is an injury to the skin. There are different burns depending on how deep the skin tissue and the underlying tissues are damaged. There are four main sources of burns: electricity, radiation, thermal, chemical and friction and there are 3 standard categories for burns:

First Degree Burn – A first-degree burn is also called a Superficial burn or wound. It affects the first outer layer of the skin.

First Degree Burn Warning Signs:

• Redness
• Minor inflammation, or swelling
• Pain
• Dry, peeling skin occurs as the burn heals

First Aid Actions/Treatment:

Hold burned skin under cool running water or immerse it in cool water for 5 minutes or longer until the pain subsides. Use a cool compress if cool running water is not available. Apply an antibiotic ointment. Cover the burn with a non-adhesive bandage. Administer a pain reliever such as an Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen.

Second Degree Burn – A second-degree burn is also called a Partial Thickness burn or wound. It’s deep enough to have an effect on the second layer of skin.

Second Degree Burn Warning Signs:

• Blisters
• Deep redness
• Burned area may appear wet and shiny
• Skin that is painful to the touch
• Burn may be white or discolored in an irregular pattern

First Aid Actions/Treatment:

Immerse the affected skin area in cool water for 10-15 minutes. Use a cool compress if cool water is not available. Do not apply ice! Do not break blisters! Apply an antibiotic ointment. Cover the burn with a non-adhesive bandage. Administer pain reliever such as an Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen.

Third Degree Burn – A third-degree burn is also called a Full Thickness burn or wound. These wounds are deeper than the third layer of skin and turn the skin white and without sensation.

Third Degree Burn Warning Signs:

• Dry and leathery skin
• Black, white, brown, or yellow skin
• Swelling
• Lack of pain due to nerves being destroyed

First Aid Actions/Treatment:

A person with a third degree burn needs immediate medical attention. Activate EMS (Call 9-1-1) or get the person to the nearest Medical Center. Do not remove the person’s clothing. Watch for signs of shock and treat for shock.

Poison is a substance that can cause illness or death if entered the body or absorbed. There are four ways a person can be affected: swallowing, inhalation, injection or absorption.

Poisoning Warning Signs:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Seizures
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Altered mental status
• Hallucinations
• Weakness
• Irregular pupil size
• Diarrhea
• Trouble breathing
• Skin color change
• Burning or teary eyes
• Sweating
• Chest or abdominal pain
• Burning sensation or redness around the mouth and lips

First Aid Actions/Treatment:

If you suspect poisoning, assess the scene and check for your safety. Do not approach the person if the scene is unsafe. Keep an eye out for signs of poison. Activate EMS (Call 9-1-1) and call the National Capital Poison Control Center 800-222-1222 immediately!