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First Aid Measures for Common Emergency Situations

CPO JOEL B. MANTILLA PN (Res), RCrim, MSCJ (CAR)

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Shock is a life-threatening condition where the body does not get enough blood and oxygen to the organs.

  1. Shock

Causes of Shock

  • Severe blood loss
  • Heart failure
  • Dehydration
  • Severe injury or pain

Signs and Symptoms

  • Cold, sweaty, and clammy skin
  • Pale skin
  • Restlessness or anxiety
  • Thirst and dry mouth
  • Fast, shallow breathing
  • Rapid pulse
  • Dilated pupils
  • Nausea or vomiting

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First Aid for Shock

  • Lie down
  • Raise the legs higher than the heart (Shock Position)
  • Loosen tight clothing
  • Keep them warm and calm
  • Monitor their level of response
  • Do not give food or drink to an unconscious person (NPO)

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A break or damage in the body's tissues. It can be open wound or closed wound.

  1. Wound 

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Types of Open Wounds

  1. Abrasion

An injury where the skin’s outer layer is scraped off due to rubbing or friction against a rough surface.

Usually minor bleeding but can become infected.

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Types of Open Wounds

  1. Incised Wound (cut, slash, slice)

A clean cut caused by sharp objects (knife, glass, blade)

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Types of Open Wounds

  1. Lacerated wound

Is a tear of the skin and the underlying tissues due to forcible contact with a blunt instrument.

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Types of Open Wounds

  1. Punctured wound

Caused by sharp-pointed objects (nail, needle, bullet).

Small outside wound but may cause serious internal injury.

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Types of Open Wounds

  1. Avulsion

A wound where skin or tissue is torn away. Commonly caused by animal bites, vehicle accidents, or machinery.

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First Aid for Open Wounds

  1. Direct pressure
  • The first aider needs to directly press his/her fingers or palm on the wound with an adequate amount of force to constrict the blood vessels and decrease bleeding
  1. Elevation.
  • The first aider may elevate the injured part of the body above the heart. This would allow gravity to act on the blood flow and prevent bleeding

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First Aid for Open Wounds

  1. Pressure on the supplying artery.
  • The first aider may also directly press the supplying artery that causes the excessive bleeding. This will help avoid excessive loss of blood.
  1. Tourniquet
  • This is a device that functions to control the bleeding from a vein or an artery. This can be done with the use of a rubber tourniquet or a bandage.

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First Aid for Open Wounds

  1. Dressing
  • A dressing is a sterile cover placed on a wound to control bleeding, absorb fluids, protect against infection, and reduce pain.

Uses of Dressing

  • To control Bleeding
  • To cover wound and keep out dirt and bacteria which may cause infection
  • To absorb excess fluid
  • To maintain temperature around the wound
  • To apply medication

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First Aid for Open Wounds

  1. Dressing
  • A dressing is a sterile cover placed on a wound to control bleeding, absorb fluids, protect against infection, and reduce pain.

Uses of Dressing

  • To control Bleeding
  • To cover wound and keep out dirt and bacteria which may cause infection
  • To absorb excess fluid
  • To maintain temperature around the wound
  • To apply medication

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First aid measures of fracture

  1. Immobilize fracture by applying a splint secured by a bandage.
  2. Apply cold compress to reduce pain and swelling.
  3. Control bleeding and apply sterile dressing to an open wound
  4. Apply the treatment for shock.

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Types and Causes of Closed Wounds

1. Petechial (Petechiae)

  • Tiny red or purple spots on the skin caused by small blood vessels (capillaries) breaking under the skin.
  • Cause: Strong coughing, vomiting, minor injury, or pressure on the skin.

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Types and Causes of Closed Wounds

2. Contusion

  • An injury where small blood vessels under the skin break, but the skin does not open.
  • Cause: A direct blow, fall, or being hit by an object.

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Types and Causes of Closed Wounds

3. Strain

  • An overstretching or slight injury to a muscle or tendon.
  • Cause: Lifting heavy objects, overusing a muscle, or sudden movement.
  • Example: A person feels pain in the back after lifting a heavy box.

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Types and Causes of Closed Wounds

4. Sprain

  • A stretching or tearing of the ligaments that support a joint.
  • Cause: Twisting or turning a joint suddenly.
  • Example: A basketball player lands awkwardly and twists the ankle, causing pain and swelling.

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First Aid for Closed Wounds

1. Cold Compress

  • Apply an ice pack or cold cloth to the injured area to reduce pain, swelling, and internal bleeding.
  • How to do it: Place the cold compress on the injury for 15–20 minutes. Wrap the ice pack in a cloth. Do not place ice directly on the skin.

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First Aid for Closed Wounds

2. Immobilization

  • Definition: Keep the injured body part still to prevent further injury.
  • How to do it: Do not move or massage the injured joint. Use a bandage and splint (if available) to support and keep the joint from moving.

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Fracture

  • This is a break in the continuity of the bone. Generally, a fracture comes in two kinds: Open and Closed

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Signs and symptoms of fracture

  1. Deformity
  2. Tenderness on the affected area
  3. Swelling
  4. Pain
  5. Presence of a protruding bone (open fracture)
  6. Inability to move the injured part
  7. Bleeding (open fracture)
  8. Discoloration on the affected area

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First aid measures of fracture

  1. Immobilize fracture by applying a splint secured by a bandage.
  2. Apply cold compress to reduce pain and swelling.
  3. Control bleeding and apply sterile dressing to an open wound
  4. Apply the treatment for shock.

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First aid measures of fracture

  1. Give a pain reliever if pain is severe
  2. Avoid unnecessary holding of the injured part
  3. Place the patient on a stretch and secure the injured part enough to keep it from moving while he is transported.
  4. Bring the patient to the nearest medical facility as soon as possible.

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BURNS

Burns are tissue damage that results from too much sun, hot liquids, flames, chemicals, electricity, steam and other sources. Burns can be minor medical problems or life-threatening emergencies.

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Degree of Burns

  1. First-Degree (Superficial) Burn

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A mild burn that affects only the outer layer of the skin (epidermis). The skin becomes red, dry, and painful but has no blisters. An example is mild sunburn. Permanent damage is rare, though skin color may slightly change.

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Degree of Burns

  1. Second-degree (partial thickness) burns

Second-degree burns involve the epidermis and part of the lower layer of skin, the dermis. The burn site looks red and blistered and may be swollen and painful.

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Classification of Degree of Burns

  1. Third-degree (full thickness) burns

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Third-degree burns destroy the epidermis and dermis. They may go into the innermost layer of skin, the subcutaneous tissue. The burn site may look white or blackened and charred.

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Classification of Degree of Burns

  1. Fourth-degree burns

Fourth-degree burns go through both layers of the skin and underlying tissue as well as deeper tissue, possibly involving muscle and bone. There is no feeling in the area since the nerve endings are destroyed.

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First Aid Treatment

  1. Remove the person from the source of the burn.
  2. Cool the burn with clean, cool running water.
  3. Do not break the blister in second degree burns.
  4. Apply burn ointment, such as petroleum jelly, if available.
  5. Do not apply household substances.
  6. In cases of third degree burns, take the burn victim to the nearest medical facility as soon as possible.
  7. Do not cover the burn with dressing made up of fibers that easily break, such as cotton.