CHAPTER 8�Introduction� to�First Aid

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

CHAPTER OUTLINE

• Rules of First Aid

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• Concept of Emergency

INTRODUCTION

First aid is the first and quick help given to any individual experiencing either a minor or actual disease or injury, given to protect life, prevent the condition from deteriorating.

DEFINITIONS OF FIRST AID MANAGEMENT

• First aid is the initial, quick and temporary care given to the victim of accident/injured/sick person until the medical professional arrives.
• First aid is the first assistance or support given to a casualty or a sick person for injury or any sudden illness before the arrival of an ambulance, a qualified paramedical or medical person or before arriving at a facility that can provide

professional

—(NDMA & IRCS

medical care.

Manual, St Johns

Ambulance Manual)

• According to American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) First Aid Manual, first aid is the initial assistance or treatment given to a person who is injured or suddenly becomes ill.

BASIC PRINCIPLES OF FIRST AID

• Safe response in crisis/situation for well-being of the victim, bystander and helper/assistance.
• Minimize further injury to the victim by fixing/ stabilizing the situation.
• Use suitable technique and first aid procedure.
• Move the victim carefully, to reduce pain, to stabilize the condition.
• Reassure and instruct the victim.
• Communicate with a bystander and emergency first aider.

AIMS OF FIRST AID MANAGEMENT

The aims of first aid management include 5Ps.

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• Life Preservation
• Protection of victim
• Pain relief
• Prevent or control on worsening of the condition of the patient
• Provide psychological support and reassure

Diagnosis

SCOPE OF FIRST AID

Scope of first aid

Treatment

Disposal

SCOPE OF FIRST AID

DIAGNOSIS

▶ First aider should know how the accident or sudden injury/damage has happened.

▶ First aider can gather this information from the victim if the victim is able to speak or from the witnesses or bystanders. This is known as the history of the incident.

▶ Watch the victim for symptoms like fainting, thirst, pain or shivering, bleeding and cyanosis.

▶ Look for the signs, which are different from normal conditions. Signs are the most accurate information or indicators, therefore diagnosis should be based on signs.

SCOPE OF FIRST AID

TREATMENT

▶In treatment, the first aider should eliminate the cause of the condition as soon as possible, to prevent worsening of the condition.

▶Special care should be given to the victim, with severe bleeding, shock, unconsciousness and failure of breathing.

SCOPE OF FIRST AID

DISPOSAL

🠶In disposal, the victim must be examined by the doctor on the spot. If this is not possible, the victim should be transported to the hospital/home depending on the condition of the patient.

🠶The family members of the victims should be informed immediately, and make arrangements for transportation of the victim.

GOLDEN RULES FOR FIRST AID

REMEMBER – “SAFE”

S: Stop (stop carefully analyze situation and act accordingly)

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A: Assess (the situation its hazards, risk and how to handle them)

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F: Find (call for help and provide first aid)

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E: Exposure Protection (follow universal precautions)

FIRST AID RULES

Quick assessment

ADDRESSING THE EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

Call for help

Provide first aid

Inform the police

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• Stay calm
• Every situation is unique and need handling differently,

main four steps should be followed:

• Ensure safety (yourself and patient's) safety of first aider,

safety of by stander, safety of patients

• Call for help
• Provide first aid
• Quick Assessment.
• Never be overenthusiastic and put yourself on danger

CONTINUE…

QUICK ASSESSMENT

• Evaluate the condition of the victims/patients:

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• Assess the consciousness level, respiratory patterns.

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• Check ABC (airway Breathing and Circulation)

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• Provide comfortable/recovery position to patient.

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• Initial assessment shall focus on life threatening illness and after

stabilizing the victim detailed assessment can be conducted till

the health care facility is accessed or patient is transported.

Once evaluation is done for the scene and victims,

call for help. Inform help needed like what happened,

number of injured persons, kind of injuries are there

and provide details of location.

CALL FOR HELP

Provide first aid: Do not give anything to eat or drink if the

victim is drowsy, unconscious, nauseated, severely injured.

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Provide psychological support and reassure the patient.

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Inform the police, if serious accident/damage take place.

CHAPTER FOCUS POINTS

• First aid is the initial, quick and temporary care given to the victim of accidents/injured/sick person until the medical professional arrived
• Basic principles of first aid are 5p:
• Life preservation
• Protection of victim
• Pain relief
• Prevent or control on worsening of the condition of patient
• Provide psychological support and reassure
• First aider should follow: SAFE
• S: Stop (Stop carefully analyze situation and act accordingly)
• A: Assess (the situation its hazards, risk and
• how to handle them)
• F: Find (call for help and provide first aid)
• E: Exposure Protection (follow universal precautions
• Emergency is referred to a situation where immediate action is needed, it can be to save life or prevent further complication
• While addressing the emergency the first aider should stay calm and ensure the safety of scene for all. Quick assessment is the key specially for life threatening situation identification, then call for help

“Textbook of Foundation of

Nursing" by Jyoti Kathwal