First Aid Notes

Types of wound: Incised- clean cut from a sharp edge, may bleed lesser then clean cut wound, often contaminated with germs ,risk of infection is high Abrasion(graze)- superficial wound in which the top layer of the skin is scrap off, often caused by sliding fall or fiction burn, contain embedded foreign particles that may result in infection Laceration-crushing or ripping force that result in rough tear, may bleed less profusely then clean cut wound, risk of infection is high Contusion(bruise)- blunt blow or punch can rupture capillaries beneath the skin, blood then leaks into the tissue causing bruising, skin occasionally splits, severe contusion may indicate deeper hidden damage such as facture or internal injury Puncture wound standing on nail or being stabbed will result in puncture wound with small entry site, but deep track of internal damage, risk of infection is high as germs are carried far into the body Gunshot wound all bullet or a missile may drive into or through the body causing serious internal injury and sucking in contaminants from the air ,the entry wound may be small and neat while the exit wound may be large and ragged Stab wound being stabbed will result in stab wound, with neat entry site but a deep track of internal injury. Avulsion a injury that involves tearing of body part ,affects skin and tissue ,caused by crush injuries, bites, falls against jagged surfaces, gunshot wounds, severe burns and
injuries involving dragging (such as those from a bicycle or motorcycle accident). Amputation a injury where the whole limb is being removed/ torn out.

Types of bleeding: Arterial bleeding (Most dangerous) -richly oxygenated blood is bright red in colour and under pressure from the heart, spurts from the wound in time with heart beat -may jet blood several feet high and rapidly reduce blood in the body Venous bleeding -is dark red with deoxygenated blood -under pressure than arterial blood can pool within seconds -blood from severed major vein may gush profusely Capillary bleeding (Least dangerous) -occur at the site of all wound -may be brisk at first blood loss is usually slight

-a blunt blow may rupture capillaries beneath the skin and can cause bleeding into tissue Blood There are 6 litres (10 pints) of blood in the average adult body

Blood cells Red blood cells contain haemoglobin ,a red pigment that enable them to carry oxygen White blood cells fight against infection Platelets help to clot wound

Body reaction to blood lost Volume lost 0.5 litres (1 pint) 2 litres(3.5 pints) 3 (litres) Effect on body Little or no effect. this is the quantity normally taken in a blood donor session Quickening of pulse ,inducing sweating Shock becomes evident , Adrenaline occurs Pulse may become undetectable. Lose consciousness ,breathing and heart may fail. Death might occur.

Fracture Simple fracture -clean break or crack in bone Comminuted fracture -produce multiple bone fragments Greenstick fracture -split in a young, immature bone. -common in children Open fracture -the skin is broken at which it may or may not protrude Closed fracture -surrounding skin is unbroken -internal injury to surrounding may cause local swelling Dislocation -partial or full displacement of bones at the joint -caused by strong force wrenching the bone into the abnormal position, or by violent muscle contraction -there may be an associated fracture, tearing of ligaments, or damage into an abnormal position, or by the violent muscle contractions *DO NOT MANIPULATE A DISLOACTED JOINT INTO PLACE AS IT MAY CAUSE FURTHER INJURY.*

Burns Cold injury -frostbite -contact with freezing metal -contact with freezing vapors, such as liquid oxygen or liquid nitrogen Dry burn -flames -contact with hot object -Friction burn Scald -steam -hot liquid (e.g. boiling water.) Electrical burn -low voltage current -high voltage current -lightning strikes Radiation burn -UV radiation (Sun burn) -over exposed to ultra violet lamp -exposure to radioactive source, such as x ray

Depth of burn Superficial burn ( 1st Degree Burn) -involve outermost layer of skin -redness, swelling, tenderness Partial thickness burn -rawness, blister -involve 1% of epidermis -by heat or fiction (2nd Degree Burn)

Full thickness burn (3rd/4th Degree Burn) - Thick layer of skin is burned -damage to nerve, fat tissue, and muscle -pain sensation is totally lost (No pain felt at all) -waxy, pale, or charred (Waxy and white like appearance due to fat tissues)

Types of shock

Anaphylactic shock: Allergic Reaction (Insect bites, foods and medications) Hypovolemic shock: loss of fluids Hemorrhagic shock: loss of blood Respiratory shock: blood cells cannot receive enough oxygen Neurogenic shock: injury to nervous system Cardiogenic shock: heart unable to pump effectively due to rupture Septic shock: caused by bacterial due to infection Signs and symptoms of shock: -rapid pulse -pale, cold, clammy skin -sweating -rapid shallow breathing -weak pulse -Cyanosis -weakness and dizziness -nausea -thirst Treatment for shock: 1) Raise leg 2) Loosen tight clothing 3) Keep casualty warm 4) Check pulse, breathing and response

Heat injuries: Heat exhaustion : caused by inability of the body to cool itself down -signs and symptoms -Headache, dizziness, confusion - *Sweating, pale clammy skin -Treatment 1) Lay casualty down and elevate legs 2) Let casualty drink water if possible with weak salt solution 3) Fan casualty using the Triangular Bandage method

Heat stroke : inability of body to dissipate heat -signs and symptoms : *Hot flushed dry skin : *Full bounding pulse

- Temperature above 40 degree Treatment 1) Remove clothing 2) Cover casualty with a wet sheet and replace with dry one when casualtys temperature return to normal. 3) Monitor temperature, pulse and breathing *YOU DO NOT ELVATE LEGS WHEN CASUALTY HAS HEAT STROKE* Cramp : Caused by sudden contractions of muscle Treatment: - Stretch the affected area depending on where the casualty feels pain. CALF CRAMP:

(Elevate legs, proceed to push the feet backwards and massage affected area) FEET CRAMP:

(Massage affected area) BELOW THE THIGH CRAMP:

(Raise leg, push down the upper thigh and massage affected area)

UPPER THIGH CRAMP: (Elevate leg, and push it forward while the knee is bend)

Sprain: Over stretching of the muscles Treatment: RICE- Rest casualty, Ice, Cold compress using ice, *Elevate affected area *(reduces swelling) Fainting : Signs and Symptoms -slow pulse -slow, cold clammy and sweating skin Treatment: 1) Bring casualty to a cooler area 2) Raise casualtys legs (Elevation) 3) Ensure plenty of air is given to casualty (Ask passersby not to crowd around) Dehydration : Signs and Symptoms: -dry mouth and dry eyes -dry cracked lips -headache -dizziness -confusion -cramp Treatment: 1) Let casualty drink water and rehydrate.