First Aid

Common emergency
situations and management

Vinsoy

Swallowed poisoning
Chemicals

that ae swallowed may harm

the digestive trtact, or cause more
widespread damage if they enter the
bloodstream.

Usually

involves common household

substances: bleach, dishwasher,
detergent, paint stripper, household
insecticide

 Assessment
Vomiting
Impaired

consciousness
Pain or burning sesation
Empty containers in the vicinity
History of ingestion

 Goal
Maintain

breathing and circulation

Identify the poison
Rapid transfer to medical service
If

casualty is conscious:
Identify

the swallowed substance

Dial for an ambulance
Keep the casualty calm
If

casualty is unconscious:
Check

for breathing and pulse

Provide CPR if necessary
Place the casualty in recovery position

Drug poisoning
Aspirin
Upper

abdominal pain
Nausea and vomiting
Tinnitus
Confusion and delirium
Paracetamol
Little

effect at first, but abdominal pain and vomiting

may occur
Irreversible liver damage after 3 days

 Barbiturates

and Benzodiazepines

Lethargy

and sleepiness leading to unconsciousness

Shallow breathing
Abnormal pulse
Amphetamines
Hyperactive

behavior, frenzy

Sweating
Hand

tremors
Hallucinations

 Narcotics
Constricted

pupils
Sluggishness and confusion
Slow, shallow breathing
Needle marks
Solvents
Nausea

and vomiting
Headaches
Hallucinations

Food poisoning
Assessment
Abdominal

pain

Diarrhea
Fever
Loss

of appetite
Nausea and vomiting
Weakness and fatigue
Dehydration
Headache or light-headedness
Confusion

 Management
Most

cases are mild and clears up in a few days

Prevent dehydration by rehydrating the patient
Provide bland foods such as crackers, toast and
bananas
Avoid highly seasoned foods, milk, caffeine
Encourage fluid intake as tolerated
Provide bland diet

 Seek

medical help if:

Persistent

diarrhea for 3 days

Frequent vomiting lasts for more than 2 days
Fever
There is blood in the stool
Vomiting blood
Difficulty in breathing
There is abdominal pain or stomach cramping
Double vision

Snake Bites
Assessment
Presence

of puncture marks

Pain
Swelling
Vomiting
Disturbed

vision

 Management
Immediately

call for help

Lie casualty down with head and shoulders raised and
advise to keep still and not to move especially the a
affected part
Keep heart higher than level of bite
If there is no pain on the site of the bite, apply pressure
bandage should be applied to extend from above as far
as far up the limb
Identify the type of snake (if possible capture the
snake)

Animal Bites
Assessment
Presence

of puncture marks

Pain
Swelling
Vomiting
Disturbed

vision

 Management
Clean

the wound and wash superficial bites with soap

and water
Cover wound with sterile dressing (clean if not
available)
Apply pressure dressing if the wound is deep and there
is bleeding
Send casualty to the medical facility
Identify or capture the animal

Insect Sting
Management
Remove

the sting straight away if its visible

by brushing or scraping it sideways
Apply cold compress
Monitor for signs of anaphylactic shock
Send the casualty to the nearest medical
facility

Jellyfish Sting
Management
Wash

with vinegar
Put a light dressing above the affected part
Monitor for signs of anaphylactic shock
Send the casualty to the nearest medical
facility

Burns and Scalds

Management
Make

the casualty as comfortable as possible and

relieve anxiety
Start cooling the burn immediately under running
water for at least 10 minutes
Call for help
Remove jewellery, accessories and clothing from
affected part unless it is sticking to the skin
Cover the burn with clean, non-fluffy material
Monitor for signs and symptoms of shock

 If

the casualtys clothing is on fire

Place

the casualty on the ground

Let the casualty roll on the ground to smother the
flames
Wrap the casualty with heavy duty fabric

 For

minor burns

Provide

cooling interventions on the affected part

Remove any accessory and clothing
Cover the burn area with clean, non-fluffy material
Avoid using adhesive dressings
Do not apply lotions, ointment and creams
Do not break blisters
Assess the burn part for further damage

Heat Stroke
A

condition caused by a failure of the

thermostat in the brain.
The body becomes dangerously
overheated usually due to a high fever
or prolonged exposure to heat

 Assessment
Headache
Dizziness

and discomfort
Restlessness and confusion
Hot flushed and dry skin
A rapid deterioration in the level of consciousness
High grade fever

 Management
You

need to quickly move the casualty to a cool place

and remove outer clothing as possible
Call for help
Wrap the casualty in a cold wet sheet. Alternatively,
fan the casualty or sponge with cold water
Monitor vital signs
Provide rescue breathing or CPR if necessary

Heat Exhaustion
Assessment
Headache
Dizziness

and confusion
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Sweating with pale clammy skin
Muscle cramps
Rapid, weak pulse
Rapid, shallow breathing

 Management
Assist

the casualty in transferring to a cool place

Let the patient lie down with legs elevated
Provide plenty of water
Provide a weak salt solution (1 teaspoon of salt : 1L)
Seek medical attention
If condition deteriorates, transfer casualty to the
nearest medical facility
Provide CPR if necessary

Hypothermia
Develops

when the body temperature

falls below 35*C.
The effects vary depending on the
speed of the onset and the level to
which the body temperature falls

 Assessment
Shivering

and pale, cold, dry skin

Disorientation, apathy or irrational behaviour
Impaired consciousness or lethargy
Slow and shallow breathing
Slow and weakening pulse
Management
Provide

immediate warming interventions

Put the casualty on bed and cover. Give them warm
drinks and high energy foods
Call for help if severe hypothermia occurs

Hypoglycemia
Brain

function is affected when the

blood-sugar level falls below normal
range.

This

problem is sometimes recognized

by a rapidly deteriorating level of
response

 Assessment
History

of hypoglycemic attack
Weakness, faintness or hunger
Confusion
Sweating, cold clammy skin
Rapid pulse
Decreasing level of consciousness

 Management
Assist

the casualty in sitting or lying down

Provide simple sugars in tapered amounts
Increase amount of food as the level of response
improves
Advise the casualty to seek medical consult after
recovering
If

conditions doesnt improve

Call

for help for immediate transport

Prepare to provide rescue breathing or CPR if
necessary
Monitor vital signs

Hyperglycemia
High

blood sugar levels over a long

period can result in unconsciousness.

This

requires urgent treatment in the

medical facility

 Assessment
Warm,

dry skin
Rapid breathing and pulse
Fruity / sweet breath
Excessive thirst
Drowsiness
Loss of consciousness

 Management
Call

for help for rapid transport to medical

facility
Monitor the level of consciousness
Provide rescue breathing and CPR if
necessary