Post on 02-Jan-2016
Introduction
• When you reach an ill or injured person, check for life threatening injuries. In many situations, this may be obvious.
• If you are not sure is someone is unconscious, tap him or her on the shoulder and ask if they are ok.
Checking Victims
Checking a Conscious Victim
Look for signs- any observable evidence if injury and symptoms- things the victim can tell you about his/her condition.
Checking an Unconscious Victim
Check for life threatening conditions
1. Unconscious
2. No breathing
3. No pulse
4. Severe bleeding/hemorrhage
Checking a conscious person
• If you determine that an ill or injured person is conscious and has no immediate life threatening conditions, you can begin checking for other conditions.
• Interview the person• Check the person from head to toe.
Conducting Interviews
• Ask the following questions:– What happened?– Do you feel pain of
discomfort anywhere? – Do you have allergies?– Do you have any other
medical conditions?
Checking head to toe
• Check the persons head- look for blood
• Look for cuts, scrapes and bruises or depressions.
• Watch for change of consciousness
• Look for changes in the persons breathing
Ouch!
AHHHHHHH
Checking Head to toe A. Keep the victim comfortable, don’t move
unless you need to B. Before you check, tell them what you are
doing C. Avoid touching or moving a painful area D. Look for signs of a serious injury E. Start at the head F. Monitor their appearance G. Ask to move body parts if you don’t
suspect a head or neck injury. H. Move one extremity at a time I. If any problems develop, stop and give
immediate care
Checking an Unconscious Person
• Always check to see if an unconscious person had the following: – Has an open Airway– Shows signs of life– Is bleeding severely
These 3 steps are known as the ABC’s
Airway, Breathing, Circulation
1. Unconsciousness- Leave the person in the position you find them. Tap and shout, if they respond, they are breathing, conscious, and have a pulse.
2. Breathing/Airway- Check the victim in the position you find them. If impossible to check for breathing, roll the victim their side as a unit-avoid twisting the spine.
To open the airway-The airway is open if the victim can cough,speak, breath.Head-Tilt and Chin-Lift to open the airway
To check for breathing- Look, listen, and feel.
If the victim is not breathing, give 2 slow breaths- enough to Make the victim’s chest gently rise.
Pulse/Heartbeat – Adult/Child The pulse is in the carotid artery on the
neck or the radial artery in the wrist. Infant- The pulse is in the brachial artery on
the inside of the elbow, midway between the shoulder and elbow.
**** Take the pulse for 5-10 seconds, if there is no pulse, begin CPR.
Normal Range for pulse- Adult 60-80 bpm Child 80-100 bpm
Checking Infants and Children (ages 0-8)
1. Observe before touching
2. If parents are there, ask them to keep them calm and ask them about medical conditions
3. Talk to the parent and explain what you are doing
Providing Care Guidelines
1. Don’t harm
2. Monitor breathing and consciousness
3. Keep them comfortable
4. Keep them from getting chilled or overheated
5. Reassure the victim
6. Provide any specific care needed
Reducing the Risks
1. Avoid contact with bodily fluids when possible
2. Place barriers such as gloves between you and the victim
3. Wash hands with soap and water
4. Do not eat, drink, or touch mouth when giving aid
5. Do not touch objects soiled in blood
6. Always have a first aid kit handy
Deciding To Transport
1. Do not transport if it will aggravate the injury
2. Try to have someone go with you to comfort them
3. Monitor the victim
4. Discourage victims from driving themselves