Ch02 presentation action_at_an_emergency

Chapter 2Action at an Emergency

Emergencies

• Emergencies are:− Dangerous− Unusual and rare− Different from one another− Unforeseen− Urgent

Bystander Actions

• The bystander must make a series of decisions quickly and reliably.− Recognize the emergency.− Decide to help.− Call 9-1-1 if EMS is needed.− Check the injured or ill person.− Give first aid.

Bystander Actions

• Bystanders are less likely to offer help in public places.− They lack knowledge.− They are confused

about what is an emergency.

− They are influenced by other factors.

© Don Hammond/age fotostock.

Bystander Actions

• The quality of help provided by bystanders can be inadequate or dangerous.− Poor decisions can be made.− Outdated and unproven first aid procedures

may be used.

What Should Be Done?

• Decide to help.− Appreciate importance of bystander help.− Feel confident enough about helping.− Be willing to take time to help.− Put potential risks of helping in perspective.− Feel comfortable about taking charge.− Feel comfortable about seeing or touching the

person.


• Decide not to help.− Helping could be harmful.− Helping is not worth the effort.− Helping requires advanced training and skills.− No other bystanders are helping.


• Call 9-1-1 if EMS is needed.− Wrong decisions

• Delay calling• Bypassing EMS

• Check the injured or ill person.• Give first aid.

Know When to Call 9-1-1

• Is the person’s condition life threatening?• Could the condition get worse?• If you move the person, will it cause

further injury?• Does the person need EMS?• Could the distance or traffic conditions

cause delay?

When is Immediate Transport Necessary?

• Difficulty breathing• Lasting chest or upper abdominal pain• Fast heartbeat• Fainting or unresponsiveness• Difficulty speaking• Numbness or weakness• Sudden dizziness


• Confusion or changes in mental status• Unusual behavior• Difficulty walking• Sudden blindness or vision changes• Bleeding that will not stop• Broken bones visible through an open

wound (or a broken leg)


• Drowning (submersion)• Choking• Severe burn• Allergic reaction• Extremely hot or cold body temperature• Poisoning or drug overdose


• Sudden and severe headache or pain• Severe or persistent vomiting or diarrhea• Coughing or vomiting of blood• Behavioral emergencies • Wounds requiring immediate medical care

Call 9-1-1 First

• Many injured or ill people should be moved only by trained personnel.– EMS care can increase a person’s chances of

survival and rate of recovery.– An EMS ambulance can get a person to the

hospital more quickly.

How to Call EMS

• Most communities dial 9-1-1 to receive emergency assistance.

• Many areas have Enhanced 9-1-1.

© oneinchpunch/Shutterstock.

How to Call EMS

• Speak slowly and clearly.• Be ready to give the following information:

− Person’s location− Your phone number and name− Description of what happened− Number of people needing help− Description of the person’s condition

• Do not hang up until instructed to do so.

Important Tips Regarding 9-1-1

• Teach children when and how to use 9-1-1.• If you called 9-1-1 accidentally, explain

why; do not hang up.• Add EMS, fire, and police numbers to a list

by your phone.

Rescuer Reactions

• It is not unusual to have adverse physical reactions during an emergency.− Desensitization can be effective in eliminating

fears and anxieties.− Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a

feeling of emotional letdown.

Scene Size-up

• Ten second scan of the area

• Ask:− Are hazards present?− How many people?− What is wrong?− What happened?− Can bystanders

help?

Courtesy of Lara Shane/FEMA.

Scene Size-up

• As you approach the emergency scene, look for obvious hazards.

• Try to determine the cause of the injury or illness.

• Determine the number of people involved.

Disease Precautions

• First aid providers must understand the risks of infectious diseases.− A communicable disease is a disease that can

spread from one person to another.

Standard Precautions

• Assume that all injured or ill people are infected, and can spread an organism that poses a risk from transmission of infectious diseases.

Handwashing

• Wash before and after contact.• Use soap and water if possible.• Rub hands together for 15 to 20 seconds.• Rinse.• Dry with a clean towel.

© Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Handwashing

• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.− Apply gel.− Rub hands together

until hands are dry.

© Svanblar/Shutterstock.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Provides a barrier between the first aid provider and injured or ill person

• Exam gloves− Most common PPE− Should always be worn

© Jones & Bartlett Learning. Photographed by Kimberly Potvin.

How to Remove Gloves

• Pinch one glove on the outside near the wrist.

• Gently pull the glove off, keeping the inside out.




• Hold the removed glove in your gloved hand.

• Slide two fingers of your bare hand inside the remaining glove at the wrist.




• Stretch the glove away from the hand and pull the glove off, keeping the inside out.− The first glove

remains inside the glove just removed.


Other Personal Protective Equipment

• Mouth-to-barrier devices− Recommended when administering CPR

• Eye protection• Gowns/aprons


Cleaning Up

• Wear heavier gloves than lightweight latex or vinyl.

• Use absorbent barriers to soak up blood and other materials.

• Clean the area using soap and water.• Disinfect.• Discard contaminated materials properly.

Exposure to Blood or Body Fluids

• Wash contaminated area with soap and water.

• Report incident to supervisor.• Contact personal physician.• Seek medical care if exposure was

significant.

Diseases of Special Concern

• Bloodborne diseases are diseases carried by an infected person’s blood.

• Airborne diseases are transmitted through the air by coughing or sneezing.

Death and Dying

• Avoid negativity.• Assure the person you will locate and

inform his or her family.• Allow some hope.• Do not volunteer information to others.• Offer simple, clear, information if asked.• Use a gentle tone and a reassuring touch.

Death and Dying

• Indicate that everything that can be done to help will be.

• The grieving process− Denial− Anger− Bargaining− Depression− Acceptance

Death and Dying

• Interacting with survivors− Leave the confirmation of death to physician.− Allow survivors to grieve.− Provide simple, honest, clear information.− Offer support and comfort.− Do not leave an individual survivor alone.− Use a gentle tone and a reassuring touch.

Ch02 presentation action_at_an_emergency

Healthcare

Transcript of Ch02 presentation action_at_an_emergency