BLS Flashcards
Casualty Responds to AVPU
ALERT,
VOICE,
PAIN
UNRESPONSIVE
Patient needs to give consent unless
Under 18 or Unresponsive
Heart Rhythm - VF
Ventricular Fibrillation - Lower Chambersof heart contract in Unsyncronised Fluttering type action - little or not blood pumped
Heart Rhythm - Pulseless VT
Ventricular Tachycardia - lower chambers of heart beat in an abnormally fast rate
I M I S T A M B O
Identification
Mechanism of Injury
Injury
Signs and Symptoms
Treatment
Allergies
Medications
Background History
Other information
D rsabcde
Danger - Don’t do first aid in the Hot Zone
d R sabcde
Response - AVPU- ALERT, VOICE (COWS - Can you hear me, Open your eyes, Whats your name, Squeeze my hand), PAIN (Press pen on nails), Unresponsive
dr S abcde
Send for help - Phone, Radio - if asking someone else to do it get them to come back and tell you when its been done.
drs A bcde
Airway - Head Tilt, Jaw Thrust, Chin lift
Be conscious of Cervical Spine issue also but airway takes precedence.
drsa B cde
Breathing - Look, Listen, Feel
(Normal 12-20 breaths per min)
Abnormal is outside this range
drsan C de
Compressions 30:2, 100-120 per min
Circulation when considering Trauma - How well perfused is the patient, their pulse, capillary refill
drsabc D e
Defibrillator
“Disability” when considering Trauma - Consider how orientated your patient is and what can/can’t they move or feel.
Immediate Care Priority
C A B C
Check for Danger First
1) Catastrophic Haemorrhage
2) Airway
3) Breathing
4) Circulation
drsabcd E
Exposure - Expose the patient to ensure you identify all life threatening injuries
In the Pre Hospital setting conduct a _ _ _ _ survey. Which is what?
Check for Danger First
O xygenation
O n a stretcher
O ptions
O ut of there
What is Oxygenation?
The process of getting oxygenated blood to the tissues. A, B and most of C in primary survey.
Kens Law?
Air goes in and out,
Blood goes round and round.
Any variation of this is Bad.
On a Stretcher. Things to consider
FACILITATE the casualty moving, themselves.
Improve access if can’t get on stretcher.
Don’t delay transport for non-life threatening Interventions.
What OPTIONS are available for the casualty to improve their situation? 5 Items
Cooling of Burns
Splints
Reassurance
Wound Dressing
Protection from elements
Out of there
This is a treatment in its own right.
What are the key sites of Potential Major blood loss. PLACES
P - Pelvis - Use Binders or stabilise
L - Long Bones
A - Abdomenm - Can loose 4-6L of blood into Abdomen
C - Chest
E - External
S - Scalp
If bleeding from Abdomen or chest best thing to do is get them to a hospital.
How do you address External Haemorrhage?
- Direct Pressure
- Indirect Pressure (pressure points)
- Elevation
- Tourniquet
What are signs that the patient has a problem with their circulation?
- Blood
- Loss of Consciousness
- Pulse
- Skin Colour
- Capillary Refill
- Heart rate
Note: Blood in water looks like there is a lot of blood and also car seats absorb a lot of blood.
Details of Direct Pressure?
Apply Direct Pressure (with a Pad) to the direct point of blood loss. Roll up a dressing so there is “Point” load over the wound to apply direct pressure.
When placing the bandage as it passes over the wound area twist the bandage 180Deg over the dressing to apply greater direct pressure to the wound.