Emergency Management/ Cold Emergencies Flashcards
What is the EMS?
Police, Fire and Medical Personnel, and individuals around the pateint
What is the first thing you should do when you arrive at the scene?
check the environment and make sure you are safe!
Emergency Action Steps:
Check-Call-Care
What are the 4 basic steps to emergency action?
Recognize that an emergency exists
Decide to act
Activate the EMS System
Give Care until help takes over
How do you know that an emergency exists?
Unusual noises, sights, odors, appearance or behaviors
What do you have to overcome and what are some side things that occur when deciding to act?
Overcoming barriers to act
Panic or fear of doing something wrong
Being unsure of the person’s condition or what to do
Assuming someone else will take action
The type of illness or injury
Fear of catching a disease
Fear of being sued
Being unsure when to cal 9-1-1
How do you activate the EMS system?
Call 9-1-1 first
Stay on the call
How long should you care the patient for?
When help takes over
Scene is unsafe
Obvious life, such as breathing
You are too exhausted or continue
What are the rules for Good Samaritan Act?
Move a person only if their life is in danger
Ask for permission before giving care
Check the person for life-threatening conditions before giving further care
Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number
Continue to give care until trained personnel take over
Do not abandon the person or act in a reckless or negligent way
When do you have to help someone?
designated by your employer
depending on the state
pre-existing relationship with other people
involved in the events that led to the person’s injury
Act of omission
[failing to do
the right thing what a person with similar training would do
An act of commission
doing something wrong
Informed consent:
when you ask the patient for consent
Must inform the person: Who you are, your training, what you think is wrong with them, and what you plan to do
Implied consent
law assumes they would accept care falls under Good Samaritan Act; must obatin permission from the patient if available life threatening= implied
When do Good Samarital laws do no protect the first aid providers?
Who have caused further injury to a person
Who have given first aid poorly
Who have exceeded the scope of training
What are the 3 C’s?
Check the scene,Call 9-1-1,Care for the person
What do you do when you check the scene?
Check if it is safe, look for clues , look for how many people were involved, and look for people who are available to help
When do you call 9-1-1?
Unconsciousness, breathing issues, strokes, seizures, chest pain, persistent abdominal pain or pressure, severe bleeding, vomiting blood, passing blood, poisoning, etc.
Downed electrical wires, fire, explosions, serious car accidents, people who cannot be moved, presence or poison, swiftly moving or rising water
When do you call first?
An adult or child who is unconscious; child or infant you saw collapse; child or infant with heart problems
When do you care first and for how long?
2 minutes of care then call 9-1-1
Unconscious child who you did not see collapse; drowning victim
What do you do when you care for the person?
Check for life-threatening conditions
Do not further harm the victim
Monitor the person’s breathing and unconsciousness
Help the person rest in the most comfortable position
don’t transport a person
What are the guidelines for transporting a person?
don’t transport the person when it aggravates an illness or injury
have someone with you
take the quickest orute
When do cold emergencies occur?
Surrounded in an environment cooler than your body= heat loss
What are the 2 Biological Defense Mechanisms
Vasoconstriction: tightening of blood vessels→ numbness
Shivering: involuntary/ contracting of muscles- body heat
People susceptible to cold injuries (3-5)
Old people
Unfit
Dehydration
Lean people
Alcohol and caffeine
Nicotine
No nutrition
Illness and injury
Previous cold injury
What causes hypothermia?
Low body temperature= a long exposure to very cold temperatures
Risks for Hypothermia?
Older adults with inadequate food, clothing, or heating
Babies sleeping in cold bedrooms
People who remain outdoors for long periods-the homeless, hikers, hunters, skiers, snowboarders, ice skating, etc.
People who drink alcohol or use illicit drugs
Signs and Symptoms for Hypothermia?
shivering, exhaustion, cool abdomen, low core temperature, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech, drowsiness
Treatment for Hypothermia?
Do not rub the patient
Remove wet clothing and put the victim into a warm room or shelter
Warm blankets and clothing
Use skin-to-skin contact
Warm chest, neck, head, and groin
Warm beverages
What causes Frostbite?
Caused by freezing that results in the loss of feeling in the affected areas.
affects the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers or toes.
can permanently damage the body, and severe cases can lead to amputation.
Risks for Frostbite
Poor blood circulation, not properly dressed for extremely cold temperatures
Signs and Symptoms for Frostbite
Redness or pain
Protect any exposed skin
White or garish yellow skin area
Firm or waxy skin
Numbness
Treatment for Frostbite
Check if there is no hypothermia (medical assistance)
Warm room
Do not walk on frostbitten toes
Immerse the affected area in warm water
Use body heat
Do not rub or massage the frostbitten area
Do not use electric or artificial heating only body heat
Prevention for Frostbite?
The limit being outside in cold, wet, or windy weather
Dress warmly and cover yourself
Wear mittens
Wear socks that fit well
Watch for signs of frostbite
Protect yourself by carrying emergency supplies
Don’t drink alcohol in cold weather
Eat balanced meals and stay hydrated
Exercise
What causes trench foot?
Feet are wet for long periods of time
What are symptoms of Trench foot?
Tingling and/or itching sensation
Pain, swelling, cold and blotchy skin, numbness, and a prickly or heavy feeling in the foot.
Foot may be red, dry, and painful after it becomes warm.
Blisters may form, followed by skin and tissue drying and falling off.
In severe and untreated involve the toes, heel, or entire foot.
Prevention for Trench foot?
Air-dry and elevate your feet
And wear dry shoes and socks
Treatment for Trench Foot
Air-dry and elevate your feet
And wear dry shoes and socks
Soak in warm water for 5 minutes and apply warm packs
Do not wear socks when sleeping or resting
Medical assistance
What causes chilblain?
Painful inflammation of small blood vessels in the skin in response to cold not freezing air
Causes itching, red patches, swelling and blistering on hands and feet
Clears up 1-3 weeks, especially when weather gets warmer
Treatment for Chilblain
Use lotions and protect from cold
Can lead to infection and severe damage if untreated
gangrene
when the tissue dies
