First Aid Flashcards
Is it essential that your life and safety aren’t placed at risk?
Yes it is essential, you yourself must not become a victim
How do you approach a life threatning situation?
Approach the situation and remain alert to possible environmental hazards that may have contributed to the accident or occurrence
What does the Royal Life Saving Society Australia suggest that all first aid treatment is based on?
Common sense
Knowledge
What are the 6 procedures which are recommended to follow during an emergency? (in a row)
Requesting a phone
Contacting emergency services
Direct people for help
Instruct people how to give CPR
Observe those in shock
Request assistance with bandaging/bleeding control/splints/slings etc.
What does DRSABCD stand for?
Danger Response Send for help Airway Breathing CPR Defibrillation
What does danger mean from DRSABCD?
Ensure the area is safe for yourself, others and the patient
What does response mean from DRSABCD?
Check for response (i.e. ask name, squeeze shoulders). If there is no response, send for help, if there is a response, monitor the response and make comfortable
What does airway mean from DRSABCD?
Open the mouth, and if foreign material is present, place in the recovery position, and clear airway with fingers
Open the airway by tilting head with chin lift
What is the recovery position?
a position used in first aid to prevent choking in unconscious patients, in which the body is placed facing downwards and slightly to the side, supported by the bent limbs.
How do you manage a conscious patient?
Treat shock, bleeding, fractures and other injuries
Placing the patient in a comfortable position
How do you manage an unconscious victim?
They must be handled very gently, and care must bee taken to avoid twisting or forward movement of the head or neck to prevent or minimise a neck injury
How do you place a patient into the recovery position?
Lean across patient and grasp arm on their far side, and extend this arm out from the body
Take thee patient’s nearest arm and place this across their chest so that their hand rests on the shoulder of the arm that is extended
Place your hand that is nearest to the patient’s leg behind their knee while supporting the shoulders with the other hand, and lift the leg until the foot is flat on the floor
Using both hands, roll the patient away from you and on to their side. Lower arm should still be outstretched. The upper leg should roll across and onto the floor. Neck needs to be supported
What is the STOP acronym?
Stop further activity from taking place
Talk and ask questions
Observe the injured area
Prevent further injury
What does CPR stand for?
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
How do you conduct CPR?
Locate the compression point (centre point of chest)
Conduct 5 cycles of 30 compressions and two breaths in two minutes if possible
What are the five steps in performing the chest compressions?
- Place heel of hand at centre of the victim’s chest
- Press down so you compress the chest - be smooth and rhythmical- 1/3 of chest depth
- Rate of 30 compressions, 2 breaths
- Apply pressure directly over chest not at an angle
- Allow chest to recoil after compression
What are the steps for CPR on a baby?
- Keep head in neutral position
- Rate of 30 compressions and 2 breaths
- Breaths should be a light puff only
- Cover the mouth and nose for the breaths
- Chest compressions with two fingers
Depth of compression should be 1/3 of chest depth
What are the steps for CPR of a child?
- Slight head tilt
- Rate of 30 compressions and two breaths
- One hand for compressions
- 1/3 of chest depth
Is treating bleeding more important than resuscitation?
No
How do you manage body fluids when someone is bleeding?
Personal protection such as gloves, sterile dressings and disposable equipment
How do you tell if an artery has been damaged?
Blood will be bright red and may spurt. This is life threatening
How do you tell if a vein has been damaged?
Blood will be darker and the flow is not as forceful. This is life threatening
How do you tell if a capillary has been damaged?
Blood will ooze
How do you manage a bleeding crisis?
Use PER
What does PER stand for?
Pressure - Apply pressure to wound to restrict flow of blood
Elevation - Raise affected limb above the level of the heart
Rest
Also monitor the patient’s vital signs and signs of shock and seek medical assistance
What is shock?
Shock is a critical condition brought on by the sudden drop in blood flow through the body.
What are the four signs of shock?
Pale, clammy skin, rapid or weak pulse
Rapid shallow breathing
Collapsed altered state of consciousness
Thirst
How do you manage for shock? (7 + 1)
Call for urgent medical assistance
Elevate the patient’s legs so they are above the level of
the heart
Treat the cause of the shock if possible (e.g. wounds,
burns)
Altered state of consciousness – if breathing and
unconscious, place in recovery position
Reassure
Monitor closely
Try and keep body temperature stable; if cold, cover with blankets
If face is pale, raise the tailbone
Should spinal injuries be treated seriously?
Yes, it can result in permanent damage, where organs below the site of damaged spinal cord can’t receive signals and therefore won’t function. Immobilisation or minimal movement is necessary for potential spinal injuries
What are the signs of spinal injury? (6)
Pain at the site
Being able to recount the events leading to the injury
Loss of movement
Sensation of tingling in hands or feet
Bump or lump on the backbone
Onset of shock
How do you manage spinal injuries? (6)
Immobilisation of patient and placing a possible pad around the neck
and back of the patient
Seek urgent medical assistance
Monitor/treat for shock
DRSABCD
Support the head at all times
Maintain body heat
If a patient receives a neck and spinal injury, should you move the casualty?
Only if they have to be moved because of a life threatening situation
How do you take care of an unconscious casualty?
First consideration - ensure no further injury occurs
Recovery position - They are on their side, with the head tilted slightly back (for a clear airway) and slightly downwards (to ensure any fluids escape from the mouth)
How do you clear airways?
Lower the person on his or her back onto the floor, arms to the side. Clear the airway. If a blockage is visible at the back of the throat or high in the throat, reach a finger into the mouth and sweep out the cause of the blockage.
What are soft tissue injuries?
Soft tissue injuries occur when the body’s muscles, tendons or ligaments experience a degree of trauma.
What are three examples of soft tissue injuries?
Contusions
Strains
Sprains
What are contusions?
They are basically bruises which is the result of trauma to the skin which causes damage to underlying blood vessels. The amount of discolouration under the skin depends upon size and number of blood vessels disrupted
What are strains?
Strains occur when a muscle is exposed to a greater workload than is normally encountered and is stretched beyond its normal limit. It happens when a muscle comes under stress before properly warmed up as well.
What are sprains?
A sprain occurs at a joint and is normally associated with the
stretching of that joint beyond its normal range of movement,
often causing the ligaments to stretch and sometimes tear.
What are six symptoms of soft tissue injuries?
Pain Bruising Swelling Loss of Motion Deformity Shock
What method can you use to manage soft tissue injuries?
RICER principle
What does the RICER principle stand for and state
Rest - The injured part
Ice - An ice pack or cold compress should be applied to the injured site. Do not apply
directly to the skin, but wrap in a damp cloth. The ice should be applied for 10 to 20
minutes every 2 hours.
Compression - Apply a compression bandage to the injured site
Elevation - The injured area should be elevated
Referral - If unsure of the extent of the injury, medical advice should be sought
What are dislocations?
They are injuries to joints where one bone is displaced from another. It can be caused by direct trauma or abnormal twisting, resulting in a displacement of a bone from its normal position in a joint
What are the three symptoms of dislocation?
Pain
Deformity
Loss of motion
Where are three common sites of dislocation?
Fingers
Shoulders
Patella
Should you attempt to relocate a displaced bone?
No, only a doctor can attempt to relocate the bone
What are hard tissue injuries?
Hard tissue injuries involve damage to the bones or teeth and are caused as a direct result of force applied to the body, resulting in fractures, dislocations and other breakages.
What are fractures?
A fracture is a break in a bone. Sometimes the fracture may be
a single, clean break or there may be several breaks.
What are four causes of fractures?
Direct force-bone is broken at site of impact
Abnormal muscle contraction
Indirect force-bone breaks some distance from the point of impact
Diseased bone
What are 7 symptoms of fractures?
Pain at the site of injury
Inability to move injured part or unnatural movement of injured part
Deformity of injured part
Swelling and discolouration
Grating of bones
Tenderness
Possible shock
What are the three types of fractures?
Closed (simple)
Open (compound)
Complicated
What are closed (simple) fractures?
The bone is fractured but there is no cut or wound at the fracture site, and the bleeding remains concealed beneath the skin
What are open (compound) fractures?
The end of the fractured bones protrudes through the skin. Here, there is visible external bleeding, and infections may enter the body and the bone
What are complicated fractures?
The fractured bone damages the local tissues (i.e. organs)
What is the treatment for someone who has a fractur who is responsive
Conduct a Primary Survey and act accordingly
Prevent movement at site
Immobilise the joint above and below the fracture site, if possible.
If necessary, splint in position of comfort for the victim.
Do not attempt to realign a badly deformed limb
Where possible, an immobilised fractured limb should be elevated to reduce pain
and swelling.
Treat for shock
Support a fractured jaw with the hand. If necessary, pull the lower jaw forward to
keep the airway open.
What are full arm slings?
An arm sling holds the forearm in a raised or horizontal position and can support an injured upper arm, forearm and wrist.
When should you use full arm slings?
Injuries to the forearm and/or wrist
How do you apply a full arm sling? (5)
Support the injured forearm approximately parallel
to the ground with the wrist slightly higher than the
elbow
Place an opened triangular bandage between the
body and the arm, with its apex towards the elbow
Extend the upper point of the bandage over the
shoulder on the uninjured side
Bring the lower point up over the arm, across the
shoulder on the injured side to join the upper point and tie firmly.
Ensure the elbow is secured by folding the excess bandage over the elbow and securing with a safety pin
What are elevation slings
This type of sling supports the forearm and hand in a raised position, with the fingertips touching the casualty’s shoulder. This sling can help to control bleeding and minimise swelling in the forearm or hand.
When should you use elevation slings?
Injuries to the shoulder and collar bone
What are collar and cuff slings?
A Collar and Cuff is a loop of foam-based bandage that is suitable for use as an arm sling. It offers more versatility for the patient than the broad-arm sling, thus more suitable for combining with a forearm or upper arm cast.
When should you use collar and cuff slings?
Injuries to the upper arm or clavicle
If a person is unconscious and you need to get consent for treatment, who do you go to?
Family
What is the good Samaritan law?
Good Samaritan laws offer legal protection to people who give reasonable assistance to those who are, or whom they believe to be injured, ill, in peril, or otherwise incapacitated.
What does it mean by the concept of common sense vs heroics
I.e. don’t try saving someone from water if you cant drown. Basically use common sense when saving people
What 5 things should you report to emergency services?
Exact location of accident
Number of casualties
Number of casualties
Type of accident
Injuries
hat special services may need to attend the site
What 6 other dangers should you look out for in an accident?
Fallen wires
Fuel
Explosive gases
Shattered glass or sharp debris
Rips in water
Fire
How should you control traffic accidents? (6)
Avoid danger from other traffic – use hazard lights, use bystanders to aid with approaching traffic etc
Light up the scene with headlights (low beam)
Account for all occupants of each accident vehicle. Some occupants may be hidden behind debris or thrown
from the vehicle
Turn off the car engine where possible
Have fire extinguishers ready (if available)
Once the accident site is secure, continue with DRSABCD and injury management.
Under what conditions are you allowed to remove the casualty from a vehicle?
There is evidence of increasing shock and the casualty is upright in the car
The casualty is unconscious and an adequate airway cannot be maintained
The casualty’s position prevents access to control bleeding
There is danger of fire
CPR needs to be commenced and the casualty is not in a position to do so
What is the general rule for removing casualties in cars?
Don’t do it unless necessary and only do it if certain conditions are met
What are some factors to consider in planning a water rescue? (7)
The number of casualties
Distance from the shore
The water depth and temperature
What rescue equipment is available
The physical and psychological state of the casualty and their swimming ability
Rips or currents at the beach
Hidden dangers under the water
What are some protective strategies for managing electrical accidents? (3)
Not touching cars or objects that are in contact with fallen power lines
Turning power off at the source
Removing live power cords with non conducting material
Is there a risk of cross infection when administering first aid?
Yes
What kinds of illnesses can be transferred? (5)
Colds and influenza
HIV/AIDS
Glandular fever
Measles
Chickenpox
What is a way to prevent infection?
Use hygienic practices and create a barrier so that the infection can’t pass from one person to another (I.e. Resuscitation mask)
How should you prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS?
Make sure that you don’t have any open wounds in contact with the other infected person being treated
Cover sores, grazes, cuts, abrasions or incisions of any nature that exposes anyone’s blood
Cover the face of an unconscious person with a face mask before administrating CPR (or do compressions
only)
Wash hands and any surfaces of the body that have made contact with the casualty with soap and warm
water asap following treatment
What are first aiders expected to do (i.e. people who have first aid qualifications)? (5)
Use reasonable care in assessing the priorities of the situation based on their level of training
Take steps to call for further medical assistance
Keep the casualty stabilised until medical assistance arrives
Follow established treatment and management protocols
Not misrepresent themselves or take unnecessary risks.
Does a first aider need to seek consent before touching victims?
Yes. If victim is unconscious or unable to communicate, consent is assumed, if not get family
What written records should first aiders have? (5)
Date
Time of incident
Factual explanation
Advice given
Details of witnesses if
any were present
These are all required in the court of law
What does responsible citizenship suggest about giving help and assistance?
Have to do it to the best of our ability
Is common sense or heroics better?
Common sense
What is debriefing?
Involves obtaining information about the circumstances of the incident
that resulted in first aid being administered. The rescuer/s may be required to give an account of what happened and describe
as precisely as possible the nature of the incident.
Why do rescuers involved in emergency procedures need counselling?
Providing emergency care, organising help and possibly watching life slip away can
be very upsetting for individuals and result in personal pain. This can lead to
anxiety, depression and possibly an inability to cope.
Counselling is beneficial as it provides the opportunity to ‘work through’ situations
and dispel feelings of blame and inadequacy.
Emergency first aid may provide an opportunity for a life or lives to be saved.
However, if life is lost, rescuers should not feel that the blame rests with them if they
acted in accordance with their training and ability level.
HOW DO YOU MANAGE THESE VARIOUS INJURIES
YES
