First aid Flashcards
How old is an INF considered in first aid scenarios?
Birth to one year
What’s included in the primary survey?
A - Airways
B - Breathing
C - Circulation
What’s included in the secondary survey?
D - Dysfunction
E - Examine
What is the response procedure?
Speak - Loudly
Shake - Gently on the shoulder
Pinch - The earlobe
What’s is included the the airway step of ABC?
Check for normal breathing
Check for obstructing objects
Use the head-tilt chin-lift procedure
What is included in the breathing step of ABC?
Look - for chest movements
Listen - for breathing sounds
Feel - for expelled air with cheek
What is the average breaths PM of a adult?
12-20
What is the average breaths PM of a INF?
25-50
What is the average breaths PM of a child?
15-30
What is included in the circulation step of ABC?
Check for signs of bleeding
If non life-threatening conditions are found start secondary survey
What’s included in the dysfunction step of DE?
Assess level of consciousness using AVPU method
Assess level of response at regular intervals - make note of any changes
Examine the persons ability to complete simple tasks (e.g. move limbs)
Asses pupillary light reflexes
What does the AVPU method include?
A - Alert
V - Voice responsive
P - Pain responsive
U - Unresponsive
What is included in the examine step of DE?
Use of AMPLE examination
Look for medical jewellery
Look for medication
Assess PAX signs and symptoms
Assess circulation and pulse
What is included in the AMPLE assessment?
A - Allergies
M - Medication
P - Past medical history
L - Last food and drink
E - Events/extras
How do you assess circulation?
Check skin colour
Check temperature
(If conscious):
Pulse rate
Pulse strength
Pulse rhythm
Capillary refill
What’s the average BPM in an adult?
Radial - Below the thumb
Brachial - Upper inside of the arm
What’s the average BPM in a child?
70-140
What’s the average BPM of an INF?
90-150
What’s included in comforting the casualty?
Explain what you are doing
TLC
Reassure
Looses tight clothing
Open air vents
When should you request PHA on arrival?
When you suspect a PAX has a communicable disease
What are the first aid roles?
First aider
Communicator
Back up
Other CC
What’s included in the role of the communicator?
Call CAP (222) and give PAA briefing
PA for medically qualified person
Move PAX from area
Collect QRG
What’s included in the role of the back up?
Collect relevant equipment
Remain to provide assistance
(If CPR required:)
Set up AED and be prepared to take over
What’s included in the role of the other CC?
Continue with other duties
(If CPR required:)
Be ready to take over
What are the 3 objectives of first aid?
- Preserve life
- Prevent condition from worsening
- Promote recovery
How do you protect yourself in a first aid situation?
- Wear gloves
- Wear goggles
- Use pocket mask for CPR
- Use antiseptic wipes
- Check for danger (smoke etc)
What is the the PHA? What are their main functions?
Public Health Authority
- Prevention of importation of communicable diseases
- Medical surveillance of all immigrants
When would the CAP request the PHA?
Whenever it is suspected a PAX onboard has a communicable disease
Symptoms of a communicable disease:
Fever (above 38 degrees) AND one or more:
- Appearing obviously unwell
- Persistent coughing
- Impaired breathing
- Persisted diarrhoea/vomiting
- Skin rash/spots
- Bruising or bleeding without injury
- Confusion of recent onset
Disposal of a syringe:
- Put on gloves
- Collect needle/syringe
- Place into plastic bottle (or similar)
- Re-seal the bottle/container
- Place the bottle/container in the top metal bar box
- Seal the box
- Advise CAP that the needle/syringe has been secured
- Complete CC report - including seal number for bar box used
- Advise cleaners on arrival
Duration of each O2 bottle:
120L Hi-flow: 30 mins
120L Low-flow: 60 mins
311L Hi-flow: 77 mins
311L Low-flow: 154 mins
What are the signs of decreased circulation?
- Colour changes
- Sweating
- Decreased level of consciousness
How do you access a casualty’s capillary refill?
- Hold casualty’s hand above their heart level
- Press on their finger nail until it turns white
- Release and the bloody should return within 2 seconds in normal circulation
What do you check for if a casualty is unresponsive?
Signs of trauma
Bleeding
Skin reactions
Needle marks
What’s included in the role of first aider?
First CC to arrive at scene
Press call bell 3 times
Assess the casualty (ABCDE) and administer first aid as required
(If CPR is required:)
- start compressions as back up sets up AED
- be ready to swap positions when the device is assessing heart rhythm
- continue resuscitation following AED prompts
What are the age groups in first aid?
Infant: Birth - 1 year
Child: 1 year - puberty
Adult: After puberty
What 3 questions should you ask to assess a conscious casualty?
What is the matter?
Have you had this condition before?
Do you have any medication with you?
What other indicator can you look for when assessing a casualty?
- Medical jewellery
- Asking questions to onlookers, friends or relatives
- Syringe, medication, inhalers etc
- Hospital card in wallet or diary
- Injuries; bleeding or limbs at odd angles
What are the dangers of unconsciousness?
- Tongue may relax and block the airway
- Casualty cannot cough
- Casualty cannot swallow
How do you access an unconscious casualty?
RSABC:
Response
Send
Airways
Breathing
Circulation
What’s included in the ‘send’ section of RSABC?
SEND for help by pressing call bell 3x
After assessing breathing what is the next step?
If casualty is breathing normally - Place in recovery position
If casualty is not breathing normally - Begin CPR
Procedure for moving an unconscious casualty:
- Lift up all arm rests
- Team leader stands behind casualty, supporting head and neck
- Other CC grasp hands and place underneath casualty
- Place free hand under the casualty’s knees
- Team leader: “Is everyone in position?”
- If all CC answer “Yes”, team leader will command: “Prepare to move, and move!”
- Move one seat at a time and support the head when moving casualty to the floor
What is angina?
When the heart is over worked the heart muscle becomes temporarily starved of oxygen, resulting in cramping chest pains and breathlessness.
Symptoms of angina:
- Cramping chest pain
- Cold clammy skin
- Sweating
- Breathlessness
- Weakness
- Pale in colour
What’s included in the breathing assessment for angina?
- Assess breathing and consider casualty’s position (semi sitting)
- Encourage casualty to breath slowly and deeply
- Administer oxygen
What are the special considerations for angina?
If the attack lasts longer than 10 mins or GTN does not work - Treat as a heart attack
What is the medication given for angina?
GTN
What is a heart attack?
When arteries are narrowed by cholesterol, blood flowing through may become sticky and form clots. This blocks the blood supply to a portion of the heart, causing the tissue to die.
Symptoms of a heart attack:
- Very constricting chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Ashen, cold, clammy skin
- Weak, rapid pulse
- Nausea and vomiting
What’s included in the breathing assessment for a heart attack?
- Assess breathing and consider position of the casualty (semi sitting)
- Administer oxygen
What’s included in the circulation assessment for a heart attack?
- Put casualty in semi sitting position
What’s included in the dysfunction assessment for a heart attack?
- Casualty may loose consciousness rapidly
What are the special considerations for a heart attack?
PA for medically qualified person
Paramedics on arrival
Diversion
Likely to lead to cardiac arrest
What is a cardiac arrest?
Happens when there is a substantial amount of muscle death - the hearts electrical impulse may be interrupted (V-FIB). The electrical supply can stop altogether (Asystole), when this occurs the heart cannot contract efficiently, meaning bloody cannot be transported around the body - brain tissue will start to die in 3-5 mins.
Symptoms of cardiac arrest?
- Unconscious
- No sign of normal breathing
- No sign of circulation
What’s included in the breathing assessment for a cardiac arrest?
- Check for normal breathing (no more than 10 secs)
- No signs of normal breathing = begin CPR immediately
What are the special considerations for a cardiac arrest?
CPR and AED utilised immediately
PA for medically qualified personnel
Paramedics on arrival
Diversion
Ensure CAP and ambulance crew are aware of AED use
What is the compression to breath ratio for an adult?
30 chest compressions
2 rescue breaths
What is the compression to breath ratio for a child/infant?
Begin with 5 effective rescue breaths - If the child/infant still fails to breath normally:
30 chest compressions
2 rescue breaths
What are the differences in CPR for children and infants?
Children (approx. under 8 years) - Use heel of one hand only
Infants - Use 2 fingers
How do you deliver rescue breaths to a casualty with a stoma?
Place pocket mask sideways across the throat - breath as normal
How do you use the AED?
- Turn on
- Bare the chest area
- Open electrodes pouch
- Place electrodes pads
- When AED analyses, DO NOT TOUCH casualty
- Follow voice prompts
Precautions when using AED:
- DO NOT delay treatment by determining casualty’s age
- DO NOT remove pads from chest if casualty recovers
- Ensure correct placement of electrode pads
- DO NOT touch the casualty during the analysis period
- DO NOT pull the green tab on the Pad-Pak
What is a stroke?
When blood supply to the brain is reduced or blocked by a bloody clot or ruptured artery.
Symptoms of a stroke:
- Weakness or paralysis
- Slurred speech
- Noisy breathing, slow bounding pulse
- Face appears flushed
- Sudden severe headache
- Confused mental state
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Sudden or progressive loss of consciousness
What test may be used to assess a casualty suffering from a potential stroke?
Grip test:
Ask the casualty to hold the arms out in front of them, then ask them to squeeze your hand. If one arms is weaker than the other this would usually indicate a stroke.
What does the FAST tool stand for when diagnosing a stroke?
Face - Can they smile? Has one side dropped?
Arms - Can they raise both arms?
Speech - Can the speak clearly? Can they understand you?
Time - Keep a record of when symptoms started
What’s included in the breathing assessment for a stroke?
- Lay the casualty down, raise their head and shoulders
- Administer oxygen
What’s included in the dysfunction assessment for a stroke?
- Assess level of consciousness (AVPU)
What are the special considerations for a stroke?
Do not give anything to eat or drink - you may wet the lips
Diversion
Symptoms of a minor epileptic fit:
- Switching off/staring blankly
- Twitching or jerking
- Automatic repetitive movements
- Chewing or making noises
What’s included in the dysfunction assessment for a minor epileptic fit?
- They may be confused and disorientated
What’s included in the examine assessment for a minor epileptic fit?
- Advise them to see a doctor
Symptoms of a major epileptic fit:
- Full body convulsions
- Warning period (aura)
What’s included in the airway assessment for a major epileptic fit?
- Attempt to maintain an open airway, however do not force holding the head
What’s included in the breathing assessment for a major epileptic fit?
- Check for normal breathing once convulsions stop and consider casualty’s position
What’s included in the dysfunction assessment for a major epileptic fit?
- Possible sleep periods after the fit, do not seek for a response during the sleep phase
- Time seizure and sleep
What’s included in the examine assessment for a major epileptic fit?
- Pass on seizure and sleep times to the casualty
- Ambulance on arrival if:
It’s the casualty’s first fit
The casualty is pregnant
They are having recurring seizures - Advise them to see a doctor
What are the special considerations for an epileptic fit?
Pad the area around the head
What are the 2 types of diabetes?
Hyperglycaemia - prolonged high levels of sugar
Hypoglycaemia - too much insulin and dangerously low blood sugar
Symptoms of diabetes:
- Weakness
- Fainting
- Sweating profusely
- ‘Waxy’ look to skin
- Rapid pulse
- Shallow breathing
- Confusion
- Pale and cold
- Trembling limbs
- Slurred speech
- Deteriorating level of response
- Strange behaviour (similar to drunk)
- Acetone smell from breath
What’s included in the breathing assessment for diabetes?
- Consider casualty’s position
- Administer oxygen if necessary
What’s included in the dysfunction assessment for diabetes?
- Consider a deteriorating level of response, confused mental state, strange behaviour
What’s included in the examine assessment for diabetes?
- Own medication (insulin) to be administered if necessary
- If not give a sugary drink
- If they improve, give another and advise to see a doctor
- If they do not improve, nil by mouth and promote recovery
What are the special considerations for diabetes?
CC must not inject insulin
PA for medically qualified personnel
Ambulance on arrival
Look for medical jewellery
What is asthma?
When the muscles in the airways go into spasm as swell - making it difficult to breath.
Symptoms of asthma:
- Difficulty breathing
- Wheezing
- Difficulty speaking
- Blueness of skin, lips and nails
What’s included in the breathing assessment for asthma?
- Consider casualty’s position, if possible sit up with their elbows on tray table
- Encourage them to breath slowly and deeply
- Administer oxygen if necessary
What’s included in the examine assessment for asthma?
- Casualty should have own medication (inhaler)
What are the special considerations for diabetes?
If administering oxygen - should be on low-flow
If placing elbows on tray table is uncomfortable - suggest resting them on knees
PA for medically qualified personnel
What is an allergic reaction?
The body’s response to a foreign substance, usually resulting in swelling of the face or airways.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction:
- Swelling of lips, face, neck and tongue
- Difficulty breathing
- Difficulty swallowing
- Rash
- Pulse may be rapid, weak and irregular
What’s included in the airway assessment for an allergic reaction?
- Airway swelling may progress to complete closure of the air passage
What’s included in the breathing assessment for an allergic reaction?
- Consider casualty’s position (whichever eases their breathing)
- Administer oxygen
What’s included in the circulation assessment for an allergic reaction?
- Be prepared to resuscitate
What’s included in the examine assessment for an allergic reaction?
- Casualty may be in possession of an Epi-Pen
What are the special considerations for an allergic reaction?
CC must not administer Epi-Pen
PA for medically qualified personnel
Paramedics on arrival
Diversion
What is DVT?
Deep Vein Thrombosis occurs when a blood clot forms within the deep veins. In some cases DVT can lead to a Pulmonary Embolism.
Symptoms of DVT:
- Pain, swelling and tenderness in one leg
- Heavy ache in affected area
- Warm skin in clot area
- Red skin (particularly at the back of the leg)
What is a pulmonary embolism (PE)?
Blood clot travelling up from one of the deep veins in the leg to your heart and lungs - preventing blood from reaching these organs.
Symptoms of PE:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing (usually dry)
- Feeling faint, dizzy or passing out
What’s included in the breathing assessment for DVT and PE?
- Administer oxygen
What are the special considerations for DVT and PE?
First aid is limited
Casualty’s exhibiting symptoms should always be suspected of having PE until proven otherwise
Diversion
Paramedics on arrival
What are the 3 types of burns?
- Superficial (1st degree)
- Partial thickness (2nd degree)
- Full thickness (3rd degree)
What is a superficial burn?
Only involves the outer layer of skin, swelling and tenderness will occur (e.g. scald from hot drink)
What is a partial thickness burn?
Damages several layers of skin, will look raw and blisters will form. Will require medical attention but usually heal well.
What is a full thickness burn?
All layers of skin are affected, may also affect nerves, muscle and fat. Will always require medical attention and specialist treatment
What is the treatment for a superficial burn?
- Cool the burn will cold water immediately for 10 mins
- Remove any jewellery or restrictive clothing
- If pain persists after cooling, use cooling gel
- If necessary, cover area with a burns dressing (wear gloves)
- Elevate injured area to reduce swelling
- Encourage casualty to drink water
- Promote recovery
What is the treatment for a partial/full thickness burn?
- Cool the burn will cold water immediately for 10 mins
- Remove any jewellery or restrictive clothing
- Cover burns with a dry sterile bandage (wear gloves)
- Elevate injured area to reduce swelling
- Encourage casualty to drink water
- Promote recovery
What should you NOT do when treating a partial/full thickness burn?
- Break blisters or interfere with the injured area
- Apply lotions, oils or fats
- Remove anything sticking to the burn
What are the 3 types of bleeding?
- Arterial
- Venous
- Capillary
