Part 5: Leadership, Safety And Rescue Flashcards
Name the 7 steps for an effective emergency response when responding to an accident.
1) take charge of the situation
2) approach the patient safely
3) perform emergency rescue and urgent first aid
4) protect the patient
5) check for other injuries
6) make a plan
7) carry out the plan
When should you move a patient?
Move a patient only if there is imminent danger to the patient or rescuers.
What are a patients CAB-B vital indicators?
Circulation: Is pulse present?
Airway: Is airway clear?
Breathing: Is patient breathing?
Bleeding: Does patient have any heavy bleeding?
When might a first responder withhold or terminate CPR?
The first-aid provider may withhold or terminate CPR if any of these conditions occur:
There is unacceptable risk to the rescuer.
The rescuer is exhausted.
The environment is one in which CPR is impossible.
Injuries are incompatible with life.
The patient’s body is frozen solid.
The avalanche victim is pulseless with obstructed airway and was buried for more than 35 minutes.
There is no return of a heartbeat after 30 minutes of CPR (except for a hypothermic patient).
What symptoms might a patient in shock suffer?
The patient may experience these symptoms: Nausea Thirst Weakness Fear and/or restlessness Sweating Shortness of breath
What signs might indicate a patient is going into shock?
Observers may note these signs: Pulse rapid but weak Breathing rapid and shallow Skin cool and clammy Lips and nail beds blue Restlessness Face pale Eyes dull Pupils dilated Unresponsiveness (a late sign)
What is hyponatremia and what is the cause?
Relatively uncommon (EAH) is generally caused by drinking too much water, which decreases blood sodium levels for up to 24 hours after prolonged activity.
What is heat stroke?
Heatstroke, also called sunstroke, is a life-threatening emergency. In heatstroke, the body’s heat gain is so substantial that body core temperature rises to dangerous levels: 105 degrees Fahrenheit (41 degrees Celsius) or more.
What are the signs and symptoms of heat stroke?
- Altered mental state: confusion or uncooperativeness, advancing toward unconsciousness
- Rapid pulse and respiratory rate
- Headache
- Weakness
- Flushed, hot skin (wet with sweat or sometimes dry)
- Seizures
- Loss of coordination
If a patient is suffering from heat stroke what should you do?
Treatment of heatstroke must be immediate.
- Move the patient to the shade.
- Cool the head and body by packing them in snow or through evaporative cooling by splashing on water and vigorously fanning the person.
- Remove clothing that retains heat.
- Add ice packs (snow) to the neck, groin, and armpits, where large blood vessels are located near the body surface.
- Once body temperature has dropped to 102 degrees Fahrenheit (39 degrees Celsius), the cooling efforts can be stopped.
Define Windchill
The windchill index provides a mathematical measure of how wind can accelerate the rate of cooling from exposed skin compared with the ambient temperature. For a given temperature, as wind speed increases, it draws more heat from exposed skin.
Define Hypothermia
Hypothermia, a cold-related illness that affects the entire body, occurs when cold overcomes the body’s ability to maintain a normal temperature. Usually hypothermia occurs after prolonged exposure to a chilly environment rather than exposure to extreme cold and requires more immediate treatment then frostbite or immersion foot due to the global nature of the condition.
What are some of the early signs of Hypothermia
In early hypothermia, symptoms include;
- intense shivering,
- fumbling hand movements,
- stumbling,
- dulling of mental functions, and
- uncooperative or isolative behavior.
What might be a sign that Hypothermia is progressing from early to more severe stages?
- A continued more violent shiver that eventually stops.
- A continued imparement of cognitive and motor functions and an eventual loss of consciousness.
What core body temperature is considered cold stress?
95 - 98.6 degrees
