FIRST AID FOR BURNS & TRAUMA First-Degree burn The least serious burns are those in which

only the outer layer of skin is burned, but not all the way through. The skin is usually red, with swelling, and pain sometimes is present. Treat a first-degree burn as a minor burn unless it involves substantial portions of the hands, feet, face, groin or buttocks, or a major joint, which requires emergency medical attention.

Second-degree burn When the first layer of skin has been burned through and the second layer of skin (dermis) also is burned, the injury is called a second-degree burn. Blisters develop and the skin takes on an intensely reddened, splotchy appearance. Second-degree burns produce severe pain and swelling. If the second-degree burn is no larger than 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) in diameter, treat it as a minor burn. If the burned area is larger or if the burn is on the hands, feet, face, groin or buttocks, or over a major joint, treat it as a major burn and get medical help immediately.

For minor burns, including first-degree burns and second-degree burns limited to an area no larger than 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) in diameter, take the following action:

Cool the burn. Hold the burned area under cool (not cold) running water for 10 or 15 minutes or until the pain subsides. If this is impractical, immerse the burn in cool water or cool it with cold compresses. Cooling the burn reduces swelling by conducting heat away from the skin. Don't put ice on the burn.

Cover the burn with a sterile gauze bandage. Don't use fluffy cotton, or other material that may get lint in the wound. Wrap the gauze loosely to avoid putting pressure on burned skin. Bandaging keeps air off the burn, reduces pain and protects blistered skin.

Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. These include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others). Use caution when giving aspirin to children or teenagers. Though aspirin is approved for use in children older than age 2, children and teenagers recovering from chickenpox or flu-like symptoms should never take aspirin. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns.

Minor burns usually heal without further treatment. They may heal with pigment changes, meaning the healed area may be a different color from the surrounding skin. Watch for signs of infection, such as increased pain, redness, fever, swelling or oozing. If infection develops, seek medical help. Avoid re-injuring or tanning if the burns are less than a year old doing so may cause more extensive pigmentation changes. Use sunscreen on the area for at least a year. Caution

Don't use ice. Putting ice directly on a burn can cause a burn victim's body to become too cold and cause further damage to the wound.

Don't apply butter or ointments to the burn. This could cause infection. Don't break blisters. Broken blisters are more vulnerable to infection.

Third-degree burn The most serious burns involve all layers of the skin and cause permanent tissue damage. Fat, muscle and even bone may be affected. Areas may be charred black or appear dry and white. Difficulty inhaling and exhaling, carbon monoxide poisoning, or other toxic effects may occur if smoke inhalation accompanies the burn. For major burns, call for emergency medical help. Until an emergency unit arrives, follow these steps: 1. Don't remove burned clothing. However, do make sure the victim is no longer in contact with smoldering materials or exposed to smoke or heat. 2. Don't immerse large severe burns in cold water. Doing so could cause a drop in body temperature (hypothermia) and deterioration of blood pressure and circulation (shock). 3. Check for signs of circulation (breathing, coughing or movement). If there is no breathing or other sign of circulation, begin CPR. 4. Elevate the burned body part or parts. Raise above heart level, when possible. 5. Cover the area of the burn. Use a cool, moist, sterile bandage; clean, moist cloth; or moist towels.

FIRST AID FOR BONES, JOINTS AND MUSCLE INJURIES Muscle Cramp is the sudden, painful tightening of a muscle. First Aid

Have the victim stretch out the affected nuscle to counteract the cramp. Massage the cramped muscle firmly but gently. Apply heat. Moist heat is more effective than dry heat. Get medical help if cramps persist.

2. Muscle strain is the sudden, painful tearing of muscle fiber during exertion. Signs and Symptoms

Pain Swelling Bruising Loss of efficient movement.

First Aid

Apply cold compress at once. Elevate the limb to reduce swelling and bleeding within the muscle. Rest the pulled muscle for 24 hours. Get medical help.

3. Sprain is caused by torn fibers in a ligament. Signs and Symptoms

Swelling Bruising

First Aid

Remove any clothing or jewelry from around the joint. Apply cold compress at once. Elevate the affected joint with pillow or clothing.

The victim's physician may recommend an over the counter antiinflammatory medication (aspirin, ibuprofen) appropriates for the victim's general health.

3. Dislocation is the displacement of a bone from its normal position at a joint while fracture is a break or disruption in bone tissue. Signs and Symptoms

Pain Misshapen appearance. Swelling Loss of function.

First Aid

Check ABC (Airway-Breathing-Circulation) Keep the victim ill. Prevent infection by covering with a sterile dressing before immobilizing. Splint or sling the injury in the position, which you found it. Take steps to prevent shock. Get medical help.

Immobilizing/Splinting Use of Bandages 1. 2. 3. 4. Collarbone Rib Ankle Arm support

Use of Wood or other Improvised Splints 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Elbow Forearm/Hand/Wrist Finger Hip/Thigh Knee/Leg Ankle Traction Splint

First Aid for Wounds BASIC FIRST AID FOR WOUNDS Wound is a break in the continuity of a tissue of the body either internal or external. CLASSIFICATION OF WOUNDS 1. Closed wound Causes:

Blunt object that may result in contusion or bruises Application of external forces

Signs and Symptoms

Pain and tenderness Swelling Discoloration Hematoma Uncontrolled restlessness Thirst Symptoms of shock Vomiting or cough-up blood Passage of blood in the urine or feces Sign of blood along mouth, nose and ear canal

First Aid Management

I- Iced application C- Compression E- Elevation S- Splinting

2. Open Wound- a break in the skin or mucous membrane; or the protective layer is damage. Classification of Open Wound Classification Causes

Characteristics

Puncture Abrasion Laceration Avulsion Incision

Penetrating pointed instruments uch as nail, ice picks, daggers, etc. Scrapping or rubbing against rough surfaces. Blunt instruments such as shrapnels, rocks, broken glasses, etc. Explosion, animal bites, mishandling of tools, etc. Sharp bladed instruments such as blades, razors, etc.

Deep and narrow, serious or slight bleeding. Shallow, wide, oozing of blood, dirty. Torn with irregular edges, serious or slight bleeding. Tissue forcefully separated from the body. Clean cut, deep, severe bleeding, wound is clean.

Dangers

Hemorrhage Infection Shock

Kinds of Bleeding

Arterial bleeding Venous bleeding Capillary bleeding

First Aid Management

C- Control bleeding C- Cover the wound C- Care for shock C- Consult or refer to physician

Home Care (Wounds with bleeding not severe)

Clean the wound with soap and water. Apply mild antiseptics. Cover wounds with dressing and bandage.

Reminders: 1. All wounds must be thoroughly inspected and covered with a dry dressing to control bleeding and prevent further contamination. 2. Once bleeding is controlled by compression, the limb should be splinted to further control bleeding, stabilize the injured part, minimize the victim's pain and facilitate the patient's transport to the hospital. 3. As with closed soft tissue injuries, the injured part should be elevated to just above the level of the victim's heart to minimize severity. 4. Amputated body parts should be saved, wrapped in a dry gauze, placed in a plastic bag, kept cool, and transported with the patient. 5. Don't induce further bleeding to clean the wound. 6. Don't use absorbent cottom as a dressing.