First Aid

Burns,
Open Wounds
and More

First aid
is the assistance given to any
person suffering a sudden illness
or injury, with care provided to
preserve life, prevent the
condition from worsening, and/or
promote recovery.

 It includes initial intervention in a

serious condition prior to
professional medical help being
available, such as performing CPR
while awaiting an ambulance, as
well as the complete treatment of
minor conditions, such as
applying a plaster to a cut

 The key aims of first aid can be

summarised in three key points,
sometimes known as 'the three
P's'
Preserve life: the overriding aim of
all medical care which includes first
aid, is to save lives and minimize the
threat of death.

 Prevent further harm: also sometimes

called prevent the condition from
worsening, or danger of further
injury, this covers both external factors,
such as moving a patient away from any
cause of harm, and applying first aid
techniques to prevent worsening of the
condition, such as applying pressure to
stop a bleed becoming dangerous.

 Promote recovery: first aid also

involves trying to start the recovery
process from the illness or injury, and
in some cases might involve
completing a treatment, such as in
the case of applying a plaster to a
small wound

Objectives
Recognize the benefits of
obtaining
first-aid
Identify proper procedures on
wound care
Assist in administering first aid
when an inflicted/injured person

Terms to Know
Burns
Bruises
Closed Wounds
Open Wounds
Abrasions
Lacerations
Punctures
Avulsions

Burns
-damages our skin /soft tissue;muscle .
Classified by sources:
Heat
Chemicals
Electricity
Radiation (including by the sun)

TYPES OF BURNS
Thermal
exposure to flame or a hot object
Chemical
exposure to acid, alkali or organic substances
Electrical
result from the conversion of electrical energy into
heat. Extent of injury depends on the type of current,
the pathway of flow, local tissue resistance, and
duration of contact
Radiation
result from radiant energy being transferred to the
body resulting in production of cellular toxins

SUPERFICIAL BURNS
(FIRST DEGREE)
Epidermal tissue only affected
Erythema, blanching on pressure, mild
swelling
no vesicles or blister initially
Not serious unless large areas involved
i.e. sunburn

DEEP (SECOND DEGREE)

Involves the epidermis and deep layer of the
dermis
Fluid-filled vesicles red, shiny, wet, severe
pain
Hospitalization required if over 25% of body
surface involved
i.e. tar burn, flame

FULL THICKNESS
(THIRD/FOURTH DEGREE)
Destruction of all skin layers
Requires immediate hospitalization
Dry, waxy white, leathery, or hard skin, no
pain(nerve endings are)
Exposure to flames, electricity or
chemicals can cause 3rd degree burns

Burns: Classified by Depth

Superficial ( 1st degree)
Sunburn
Partial ( 2nd degree)
Hot water, stove

Full thickness (3rd degree)

Fire

Burn Treatment
Check the scene
Remove person from the source of
burn
Check for life-threatening
conditions(ABCs)
Cool burn with large amounts of
cold running water

(Call 911)/ go to the nearest Hospital if

the burned person:
Has trouble breathing
Has burns covering more
than one body part or a
large surface area
Has burns to airway
Burns to head, neck,
hands, feet or genitals

Donts for Burn Treatment

Touch a burn with anything but a clean
dressing
Remove pieces of clothing attached to burn
Break blisters
Try to clean a severe burn
Use any kind of ointment on a severe burn

Rescue 911

Christmas Tree Fire

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I4jUqd3jK0&feature=related
Potpourri Fire
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5cnwZzGaAk

Wounds

Soft Tissue Injuries

Soft tissue includes
the layer of skin, fat
and muscle
Cuts, scrapes and
bruises called
wounds.

There are 2 types of

wounds:
Closed
Open

Types
Open Wounds: Care for bleeding
and infection are primary
responsibilities. May need sutures
Closed Wounds: Bleeding floods
the inner tissue
Potentially life-threatening:
Multiple wounds
Extensive size or depth

 A wound is an injury
,especially in which the
skin or external surface is
torn,pierced,cut or
otherwise broken.

Closed Wounds
Example:
Simplest is a bruise.
Could be more serious.
Seek medical help if :

A person complains of severe pain or cannot

move a body part without pain

You think the force that caused the injury

was great enough to cause serious damage

An injured extremity is blue or extremely pale

Watch Out for:

Different Stages of Wound
Healing
-further investigation;
Medico-legal Case
(abused,hazing)

Bruises (aka Contusions)

Causes:
When tiny blood vessels are damaged or
broken as the result of a blow to the skin
Can result from other injuries to area
(ankle ligament sprain)

Care for contusions with

sprain
R- rest
I- immobilized
C-cold compress
E- elevate

Sprain
wrench or twist the ligaments of (an
ankle, wrist, or other joint) violently
so as to cause pain and swelling but
not dislocation.

Fracture
A fracture is a break, usually in a
bone. If the broken bone punctures
the skin, it is called an open or
compound fracture. Fractures
commonly happen because of car
accidents, falls, or sports injuries.
Other causes are low bone density
and osteoporosis, which cause
weakening of the bones.

Closed Wound Treatment

Apply ice for first 48-72
hours
On and off in 20 minute
increments
Apply compression with
ace wrap

Provides:
-Support
-Decreases swelling

Bandages and Dressings

Bandages
Roller Bandages
Triangular Bandages

Dressings
Adhesive Strips
Trauma Dressings
Gauze Pads

Ice treatment may be used in both the

immediate treatment of soft tissue injuries
and in later rehabilitation

During immediate treatment, the aim is to

limit the body's response to injury. Ice will:

Reduce bleeding into the tissues.

Prevent or reduce swelling (inflammation).
Reduce muscle pain and spasm.
Reduce pain by numbing the area and by
limiting the effects of swelling.

Open Wounds: Types

Abrasions skin scraped off, often
caused by a sliding fall onto a rough
surface

 Laceration a cut in the skin caused

by a sharp object like a knife, scissors
or broken glass.

Open Wounds
Avulsions an
injury in which a
portion of the skin
and sometimes
other soft tissue is
partially or
completely torn
away

Amputation-Cutting or
tearing off of a body part
-Usually bleed heavily

Respond: Amputations
Wrapped severed tissue(amputated
body part) in sterile gauze and keep it
cold and dry by placing it in a sealed
plastic bag and putting ice on it
Control Bleeding
Direct pressure to wound
Elevate
Bandage and Protect
Sterile or clean dressing and
bandage
Transport tissue and victim to hospital

 Punctures a pointed object piercing the skin.

A gunshot wound is also a puncture wound.

Wound Care Precautions

If wound involves metal
Tetanus shot may be necessary
Avoid direct contact with blood
Do NOT clean large or severe
wounds
Do NOT scrub a wound

Puncture Wounds-how to
treat them

Puncture wounds are difficult to clean. if the

object has penetrated the bone, it is especially
risky. Flush the area thoroughly with
water,cleaning well and a number of
occassions,and elevate the wound. then bring the
patient to the Health institution for further
evaluation. Actually, the patient needs also Antitetanus shot/antibiotic. If it is left untreated the
pt. risk of infection (redness,swelling,pain,pus
and fever ).

Minor Open Wound

Treatment
Use barrier between your hand
and the wound(gloves)
Apply direct pressure for a few
minutes to control the
bleeding
Wash the wound with soap
and water removing foreign
material(do not scrub)
If no allergies, apply antibiotic
ointment
Cover the wound with sterile
bandages

Minor Open Wound Treatment

Bandages are used
to:
Hold dressings in
place
Control bleeding
Protect wounds
Provide support to
an injured limb or
body part.

Major Open Wound

Treatment
Control bleeding
Cover wound with sterile dressing and press
against wound.
Apply a pressure bandage over dressing.
If blood soaks through Do NOT remove bandage
Add more bandage on top.-re-inforce
If broken bones are suspected Do not move the
affected limb.
If no broken bone,gently elevate and support the
part while keeping pressure.
Then get Medical Help.

Controlling External
Bleeding
Direct Pressure
Fingers or palm of hand
Elevate Body Part
Pressure Bandage
Pressure Points

Pressure Points To Control

Bleeding
Indirect Pressure
In cases of severe bleeding when direct pressure
and elevation are not controlling the bleeding,
indirect pressure must be used. Bleeding from an
artery can be controlled by applying pressure to
the appropriate pressure point. Pressure points
are areas of the body where the blood flow can be
controlled by pressing the artery against an
underlying bone. Pressure is applied with the
fingers, thumb, or heel of the hand.

Pressure points should be used with caution.

Indirect pressure can cause damage to the
extremity due to inadequate blood flow. Do not
apply pressure to the neck (carotid) pressure
points, it can cause cardiac arrest.
Indirect pressure is used in addition to direct
pressure and elevation. Pressure points in the
arm (brachial) and in the groin (femoral) are most
often used, and should be thoroughly understood.
The brachial artery is used to control severe
bleeding of the lower part of the upper arm and
elbow. It is located above the elbow on the inside
of the arm in the groove between the muscles.
Using your fingers or thumb, apply pressure to
the inside of the arm over the bone.

The femoral artery is used to control

severe bleeding of the thigh and lower leg.
It is located on the front, center part of the
crease in the groin. Position the victim on
his or her back, kneel on the opposite side
from the wounded leg, place the heel of
your hand directly on the pressure point,
and lean forward to apply pressure. If the
bleeding is not controlled, it may be
necessary to press directly over the artery
with the flat surface of the fingertips and
to apply additional pressure on the
fingertips with the heel of your other hand.

Types of Bleeding
Arterial:
Spurting,blood is bright red

Venous
Gushing,blood dark red,slow flow

Capillary
Oozing from wound,slow and small in quantity

Internal
- bruising

Internal Bleeding
Care for shock and seek for Medical Help
Bruises and contusions
Painful, tender, rigid, bruised abdomen
Vomiting or coughing up blood
Stool that is black or contains blood

When are stitches needed?

Rule of thumb:
Stitches are needed
when..
edges of skin do
not fall together
the laceration
involves the face
when any wound is
over
inch long

Preventing Disease
Transmission

Follow these guidelines

when giving 1st aid to help
decrease risk of getting or
transmitting an infectious
disease:

Avoid contact with blood

& other body fluids
Use protective breathing
barriers
Use disposable gloves
Do not touch anything
soiled in blood
UNIVERSAL PRECAUTION:
WASH HANDS.

Using Gloves
Wash your hands with
soap and water after
giving care even if you
are wearing gloves
Why do you think it is
important to avoid
contact with blood?

Cleaning up a blood spill

Clean up spill IMMEDIATELY
after it occurs
Use disposable gloves and other
protective equipment
Wipe up spill with paper towels
or something else durable
After the area has been wiped
up use 1 cups of liquid
chlorine bleach : 1 gallon of
fresh water and let stand for 10
minutes
Dispose in Biohazard container

Scenario 1
Minor Wound Treatment
Scrape, cut on wrist/finger

Scenario 2

Scenario 3
Bee sting on palm of hand

Scenario 4
Bruise
/contusions

We make a living by
what we get, but we
make a life by what
we give.
Winston Churchill

Rescue 911

Window Cuts Boy Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxoPX1gqyHc

Window Cuts Boy Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oL2PIiTKyB4

Jagged Edge Rescue Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvm0FZFfNs&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL0EC95EC6A90C30EB

Jagged Edge Rescue Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D454zCQlWvQ&feature=related