Transcript St John Ambulance Basic First Aid Overview File

St John’s First Aid Course
Basic First Aid PreCAS Course
September 2012
P Desveaux
Practical discussion and
demonstrations
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Blisters
Cuts and bruises
Sprains and strains
Burns / sunburn
Fainting
CPR/ Choking
Fractures
Unconsciousness
Contents of Course
• First Aid Essentials
• Techniques and equipment
• Life Saving Procedures- CPR, Unconsciousness, choking,
drowning
• Nervous System – seizures, stroke, head injury
• Heart and Circulatory problems-heart attack, fainting
• Respiratory problems- allergies, asthma, anaphylaxis
• Burns and scalds- chemical, dry and wet burns
• Wounds and bleeding
• Eye Injuries
• Musculoskeletal injuries- fractures, dislocation, sprains
First Aid Essentials
• Definition of First Aid - The initial assistance
given to a casualty who is injured or suddenly
taken ill.
• The three principals of First Aid- To preserve
life, to promote recovery and to prevent
further injury or infection
• Action at an emergency- looking after yourself,
assessing a casualty, calling for help.
The Human Respiratory System
The Human Circulatory System
ABCD’s Lifeline
A- airway
S- shock,
spinal injury,
serious
bleeding
management
DDefibrillation
B- breathing
C- circulation,
compressions
Chain of survival
Early
recognition
and call for
help
Early CPR
(cardio
pulmonary
resuscitation)
Early
Defibrillation
Early
Professional
Care and
Follow up
Primary Survey- Dr ABC. The initial assessment
for life threatening conditions
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D – Danger, assess the situation for danger. Put yourself first and remove any risks.
When you are safe assess the casualty.
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R - Response -assess the casualty – is he conscious, does he respond to questions
or gentle tapping? If conscious treat casualty and call an ambulance (114) if
necessary.
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A – Airway - if unconscious open the airway.
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B – Breathing - Is he breathing. Look, listen and feel for breathing for no more
than 10 seconds. If he is breathing turn into recovery position and call an
ambulance (114).
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C – Circulation, chest compressions - If not breathing call the ambulance (114)
and commence 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breathes at the rate
of 100 beats per minute until the casualty responds, the emergency services
arrives or you are too tired to continue to maintain circulation.
Calling for help- SAMU 114, Mobile
112, police & coastguard 999, Fire 115
Guidelines for what to tell the Emergency services
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State which service you require
Give your name, state that you are acting as a first aider
Give your phone number so that the emergency services can locate you
Give the exact location of the accident or incident giving any junctions, landmarks.
Entrances to use etc to make it easier to be found
 State the type and seriousness of the incident / accident
 Give the number of people injured, sex and approximate age and anything you may know
about their condition
 Give details of any hazards such as gas leaks, toxic substance spills, live power lines, poor
weather conditions , fire, blocked road, heavy traffic etc.
For Multiple Injuries e.g. Road Traffic
Accidents
If there are multiple casualties e.g. Road Traffic Accidents
1. Use a systematic approach. Identify and respond to all unconscious casualties first and
conduct a primary survey to find and treat any life threatening injuries
2. The most experienced first aider should take charge
3. Make sure the emergency services are contacted
4. Mark the serious casualties so that they are easy for the emergency services to identify
5. Move people with minor injuries away from the site to allow access to more serious
casualties
6. Alert nearby workers or residents if there are any hazards
Don’t disturb any evidence that the police may need later.
Secondary Survey
Secondary Survey- SAMPLE- The assessment
performed once a casualty is out of immediate
danger
S – Signs and Symptoms (Signs are what you can see, hear and feel. Symptoms are what the casualty
tells you). Perform a full physical examination if possible and ask the casualty how he feels
A – Allergies Does the casualty have any allergies and if so is it possible he has ingested an allergen.
M – Medications. Is the casualty on regular medication for a medical condition? If so what type of
medication, what dose, how often is it taken, how much has been taken and when was the last dose.
Collect any medication and hand to the emergency services.
P- Pre existing medical condition. Does the patient have a pre existing medical condition such as a
heart condition, asthma, diabetes or epilepsy?
L- Last meal. When did the casualty last eat, drink or take alcohol or recreational drugs.
E- Events leading up to illness/incident. What happened?
Physical examination
• Use all your senses-What can you see, feel, hear and smell.
• Remember to talk to the casualty and reassure them
constantly even they do not appear to hear you
• Do not move the casualty
• Examine systematically from head to toe
• Look for bleeding, leaking body fluids, deformity, swelling,
irregularity.
• Check respiratory rate and pulse, colour, temperature of
skin and level of response
• Look for evidence of medications, medical alerts,
confirmation of name, address, date of birth if unable to
talk
Vital Signs
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Respiratory rate- adult 12-20 per minute
Respiratory rate- child 18-40 per minute
Respiratory rate - infant 30-60 per minute
Pulse rate -adult 60-80 beats per minute
Pulse rate- child 70-150 beats per minute
Pulse rate – infant 100-160 beats per minute
Pulse measured at wrist, upper arm or neck, over
radial, brachial or carotid arteries respectively.
Treatment Priorities
• Carry out primary survey and act on any findingsCPR if necessary
• Control bleeding
• Carry out secondary survey
• Treat large wounds and burns
• Immobilise bone and joint injuries
• Give appropriate treatment for other injuries and
medical conditions
• Continue to monitor vital signs and level of
consciousness and treat as appropriate
After care
• If you have not already called an ambulance it
may be necessary to:Call a doctor for advice
Call an ambulance or arrange transport to hospital
Pass care to a doctor/ nurse / ambulance crew
Take casualty to a nearby house / shelter to await help
Allow casualty to go home unaccompanied provided someone is at home.
Advise to see a doctor
Make sure personal belongings are given back or sent with casualty
Records
Make notes while waiting for the ambulance every ten minutes or more often if casualty’s condition is
getting worse. Record the following every ten minutes:
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Level of response- if he opens eyes; speech; movements in response to questions, gentle
tapping or squeezing of ear lobe
Pulse – beats per minute. Note rate, if weak or strong; if regular or irregular
Breathing – Rate per minute, if noisy or quiet; if easy or difficult
Unconscious but breathing- Dr ABC and place in
recovery position then call for help
CPR
Repeat the compressions 30 times, at a rate of 100-120 per minute (about the speed
of the song 'Nelly the Elephant').
Continue resuscitation, 30 compressions to 2 rescue breaths
Do not stop unless: ◦emergency help arrives and takes over
◦they show signs of recovery such as coughing, opening eyes,
speaking or moving purposefully and breathing normally
◦you become so exhausted that you cannot carry on
Choking
A foreign object that is stuck at the back of the throat may block the throat or cause muscular
spasm. If the blockage of the airway is mild, the casualty should be able to clear it; if it is severe
they will be unable to speak, cough, or breathe, and will eventually lose consciousness.
Recognition:
Mild obstruction- Casualty able to speak, cry, cough or breathe.
Severe obstruction-Casualty is unable to speak, cry, cough or breathe. The casualty will
eventually become unconscious without assistance.
Treatment for adult or child- Your aims are to remove the obstruction and to arrange urgent
removal to hospital if necessary.
If the obstruction is mild: Encourage them to continue coughing. Remove any obvious
obstruction from the mouth.
If the obstruction is severe: Give up to five back blows. Check the mouth and remove any
obvious obstruction.
If the obstruction is still present: Give up to five abdominal thrusts. Check the mouth and
remove any obvious obstruction.
If the obstruction does not clear after three cycles of back blows and abdominal thrusts: Dial
114 (or 112) for an ambulance. Continue until help arrives.
Choking
Give up to five back blows
Check the mouth and remove any obvious obstruction
If obstruction still present give up to five chest thrusts.
Check the mouth and remove any obvious obstruction
If the obstruction does not clear after three cycles of back blows and abdominal
thrusts then call 114 ( 112) and be prepared to commence CPR.
Electrical injuries
• When a person is electrocuted a current passes through the body
and can stun the person causing his breathing or heart to stop
• The current can also cause a burn at the entry and exit point where
the electricity leaves the body or “earths”
• AC low voltage currents cause a “locked on” effect. The muscles
spasm and the person continues to grasp the object
• DC currents tend to produce a single large muscular contraction
which throws the person or makes them fall causing other injuries
• Do not touch the person unless you are sure the electricity is off. Do
not break the circuit with anything metallic or wet. Do not move
the person unless they are in immediate danger
• If he is unconscious and it is safe to touch him, open the airway,
check breathing and put in recovery position
Severe Allergic Reactions
(Anaphylaxis)
Introduction
A severe allergic reaction will affect the whole body, in susceptible individuals it may develop within seconds or minutes of contact with
the trigger factor and is potentially fatal. Possible triggers can include skin or airborne contact with particular materials, the injection of
a specific drug, the sting of a certain insect or the ingestion of a food such as peanuts.
Recognition features
•Impaired breathing: this may range from a tight chest to severe difficulty
•There may be a wheeze or gasping for air
•Signs of shock
•Widespread blotchy skin eruption
•Swelling of the tongue and throat
•Puffiness around the eyes
•Anxiety.
Treatment
Your aim is to arrange immediate removal of the casualty to hospital.
•Dial 114 or 112 for an ambulance
•Give any information you have on the cause of the casualty’s condition
•Check whether the casualty is carrying any necessary medication. If they are, help them to use it.
If the casualty is conscious:
•Help them to sit up in a position that most relieves any breathing difficulty, this is usually sitting up and leaning forward slightly.
If the casualty becomes unconscious:
•Open the airway and check breathing
•Be prepared to give rescue breaths and chest compressions
•Place them into the recovery position if the casualty is unconscious but breathing normally.
The Human Respiratory System
Asthma
Introduction
In an asthma attack the muscles of the air passages in the lungs go
into spasm and the linings of the airways swell. As a result, the
airways become narrowed and breathing becomes difficult.
Sometimes there is a specific trigger for an asthma attack such as:
•an allergy
•a cold
•cigarette smoke
•extremes of temperature
•exercise.
People with asthma usually deal well with their own attacks by using a
blue reliever inhaler, however you may be required to assist someone
having an asthma attack or having an attack for the first time
Asthma
Recognition features: Difficulty in breathing, with a
very prolonged breathing-out phase.
There may also be:
•wheezing as the casualty breathes out
•difficulty speaking and whispering
•distress and anxiety
•coughing
•features of hypoxia, such as a grey-blue tinge to
the lips, earlobes and nail beds (cyanosis).
Asthma
Treatment – keep casualty calm, sit upright leaning over the back of a
chair or onto a table. Encourage slow deep breaths
Give a puff of the blue reliever inhaler. In a child encourage use of a
spacer device
If the breathing does not improve in three minutes then give another
puff of the inhaler.
If this is the first attack, or if the attack is severe and any one of the
following occurs:
•The inhaler has no effect after five minutes
•The casualty is becoming worse
•Breathlessness makes talking difficult
•The casualty becomes exhausted.
Dial 114 (or 112) for an ambulance.
Inhalers
In this case the blue inhaler is the reliever for asthma attacks and can be taken in an
emergency or before exercise and the brown inhaler is the regular prevention for
attacks, it makes the airways less sensitive to the trigger of a person’s asthma
symptoms.. There are many different forms of asthma medication. In the event of an
asthma attack check with the patient which is their normal treatment
Asthma attack
Hyperventilation
Introduction
Hyperventilation is excessive breathing, it is normally caused by acute anxiety and it may accompany a panic
attack, it can also occur in individuals who have recently experienced an emotional or psychological shock.
Recognition
•Unnaturally fast deep breathing
•Attention seeking behaviour
•Dizziness
•Feeling faint
•Trembling or marked tingling in the hands and cramps in the hands and feet.
Treatment
Your aim with somebody who is hyperventilating is to remove the casualty from the cause of distress, to
reassure them and calm them down.
•Speak to them firmly, but be kind and reassuring
•Remove them to a place that is quiet
•If this is not possible ask bystanders to leave or turn away.
Encourage the casualty to see their own doctor about preventing and controlling panic attacks in the future.
The Human Circulatory System
Heart Attack
Introduction: A heart attack is most commonly caused by a sudden blockage of the blood supply
to the heart muscle itself, for example a blood clot. The main risk is that the heart will stop
beating.
Recognition
•Persistent central chest pain - often described as vice-like or a heavy crushing pressure
•Pain spreading (radiating) to the jaw, neck and down one or both arms
•Breathlessness
•Discomfort high in the abdomen, similar to indigestion
•Possible collapse without warning
•Ashen skin and blueness at the lips
•Rapid, weak pulse which may be irregular
•Profuse sweating, skin cold to the touch
•Gasping for air (air hunger)
•Nausea and/or vomiting.
Treatment/Action
Sit in W position, keep patient calm, call 114 ( 112) observe and
be prepared to start CPR if necessary .
If over 16 give an aspirin 300 mg and any angina medication or spray if they
have it.
Blood Clotting Process
Wounds and bleeding
• Any break in the surface of the skin (wound), will not only allow
blood and other fluids to be lost, but allow germs to enter the body.
If the wound is minor, the aim of the first aider is to prevent
infection.
• Severe wounds may be very daunting to deal with but the aim is to
prevent further blood loss and minimise the shock that could result
from the bleeding.
• Any open wound is at risk of becoming infected, it is important to
maintain good hygiene procedures to guard against or prevent cross
infection between yourself and the casualty.
Wounds and bleeding
Minor cuts, scratches and grazes
Treatment:
Wash and dry your own hands.
Cover any cuts on your own hands and put on disposable
gloves.
Clean the cut, if dirty, under running water. Pat dry with a
sterile dressing or clean lint-free material. If possible,
raise affected area above the heart.
Cover the cut temporarily while you clean the
surrounding skin with soap and water and pat the
surrounding skin dry. Cover the cut completely with a
sterile dressing or plaster.
Wounds and Bleeding:
Severe bleeding
Severe Bleeding
• Put on sterile gloves
• Apply pressure with a non fluffy pad until a sterile
dressing available and elevate limb above heart, being
careful if a broken bone is suspected
• Treat for shock
• Apply a sterile dressing and check circulation beyond
dressing
• Dial 114 (122)
• If blood seeps through first bandage cover with a
second. If blood seeps through second then remove
and replace with a fresh dressing.
Nosebleeds
Introduction :Bleeding from the nose most commonly occurs when tiny blood vessels inside the nostrils are ruptured, either by a blow to
the nose, or as a result of sneezing, picking or blowing the nose. Nosebleeds may also occur as a result of high blood pressure.
A nosebleed can be dangerous if the casualty loses a lot of blood. In addition, if bleeding follows a head injury, the blood may appear thin
and watery. The latter is a very serious sign because it indicates that the skull is fractured and fluid is leaking from around the brain.
Your aims •to control blood loss •to maintain an open airway.
Treatment
•Ask the casualty to sit down
•Advise them to tilt their head forwards to allow the blood to drain from the nostrils
•Ask the casualty to breathe through their mouth (this will also have a calming effect) and to pinch the soft part of the nose
•Reassure and help if necessary
•Tell the casualty to keep pinching their nose
•Advise them not to speak, swallow, cough, spit or sniff because this may disturb blood clots that may have formed in the
nose
•After 10 minutes, tell the casualty to release the pressure. If the bleeding has not stopped, tell them to reapply the pressure
for two further periods of 10 minutes
•Once the bleeding has stopped and with the casualty still leaning forwards, clean around their nose with lukewarm water
•Advise the casualty to rest quietly for a few hours. Tell them to avoid exertion and in particular, not to blow their nose,
because these actions will disturb any clots.
Caution
•Do not let the head tip back; blood may run down the throat inducing vomiting
•If bleeding stops and then restarts, tell the casualty to reapply pressure
•If the nosebleed is severe, or if it lasts longer than 30 minutes in total, take or send the casualty to hospital in the treatment
position.
The Nervous System
Stroke
Introduction: A stroke is caused by a portion of the brain being starved of oxygen. This
can be due to a burst blood vessel or a clot blocking a blood vessel. The lack of oxygen
causes damage to the brain. The long-term effects of a stroke depend on what part of
the brain and how much tissue is affected.
Recognition and Action
To recognise if someone has suffered a stroke, use the FAST (Face, Arms, Speech,
Time) test.
•Ask them to smile, if they have had a stroke, they may only be able to smile on one
side; the other side of the mouth may droop
•Ask them to raise both arms, if they have had a stroke, they may only be able to lift
one arm.
•Ask them to speak, if they have had a stroke, they may struggle to respond
appropriate
•Call 114/112 for emergency help
•Tell operator you have used the FAST test and suspect a stroke.
•Keep them comfortable and supported.
Cerebral Compression
Introduction : Compression of the brain, a condition called cerebral compression is very serious and almost
invariably requires surgery. Cerebral compression occurs when there is a build-up of pressure on the brain. This
pressure may be due to one of several different causes, such as an accumulation of blood within the skull or
swelling of injured brain tissues. Cerebral compression is usually caused by a head injury. However, it can also
be due to other causes, such as stroke, infection, or a brain tumour. The condition may develop immediately
after a head injury, or it may appear a few hours or even days later. For this reason, you should always try to
find out whether the casualty has a recent history of a head injury.
Recognition: Deteriorating level of response – casualty may become unconscious. There may also be:
•history of a recent head injury
•intense headache
•noisy breathing, becoming slow
•slow, yet full and strong pulse
•unequal pupil size
•weakness and/or paralysis down one side of the face of body
•high temperature; flushed face
•drowsiness
•noticeable change in personality or behaviour, such as irritability or disorientation.
Cerebral Compression
Your aim is to arrange urgent removal of the casualty to hospital.
Treatment
Dial 114 (112) for an ambulance.
If the casualty is conscious:
•keep them supported in a comfortable resting position and reassure them
•regularly monitor and record vital signs – level of response, pulse, and
breathing – until medical help arrives.
If the casualty is unconscious:
•Open the airway using the jaw thrust method and check breathing
•Be prepared to give chest compressions and rescue breaths if necessary
•If the casualty is breathing, try to maintain the airway in the position the
casualty was found.
Shock
Introduction: Shock is a life threatening condition that
occurs when the vital organs, such as the brain and heart,
are deprived of oxygen due to a problem affecting the
circulatory system.
Recognition
•Pale face
•Cold, clammy skin
•Fast, shallow breathing
•Rapid, weak pulse
•Yawning
•Sighing
•In extreme cases, unconsciousness.
Shock
•Treat any possible causes of shock
•Help them to lie down
•Raise and support their legs
•Loosen tight clothing
•Keep them warm.
• Call 114 (112)
The most common cause of shock is blood loss but it can
also be caused by other fluid loss such as vomiting or
severe burns. Shock can occur when the heart has been
damaged by heart attack or angina and is unable to pump
an adequate supply of oxygen to the body.
Seizures
A seizure – also called a convulsion or fit – consists of involuntary contractions of
many muscles in the body. The condition is due to a disturbance in the electrical
activity of the brain. Seizures usually result in loss or impairment of consciousness.
The most common cause is epilepsy. Other causes include:
•Head injury
•Some brain damaging diseases
•Shortage of oxygen or glucose in the brain
•The intake of certain poisons including alcohol.
Epileptic seizures are due to recurrent, major disturbances of brain activity. These
seizures can be sudden and dramatic. Just before a seizure, a casualty may have a brief
warning period (aura) with, for example, a strange feeling or a special smell or taste.
No matter what the cause of the seizure, care must always include maintaining an
open, clear airway and monitoring the casualty's vital signs – level of response, pulse
and breathing. You will also need to protect the casualty from further harm during a
seizure and arrange appropriate aftercare once they have recovered.
Seizures
General recognition features are:
•Sudden unconsciousness
•Rigidity and arching of the back
•Convulsive movements.
In epilepsy the following sequence is common:
•The casualty suddenly falls unconscious, often letting out a cry
•They become rigid, arching their back
•Breathing may cease. The lips may show a grey-blue tinge (cyanosis) and the face and neck may become red
and puffy
•Convulsive movements begin. The jaw may be clenched and breathing may be noisy. Saliva may appear at the
mouth and may be blood-stained if the lips or tongue have been bitten. There may be loss of bladder or bowel
control
•Muscles relax and breathing becomes normal; the casualty recovers consciousness, usually within a few
minutes. They may feel dazed or act strangely. They may be unaware of their actions
•After a seizure, the casualty may feel tired and fall into a deep sleep.
Your aims
•To protect the casualty from injury
•To give care when consciousness is regained
•To arrange removal of the casualty to hospital if necessary.
Seizures
Treatment
•If you see the casualty falling, try to ease the fall
•Make space around them; ask bystanders to move away
•Remove potentially dangerous items, such as hot drinks and sharp objects
•Note the time when the seizure started
•If possible, protect the casualty's head by placing soft padding underneath it
•Loosen clothing around the neck. When the seizure has ceased
•Open the airway and check breathing
•Be prepared to give rescue breaths and chest compressions
•Place them into the recovery position if the casualty is unconscious but breathing normally
•Monitor and record vital signs – level of response, pulse and breathing
•Note the duration of the seizure.
Caution
•Do not move the casualty unless they are in immediate danger
•Do not put anything in their mouth or use force to restrain them.
Warning
If any of the following apply, dial 114 (112) for an ambulance.
•The casualty is unconscious for more than 10 minutes
•The seizure continues for more than 5 minutes
•The casualty is having repeated seizures or having their first seizure
•The casualty is not aware of any reason for the seizure.
The eye
The Eye
Object in the eye
Introduction:
•A speck of dust, a loose eyelash, or even a contact lens can
float on the white of the eye.
•Usually, such objects can easily be rinsed off.
•However you must not touch anything that sticks to the
eye, penetrates the eyeball, or rests on the coloured part of
the eye (iris and pupil) because this may damage the eye.
•Instead, make sure the casualty gets medical attention
quickly.
Chemical Burn to Eye
• Aim- to dilute and disperse the chemical from the
surface of the eye and beneath the eyelids.
• For a chemical splash, flush eye with water or sterile
fluid for at least 10 minutes while gently holding
eyelids open. Do not touch eye or forcibly remove
contact lenses
• Wear gloves if possible.
• Lean casualty with affected eye downwards.
• Be careful not to allow contaminated water to splash
yourself or the casualty. Identify chemical if possible.
• Cover with a sterile pad and send to hospital
Foreign object in eye
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Aim – To prevent injury to the eye
Do not rub the eye
Sit casualty down facing the light
Standing behind, gently separate eyelids with finger
and thumb and examine every part of the eye
• If something is in the eye, rinse using eyebath, clean
water or sterile fluid from a sealed container
• If unsuccessful, gently lift off object with moistened tip
of sterile gauze or a cotton bud
• If unable to remove object seek medical advice
Layers of the Skin
Effects of heat and cold
The human body normally regulates its own temperature very well, but
can be affected in a number of ways when it suffers the effect of extreme
temperature, in particular the very young or elderly are the most susceptible
to the effects of heat and cold.
Contact with hot materials/surfaces can cause burns or scalds, the longer the
contact the more severe the injury will be. Corrosive chemicals can also cause
burns. Exposure to extreme heat can cause conditions such sunburn, prickly
heat and possibly heatstroke. Extreme cold can also lead to hypothermia and
frost bite.
First aiders should always remember ensure that any danger to themselves is
removed before attempting to commence treatment.
Minor burn or scald
Treatment: For minor burns, hold the affected area under cold water
for at least 10 minutes or until the pain subsides. Remove jewellery
etc. and cover the burn with a non-fluffy dressing, drape with cling film
or cover with a plaster large enough to overlap the burn.
If a minor burn is larger than a postage stamp it requires medical
attention. All deep burns of any size require urgent hospital treatment.
On all burns:
•Do not use lotions, ointments and creams
•Do not use adhesive dressings
•Do not break blisters.
Clothing on fire
•Stop the casualty panicking or running – any movement or
breeze will fan the flames
•Drop the casualty to the ground
•If possible, wrap the casualty tightly in a coat, curtain or
blanket (not the nylon or cellular type), rug or other heavy-duty
fabric. The best fabric is wool
•Roll the casualty along the ground until the flames have been
smothered.
Severe burn, chemical burn or
scald or scald
• Start cooling the burn immediately under running water for at least
10 minutes. If a chemical is involved ensure that chemical does not
spread or come into contact with your own skin
• Dial 114 for an ambulance
• Make the casualty as comfortable as possible, lie them down
• Continue to pour copious amounts of cold water over the burn for
at least ten minutes or until the pain is relieved
• Whilst wearing disposable gloves, remove jewellery, watch or
clothing from the affected area - unless it is sticking to the skin
• Cover the burn with clean, non-fluffy material to protect from
infection. Cloth, a clean plastic bag or kitchen film all make good
dressings
• Treat for shock
Prickly Heat
Prickly heat is a highly irritating prickly red rash, hence the name, and it most
commonly occurs in hot weather.
It is caused by bacteria or dead skin cells blocking sweat glands. The rash particularly
affects areas where sweat is trapped and cannot evaporate, such as the feet for
instance. People who often have prickly heat also tend to be susceptible to heat
stroke.
Recognition features
You can recognise prickly heat by a prickling or burning sensation over the effected
area, there will also be a rash of tiny red spots or blisters.
Treatment
Your main aim is to relieve any discomfort and pain so you should encourage the
person to stay in cool conditions as much as possible, and cool the skin by gently
sponging with cold water.
Sunburn
Introduction: Sunburn can be caused by overexposure to the sun or even a sun lamp. At high altitudes sunburn
can occur even on an overcast summer day. Some medicines can trigger severe sensitivity to sunlight and rarely
it can be caused by exposure to radioactivity. Most sunburn is superficial. In severe cases, the skin is a lobster
red in colour and blistered - the casualty may also be suffering from heatstroke.
Sunburn is often recognised by:
•reddened skin
•pain in the area of the burn
•later there may be blistering to the affected skin.
Treatment: Your aims when dealing with somebody with sunburn is to move the casualty out of the sun or
away from the source of the sunburn and to relieve any discomfort and pain.
Caution-if there is extensive blistering or any other skin damage you need to seek medical advice.
•With minor sunburn cover the casualty’s skin with light clothing or a towel
•Move them into the shade or preferably indoors
•Cool the skin by sponging it with cool water or by soaking the affected area in a cold bath or a cool shower for
ten minutes
•Encourage the casualty to have frequent sips of cold water
•If the burns are mild calomine lotion or an aftersun preparation may soothe them
•For severe sunburn obtain medical aid.
Heat exhaustion
What you will see:
• sweating
• headache
• feeling sick
• dizziness.
Heat exhaustion
What you should do:
• help the casualty move to a cool place
• lay the casualty down and raise their legs
• give the casualty plenty of water to drink, followed by a salt
solution (one teaspoon of salt to one litre of water)
• advise the casualty to seek medical help
• if the casualty’s condition worsens, place them in the recovery
position and dial 114 or 112 for an ambulance.
Hypothermia
What you will see:
• shivering
• pale, dry skin
• slow and shallow breathing
• slow pulse.
Hypothermia
What you should do:
• bring the casualty inside
• replace wet clothing with dry clothing
• warm the casualty by placing them in a warm bath (only if
they are young and healthy)
• help the casualty to bed and keep them covered
• give the casualty warm drinks and high energy foods
• if the casualty’s condition worsens seek medical help.
Fractures
Fractures
Introduction: Complete or incomplete break or a crack in a
bone due to an excessive amount of force.
Recognition:
•Swelling
•Unnatural range of movement
•Immobility
•Grating noise or feeling
•Deformity
•Loss of strength
•Shock
•Twisting
•Shortening or bending of a limb.
Fractures
•Support the injured limb
•Immobilise the affected part.
•Dial 999 or 112 for an ambulance
•Treat for shock
A fracture may cause other internal injuries.In
addition to the treatment above, if the fractured
bone ruptures the skin, treat for an object in
wound.
Muscles, tendons and ligaments
Sprains and Strains
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Ligament injury-sprain
Muscle and tendon injury- strain
May be a stretch, tear or complete rupture
Recognition – pain, tenderness, swelling,
bruising, difficulty in moving affected part
• RICE- Rest, ice, compression and elevation.
• If pain severe and movement affected arrange for
casualty to be seen at hospital. Otherwise advise
to rest and seek medical attention if required.
Dislocation
Dislocation
• Follow RICE procedure
• Support injured limb
• Arrange transport to hospital