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Emergency care

A first aid awareness course

Emergency care

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What is emergency care?

• Simple, effective management or

• care given to a casualty of injury

• or sudden illness until more

• advanced care can

• be provided.

© RLSSA

Emergency care

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Aims of emergency care

• Preserve life

• Protect the unconscious casualty

• Prevent the condition worsening and relieve pain

• Promote recovery

Emergency care

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Priorities: primary survey

• Danger• Response• Send for help• Airway• Breathing• Circulation• Defibrilation

Check:

Emergency care

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Priorities: secondary survey

For a conscious casualty:

• obtain history

• check for vital signs

• note casualty symptoms

Emergency care

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Factors in controlling bleeding

• Pressure

• Elevation

• Rest and reassurance© RLSSA

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Shock

• Prevent further injury

• Control bleeding

• Reassure and rest casualty

• Maintain normal body temperature

• Elevate casualty’s legs if possible

• Do not give anything to eat or drink

• Call ambulance

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BurnDo:

• cool burns under cold gently running water

• remove jewellery

• cover burn with sterile non-stick dressing

• treat for shock.

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BurnsDon’t:

break blisters

apply lotions, ointments or creams

apply ice

remove clothing that sticks to the burned area.

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Choking If the casualty able to breathe:

• allow to cough without interference

Effective?

• allow to recover

• arrange for medical care.

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Choking If casualty is not able to breathe:• position head low• give four back blows• reassess breathing

Effective Ineffective

allow to recover place on sidearrange for medical care give four lateral chest thrusts

continue previous steps

monitor ‘ABC’

© RLSSA

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Asthma attack 1

Step 1 Sit the casualty upright, remain calm and provide reassurance. Do not leave the casualty alone.

Step 2 Give four puffs of a blue reliever puffer (Airomir, Amsol, Bricanyl or Ventolin), one puff at a time, preferably through a spacer device. Ask the casualty to take four breaths from the spacer after each puff.

Step 3 Wait four minutes.

Step 4 If there is little or no improvement, repeat steps 2 and 3.

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Asthma attack 2

• If there is still little or no improvement, call an ambulance immediately (dial 000).

• Continue to repeat steps 2 and 3 while waiting for the ambulance.

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Diabetes

• If conscious:

- give sugar

• If unconscious:

- call for medical assistance

- monitor ABC

- do not give sugar by mouth

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Seizures Call an ambulance if the casualty:• is an infant or child• remains unconscious• is injured• is pregnant• has diabetes• has repeated seizures• has no previous history of seizures• has seizure in water• has the seizure longer than a few minutes.

Remember:Clear the area (especially sharp objects)Do not restrain unless to avoid injuryIf on a hard surface, protect the casualty's head with clothingDo not place anything in the mouthPlace on the side as soon as possible after the seizure and maintain an open airway

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A poison can enter the body via:

Poison

ingestionabsorption

inhalationinjection

Patient conscious Patient unconscious

Contact the Poisons Information Centre (PIC) 131126 for advice first.

D R A B C

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Envenomation

Poison through bites and stings

• Snakes and funnel web spiders

– PIT (pressure immobilisation technique)

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Envenomation

Poison through bites and stings

• Insect bites and red back spider:

– apply ice pack

– apply PIT immediately if an allergic reaction occurs or if casualty is known to be allergic

© RLSSA

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Envenomation

poison through bites and stings

• marine stingers:

– hot water for scorpion or stone fish

– cold packs for jellyfish or bluebottles

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• Rest

• Ice

• Compression

• Elevation

• Referral

Sprains, strains and bruising

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Fractures

• Prevent further movement

• Support or immobilise injured part

• You will not need to use a splint if you are in a metropolitan area

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Exposure to heat

• Rest and reassure

• Gradually cool body surface

• Give cool water

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Exposure to cold

• Cover affected area with dressing

• Gradually warm body surface

• Give warm fluids