First Responder: Emergency Action

Steps1. CHECK the scene and victim

2. CALL 9-1-1

3. CARE for the victim

First Aid, pg. 20

CHECKTHE SCENE

• Is the scene safe?• What happened?

• Are there any bystanders available to help?

• How many victims are there?

Part 1

First Aid, pg. 20

CHECKTHE VICTIM

• NEVER move a victim unless they are in immediate danger

• If the situation is life threatening… call 9-1-1

immediately!! Unconsciousness

! Trouble breathing

! No signs of circulation

! Severe bleeding

First Aid, pg. 21

If the victim is conscious…•Introduce yourself

•Interview the victim

•Talk to bystanders

•GET CONSENT to treat the victimFirst Aid, pg. 22

Getting consent from a victim

•Introduce yourself

•Disclose your level of training

•Explain the care you would like to give

• For a child, get permission from a parent or guardianFYI- If a person is unconscious, it is

implied that you have permission to administer first aid.

First Aid, pg. 31

Call 9-1-1Part 2

Call First or Call Fast?

Call First:• Unconscious

person (age 8+)• Unconscious

infant or child with suspected heart

problems

Call Fast:• Unconscious child (age 8 or younger)

• Anyone near drowning or submersed

• Cardiac problems related to a trauma

• Drug overdoseFirst Aid, pg. 23

When the situation is determined to be a call

fast emergency… administer one minute of first aid, then call 9-1-1.

Other scenarios that require a call to emergency services after

giving first aid: • Chest discomfort, pressure or pain

• Severe bleeding • Persistent abdominal pain or pressure

• Vomiting or passing blood• Severe seizures

• Seizure and pregnant or diabetic• Severe headache or slurred speech

• Suspected poisoning• Head, neck or back injuries

• Broken bonesFirst Aid, pg. 22

Part 3

CARE

Providing first aid:• Prioritize injuries, and treat the most

serious first•Monitor vital signs

• Help victim rest comfortably• Reassure the victim

First Aid, pg. 24

Cardiac Emergencies

According to the American Red Cross, an estimated 61

million Americans suffer from cardiovascular

disease. Of those, almost one million die every year

due to their heart condition.

First Aid, pg. 116

Heart attack- when there is a complete or partial blockage of

blood flow, which damages heart tissue. Blood cannot effectively circulate throughout the body

depriving cells of the oxygen needed to survive.

Cardiac arrest- a condition in which the heart stops beating.

Types of Cardiac

Emergencies

First Aid, pg. 117

Signs of a Heart Attack

Chest pains, pressure, and/or discomfortPain spreads to shoulders, neck, jaw, or armsShortness of breath or trouble breathingNausea or vomitingDizziness, light-headedness or faintingPale, gray or blue skin tonesSweating

First Aid, pg. 120

Care for a Heart Attack

Recognize the signs Call 9-1-1 Help victim rest comfortably Loosen restrictive clothing Assist victim with any prescribed medications that may help Monitor breathing and other vital signs Be prepared to perform CPR

First Aid, pg. 121

Causes for Cardiac Arrest Heart disease Drowning Suffocation Drugs Severe chest injuries Loss of a large amount of blood Electrocution Stroke

First Aid, pg.1 20

Urgent

Someone who is clinically dead has stopped breathing and blood has

stopped circulating.

There is a short window in which the brain and organs survive until the oxygen is depleted. In order to

save the victim, heart and lung function need to be restored

artificially. First Aid, pg. 117

Chain of Survival

• Early Recognition

• Early CPR

• Early Defibrillation

• Early Advanced Medical Treatment

First Aid, pg. 118

Administering CPR

(adult)We are going to cover the

following key features of CPR:

• Hand position• Position of the rescuer

• Compression techniques• Breathing/ compression cycles

Hand Position

Using the hand closer to the victim’s feet, find the lower edge of the victim’s

rib cage.

Slide two fingers (middle and index) up to where the sternum and rib cage meet.

Place those two fingers on that notch. First Aid, pg. 121

Place the heel of your other hand next to your index finger.When the heel of the hand is positioned correctly, place the other hand on top.

Use the heel of the hand to apply pressure on the chest (sternum). Interlace the fingers to keep them off the chest.

First Aid, pg. 121

Position of Rescuer

• Kneel beside the victim.• Straighten arms and lock elbows

• Shoulders are directly above hands.• Use your body weight to perform

compressions, and do not rely on arm strength.

First Aid, pg. 122

CompressionTechnique

• Push sternum 1.5 to 2 inches• Straight up and down• Smooth, not jerky• Maintain a steady rhythm; do not pause• Compressions should be done at a rate of about 100 per minute.

First Aid, pg. 122

Compressions w/

Breathing• For every 15 compressions, use 2 breaths.• Use the head-tilt/chin-lift technique.• After 4 cycles (one minute) check vitals.• Use carotid artery in neck and two fingers to check for pulse.

First Aid, pg. 123

Continued...

• Still no pulse, continue with CPR.• Check after a few more minutes.

• If there is a pulse, check for breathing.• Give rescue breaths if necessary.

• If breathing, keep airway open and monitor vitals.

First Aid, pg.1 23

Head-tilt/ Chin-lift

Technique

• Push forehead down

• Pull up on chin

First Aid, pg. 98

Check Breathing

Is the victim breathing?

•Listen•Feel

•Watch

Rescue Breathing

• Pinch off nose• Seal off mouth• Slow breath, watch chest• Two quick breathes (2 seconds)• Pause, then continue• Check vitals, after 1 minute

First Aid, pg. 98

When to Stop CPR

• Scene becomes unsafe• Circulation begins• AED is available

• Trained rescuer arrives to take over• You are too exhausted to continue.

First Aid, pg.. 124

ConclusionIf you are the first to arrive at the scene of an emergency, the first steps you take may save someone life. Especially in the case of a cardiac emergency, those first few minutes are critical. Stay calm and always be prepared.

References

Jupiterimages Corporation, (2007). Animation Factory. Retrieved May 20,

2007, Web site: http://www.animationfactory.com (2002, Nov. 19). Retrieved May 20, 2007, from Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Web site: http://www.accinternet.com/~osnaburg/Cardiopulmonary%20Resuscitation/

Wreckmaster, Inc, (2000). World of Recovery. Retrieved May 20, 2007, from Wreckmaster

Web site: http://www.wreckmaster.com/World/Recovery119.htm

Clipart and Images

American National Red Cross, (2005). First Aid: Responding to Emergencies 4th Edition. Yardley, PA: Staywell Medimedia USA.

Information