FIRST AID

ALBERT L. ASPREC, M.D., M.O.H.

Trauma is the leading cause of death in

the first 40 years of life, and ranks
fourth among causes of death overall

FIRST AID
Spells the difference between :
Life / death
Temporary / permanent disability
Rapid recovery / long hospitalization

Treatment priority
Asphyxia
Hemorrhage
Shock
Fractures

Airway open
Breathing restored
Circulation restored

WOUNDS
A break in the continuity of the tissues of
the body, either internal or external
Open - break in the skin or mucous
membrane
Closed - injury to underlying tissues,
none on skin

Common Causes of Wounds

External physical forces

Motor vehicle accident
Falls
Mishandling of sharp objects
Tools
Machinery
Weapons

Types of Open Wounds

Abrasion
Incision
Laceration
Puncture
Avulsion

Abrasions
Skin is scraped against a hard
surface
Bleeding limited
Danger of contamination

Incisions
Tissue is cut against a smooth sharp
surface (knife)
Bleeding is profuse
Infection is minimal
Damage to tendons, muscles, nerves

Lacerations
Tearing of tissue (jagged, irregular or
rough edges)
Bleeding is profuse
Contamination rate is high
Massive tissue destruction

Punctures
Pointed object piercing the skin layers
Minimal bleeding
Infection rate is high

Punctured foot

Avulsion
Tissue is forcibly separated from the body
Rapid and profuse bleeding
High contamination

First Aid for Open Wounds

Stop the bleeding immediately

Protect the wound from contamination
Provide care against shock
Seek medical attention

Techniques to Stop Bleeding

Direct pressure
Elevation
Pressure on supplying artery
Tourniquet

Direct pressure

Elevate

Pressure on supplying artery

Tourniquet

Preventing Contamination

Dont remove the cloth pad initially placed

Dont cleanse the wound
Prevent shock before & during transport
Immobilize injured area

If you have to clean the wound ...

Wash your hands first with soap & water

Wipe the wound inside going out in a
circular motion
Dont return to the wound
Apply sterile dressing and bandage
Seek medical consult

Symptoms of Infection

Swelling
Redness
Warm sensation
Throbbing pain
Tenderness
Fever
Pus formation
Lymph node enlargement

CARDIO PULMONARY
RESUSCITATION
Thousands of lives are lost each year
as a result of respiratory & cardiac
arrest.
Many of those lives could have been
saved and we are taking that pro-active
approach to prepare you in the event of
an accident

The brain relies on

oxygen and sugar
for energy. It can
only survive 5
minutes of
deprivation after
which some nerve
cells start to die.
CPR

The bodily functions

governed by these
cells either weaken
or are lost. CPR
can artificially
restore the nutrients
and spell the
difference between
leading a normal life
or not.

When a victim goes into C P Arrest

Shout
Shake
Check obstructions in mouth
(A)
Hyper-extend the head
Seal mouth and nose
Start Respiratory Resuscitation (B)
Locate Xyphoid process
Interlace fingers and position
Start Chest compression
(C)

POISONING
Any substance (solid, liquid or gas)
that tends to impair health or cause
death when introduced into the body
Caused by accidental intake of
chemical, medicine overdose,
combining drugs and alcohol, etc..

Symptoms of Poisoning

Information from victim or observer

Presence of a container with poison
Abdominal cramps
Difficulty of breathing
Burns around lips or mouth
Breath odor
Pinpoint pupils

Objectives in treatment of poisoning

by mouth :

Dilute or neutralize the poison

Induce vomiting
Maintain respiration
Seek medical assistance

When you do not know what poison

was swallowed ...

Dilute the poison with water or milk

Try to find out what poison has been
swallowed (Look for the original container)
Seek medical help immediately

If the victim swallowed a strong acid,

alkali, or petroleum product, and you
dont have the original container ...

Dilute the poison with water or milk

DO NOT Induce vomiting
Get medical help immediate.

When acids, alkali or petroleum products

is suspected DONT INDUCE
VOMITING.
The chemical can go back to the mouth
then to the lungs.

Poisoning

Thermal Burns

Cross
Section
the Skin
Cross
section
ofofskin

First Degree Burns

Wash or immerse in cold water

Apply burn ointment
Dress if necessary

Second Degree Burns

Immerse in cold water (not ice water)

Apply burn ointment and sterile dressing
Do not break blisters or remove tissue
Do not use antiseptic
Elevate the involved area
Seek medical attention

Third Degree Burn

Do not remove adhered particles of burnt

clothing
Cover area with sterile dressing
Elevate involved area
Proceed to emergency room

Chemical Burns on the Skin

Wash away chemical with running water

Take care not to contaminate yourself
Remove the victims clothing
Cover with clean towel or blanket
Refer to a doctor

Chemical Burns of the Eye

Bring victim to a source of running

water
Turn his head to one side (affected eye
is lower)
Run the tap gently for 15 minutes
Refer to a doctor
Do not apply any eye drops, antiseptic
or ointment

Heimlich Maneuver

When a victim appears to choke

Go behind him,
Wrap your arms around the waist
Position one fist inward, cupped by the
other
Jerk inward and upward & release
Repeat as necessary to dislodge
obstruction

FRACTURES
These are breaks or cracks in the bone
brought about by a tremendous force
exerted on the skeletal system
Open / Close
Simple / Compound
Comminuted / Segmental

Signs and Symptoms of a Fracture

Deformity of the body part

Swelling and Tenderness
Limited range of motion
Abnormal movement
Shortening of the limb
Hematoma
Cold or discolored distal extremity
Crepitus
Bone protrusion

Signs and Symptoms of a Fracture

Deformity of the body part

Swelling and Tenderness
Limited range of motion
Abnormal movement
Shortening of the limb
Hematoma
Cold or discolored distal extremity
Crepitus
Bone protrusion

First Aid for Fractures

Prevent motion of injured part /adjacent joints

Apply a splint to restrict movement
Immobilize the joint above & the joint below
Do not attempt to set the fracture
Do not push protruded bone ends back
Transport to hospital

Splint

Is a device used to immobilize fractures

Decreases pain and shock by
preventing motion
Protects against further injury
Useful if long enough and padded