American Red Cross (First Aid) - HLTH 57A

Heat Stroke (Least common, most severe)

It occurs when the body's cooling system is completely overwhelmed and stops working. Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency.

Mental status is also known as

Level of Consciousness (LOC).

If the person is unresponsive, you:

Make sure someone calls 9-1-1 and bring AED & first aid kit

Dressings (should be sterile to minimize infection)

A dressing is a pad that is placed directly on a wound to absorb blood and other fluids, promote clotting and prevent infection.

Tetanus (Prophylaxis) booster shot given every:

10 years. Death rates from tetanus infection are highest among those who were never immunized against tetanus and those who fail to maintain adequate immunization through regular booster shots.

Head to toe exam

(in a simple secondary survey you hardly touch the victim, they do the moving around, but only if you do not suspect a spinal injury) Visually inspect the body, including the scalp, face, ears, eyes, nose and mouth for cuts, bumps bruises and depressions. (DOTS: Deformity, Open injuries, Tenderness, Swelling) Compare the injured body part to the opposite uninjured part (injured right hand to uninjured left hand). (DCAP BLTS deformities, contusions, abrasions, penetrations (another source says punctures/penetrations), burns, lacerations, tenderness, swelling) Look at face and lips (unusually wet or dry, pale, bluish, jaundice (yellow skin combined with yellow whites of the eyes = liver problems) flushed, ashen; note abnormalities). Check eyes (pupils - big, tiny, uneven size, both react the same to light?) ears, nose, ask them to open mouth; look for fluid or blood (don't try to control fluid coming from ears) A significant percentage of people normally have pupils of slightly different size, but both should react to light the same way if, for example, you shine a flashlight (electric torch) in their eyes. Determine skin appearance and temperature. Feel person's forehead with back of your hand to determine if it is cold or hot. Write down all observations, including anything that does not look right. Don't do the following if you suspect a spinal injury or move any body part you suspect was injured. - Ask person to move head from side-to-side if there is no discomfort and if an injury to the neck is not suspected. Note pain, discomfort or inability to move the neck. - Ask person to shrug shoulders. - Ask person to take a deep breath and blow out air. Listen for changes in breathing and ask victim if he or she is experiencing pain during or right after breathing. Breathing (gasping, unusual noises, fast or slow, labored, noisy, gurgling, shallow or deep, pain when breathing, dry or productive cough, difficulty swallowing, difficulty speaking in full sentences/using phrases or partial sentences, example: can't say more than one or two words before they need to take another breath) Stridor = high pitched noise when breathing in; wheezing = high pitched noises when breathing out. If coughing, increased frequency and severity? If sputum, increased production and/or changes in character? If nasal discharge, what color? (Clear, yellow, green, reddish, brownish?) Ask if any pain in abdomen (which quadrant?) (Causes of abdominal pain include trauma, ectopic pregnancy, perforating ulcer, appendicitis, gall bladder infection or as simple as digestive system problems such as intolerance to some types of food, a viral illness, constipation.) (If they are vomiting, describe what is vomited, if diarrhea, describe the consistency.) - Ask person to move hands, fingers, bend arm. Compare grip strength. - Ask person to move feet, ankles, bend leg. Check one limb at a time.

First Aid Care for Frostbite

* To care for frostbite, handle the area gently. Never rub an affected area. Rubbing causes further damage to soft tissues. Do not attempt to rewarm the frostbitten area if there is a chance that it might refreeze or if you are close to a medical facility. For minor frostbite, rapidly rewarm the affected part using skin-to-skin contact such as with a warm hand. * To care for a more serious injury, gently soak it in water not warmer than 105°F. If you do not have a thermometer, test the water temperature yourself. If the temperature is uncomfortable to your touch, it is too warm. Keep the frostbitten part in the water until normal color returns and it feels warm (20 to 30 minutes). Loosely bandage the area with a dry, sterile dressing. If fingers or toes are frostbitten, place cotton or gauze between them. Do not break any blisters. Take precautions to prevent hypothermia. Call 911 or seek emergency medical help as soon as possible.

Three situations when you can move an injured person:

*You must move the person to protect him or her from immediate danger (such as fire, flood or poisonous gas). However, you should only attempt this if you can reach the person and remove him or her from the area without endangering yourself. *You must move the person to reach another person who may have a more serious injury or illness. *You must move the person to give proper care. For example, it may be necessary to move a person who needs CPR onto a hard, flat surface.

Why/when can confusion be a signal of a medical emergency in an elderly person?

- Be aware that in older people, the signs and symptoms of a medical emergency may be very general and nonspecific: Symptoms can include " headache, change in person's usual level of activity, change in mental status, lethargy, difficulty sleeping" - Many older adults have impaired hearing, vision or both. If the person seems confused, make sure the "confusion" is not just the result of being unable to hear you or see you clearly. - Speak clearly and loudly enough for the person to hear you, but do not shout. Avoid rushing

Six questions you try to answer when you 'check'

-Is the scene safe to enter? -What happened? -How many people are involved? -What is your initial impression about the nature of the persons illness or injury? -Is anyone else available to help? -What is wrong with person and what care is needed?

How do you treat a shock:

-Call 911, a shock cannot be managed effectively by first aid alone -Victim should lie down on his or her back -Control external bleeding -Maintain body temp. (Cover w/blanket) -Comfort and reassure victim -Continue to monitor the person's condition and watch for changes in level of consciousness. -DO NOT GIVE ANY FOOD OR DRINK (increases the person's risk for vomiting and aspiration)

Call First/Care First

-Call first if: you are ALONE -CARE First if: *An unresponsive infant or child younger than about 12 years whom you did not see collapse. *A person who is choking. *A person who is experiencing a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) and has an epinephrine auto injector. *A person who has severe, life-threatening bleeding.

Three emergency action steps:

-Check -Call -Care

Difference between consent and implied consent

-Consent is obtaining permission from injured person. -Implied consent is when someone is unresponsive, confused or mentally impaired to grant consent. (Applies to a minor in a life threatening situation and parent or guardian is not present.)

Most seizures last only a few minutes and the person usually recovers without any problems. What should you do for a person who is having a seizure? When the seizure is over, what should you do?

-If the person is having seizures, call 9-1-1- or designated emergency number. Do not try to hold them down or stop it from happening and let the seizure take its course, and take steps to protect the person from injury. -After the seizure is over, we should check the person for responsiveness and normal breathing. If the person is responsive and breathing normally, but not yet fully awake, check the person form head to toe for injuries and then place them in a recovery position. Stay with the person until he or she is fully recovered and aware or until emergency responders arrive.

what should you do when a person is showing signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis?

-If you are in a situation where you think the person may have been exposed to an allergen, look for any of these two signs, skin reaction, swelling, trouble breathing, signs and symptom of shock, or nausea, vomiting, cramping/diarrhea. -If you are in a situation where you know the person has been exposed to an allergen, look for trouble breathing, signs and symptoms of shock. -If you don't know- look for skin reaction, swelling, plus trouble breathing or signs and symptoms of shock

R. I. C. E. stands for?

-Rest (Limit use of the injured body part.) -Immobilize (Stabilize the injured body part with an elastic bandage or a splint to limit motion) -Cold (Apply a cold pack wrapped in a thin, dry towel to the area for no more than 20 minutes at a time, and wait at least 20 minutes before applying the cold pack again.) -Elevate (Propping the injured part up may help to reduce swelling, but do not do this if raising the injured part causes more pain.)

List the 7 signs of shock.

-Restlessness or irritability -Altered level of consciousness -Nausea or vomiting -Pale, ashen (grayish), cool, moist skin -Rapid breathing -Rapid, weak heartbeat -Excessive thirst

signs and symptoms of a black widow spider bite include

-Rigid muscles in the shoulders, chest, back and abdomen. -Restlessness. -Anxiety. -Dizziness. Headache. -Excessive sweating. -Weakness. -Drooping or swelling of the eyelids.

To obtain consent you must say these 5 things

-State your name -State your level of training -Explain what you think is wrong -Explain what you plan to do -Ask if you may help

Signals of internal bleeding

-Tender, swollen, rigid and bruising (blood collecting, such as abdomen) -Rapid, weak heart beat -Skin that feels cool or moist or looks pale or bluish -Vomiting blood or coughing up blood -Excessive thirst -An injured extremity that is blue or extremely pale -An altered level of consciousness

First Aid Care for Spider Bites

-To care for a spider bite from a harmless spider, wash the area with soap and water; apply an antibiotic wound ointment, cream or gel to the wound if the person has no known allergies or sensitivities to the ingredients; and then cover the wound with an adhesive bandage. Applying a cold pack wrapped in a thin, dry towel can help to reduce pain and swelling. -If you suspect that someone has been bitten by a black widow spider or brown recluse spider, wash the area with soap and water. Apply a cold pack wrapped in a thin, dry towel; keep the bitten area elevated and as still as possible; and seek medical attention.

List three ways to minimize the risk of disease transmission

-Using PPE (Gloves and CPR breathing barriers) -Washing your hands after care

Sign or symptom of a diabetic emergency

-confusion or disorientations. -A person who is having a diabetic emergency will seem generally ill. He or she may feel dizzy or shaky, have a headache, or have cool, clammy skin. The person's behavior may change (for example, he or she may become irritable, aggressive or argumentative). If the person is experiencing hyperglycemia, his or her breath may have a fruity or sweet odor. Severe hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia can result in confusion, seizures or loss of consciousness and may be life threatening

2 examples of consent

-conscious choking adult -someone with a broken leg advising they need help

Rule #1 Don't make things worse

-don't aggravate injuries-(don't move anything you think might be broken) -don't move victim (especially if you suspect a spinal injury) unless you absolutely must -don't increase danger to victim -don't expose others to risk and create more victims -don't force first aid on a conscious, sane, sober adult who doesn't want it (get consent/explain what you are doing and keep getting consent/explaining as you go along)

2 examples of implied consent

-unconscious choking adult -someone who fainted

Call this number for a suspected poisoning if the person does not have signs or symptoms of a life-threatening condition. ( Big hint, the number you are looking for is not 911.)

1-800-222-1222

What are some common factors/reasons that keep people from responding to an emergency medical situation?

1. Being uncertain that an emergency actually exists. 2. Being afraid of giving the wrong care or inadvertently causing more harm. 3. Assuming that the situation is already under control. 4. Squeamishness related to unpleasant sights, sounds or smells. 5. Fear of catching a disease. 6. Fear of being sued.

? Care for bleeding

1. Direct Pressure (use sterile gauze pad or other clean dressing) 2. Elevation - if no associated fractures 3. Arterial pressure points - brachial and femoral 4. Tourniquet - last resort Other options = splints or air splints (good for venous and capillary bleeding) Once bleeding is controlled use a pressure bandage

What are some factors that could make a burn critical?

1.The depth of the burn, 2.The percentage of the body's surface area that is burned 3. The location of the burn 4. The ages of the burn 5. The cause of the burn.

Strain (usually involve muscles in the neck, back, thigh or the back of the lower leg.)

A condition resulting from a muscle or tendon stretched, torn or damaged. Caused by lifting,

Define: Laceration wound (Open wound)

A cut, commonly caused by a sharp object such as broken glass or a knife. A laceration can also occur when blunt force splits the skin. Deep lacerations may extend through layers of fat and muscle, damaging nerves, blood vessels and tendons (maybe painful, possible bleeding)

Tourniquet (can be painful-warn person)

A device used for bleeding control that constricts all blood flow to and from an extremity. In some life-threatening circumstances, you may need to use a tourniquet to control bleeding as the first step

Normal capillary refill

is 2 seconds (not effective on very cold fingers)

Define: Abrasion wound (Open wound)

A scrape; painful, clean dirt and debris by rinsing throughly with water to lower infection. (occurs when something rubs roughly against the skin, causing damage to the skin's surface.) -shallow, does not bleed too much

Normal pulse

Adult 60 to 100 Child 80 to 150 newborn to about six weeks, 100-160 infant 80 to 120 to possibly 150 an athlete may have a pulse of 50 beats per minute or lower

AEIOU TIPS

Alcohol or other substance abuse or misuse Epilepsy Insulin (diabetes, high or low blood sugar) Overdose Underdose Trauma, especially head injury Infection Psychological/Poisoning Stroke

AVPU

Alert: able to respond appropriately to questions (including person, place, time and event) Verbal: Responds appropriately to verbal stimuli when you speak or shout Painful: Only responds to painful stimuli, such as a pinch Unresponsive: Does not respond; no gag or cough reflex, a response could include grimacing, rolling away from your voice, moaning

Sprain (commonly affect the ankle, knee, wrist and finger joints)

An injury in which the ligaments holding bones together are stretched too far and tear.

A person is having trouble breathing and is showing signs and symptoms of shock. What condition do they have?

Anaphylaxis-severe allergic reactions

Signs and symptoms of a concussion:

Appears dazed or stunned Moves clumsily Answers questions slowly Loses consciousness (even briefly) Shows behavior or personality changes / mood changes like feeling sad, anxious or listless or becoming easily irritated or angry for little or no reason. Might resist treatment. Mental status deteriorates - sometimes moving from disoriented, to irritable, to combative to a coma. another source says: feeling sluggish, feeling unusually irritable Sensitivity to light and/or noise Hearing problems, ringing in ears goes in and out of responsiveness Can't recall events prior to hit or fall and/or after hit or fall Headache or 'pressure' in head Nausea or vomiting Balance problems or dizziness (Often brief) double or blurry/fuzzy vision Feeling dinged or dazed, sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy Concentration or memory problems Confusion Does not 'feel right' In later stages pupils may become unequal

First Aid Care for Closed Wounds:

Applying a cold pack (plastic bag with water and ice wrapped around thin, dry towel ) to the bruised area can help to decrease the bleeding and reduce pain and swelling. (20-10 Mins, elevate)

Heat Cramps (painful muscle spasms, usually in the legs and abdomen, caused by loss of fluids and electrolytes as a result of sweating)

Are often the first sign that the body is having trouble with the heat. If appropriate care measures are not taken, heat cramps can turn into heat exhaustion or heat stroke. To care for heat cramps, help the person move to a cool place to rest, and have him or her sip a drink containing electrolytes and carbohydrates (such as a commercial sports drink, coconut water or milk). If a drink containing electrolytes and carbohydrates is not available, have the person drink water. Lightly stretch the muscle and gently massage the area to relieve the cramps.

Arteries

Arm = brachial Neck = carotid Groin = femoral Wrist = radial

First Aid Care for Poisoning

Call 1-800-222-1222. General care would include: -Remove the source of the poison if you can do so without endangering yourself. -Do not give the person anything to eat or drink unless the poison control center staff member tells you to do so -If you do not know what the poison was and the person vomits, save a sample for analysis

If person does not give you consent, you can still?

Call 9-1-1

First Aid Care for Hypothermia

Call 9-1-1 or the designated emergency number immediately for any case of hypothermia. If the person is unresponsive and not breathing or only gasping, give CPR and use an automated external defibrillator (AED) if you are trained in these skills.

Define: Puncture wound (Open wound)

Caused by pointed object; little bleeding (unless blood vessel injured), easily infected. (A gunshot wound is also a puncture wound.) Puncture wounds do not bleed much unless a blood vessel has been injured. They carry a HIGH RISK FOR INFECTION because the penetrating object can carry pathogens deep into the body's tissues.

A: Allergies

Do you have any allergies, (including food, plants/pollen, insects and medications)? What type of reactions have you experienced when you were exposed? Any recent exposure? Tightness in their throat?

M: Medications / Medical Conditions

Do you have any medical conditions or are you taking any medications? If so, what conditions do you have or what medications are you taking? Have you taken any in the past 12 hours? (including prescription, over-the-counter, herbal)? They might not remember the names of their medications, so you could ask what are their medications for, and when did they last take them. Don't ask if they are taking any drugs, as they may misunderstand and think you are accusing them of illegal activities. But if that might be the reason they are having problems, you certainly need to find out. Diabetic? Heart problems? (may get you a better answer than asking about 'Cardiac history'?) Epilepsy? Asthma? Pregnant? Check for medic alert tag. Example: if they are taking Viagra, giving them nitroglycerin could have serious side effects. Some antibiotics may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal birth control such as the pill.

Hemostatic Dressing (Also for life threatening circumstances when first aid fails)

Dressing treated with a substance that speeds clot formation. (used on parts of the body where a tourniquet cannot be applied, such as the neck or torso.)

FAST stands for

F-face (ask to smile, is Face drooping) A- arm (ask to raise arms, is one side of arm weak) S- speech (ask to repeat simple sentences, is words slurred) T-time, (note the time signs and symptoms started and call EMS) *Used for stroke*

How to identify fainting:

Fainting: pale or ashen cool, moist skin, sweat, loss of consciousness and then collapses.

List three common causes of nosebleeds.

Falling or getting hit in the nose, breathing dry and changes in altitude, hypertension or high blood pressure.

A person having a heart attack always experiences chest pain (T/F)

False

Frostbite can be treated by rubbing snow over the affected area (T/F)

False

Gently massage the frostbitten area to restore circulation and warm it up.

False

Heat-related illnesses only affect people who are outdoors. (T/F)

False

If you encounter a person with a electrical burn, your first step should be to tap the person on the shoulder and shout, "Are you okay?" (T/F)

False

Immerse the frostbitten area in hot water, apply a heating pad or hold it close to a fire to rewarm the tissues

False

Put ointment or butter on a burn to soothe the pain. (T/F)

False

When a person has been burned by a chemical in powdered form, you should remove the chemical by flushing the area with cool running water (T/F)

False

A sunburn is a type of thermal burn (T/F)

False- sun burn is radiation burn

Electrical Burns

First aid for electrical burns also follows the general principle of "stop, cool, cover," but as with chemical burns, there are some special care considerations when electricity is the cause of the burn. As always, check the scene for safety before entering. Make sure 9-1-1 or the designated emergency number has been called, and if possible, turn off the power at its source.

Define check in taking action:

First check scene, then check person. This is for conducting a scene size-up.

P: Pertinent past medical history

Have you experienced any recent falls, accidents or blows to the head? Have you ever been in any medical, surgical or trauma incidents? (If you didn't get the answer to this in the medical conditions questions): Are you under a doctor's care for anything? If appropriate: Have you experienced anything like this before? (history of high blood pressure? recent surgery/illness? (complications?) Dehydrated? Didn't eat any breakfast? Lack of sleep? Substance abuse? Previous injury to same site? Same type of pain previously - was there a diagnosis? Same location of pain previously - is the pain the same this time?)

Immerse the person up to his or her neck in cold water or place ice-water-soaked towels over the person's entire body to give first aid for this condition.

Heat Stroke

Wet or windy conditions increase a person's risk for this

Hypothermia

Care for a person with a possible head, neck or back injury

If you suspect a head, neck or spinal injury, call 9-1-1 or the designated emergency number. As long as the person is breathing normally, have him or her remain in the position in which he or she was found. If the person is wearing a helmet, do not remove it unless you are specifically trained to do so and removing the helmet is necessary to give CPR. Similarly, if a child is strapped into a car seat, do not remove him or her from it unless you need to give the child CPR

Rule of thumb for when a cut will need stitches:

If you think a cut need stitches, it probably does. Stitches are required for: -Wounds that are deep or longer than ½ inch -Wounds on parts of the body where scarring could impair appearance or function (for example, the face, hands or feet) -Wounds caused by human or animal bites -Wounds with jagged edges that gape open -Wounds that are bleeding heavily and uncontrollably

What are some reasons people might delay seeking medical attention when they are experiencing signs and symptoms of a heart attack?

Many people wait because they hope they are experiencing signs and symptoms of a more minor condition that will go away with time such as indigestion, heartburn, a muscle strain or the flu. Or they are worried about calling the ambulance it being a false alarm.

Why is it important to call 9-1-1 or the designated emergency number as soon as signs and symptoms of heart attack are recognized?

Most people with the signs and symptoms of a heart attack can die within 2 hours of experiencing them. Even when it is not fatal, early advanced medical treatment can minimize symptoms noted.

First Aid Care for Heat Exhaustion

Move the person to a cooler environment with circulating air. Loosen or remove as much clothing as possible and apply cool, wet cloths to the person's skin or spray the person with cool water. Fanning the person may also help by increasing evaporative cooling. If the person is responsive and able to swallow, have the person drink a cool electrolyte- and carbohydrate-containing fluid (such as a commercial sports drink, coconut water or milk). Give water if none of these are available. Do not let the person drink too quickly.

Your palm (or another source says palm and fingers) is approximately 1% of your body surface

use this to estimate extent of burns

Sometimes ask for details about pain: OPQRST

Onset (What were you doing when it started hurting? Resting or active? What made it start hurting? Was it severe at first or did it get this bad over time?) Provokes (What makes it worse/better? Does it only happen after you eat? Does it only hurt when you breathe deeply?) Quality Ask them to describe the pain. (Don't use a leading question such as, is your pain a burning pain? Answers could include sharp pain, stabbing, cramping, aching, burning, dull.) Radiates / or another source says Region/Radiates Referred (Does it start in one place, and move to another? What makes it move? (spleen injury pain can be felt in the left shoulder, heart attack chest pain can radiate to the neck and jaw, kidney stones are associated with severe back/flank pain radiating to the groin, gallbladder pain can be felt in the right shoulder blade, a slowly bleeding abdominal aneurysm can cause abdominal pain radiating to the back) Severity (Where is the pain on a scale of one (least) to ten (most)) Time (When did it start hurting? How frequently does it occur? How long does it last? Does it come and go? Get better or worse? ) (Intermittent, hard to locate pain is common with problems of the abdomen.) (If the onset and time categories seem to be redundant, think of the onset as WHY and the time as WHEN.)

Brown Recluse Spider bites signs and symptoms

Pain in the area of the bite develops an hour or more later. A blood-filled blister forms under the surface of the skin, sometimes in a target or bull's-eye pattern. Over time, the blister increases in size and eventually ruptures, leading to tissue destruction and a black scab

First Aid Care for Minor Open Wounds: (For Deep open wounds: seek medical care)

Put PPE then apply direct pressure with a gauze pad to stop the bleeding. After bleeding stops, wash area with soap and water then rinse under warm running water for about 5 minutes until the wound appears clean and free of debris, and then dry the area. Apply a small amount of antibiotic ointment, cream or gel to the wound if the person has no known allergies or sensitivities to the ingredients. Then cover the area with a sterile gauze pad and a bandage, or apply an adhesive bandage. (When you are finished providing care, wash your hands with soap and water, even if you wore gloves.)

Levels of consciousness

Person, place, time, event (their name is the last thing of these they'll remember). A person who is oriented to their surroundings and situation should be able to tell you their name, where they are, what time it is (not to the exact hour but at least if it is morning or evening, what month and year it is) and what just happened to them.

A substance that causes injury, illness or death if it enters the body

Poison

Define: Avulsion wound (Open wound) - worse than lacerations

Portion of the skin, and sometimes the underlying tissue, is partially or completely torn away. (commonly caused by animal bites, elderly people have fragile skin and are more likely to get one when falling/hurting self) Wounds often cause significant bleeding

Hypothermia

Prolonged exposure to cold, wet or windy conditions and wet clothing increase risk for hypothermia, even at moderate environmental temperatures. As with heat-related illnesses, children and older adults are especially susceptible to hypothermia. Hypothermia can be fatal if the person does not receive prompt care

First Aid Care for Heat Stroke

Send someone to call 9-1-1 or the designated emergency number immediately. While you wait for help to arrive, take steps to rapidly cool the person's body. The preferred way of doing this is to immerse the person up to his or her neck in cold water, if you can do this safely. Alternatively, place ice water-soaked towels over the person's entire body, rotating the towels frequently. If bags of ice are available, place these on the person's body, over the towels. If you are not able to measure and monitor the person's temperature, apply rapid cooling methods for 20 minutes or until the person's condition improves or EMS personnel arrive. Give care as needed for other conditions that you find

3 steps for care for thermal burns

Stop, cool, cover

STOPEATS is an acronym to help people learn some of the reasons why a victim could have a decreased level of consciousness or some causes of a seizure

Sugar - diabetic - (or low blood sugar - hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia) (When did they last eat or drink?) Temperature - extreme high or cold temperature (hypothermia, hyperthermia) Oxygen - abnormal levels of oxygen, (see also the A for altitude below) Pressure - increasing intracranial pressure (ICP) (brain swelling) due to head trauma / concussion / traumatic brain injury (TBI), bleeding in the brain, high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE), stroke, heat stroke or prolonged lack of oxygen example: near drowning. Symptoms can include loss of memory as to the event that caused the concussion, especially persistent disorientation. More severe injury and more ICP if the victim does is not oriented to person, place, time and event. Electricity - trauma from electric shock (household current from a loose or bare wire, boom box falls into a pool when not connected to a GFI plug), lightning or problems in the brain Altitude - high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) (and see high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) in the Pressure section above) Toxins - drugs, alcohol, poisons, overdose on common pain relievers, intentional overdose, mushrooms, carbon monoxide, food poisoning, chlorine gas, bites/stings Salts - low sodium or potassium levels can change the brain's conductivity AGAIN . . . remember that someone with altered mental status might not be able to give you accurate answers to your questions.

Hypothermia symptoms

The Umbles: grumbles, mumbles, fumbles, stumbles, tumbles. Hypothermia causes loss of fine motor skills, so we fumble, stumble and tumble. Our brains can have ill effects from the cold fairly quickly and we mumble and grumble. Also could be the effects of High Altitude Cerebral Edema, and alcohol ingestion / intoxication.

Signs and Symptoms of Frostbite

The frostbitten area is numb, and the skin is cold to the touch and appears waxy. The skin may be white, yellow, blue or red. In severe cases, there may be blisters and the skin may turn black.

You should not remove any pieces of clothing that stick to the burned area (T/F)

True

Care for chemical burns

The general care for a chemical burn is the same as for any other type of burn: stop, cool, cover. However, there are some special considerations for the "stop" step. Because the chemical will continue to burn as long as it is on the skin, you must remove the chemical from the skin as quickly as possible.

Signs and Symptoms of Heat Stroke

The person will have mental status changes (such as confusion or loss of consciousness) and may have trouble seeing or a seizure. The person's skin will be hot to the touch. It may be wet or dry and appear red or pale. The person may vomit. The person's breathing may be rapid and shallow, and his or her heartbeat may be rapid and weak

Signs and Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion

The person's skin will be cool and moist, and pale, ashen (gray) or flushed. The person may complain of a headache, nausea, dizziness and weakness.

An infant can't answer questions or tell you they have symptoms, but you might notice they cry persistently and it is difficult to console them, are not interested in toys they usual are fond of (or might not even reach for a toy offered them), have changes in eating/drinking/nursing.

They might not interact normally with a parent/sibling, give eye contact. They might not pay their usual attention the their surroundings. Their eyes might not follow a person/object near them, or they could even have a blank or trance-like stare.

Modify Jaw thrust

Thumb on cheek, index on underjaw, lift jaw

How should you care for a nosebleed?

To care for the nosebleed, have the person pinch his or her nostrils together while sitting with his or her head slightly forward. Keep nostrils pinched for 5 minuets, before checking to see if bleeding stopped. If it hasn't stopped, repeat pinching for another 5 mins. If severe or gushing bleeding, contact 9-1-1 or designated emergency number.

Heat stroke is life threatening (T/F)

True

If a person is experiencing signs and symptoms of a heat-related illness, is responsive and is able to swallow, you should offer the person small amounts of a cool drink containing carbohydrates and electrolytes (such as a commercial sports drink, coconut water or milk), or water if one of these options is not available. (T/F)

True

If recognized early, heat cramps and heat exhaustion can usually be corrected with first aid measures and will not become life threatening. (T/F)

True

It is important to monitor for shock when a person has been burned. (T/F)

True

Nausea or vomiting can be a sign or symptom of heart attack (T/F)

True

The best prevention strategy for heat-related illnesses is to stay properly hydrated (T/F)

True

To cool a thermal burn, use cool or cold potable water. (T/F)

True

When a person has experienced an electrical burn, you need to be prepared to give CPR and use an AED (T/F)

True

When a person has experienced an electrical burn, you should not go near the person until the electricity has been turned off at the source. (T/F)

True

Name two acceptable forms of sugar to give to a person in a diabetic emergency. How many grams of sugar should you give the person?

Two acceptable forms of sugar is glucose tablets and spoonful of sugar mixed into a glass of water. 15 to 20 grams of sugar is how much you should give the person.

Dry chemical Burn

Use the "brush and flush" care method

Drinking this is the best way to prevent heat-related illnesses

Water / Electrolytes

S: Signs and symptoms

What happened to you? (You might also note if they are anxious or indifferent.) Do you feel pain anywhere? Do you feel any numbness, tingling or loss of sensation? (If yes, where?) Are you experiencing any lightheadedness, nausea? (If they felt dizzy, was it a spinning feeling, or just lightheaded and did they lose balance?)

A good drink to offer when a person has heat exhaustion

What is a commercial sport drink, coconut water or milk

E: Events leading to the incident

What were you doing before the accident happened? What were you doing when the incident occurred? OR How did you get hurt? OR Why do you think this happened? (As in, why do you think you just fainted?) Try to not phrase the questions in a negative manner that could cause concern / embarrassment for the victim, as in "What did you do?" Finally, you could ask: Is there anything else I should know? Write down all the answers. Then do a head to toe exam, starting by telling the victim what you are going to do. Keep explaining as you go along.

Within how long does shock usually occur after a severe injury?

Within the first hour after

heatstroke or diabetes can seem like

a acutely intoxicated person.

Define anaphylaxis

a person who is having a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction.

Define shock

a progressive, life-threatening condition in which the circulatory system fails to deliver enough oxygen-rich blood to the body's tissues and organs

A good drink to offer a person who has hypothermia.

a small sip of warm, non-caffeinated liquid such as broth or warm water

Finally, COVER the burn loosely with

a sterile dressing. Make sure that whatever you use to cover the wound is sterile or at least clean, because burns leave the person highly susceptible to infection

L: Last oral intake

also referred to as Last food or drink OR Last Ins and Outs.) When did you last eat or drink anything? What did you last eat or drink? You could also ask the amount. This includes solids, liquids and medications. (Don't ask the victim "when was your last oral intake?"). Changes in diet that might have caused that stomach upset. In the wilderness it can take more time to get drinkable water and people sometimes choose to be regularly dehydrated. Perhaps notice if they smell of alcohol. Perhaps ask if oral intake over the past few days has been normal for them. When did you last defecate and urinate and were they normal? Example, was urine clear or dark. No recent diarrhea? Any blood?

Anatomic splint

an adjacent part of the body as a splint (for example, you can splint an injured finger to the uninjured finger next to it).

Frostbite

an injury caused by freezing of the skin and underlying tissues as a result of prolonged exposure to freezing or subfreezing temperatures. Frostbite can cause the loss of fingers, hands, arms, toes, feet and legs.

Altered mental status (and possibly a confused or combative state) can be caused by:

any of AEIOUTIPS fever meningitis electrolyte imbalance (hyponatremia) severe dehydration shock and/or any condition that results in less blood flow (and therefor less oxygen) to the brain conditions resulting from mental, emotional or behavioral disorders severe drug withdrawal - (Delirium tremens or other) is sometimes mistaken for an acute psychiatric problem

If you suspect that a person has a head, neck or spinal injury

approach the person from the front so that he or she can see you without turning his or her head. Tell the person to respond verbally to your questions, rather than nodding or shaking his or her head.

To tie a bandage:

begin by placing the end of the bandage on the dressing at a 45-degree angle. -Wrap the bandage one full turn, and then fold the angled end of the bandage up, creating a "dog ear" -Continue wrapping the bandage, overlaying the "dog ear" to anchor it and moving upward. -Once the dressing is covered, roll out the remaining length of bandage. -While holding the bandage, use the index finger of the other hand to split the bandage in half, moving it down and underneath the limb -Bring the two ends of the bandage up and tie them in a bow or knot

First Aid Care for Internal Bleeding

call 9-1-1 or the designated emergency number immediately, if you have not already done so. If necessary, give first aid care for shock until help arrives

SUDDEN Altered mental status, (and possibly a confused or combative state) AKA delirium, which can indicate a life-threatening condition

can be caused by the above. Note that this can be relatively common in elderly people and might seem like dementia, but is not. infections including urinary tract infections, a wound, pneumonia cancer spreading to the brain and causing hallucinations a stroke head injury with intracranial bleeding severe burns use of or withdrawal from alcohol/drugs poisoning from lead, mercury, carbon monoxide, pesticides chronic lung disease

When the bleeding stops

check the skin on the side of the injury farthest away from the heart (e.g., the hand or foot) for feeling, warmth and color. Then apply a bandage over the dressing

Next, COOL the burn and relieve pain using

clean, cool or cold water for at least 10 minutes. Use water that you could drink. Never use ice or ice water to cool a burn because doing so can cause more damage to the skin. If clean cool or cold water is not available, you can apply a cool or cold (but not freezing) compress instead because of hypothermia.

fracture

complete break, a chip or a crack in a bone. Fractures can be open or closed

Fainting occurs when there is a sudden ________

decrease in blood flow to the brain. (dehydrated, being too hot, being in a crowded room or feeling intense emotion can cause a person to faint.)

Why were Good Samaritan laws developed?

developed to encourage people to help others in emergency situations and grants them immunity against law suits

Do not remove the blood-soaked dressings because:

disturbing them may disrupt clot formation and restart the bleeding.

If a wound is deep or dirty, you should seek care from a healthcare provider

especially if you do not know or cannot remember when you last had a tetanus booster shot, or if it has been more than 5 years since your last tetanus booster shot. Tetanus is a severe bacterial infection that can result from a puncture wound or a deep laceration.

Liquid chemical burn

flush the affected area with large amounts of cool water for at least 15 minutes or until EMS personnel arrive

If the chemical is in the person's eye:

flush the eye with water until EMS personnel arrive. Tilt the person's head so that the affected eye is lower than the unaffected eye as you flush.

Normal respiration

for an adult is 12 to 20 breaths per minute, children ranges with age, from pre-teens at 12 or 15 to 20 to newborns to about six weeks at 30 to 50

The first aid treatment for this condition could include immersion in warm water.

frostbite

A breathing emergency occurs when a person is

having trouble breathing or cannot breathe at all. Examples: asthma, severe allergic reactions, and drug overdose

A condition characterized by cramps in the legs and abdomen.

heat cramps

What are the three heat illnesses and what are the progression from least to severe?

heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke

This heat-related illness is life threatening.

heat stroke

Signs and Symptoms of Hypothermia

indifferent, disoriented or confused. You may notice that the person has a "glassy" stare. Initially, the person may shiver, but as the hypothermia progresses, the shivering may stop. This is a sign that the person's condition is worsening and he or she needs immediate medical care. In advanced cases of hypothermia, the person may become unresponsive, and his or her breathing may slow or stop. The body may feel stiff because the muscles became rigid.

5 things that can trigger an asthma attack.

inflammation and narrowing of the airways, making it difficult to breathe, exercise, temperature extremes, and allergies.

An elderly person can have a concussion from a seemingly minor fall. Sometimes their symptoms are mistaken for a stroke. You might not witness the fall of an elderly person, for example, but after the fact would notice some of the symptoms above and/or:

low-grade headache that won't go away having more trouble than usual remembering things, paying attention or concentrating, organizing daily tasks or making decisions or solving problems slowness in speaking, acting, thinking or reading getting lost or easily confused changes in sleep patterns, inability to wake up from sleep sensitive to light or noise doesn't recognize people or places repeated vomiting seizures (arms and legs jerk uncontrollably) weak arms or legs, unsteady on feet slurred speech Note that confusion in an elderly person that comes on suddenly could be caused by a head injury OR by a medication / improperly taking a medication, OR by pneumonia/infection (sometimes without a fever or coughing).

Bandages (gauze like material)

material used to hold dressings in place, secure splints, and support and protect body parts. Tie or tape the bandage to secure it in place. Bandage compresses, which are specially designed to control severe bleeding

If internal bleeding is occurring in an injured limb:

may be blue or extremely pale, swollen and rigid

causes of seizures

most common is epilepsy, especially if medicine is not taken in proper dosage and on time lack of oxygen stroke brain tumor / concussion / increasing intracranial pressure from swelling or internal bleeding in the brain poisoning diabetic emergency / low blood sugar heat stroke failure to use prescribed anti-seizure medications (often the biggest cause of seizures) trauma drug or alcohol use or withdrawl measles, mumps and other childhood diseases eclampsia (pregnancy complication) child with a high fever child with aspirin poisoning infection hit by lightning high altitude can cause brain swelling continuing stress from bereavement, divorce, abuse, money/family worries, critical incident stress

Signs and symptoms of tetanus infection include:

muscle spasms and stiffness. The spasms and stiffness begin in the jaw and neck, leading to difficulty swallowing (a classic sign of tetanus). As the infection progresses, the muscle spasms and weakness spread to the abdomen and then to the rest of the body

Heat exhaustion

occurs when fluids lost through sweating are not replaced. The body's primary mechanism of cooling itself is through sweating. As sweat evaporates from the body, it takes body heat with it, cooling the body. If a person does not take in enough fluids, the body does not have what it needs to make adequate amounts of sweat. Humid environments and environments without good air circulation can make it difficult for the sweat to evaporate.

How to remove a tick

put on gloves. Using fine-tipped, pointed tweezers with a smooth inside surface, grasp the tick at the head as close to the skin as possible. Pull upward slowly and steadily without twisting until the tick releases its hold.Seal the tick in a container to help the healthcare provider with identifying the type of tick later. Wash the area with soap and warm water and then apply an antibiotic wound ointment, cream or gel if the person has no known allergies or sensitivities to the ingredients. If you are unable to remove the tick, or if you think that the tick's mouth parts are still embedded in the skin, the person should see a healthcare provider.

When caring for a burn, do not:

remove pieces of clothing that are stuck to the burned area, do not attempt to clean a severe burn and do not break any blisters.

First, after sizing up the scene, STOP the burning by:

removing the source of the injury if it is safe for you to do so. Depending on the cause of the burn, this may involve removing the person from the source or removing the source from the person.

The bacteria that cause tetanus are commonly found in

soil and animal manure. Once introduced into the body via a deep or dirty wound, they produce a powerful toxin that can cause muscle paralysis and death

normal body temperature

taken at the mouth is 98.6°F (within a range of 97°F to 99°F ) normal rectal temperature is 99.6°F normal armpit (axillary) temp is 97.6°F

Dislocation (Usually caused by a violent force that tears the ligaments)

the total displacement of a bone from its joint

Simple secondary survey , (also known as a secondary assessment) used after the initial assessment after you have ruled out or taken care of any life-threatening conditions. You might or might not have already called 911.

use SAMPLE as an easy way to remember the questions

Define: Bruise/contusion (Closed wound)

usually caused by blunt trauma and small blood vessels. Bruises occur when the small blood vessels under the surface of the skin are damaged and blood leaks into the surrounding tissues.

Sierra Club wilderness first aid "rule of fours"

you can live 4 minutes without oxygen, 4 hours without shelter, 4 days without water, 4 weeks without food (but that may be the limit of any reasonable expectation of survival)

Splint only if______

you must move the person to get medical help, and if splinting does not cause the person more pain or discomfort.

First Aid Care for Venomous Snake Bites

• Call 911 immediately even if you are not sure if the snake was venomous • Keep the injured area still and lower than the heart • Wash the wound with soap and water • Cover the bite with a clean dry dressing, then apply an elastic (pressure immobilization) bandage to slow the spread of the venom Do NOT apply ice Do NOT cut the wound Do NOT apply suction Do NOT apply a tourniquet Do NOT use electric shock

First Aid Care for Animal Bites

• For minimal bleeding, wash the wound with soap and water, then rinse with clean, running water. • Apply a small amount of antibiotic wound ointment, if the person has no known allergies to it. • Then cover the wound with a dressing and bandage