First Aid Guide for Common Emergencies
Epileptic Seizures
Symptomatology
A seizure occurs when abnormal electrical activity in the brain causes an involuntary change in body movement or function.
Simple Partial Seizures
These seizures involve clinical manifestations (symptoms or signs of motor, sensory, autonomic, or psychic) and electroencephalographic shock, reflecting a system of neurons located in part of the cerebral hemisphere without alteration of consciousness.
Complex Partial Seizures
These seizures involve a compromised level of consciousness. They may be preceded (or not) by an aura that marks the probable site of discharge (olfactory – temporal, visual – occipital) associated with visual or auditory hallucinations, fear, anger, etc. Certain gestures are common, such as automated and tongue movements, tachycardia, pallor, etc. These seizures usually last only a few minutes.
Complex Partial, Psychomotor, and Temporal Lobe Seizures
- Recognize common symptoms: Staring, chewing, clumsiness, wandering, shaking, slurred speech.
- Steps to assist in first aid: Do not hold the person down, explain the situation to others, block potential dangers, talk calmly, and stay close until the end of the attack.
- Before a crisis: Dim the lights, remove items that could cause harm, loosen clothing, place the person on their side, do not put anything in their mouth, identify the person if they have any identification of the disease, do not hold them down, and wait for them to recover consciousness.
Head Injuries and Choking
Trauma
Trauma is a shock produced by the action of physical or mechanical agents suffered by the body.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
TBI represents the leading cause of death and disability in children under 45 years of age.
Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)
GCS is a scale used to rule out imminent life-threatening injuries.
- Opening Eyes: Spontaneous – 4, Reaction to voice – 3, Reaction to pain – 2, None – 1.
- Verbal Answer: Oriented – 5, Confused – 4, Inappropriate response – 3, Incomprehensible sounds – 2, None – 1.
- Motor Response: Obeys commands – 6, Localizes pain – 5, Withdraws to pain – 4, Flexion (abnormal) – 3, Extension (abnormal) – 2, None – 1.
- State Categories: GCS 14-15 is Mild.
- State Categories: GCS 9-13 is Moderate.
- State Categories: GCS 8 or less is Severe.
Symptoms of Head Injuries
Disorientation, ear and nasal bleeding, bruising, headache, alteration of the pupils, fainting.
Trauma Treatment
- Rest for 12 hours with observation at home for 24 hours.
- Drink liquids during the first 8 hours.
- Take solid food after 12 or 24 hours.
- The patient can sleep, but observe them every hour if awake and every two hours if asleep.
- Check if they respond to pain or calls for attention.
- Ensure they have a normal pulse and respiration.
Drowning and Choking
Drowning
Impairment of respiratory activity by ingesting large quantities of water.
Choking
Impairment of respiratory activity by a foreign body obstructing the airway.
Treatment
- If a baby up to 1 year old: Encourage them to cough or cry.
- Hitting back: Gently hit between the shoulder blades.
- Place face down: Position the baby face down on your forearm so that the head is below the trunk.
- Holding jaw: Hold the jaw with your thumb and third finger, with your second finger in the mouth, and hit between the scapula.
Heimlich Maneuver
Stand behind the person, wrap your arms around them, make a fist with one hand and place it above the navel, grasp the fist with your other hand, and perform inward and upward compressions.
Musculoskeletal Injuries
Fractures
- Fractures are breaks in the bone caused by a blow or a fall.
- Simple fracture: A thin fracture that may not extend across the bone.
- Compound fracture: The broken bone protrudes through the skin.
- The majority of fractures occur in the arms and legs.
- Symptoms may include increased sensitivity to the bone, swelling of the affected area, deformity of the limb, and increased pain upon movement.
- Treatment: Monitor vital signs (pulse and respiration), apply a rigid splint, immobilize the limb (using a board, cardboard, newspaper, etc.), never attempt to straighten the limb, and do not massage or apply ointments.
Shoulder Dislocation
Shoulder dislocation can occur when an intense impact tears the anterior capsule of the shoulder joint, causing the head of the humerus (the principal bone of the arm) to dislocate. There are two main mechanisms: falling onto a hyperextended arm or a collision when the shoulder is externally rotated and separated from the body. Posterior dislocation is less common.
Treatment
Anterior shoulder dislocation requires prompt treatment by manipulation. An assistant places a large towel around the dislocated arm and applies gentle traction while the doctor exerts a pull along the axis of the limb.
Sprains
Sprains are ligament injuries mainly resulting from overstretching or overuse. Symptoms include swelling, limited movement, pain, and hematoma.
Strains
Strains are injuries that occur when a joint is forced beyond its normal limits, ranging from stretching to rupture of a ligament. Strains are classified by severity:
- Grade 1: Elongation (stretch of fibers only).
- Grade 2: Partial rupture (some fibers of the ligaments are broken).
- Grade 3: Total rupture (all fibers affected).
Tears
Tears are breakdowns of muscle tissue and blood vessels. They cause sharp pain and prevent muscle contraction. Tears happen when a muscle is stretched beyond its capacity or contracts with excessive force.
Muscle Tear Severity
- Grade 1 (Mild): Stretching or tearing of some muscle fibers. Slight discomfort, minimal swelling, and full mobility are maintained.
- Grade 2 (Moderate): Moderate tear of muscle fibers and tendon. Painful tenderness, swelling, and loss of mobility in the affected area.
- Grade 3 (Severe): Complete rupture of the muscle belly, musculotendinous junction, or tendon insertion. Palpation reveals a broad defect in the muscle fiber. Less mobility and load capacity than in Grade 2, with more intense pain.
Muscle Tear Characteristics
- Myofascial Tear: Involves the fascia or aponeurosis and peripheral muscle fibers.
- Intramuscular Tear: A very fine linear injury within the muscle, usually no thicker than 2 mm.
- Multifibrillar Tear: Several linear lesions within the muscle.
- Fascicular Tear: A more significant injury that can occur within the muscle or on its periphery, often accompanied by fascial bruising.
- Total Tear: Serious injuries that result in some degree of loss of function, muscle imbalances, and large scars. They can involve a large segment or the entire thickness of the muscle.
- Adherenciolisis: Reopening of a scar, usually partial, that occurs at the periphery of the tear.