First Aid Procedures for Emergency Situations

Posted on Nov 20, 2024 in Physical Education

First Aid Essentials

First aid involves simple procedures performed by individuals with basic medical knowledge to stabilize individuals in emergencies until professional medical care arrives.

Obtaining first aid training is crucial before facing any emergency situation.

Various situations may necessitate first aid, including:

  • Automobile accidents
  • Pedestrian accidents
  • Fires
  • Riots
  • Drownings
  • Natural disasters
  • Industrial accidents
  • Shootings
  • Medical emergencies (stroke, seizures, convulsions)

Informing authorities accurately and precisely about the victim’s condition and the incident’s location is as crucial as providing first aid.

Index

  1. Scene/Accident Evaluation
  2. Victim’s General Condition Assessment
  3. Support
    1. Lateral Security Position (LSP)
      1. Procedure
  4. Breathing
    1. Airway Opening
    2. Artificial Respiration
      1. Procedure
    3. Choking/Suffocation
      1. Procedure
      2. Procedures to Avoid
    4. Asthma Attack
      1. Procedure
    5. Convulsion
      1. Procedure
  5. Circulation
    1. Assessment
    2. Cardiac Massage
  6. Bleeding
    1. External Bleeding
      1. Procedure
    2. Nosebleed
      1. Procedure
      2. Things to Avoid
    3. Palm Hemorrhage
    4. Symptoms (Heart Attack)
    5. Diagnosis (Heart Attack)
    6. Examinations (Heart Attack)
    7. Treatment (Heart Attack)
    8. Care (Heart Attack)
    9. Prevention (Heart Attack)
  7. Fainting
    1. Procedure
    2. Things to Avoid
  8. Shock
  9. Wounds
    1. Stings
      1. Procedure
    2. Bites
      1. Procedure
  10. Burns
    1. 1st Degree Burns
    2. 2nd Degree Burns
    3. 3rd Degree Burns
    4. 4th Degree Burns
    5. 5th Degree Burns
      1. Procedure
      2. Things to Avoid
  11. Sprains
  12. Fractures
    1. Procedure
    2. Things to Avoid
  13. Electric Shocks
  14. Poisoning and Intoxication
    1. Gastrointestinal Poisoning
      1. Food Poisoning
      2. Procedure (Food Poisoning)
      3. Drug Poisoning
      4. Procedure (Drug Poisoning)
      5. Toxic Poisoning
  15. Sunstroke/Heat Stroke
    1. Procedure
  16. Victim Transportation
  17. General Guidelines
    1. Specialized Help Contacts (Brazil)
    2. Emergency Contacts (Portugal)
    3. Other Countries
  18. See Also
  19. External Links
  20. Notes

Assessing the overall context is crucial before approaching a victim. A pre-site assessment helps determine whether the situation is clinical (sudden illness) or traumatic (energy exchange). Scene evaluation also helps identify potential risks, preventing the rescuer from becoming another victim.

Victim’s General Condition Assessment

Every first aid procedure begins with a victim assessment. Observe signs (breathing, skin temperature, pallor), symptoms (nausea, pain, vertigo), and vital signs (pulse, breathing, blood pressure, temperature, and pain).

Evaluate the victim’s level of consciousness using AVPU:

  • A (Alert)
  • V (Verbal)
  • P (Pain)
  • U (Unresponsive)

Approach the victim and check for spontaneous reactions (Alert). If unresponsive, call their name (Verbal). If still unresponsive, apply sternal rub (Pain). If no response, the victim is Unresponsive.

Assistance

Lateral Security Position (LSP)

Use LSP for unconscious victims who are breathing and have a pulse. This position facilitates ventilation and clears the airway.

Avoid LSP if the victim has:

  • Breathing difficulties
  • Head, neck, or spinal injuries
  • Serious injuries

Procedure

  1. Kneel beside the victim.
  2. Tilt their head back to open the airway. Clear any obstructions from their mouth.
  3. Extend the arm nearest to you across their body.
  4. Place their other arm on their chest.
  5. Cross their legs.
  6. Support their head and roll them towards you.
  7. Position their limbs at right angles.
  8. Ensure the airway remains open.

Breathing

Breathing is essential for survival. The brain suffers irreversible damage after six minutes without oxygen, and brain death is likely after 10 minutes.

To check breathing, tilt the victim’s head back, listen for breath sounds, and observe chest movement.

Opening the Airways

Check for airway obstructions. Lift the chin to facilitate breathing. Remove any foreign objects from the mouth. Limit neck movements to avoid spinal cord injuries. Never put your fingers in the mouth of a convulsing victim.

Artificial Respiration

Artificial respiration restores breathing in cases of suffocation or heart failure. It can be performed through mouth-to-mouth, mouth-to-nose, mouth-to-nose-mouth, mouth-to-mask, or using devices.

Procedure

  1. Lay the victim flat on a firm surface.
  2. Clear the airway.
  3. Lift the chin and stabilize the cervical spine.
  4. Close the nostrils, open the mouth, and give two firm breaths.
  5. Repeat every five seconds (12 times per minute).

If there’s no pulse, perform chest compressions (CPR).

Choking/Suffocation

Symptoms range from agitation and pallor to loss of consciousness and cyanosis.

Procedure

  • Perform the Heimlich maneuver.
  • For children: If the object is in the nose, have them blow their nose. If in the throat, try to remove it carefully. If unsuccessful, hold them upside down, shake them gently, and slap their back between the shoulder blades.

Note: The “Non-requirement of diverse behavior” principle protects rescuers from criminal liability for injuries caused during life-saving attempts.

Procedures to Avoid

  • Leaving the choking victim unattended to seek help.

Asthma Attack

Asthma attacks are characterized by coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and rapid pulse.

Procedure

  • Calm the victim and move them to a well-ventilated area.
  • Help them find a comfortable position.
  • Contact their family and administer prescribed medication if known.
  • If no improvement, transport them to a hospital.

Lying on a hard surface and practicing controlled breathing can help alleviate symptoms.

Convulsion

Convulsions involve uncontrolled jerking, loss of consciousness, and other symptoms.

Procedure

  • Clear the area around the victim.
  • Protect their head.
  • Avoid putting fingers in their mouth.
  • Calm onlookers.
  • Note the seizure’s duration.
  • Place them in the recovery position afterward.
  • Notify parents/guardians.
  • Transport to a hospital if it’s the first seizure, lasts longer than 8-10 minutes, or repeats.

Circulation

Assessment

Circulation is assessed by checking for a pulse, coughing, voluntary movements, and breathing.

Cardiac Massage

Cardiac massage is performed during cardiac arrest.

  1. Position yourself beside the victim on a firm surface.
  2. Locate the correct hand position on the chest (center of the chest, two fingers above the sternum’s end).
  3. Perform 30 chest compressions at a rate of 80-100 per minute.
  4. Give two rescue breaths.
  5. Repeat the cycle five times.
  6. Reassess the pulse and repeat if necessary.

Bleeding

External Hemorrhage

External bleeding is the loss of blood from a wound. It can lead to a drop in blood pressure and collapse.

Procedure

  • Lay the victim flat.
  • Apply a sterile dressing and firm pressure to the wound.
  • Add more dressings if needed without removing the first one.
  • Maintain pressure until bleeding stops.
  • Apply a compression bandage.
  • Keep the victim calm, warm, and avoid giving them food or drink.

Nosebleed

Nosebleeds are caused by ruptured blood vessels in the nasal mucosa.

Procedure

  • Have the victim sit leaning forward.
  • Pinch their nose.
  • Apply ice or cold compresses.
  • Avoid blowing their nose.
  • If bleeding persists, insert a cotton ball or gauze into the nostril.

Things to Avoid

  • Laying the victim flat.
  • Using hydrogen peroxide or disinfectants.

Note: If bleeding continues for over 10 minutes, seek medical attention.

Palm Hemorrhage

  • Have the victim apply pressure to the wound with a sterile compress or clean cloth.
  • Wrap a bandage around their hand.
  • Elevate the injured hand with a sling.

Note: Heavy bleeding requires immediate medical attention. Call an ambulance.

Heart Attack

A heart attack occurs when part of the heart doesn’t receive enough oxygen.

Symptoms

  • Chest pain radiating to the left arm
  • Pain in the shoulder, arm, jaw, or stomach
  • Shortness of breath
  • Sweating
  • Nausea
  • Weakness or dizziness
  • Pallor

Diagnosis

A doctor will perform a physical exam, review medical history, and conduct tests like ECG, echocardiogram, and blood tests.

Treatment

Treatment may include hospitalization, oxygen therapy, cardiac catheterization, angioplasty, bypass surgery, and medication.

Care

Post-heart attack care involves following the doctor’s treatment plan, adopting a healthy lifestyle, and managing medications.

Prevention

Heart attack prevention includes not smoking, managing diabetes, eating a healthy diet, controlling blood pressure, and exercising regularly.

Fainting

Fainting is caused by lack of oxygen or sugar to the brain.

Procedure

  • If someone is about to faint, have them sit with their head between their legs or lie down with elevated legs.
  • If unconscious, place them in the LSP, loosen clothing, and keep them warm.
  • Once conscious, give them sugary drinks.
  • If unconsciousness persists, administer a sugar paste under the tongue and seek immediate medical help.

Things to Avoid

  • Giving drinks to unconscious individuals.

Shock

Lay the victim down with elevated legs, loosen clothing, keep them warm, and seek medical assistance. If unconscious, place them in the LSP. Never give them liquids.

Wounds

Stings

Procedure

  • For bee/wasp stings: Scrape the stinger away, disinfect the area, and apply ice.
  • For poisonous fish/sea urchin/jellyfish stings: Apply ethyl chloride, alcohol, or ice.

Seek medical attention for multiple stings, allergic reactions, or stings in the mouth/throat.

Bites

Procedure

  • For dog bites: Disinfect the wound, apply ice if swollen, check the dog’s vaccination status, and ensure the victim receives a rabies vaccine if necessary.
  • For cat/rat bites: Disinfect the wound and seek medical attention.
  • For human bites: Wash the wound, disinfect, cover with a sterile dressing, and apply ice if swollen. Seek medical attention if signs of infection appear.

Burns

Burn severity depends on location, extent, depth, cause, and individual factors.

1st Degree Burns

Affect the outer skin layer, causing redness, heat, and pain.

2nd Degree Burns

Involve blisters and affect the dermis.

3rd Degree Burns

Destroy tissues and char the skin.

4th Degree Burns

Expose muscle, tendon, and bone.

5th Degree Burns

Char the body and can be fatal.

Procedure

  • Extinguish flames and remove clothing if soaked in hot liquid.
  • Give the victim water to drink.
  • For 1st degree burns: Cool the area with saline or water and apply burn cream.
  • For 2nd degree burns: Cool the area, rinse with antiseptic, apply a sterile dressing, and seek medical attention.
  • For 3rd degree burns: Cool the area, rinse with antiseptic, treat as a wound, and seek immediate medical attention.
  • For 4th degree burns: Call emergency services immediately.

Things to Avoid

  • Removing adhered fabric.
  • Bursting blisters.
  • Applying ice directly to the burn.
  • Applying anything other than recommended treatments.

Sprains

Sprains are injuries to soft tissues in a joint.

Procedure

  • Immobilize the joint.
  • Elevate the limb.
  • Apply ice or cold water.
  • Apply a compression bandage.
  • Seek medical attention.

Fractures

Fractures are characterized by pain, swelling, and loss of movement.

Procedure

  • Expose the injured area.
  • Check for other injuries.
  • Immobilize the joints above and below the fracture with splints.
  • Give pain medication if the victim is conscious.
  • Cover open fractures with sterile gauze.

Things to Avoid

  • Trying to realign the bone.
  • Applying tight compressions.
  • Putting salt on the wound.
  • Touching exposed bone.

Electric Shocks

Remove the victim from the source of electricity using a non-conductive object. Check vital signs and perform CPR if necessary. If unconscious but breathing, place them in the LSP and seek medical attention.

Poisoning and Intoxication

Gastrointestinal Poisoning

Food Poisoning

Characterized by chills, sweating, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and weakness.

Procedure

  • Determine the source of poisoning if possible.
  • Keep the victim warm.
  • Seek immediate medical attention.

Drug Poisoning

Symptoms vary depending on the drug ingested.

Procedure

  • Gather information about the poisoning.
  • Contact a poison control center.
  • Keep the victim warm.
  • Seek immediate medical attention.

Toxic Poisoning

Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, burns around the mouth, and convulsions. Do not induce vomiting. Seek immediate medical attention.

Sunstroke/Heat Stroke

Heatstroke is characterized by headaches, dizziness, vomiting, and fatigue.

Procedure

  • Move the victim to a cool, shady area.
  • Loosen or remove clothing and wrap them in a cool, wet sheet.
  • Apply cold compresses to the head and armpits.
  • Elevate their head.
  • Give them cool water if conscious.
  • If unconscious, place them in the LSP.

Note: Heatstroke is a serious condition requiring immediate medical attention.

Transportation of Victims

Transport a victim when unable to provide adequate on-site care, when professional help is unavailable, or when the scene is unsafe.

Choose a transport method based on the number of rescuers, their abilities, the victim’s condition, weight, distance, terrain, and available resources.

General Guidelines

  • Keep the victim calm.
  • Seek help.
  • Avoid moving the victim unnecessarily.
  • Mark the accident location.
  • Call for medical assistance.

Contacts for Specialized Help in Brazil

  • Police: 190
  • EMS: 192
  • Firefighters: 193
  • Traffic Police: 194
  • Federal Highway Police: 191