First aid

First aid

1. Capsule history

   • History needed for initial treatment, Allergies, medication, past history, last medication, meal, drink, defecation, urination and the event. AMPLE.

2. Aims of first aid

   • Prevent suffering, safe life and stop the situation from getting worse

3. Rules of first aid: ABC

   • AIRWAY, BREATHING, CIRCULATION
     • CAN THE PATIENT MAINTAIN AN AIRWAY? LIFT NECK AND PULL OUT TONGUE TO CHECK OR OBSTRUCTIONS. Endotracheal tube may need to be placed to maintain an airway.
     • Haemorrhage
       • Arterial bleeding: High pressure, forceful bleeding, bright red. Bleeding from a vein: Deep red, flows out slower. Bleeding from capillaries: also occurs in haemorrhage, slower ooze out, pink/red.
         • Clotting: Platlets form a seal over wound and release thromboplastin, this converts prothrombin in to thrombin which converts fibrogen into fibrin which forms a network across the wound traping red blood cells forming a clot.
           • Arresting the haemorrage: apply direct pressure with fingers or use a pressure bandage.
             • Torniquet
               • Only used for short period of time no longer than 5 minutes, do not apply to same area again for a while as can cause cell damage.
             • Problem with direct pressure is that can push foreign matter further in to the wound. indirect pressure can be used by applying pressure where an artery goes over a bone including the brachial medial to humerus, femoral medial to femur and coccygeal ventral to coccygeal vertebrae.