First Aid

First Aid

1. Cold / Heat related

   • Cold related
     • Frostbite: the freezing of body parts that are exposed to the cold. How bad you get frostbite depends on how long you are in the cold, the temperature, and the wind. When you get frostbite you can lose fingers, hands, arms, toes, feet, and legs Hypothermia: when the entire body cools because it is falling to keep warm. A person can die from this if they don’t receive the proper care. The air temperature doesn’t have to be below freezing to get hypothermia, but if you are wet and windy you are more likely to get hypothermia. Anyone can get hypothermia.
   • How to treat
     • Cold related:  Handle areas with frostbite gently Remove clothing and jewelry from frost bite areas Never rub the affected area For minor frostbite heat the area back up using skin to skin contact For a more serious injury, gently soak in water no hotter than 105 degrees fahrenheit Keep frostbitten part in water until it feels warm and normal color returns Heat related:  Help the person move to a cooled area and cool the body, sponge the person with ice water towels over body Continue to move the cold wet towels Try to provide a drink or sports drink (Fruit Juice, Milk, Water) Massage and or stretch the affected area Make sure they keep drinking fluids even after they return to the activity
   • Heat related
     • Heat-Related Illnesses - Overexposure to extreme heat and/or loss of fluids/electrolytes causing a person to fall ill Types of Illnesses: Heat cramps Heat exhaustion Heat stroke

2. Bone / Muscle injury

   • Sprained ankle
     • A sprained ankle affects the ligaments inside the ankle. A sprained ankle occurs when you twist your ligaments beyond their stretching capacity. There are 3 different kinds of sprains, Grade 1, Grade 2, and Grade 3. Grade 1 has mild tenderness and swelling. Grade 2 has partial tearing of the ligament, and moderate tenderness and swelling. Grade 3 has a full tear of the ligament and significant tenderness and swelling of the affected area.
   • Shin splints
     • Shin splints are a common exercise-related problem. The term "shin splints" refers to pain along the inner edge of the shinbone (tibia). Shin splints typically develop after physical activity. They are often associated with running. Any vigorous sports activity can bring on shin splints, especially if you are just starting a fitness program. Simple measures can relieve the pain of shin splints. Rest, ice, and stretching often help. Taking care not to overdo your exercise routine will help prevent shin splints from coming back.

3. Checking a unconscious / conscious person

   • Conscious
     • Unconscious
       • Airway
         • First, check if the persons airway is open. Make sure the tongue isn't stuck at the bottom of the throat. If so, push down the forehead an d pull up the bony part of the chin to clear the airway.
       • Circulation
         • If a child is unconscious, make sure you act before their heart stops beating because it is usually the result of a breathing emergency. If an adult is not breathing and is not the result of non-fatal accidents, assume the problem is cardiac emergency. Check for any bleeding.
     • Check their body
       • Always ask for consent before handling a conscious person.  Do not move any areas that have pain. Look for any cuts and or bruises
     • Interview the person
       • What happened? Do you feel any pain or discomfort? Do you have any allergies? Do you have any medical conditions or are you taking any medications?

4. Sudden illness

   • Allergic reaction
     • An Allergic Reaction is when someone reacts negatively to a ingredient they have come in contact with. Symptoms include: Hives, Swelling, Rashes, Nausea, Dizziness. Things that could cause allergic reactions are: Peanuts, certain medicines, Insect bites, etc.
   • Diabetic Emergency
     • Diabetes: the inability of the body to change sugar from food into energy Diabetic emergencies are caused by an imbalance between sugar and insulin in the body Hyperglycemia: Too much sugar in the blood Hypoglycemia: Too little sugar in the blood
   • Poisoning
     • Poison: any substance that causes injury, illness or death if it enters the body. Types of Poisoning are: Swallowed Poisons- include foods, overdoses of drugs, specific household items, and certain plants. Inhaled Poisons- include gases, fumes, and drugs. Absorbed Poisons- include plants like poison ivy, fertilizers, and pesticides. Injected Poisons- include bites or stings of spiders, ticks, some marine life or snakes along with drugs or medications injected with needles.