First Aid And Casualty Handling
Joint Professional Training Support HCM115.
First Aid And Casualty Handling Classnote.
First Aid And Casualty Handling During An Accident.
First Aid treatment is mostly rendered in a state of emergency. It involves careful application of
accepted principles of treatment, using facilities available to the first aider and within the short scene
to the hospital.
● Proper handling of casualties facilitates administration and reduces the chances of
complications. The first aider must have an aid kit and be able to improvise when necessary
(i.e., getting things from the immediate environment to replace the item needed. E.g, part of
clothing for bandages, light wood for splints, and other needed items.
Ensure that you are safe before proceeding with first aid.
As a First Aider,.
Never assume the role of a doctor, evacuate victims to the hospital, and make use of bystanders
when necessary in transporting victims. NOTE improper handling can worsen the victim’s condition.
General Principles Of First Aid.
*Remove the casualty from the Danger or remove the danger from the casualty.
*Assess the victim and treat the most urgent casualty at an accident scene.
There Are Four Categories Of Casualties.
(i)Casualties with life-threatening conditions such as cessation of breath, or poor circulation of blood
and the unconscious.
(ii)Casualties with serious injuries, head and spinal cord injuries, and casualties with impelled
objects.
(iii)Casualties with fractures, minor injuries, bruises and scald.
(iv)Casualties with life-threatening conditions are mostly the unconscious, move them with great
care. Before moving them, watch out for spinal cord injuries. Put the unconscious in a comfortable
position (prone or recovery position) to ease respiration.
*Give artificial respiration (mouth to mouth, or mouth-to-nose respiration) for Casualties with
breathing problems.
*Restore the functioning of the heart by instituting the principles of external cardiac massage (chest
compression) if the heart has stopped working.
*Guard against shock by stopping severe bleeding and pains.
*Reassure the victim to give him confidence in recovery from whatever condition he/she may be in.
*Control the crowd, keep them away to ensure an adequate supply of fresh air, and prevent them
from inciting casualties.
*Do not give the casualty anything to eat or drink.
*Handle casualty properly, in a case of suspected fracture of the spinal cord. DO NOT LIFT casualty
alone until there are enough helpers (four to six persons).
*Transport the casualty to the hospital or any nearby medical center without delay.
7
1
, BLEEDING.
If the victim is bleeding heavily, undertake arterial control by putting pressure point or by the use of a
tourniquet, which is tying a bandage immediately below the wound, making sure it is only tight
enough to allow the insertion of the little finger under it, so as not to restrict the flow of blood to the
extremities which could cause gangrene.
However, if the bleeding is not heavy, use your hand to apply pressure over the wound using gauze,
and clean a cloth handkerchief for 5-10 minutes.
Additionally, raise the bleeding site above heart level if it is a limb.
(1)Apply Pressure with Hands.
Expose to find where the bleeding is coming from and apply FIRM, STEADY PRESSURE to the bleeding
site with both hands if possible.
(2) Apply Dressing and Press.
Expose to find where the bleeding is coming from and apply FIRM, STEADY PRESSURE to the bleeding
site with a bandage or clothing.
Apply Tourniquet(s).
If the bleeding doesn't stop, place a tourniquet 2-3 inches closer to the torso from the bleeding, the
tourniquet may be applied and secured over clothing. If the bleeding still did not stop, apply a
second tourniquet closer to the torso from the first tourniquet.
Consciousness: If the casualty is breathing and answers questions, then lie the victim on his back (
supine position ) and keep him warm.
If he is breathing but does not answer questions, then put him in the recovery position to stop him
from choking on his blood, tongue, or vomit.
Responsibilities of a First Aider: protect from danger, identify the illness/injury, decide on priorities
of care, ensure the dignity of the patient, transportation as appropriate, good communication with
the patient, and good documentation.
Risks In a First Aid Setting.
First aiders should be aware of the potential dangers such as infection through bodily fluids which
may pose a risk of cross-contamination, and environmental dangers such as chemical spills, falling
masonry, broken glass, or fast-moving vehicles when entering a situation to provide first aid.
The five main aims of first aid.
(1)Preservation of life: Providing CPR or attending to a choking person are two examples of life
preservation in a first aid course. Maintaining air circulation in the body and clearing blocked airways
while waiting for medics, prevents other severe conditions, like brain damage and even a heart
attack, which can happen within minutes.
(2) Prevention of illness or injury from escalating: learn how to contain wounds and attend to
injuries to prevent further spread or damage. For example, if the patient is bleeding profusely, the
first aider's goal is to do their best to stop the bleeding until professional medical care arrives.
(3) Promote recovery: promotion of recovery includes using a first aid kit to help the person in need.
This can involve washing, disinfecting, and bandaging a wound. In some cases, an antibiotic ointment
can be used to promote healing.
(4) Relieve pain: Offering pain relief should only be done, if it doesn't present a risk to the patient. If
the person is bleeding, some pain relief medication is not advisable. It's better to ask a medical
expert first before administering any sort of medication.
7
2
Joint Professional Training Support HCM115.
First Aid And Casualty Handling Classnote.
First Aid And Casualty Handling During An Accident.
First Aid treatment is mostly rendered in a state of emergency. It involves careful application of
accepted principles of treatment, using facilities available to the first aider and within the short scene
to the hospital.
● Proper handling of casualties facilitates administration and reduces the chances of
complications. The first aider must have an aid kit and be able to improvise when necessary
(i.e., getting things from the immediate environment to replace the item needed. E.g, part of
clothing for bandages, light wood for splints, and other needed items.
Ensure that you are safe before proceeding with first aid.
As a First Aider,.
Never assume the role of a doctor, evacuate victims to the hospital, and make use of bystanders
when necessary in transporting victims. NOTE improper handling can worsen the victim’s condition.
General Principles Of First Aid.
*Remove the casualty from the Danger or remove the danger from the casualty.
*Assess the victim and treat the most urgent casualty at an accident scene.
There Are Four Categories Of Casualties.
(i)Casualties with life-threatening conditions such as cessation of breath, or poor circulation of blood
and the unconscious.
(ii)Casualties with serious injuries, head and spinal cord injuries, and casualties with impelled
objects.
(iii)Casualties with fractures, minor injuries, bruises and scald.
(iv)Casualties with life-threatening conditions are mostly the unconscious, move them with great
care. Before moving them, watch out for spinal cord injuries. Put the unconscious in a comfortable
position (prone or recovery position) to ease respiration.
*Give artificial respiration (mouth to mouth, or mouth-to-nose respiration) for Casualties with
breathing problems.
*Restore the functioning of the heart by instituting the principles of external cardiac massage (chest
compression) if the heart has stopped working.
*Guard against shock by stopping severe bleeding and pains.
*Reassure the victim to give him confidence in recovery from whatever condition he/she may be in.
*Control the crowd, keep them away to ensure an adequate supply of fresh air, and prevent them
from inciting casualties.
*Do not give the casualty anything to eat or drink.
*Handle casualty properly, in a case of suspected fracture of the spinal cord. DO NOT LIFT casualty
alone until there are enough helpers (four to six persons).
*Transport the casualty to the hospital or any nearby medical center without delay.
7
1
, BLEEDING.
If the victim is bleeding heavily, undertake arterial control by putting pressure point or by the use of a
tourniquet, which is tying a bandage immediately below the wound, making sure it is only tight
enough to allow the insertion of the little finger under it, so as not to restrict the flow of blood to the
extremities which could cause gangrene.
However, if the bleeding is not heavy, use your hand to apply pressure over the wound using gauze,
and clean a cloth handkerchief for 5-10 minutes.
Additionally, raise the bleeding site above heart level if it is a limb.
(1)Apply Pressure with Hands.
Expose to find where the bleeding is coming from and apply FIRM, STEADY PRESSURE to the bleeding
site with both hands if possible.
(2) Apply Dressing and Press.
Expose to find where the bleeding is coming from and apply FIRM, STEADY PRESSURE to the bleeding
site with a bandage or clothing.
Apply Tourniquet(s).
If the bleeding doesn't stop, place a tourniquet 2-3 inches closer to the torso from the bleeding, the
tourniquet may be applied and secured over clothing. If the bleeding still did not stop, apply a
second tourniquet closer to the torso from the first tourniquet.
Consciousness: If the casualty is breathing and answers questions, then lie the victim on his back (
supine position ) and keep him warm.
If he is breathing but does not answer questions, then put him in the recovery position to stop him
from choking on his blood, tongue, or vomit.
Responsibilities of a First Aider: protect from danger, identify the illness/injury, decide on priorities
of care, ensure the dignity of the patient, transportation as appropriate, good communication with
the patient, and good documentation.
Risks In a First Aid Setting.
First aiders should be aware of the potential dangers such as infection through bodily fluids which
may pose a risk of cross-contamination, and environmental dangers such as chemical spills, falling
masonry, broken glass, or fast-moving vehicles when entering a situation to provide first aid.
The five main aims of first aid.
(1)Preservation of life: Providing CPR or attending to a choking person are two examples of life
preservation in a first aid course. Maintaining air circulation in the body and clearing blocked airways
while waiting for medics, prevents other severe conditions, like brain damage and even a heart
attack, which can happen within minutes.
(2) Prevention of illness or injury from escalating: learn how to contain wounds and attend to
injuries to prevent further spread or damage. For example, if the patient is bleeding profusely, the
first aider's goal is to do their best to stop the bleeding until professional medical care arrives.
(3) Promote recovery: promotion of recovery includes using a first aid kit to help the person in need.
This can involve washing, disinfecting, and bandaging a wound. In some cases, an antibiotic ointment
can be used to promote healing.
(4) Relieve pain: Offering pain relief should only be done, if it doesn't present a risk to the patient. If
the person is bleeding, some pain relief medication is not advisable. It's better to ask a medical
expert first before administering any sort of medication.
7
2
