First Response: The Complete Guide to First Aid (Full Version) - First Aid CPR AED Courses - Toronto

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let's get started

providing first aid means knowing how to

recognize an illness or injury and

deciding to act it means getting

involved and making a difference

providing proper first aid can save a

life prevent further illness or

permanent injury

help with healing and Recovery a first

aid provider or first aider is someone

who identifies an emergency situation

and stays calm takes charge and acts

calls Emergency Medical Services or

9-1-1 if necessary

provides help until medical

professionals take over

a first aid provider administers first

aid to a casualty a casualty is someone

needing emergency medical care because

of an injury or sudden illness

disease transmission

in an emergency some people may hesitate

to act because they fear the threat of

disease transmission associated with

contact of bodily fluids infectious

diseases range from the common cold to

more serious diseases such as HIV

infections occur when germs such as

bacteria or viruses enter the body and

affect one or more organs

when administering first aid the threat

of disease transmission is minimal and

certain safety measures can help reduce

the risk a set of personal

responsibilities called universal

precautions can be used to prevent

disease transmission these include

wearing protective equipment frequent

and thorough hand washing using gloves

and breathing barriers when providing

first aid

and avoiding contact with contaminated

objects or materials they may puncture

the skin

gloves are an essential part of any

first aid kit use gloves whenever

possible while performing first aid

gloves help to keep a barrier between

you and potentially infectious bodily

fluids

to correctly remove gloves make sure you

do not come into contact with the outer

surface peel the first glove off from

the wrist turning it inside out Bunch it

into the palm of the opposite hand to

remove the sucking glove grab it from

the inside of the wrist and Roll It Off

use a biohazard bag to dispose of any

contaminated materials

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emergency scene management

emergency scene management is an

effective plan that can guide your

actions and ensure that you are

providing the best care possible for an

ill or injured person there are six

steps to follow

step one survey the scene

once you recognize an emergency take

charge of the situation

look for things around the scene that

may threaten your own safety such as

fire hazardous fumes or live electrical

wires if your own safety is threatened

stay back and allow properly equipped

and trained professionals to handle any

dangerous situations

now that we've surveyed the scene check

for responsiveness to check for

responsiveness gently tap the casualty

and ask them if they're okay if the

casualty is conscious identify yourself

as a first aid provider and offer help

obtain consent from them before

providing care if the casualty does not

respond assume they are unconscious and

have someone call EMS or 9-1-1 or make

the call yourself it is important to

Monitor and note a casualty's level of

Consciousness any decline in the level

of Consciousness signifies that the

casualties condition is worsening step 3

call EMS or 9-1-1 if needed

if an injury appears serious or if the

casualty is unconscious or unresponsive

alert EMS or 911 immediately if possible

send a bystander to make the call and

report back to you with confirmation

that EMS Personnel are on their way step

4 perform a primary survey

once you are confident that EMS or 9-1-1

has been called you need to perform a

primary survey the primary survey is

performed to check for conditions that

may immediately threaten a person's life

this includes any problems with their

Airway breathing or circulation this is

called the ABCs of the primary survey

in the primary survey confirm that the

casualty has a clear and open Airway and

that they are breathing normally check

for any circulation emergencies such as

deadly bleeding or shock and look for

any signs or symptoms of serious illness

or injury if the casualty is conscious

and can speak this is generally a good

indication that the casualty has an open

Airway is breathing and has signs of

blood circulation

step 5 secondary surveying

secondary survey can be performed once

the casualty is breathing and has no

life-threatening conditions requiring

ongoing care it allows you to check for

Less obvious problems that may require

first aid the secondary survey has three

steps

assess the casualties signs and symptoms

ask about allergies medications past

medical history and events leading to

the incident check the quality of the

casualty's Consciousness breathing skin

color and temperature examine the entire

body starting at the casualty's head and

look for any hidden injuries that may

require first aid

step 6 ongoing casualty care

give the casualty the appropriate first

aid and once given continue to monitor

the casualties Airway breathing and

circulation

the casualties condition May worsen

making the situation life-threatening so

monitoring the ABCs is an important step

in your ongoing casualty care

as you wait for EMS to arrive have the

casualty rest in the most comfortable

position and calmly reassure them give

them a blanket if you have not already

done so keeping a casualty warm can help

prevent them from going into shock at

some point you will need to hand over

the casualty to either another first aid

provider medical help or if the

situation is minor allow the casualty to

take control of the situation themselves

when contemplating handing over control

of a scene you need to be sure it is in

the casualty's best interest

if you allow the casualty to take

control encourage them to be accompanied

by either a friend co-worker or family

member if possible if heading over the

casualty to another first aid provider

or to medical help give them a detailed

report of the situation including the

history mechanism of injury the

casualties signs and symptoms and any

first aid administered

also let them know if there are any

changes in the casualties condition

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s

an allergic reaction is a hypersensitive

response to a common usually harmless

substance or allergen an allergen can

enter the body in four ways it can be

inhaled absorbed ingested or injected

anaphylaxis is a severe allergic

reaction commonly caused by insect bites

or stings certain foods chemicals drugs

or medications to which a person is

allergic

anaphylaxis is a life-threatening

allergic reaction that can lead to

Serious respiratory distress the throat

muscles begin to swell closing off the

person's Airway despite precautionary

measures a person may unintentionally

come into contact with a substance to

which they are allergic an allergic

reaction often occurs quite quickly and

can be mild or can develop into a

life-threatening situation signs and

symptoms of anaphylaxis a feeling or

tightness in the chest and throat

swelling of the lips face neck hands and

feet rash hives or itching wheezing when

exhaling nausea or vomiting previous

allergic episodes weakness dizziness or

confusion as soon as you realize that

someone is experiencing a severe

allergic reaction call EMS or 9-1-1

immediately have the casualty rest in

the most comfortable position and assist

them with their prescribed medication

epinephrine is a medication used to slow

down the allergic reaction and will

temporarily prevent the closing of the

casualties Airway if breathing becomes

difficult for the casualty help them to

administer an epinephrine shot

an epinephrine shot is injected into the

body with a needle and delivers a single

dose of medication the most popular

product is called the EpiPen auto

injector and was designed for quick and

simple use

the EpiPen auto injector has a spring

activated needle and can be delivered

through light clothing on the outer

thigh

form a fist around the unit and pull off

the blue safety cap

holds the orange tip near the outer

thigh

swing and Jab firmly against the outer

thigh

listen for the click and hold for 10

seconds

after the injection rest and reassure

the casualty keep them warm while you

wait for EMS to arrive

if signs of shock develop place the

casualty in the shock position and

maintain normal body temperature call

EMS or 9-1-1 if you haven't already done

so continue to monitor Consciousness and

ABCs until EMS arrives one shot of

epinephrine lasts for only 15 to 20

minutes

if breathing difficulty returns and the

casualty has another epipenado injector

help them to take another dose on the

opposite outer thigh preferably seek

medical advice before helping with a

second injection

asthma

asthma is a respiratory disease

characterized by attacks that make

breathing difficult during an attack the

airway becomes extra sensitive to

triggers such as stress physical

activity temperature extremes and

allergic reactions to dust pollen or

certain foods when exposed to these

triggers the air passage is narrow and

become constricted making it difficult

to breathe

signs and symptoms of asthma

breathing may be faster or slower than

normal

the casualty feels like they are not

taking in enough oxygen the casualty may

seem apprehensive or very anxious

wheezing when exhaling the casualty may

feel dizziness and lightheaded

people who have asthma carry medication

in the form of a meaner dose inhaler

also known as a puffer

have the casualty give him or herself

this medication however if the casualty

is too weak you may need to assist them

to help a casualty with their asthma

medication shake the container and

remove the cap tell the casualty to

breathe out all their air from their

lungs

the canister can either be placed in the

mouth or approximately four finger

widths away

have the casualty breathe in deeply

while pressing the canister to release

the medication

have them hold their breath for 10

seconds be sure they take the

appropriate dose found on the label of

the inhaler

encourage normal breathing if the

condition Remains the Same or gets worse

or if the casualty doesn't have their

medication with them call EMS or 9-1-1

immediately

have the casualty stop what they are

doing and have them rest in the most

comfortable position

assist the casualty to take any

prescribed medication such as an inhaler

provide air by opening a window or

having bystanders move back help the

casualty maintain normal body

temperature and provide reassurance to

slow their breathing down

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bleeding

bleeding is the escape of blood from the

arteries veins and capillaries veins are

blood vessels that carry oxygen poor

blood to the heart

venous bleeding is dark red in color and

flows in a steady stream

arteries are blood vessels that carry

oxygen-rich blood away from the heart

and are under high pressure as a result

arterial bleeding is bright red and

spurts out with each heartbeat

internal bleeding occurs inside the body

and may be difficult to detect

external bleeding however is usually

visible unless it occurs under clothing

or a part of the body that is not

visible

uncontrolled bleeding of any kind can be

life-threatening and may cause shock so

scanning the body for severe bleeding is

an important step in your primary survey

for major open wounds

whenever blood is present in an

emergency there is a risk of disease

transmission to avoid any direct contact

use a first aid kit that includes gloves

dressings bandages and antiseptics

have the casualty rest and apply direct

pressure to the area with a sterile

dressing or clean cloth to decrease

bleeding

use a bandage or tape to hold the

dressing in place

arterial bleeding

bleeding from an artery is profuse and

life-threatening since arterial blood is

oxygenated it appears bright red in

color and will spurt to the beat of the

heart therefore it is imperative that we

direct pressure immediately using bulky

dressings as severe bleeding can cause

rapid shock and is more difficult to

control

special considerations for bleeding

Place additional dressings if original

bandage becomes blood soaked

deep lacerations to the hands can sever

nerves tendons and muscles

control bleeding and wrap the entire

hand to minimize movement

seek medical attention

major internal bleeding

deeper bleeding that is caused by a

violent blunt force punctures or a

fractured bone that ruptures a blood

vessel can result in severe blood loss

inside the body

watch for signs and symptoms of shock as

well as bruising blood coming out of the

ears or nose or blood that is coughed up

or seen in vomit stool or urine signs

and symptoms of internal deadly bleeding

discoloration or bruising of skin

area appears tender swollen hard

shock

blood in saliva or vomit severe pain

if you suspect a severe injury has

caused major internal bleeding call EMS

911 immediately severe internal bleeding

can cause the casualty to go into shock

is the failure of the circulatory system

to provide enough oxygen-rich blood to

all parts of the body

shock is a common occurrence in many

emergency situations

shock can develop when an injury or

illness causes circulatory problems

circulatory problems are caused by loss

of blood or bodily fluids as in the case

of internal or external bleeding Crush

injuries dehydration and severe burns

signs and symptoms of shock

changes in level of consciousness

pale cold and clammy skin

anxiety restlessness and confusion

dizziness or feeling lightheaded

irregular breathing

excessive thirst

nausea

first aid for shock includes treating

the cause

treating the cause means controlling

bleeding by directing pressure on a

wound or removing a person who is

sensitive to the site of blood from an

accident scene

reassure the casualty and allow them to

rest Comfort the casualty to calm them

and lower their heart rate loosen

restrictive clothing and maintain normal

body temperature

continue to Monitor and reassure the

casualty until EMS arrives if the

casualty is alert Place him or her on

their back with their feet and legs

slightly elevated this is called the

shock position

this position helps to encourage blood

flow to the brain

amputation

when a body part is partially or

completely cut off this is called an

amputation first aid centers on

controlling the bleeding and caring for

the amputated tissue

the body part has been completely cut

off direct pressure to control the

bleeding by using bulky dressings find

the body part and wrap it in a sterile

gauze or clean cloth

place the wrapped body part in a plastic

bag and keep it cool by placing it into

another bag or container filled with ice

attach a label to the bag containing the

casualty's name and the date and time of

the incident seek medical attention

immediately because doctors may be able

to reattach the body part

if a body part has been partially cut

off try to reposition the body part to

its natural position

and wrap it with dressings and bandages

to control the bleeding the dressings

and bandages will keep the injury

immobilized

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wounds

a wound is a break in the skin or soft

tissues characterized by the steady

Escape of blood usually from an artery

or vein types of wounds include

contusions or bruises which is bleeding

under the skin

abrasions which occur when the skin is

rubbed or scraped away

lacerations which are Cuts or tears in

the skin and underlying tissue

avulsions which occur when a piece of

skin is totally or partially torn away

and punctures which occur when the skin

is pierced with a pointed object

first aid for minor open wounds

in the case of minor wounds where there

is only surface damage and little

bleeding

wash the wound with soap and water

disinfecting the area with an antibiotic

will help prevent infection and speed

the healing process infection is always

a concern when an injury breaks the skin

after cleaning the wound apply sterile

dressings for smaller wounds use a

simple adhesive bandage that can come in

all different shapes and sizes

for larger wounds use Square sterile

gauze pads and roller bandages

tetanus is a potentially fatal disease

that may result if wounds are not

thoroughly cleaned and disinfected a

deeper wound that is the result of an

animal bite or occurs in unhygienic

surroundings should be referred to

medical help

serious infections may cause the

casualty to develop a fever there may

also be red streaks Under the Skin

progressing from the wound if this is

the case seek medical attention

immediately

first aid for infection

keep area clean apply a warm wet

compress apply an antibiotic ointment

recommended by a pharmacist seek medical

attention if the infection looks serious

a doctor May prescribe appropriate

antibiotics

special considerations for wounds

when do we need stitches

stitches are usually needed when there

is a complete separation of both skin

layers the edges of the skin do not fall

together and the wound is larger than

one to two centimeters first aid for

minor closed wounds

a closed wound does not involve a break

in the skin and therefore no external

bleeding signs and symptoms of a

contusion or bruise include tenderness

discoloration and swelling of the soft

tissues in the area direct pressure on

the area to decrease bleeding under the

skin apply a cold compress to control

both pain and swelling applying a cold

compress will also constrict the blood

vessels in the soft tissue and minimize

internal bleeding

be sure to place a thin barrier between

the cold sores and the skin apply cold

for 20 minutes every hour for as long as

the person feels pain if it is a more

serious bruise apply cold for 20 minutes

every hour for the first 24 to 48 hours

check and treat for any underlying bone

muscle or joint injuries

embedded object

if an object is embedded in the body do

not remove it removing the object can

cause further damage and bleeding

instead use bulky dressings to support

and stabilize the object as much as

possible the dressings will also apply

pressure to control bleeding around the

object wrap a bandage around the

dressings and the object to hold

everything in place confirm proper

circulation below the injury treat the

casualty for Shock by placing them on

their back with legs slightly elevated

cover the casualty to maintain normal

body temperature

nosebleeds

nosebleeds are common injuries usually

caused by a blunt force a common

misconception is to tilt the head back

to control bleeding but this may drain

the blood into the back of the throat

and cause choking or vomiting instead

get the person to sit with their head

slightly forward while pinching the

nostrils for 10 to 15 minutes

eye injury

place the person on their back do not

attempt to remove the object Place

sterile dressings around the object to

help support the object in place

secure the dressing with a bandage

if calling EMS consider covering both

eyes to help better stabilize the object

if there is a foreign body such as sand

dust or chemicals in the eye flush the

eye with water if the object is chemical

flush continuously until EMS arrives

if possible use an eye wash station in

the workplace to help flush out the eyes

if flushing one eye only position the

affected eye downward so that the

foreign object does not come into

contact with the other eye if

transporting the person to the hospital

cover the affected eye with a sterile

dressing and seek medical attention

if the object cannot be removed cover

the affected eye and have the person

seek medical attention

did you know

a nocto tooth is best preserved in a

closed container of milk until it

reaches the dentist ideally the tooth

should be re-implanted within an hour of

the injury

foreign

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a burn is a specific type of soft tissue

injury caused by heat chemicals

electricity and radiation Burns can

cause swelling and breathing problems if

they occur around the face or throat

burns are easily susceptible to

infection and severe burns can lead to

shock

burns are classified by their deepness

and severity and are separated into

three categories first degree second

degree and third degree at first degree

burn damage is only the top layer of

skin signs and symptoms include dry skin

that is pink or red slight swelling and

tenderness to intense pain in the area a

second-degree burn damages both layers

of the skin the burnt skin is raw and

moist and ranges from white to Red in

color other signs and symptoms include

blisters that may be open and leaking

clear fluid and severe pain

a third degree burn damages both layers

of the skin the underlying tissues and

Bone blood vessels fat muscle and bone

may be visible the skin is dry and

leathery and may be charred black or

white the casualty may not feel any pain

because of nerve damage when to call Ems

for burns the burn causes serious tissue

damage and severe bleeding which may

lead to shock the cause of the burn is a

result of electricity chemicals or an

explosion the burn covers a large area

of the body the burn is around the

casualty's airway this can lead to

breathing problems the casualty has a

serious medical condition such as

diabetes the casualty is under two or

over 50 years old the burn area is

exposed to potentially infectious

material the burn has caused severe

swelling that may be cutting off

circulation

first aid for superficial Burns

cool the burn with water until the pain

stops

this usually requires 10 to 15 minutes

of continual Cooling

once you have cooled the burn with water

apply an antibiotic ointment suggested

by a pharmacist

cover the burn with a dry non-stick

sterile dressing to prevent infection

first aid for partial and full thickness

Burns

immerse the burned area in cool water

until the pain stops

avoid using a forceful flow of water as

this may further damage and open the

skin if the burned area cannot be put in

water cover the burn with a cool moist

sterile dressing or clean cloth

once you've cooled the burn cover the

area with dry non-stick sterile

dressings to keep out air and prevent

infection

electrical Burns

approach the person if there is no risk

of electrocuting yourself if there is

any uncertainty stay back and call 9-1-1

electrical Burns may be more serious

than they appear the electrical current

can cause deep tissue damage and create

an entrance and exit wound and both

should be treated as any other burn

however more importantly in cases of

severe electrical shock the heart's

normal Rhythm may be interrupted causing

Cardiac Arrest be prepared to do CPR

sunburns

sunburns are a common type of burn

caused by radiation

try to prevent sunburns by using

sunblock and being conscious of

overexposure to the Sun

Burns can be painful and you should

apply the following first aid

get the person out of the Sun and Pat

the area with cool water until the pain

stops

apply ointments recommended by a

pharmacist

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head and spinal injuries

head and spinal injuries can be

life-threatening and improper handling

of a casualty with a header spinal

injury can cause long-term injury

disability or death therefore seeking

immediate medical help is extremely

important

head injuries can impact the brain brain

tissues can be damaged when bleeding

from a ruptured vessel causes pressure

to build up in the skull

the spine is a strong flexible column

consisting of small bones called

vertebrae and pads of cartilage called

discs

inside the spinal column is the spinal

cord which is responsible for the body's

movement

severe injuries to the vertebrae may

move squeeze or cut the spinal cord

this can cause permanent paralysis or

even death causes of head and spinal

injuries vehicle crashes Falls

diving in shallow water

sports injuries

improper lifting techniques

prevention of head and spinal injuries

wear protective equipment

always wear a seatbelt

take safety precautions to prevent Falls

such as using handrails secured rugs

and non-slip bathtub mats use ladders

correctly never dive in shallow or

unknown water

a heterospinal injury should be

suspected if the mechanism of injury

suggests an impact or blunt force to the

head neck or back if a casualty is

thought to have a head injury you should

also suspect the casualty has a spinal

injury and vice versa

the history of the event can provide

clues regarding the extent and nature of

the injury it is very important to

understand the signs and symptoms of

head and spinal injuries so you can

better determine the seriousness of the

injury before providing the appropriate

first aid

signs and symptoms of head and spinal

injuries pain pressure and swelling in

the head neck or back numbness tingling

or loss of feeling in fingers or toes

paralysis of any body part unusual lumps

on the head or spine bruising of the

head or spine

nausea or vomiting persistent headache

convulsions difficulty breathing

difficulty seeing dizziness or loss of

balance

proper first aid treatment can prevent

possible heterospinal injury from

becoming fatal or from causing permanent

damage

if the casualty is breathing continue to

immobilize the head and neck in the

position you found them

monitor Consciousness and breathing

serious head injuries can affect

Consciousness and Trauma to the upper

body can paralyze chest nerves and

muscles causing difficulty with

breathing an injury to the header spine

can hinder the body's ability to

regulate its temperature

maintain normal body temperature to

prevent or minimize shock if the person

is wearing a helmet leave it on unless

it makes it difficult to manage the

person's Airway and breathing

the following section describes some

types of specific head injuries

concussion

the head lacks the padding provided by

muscle and fat and can therefore be

easily injured a concussion can result

from a blunt force to the head causing a

temporary disturbance of brain function

in most cases the casualty loses

Consciousness for a few minutes with no

permanent injury the casualty may

experience temporary memory loss

confusion nausea vomiting and difficulty

breathing

if the injury is serious try to keep the

casualty awake until EMS arrives if you

suspect that the casualty has also

sustained a neck injury give first aid

for head and spinal injury as described

earlier in this section

scalp injury

when treating for external bleeding on

the scalp apply light pressure to the

area as there may be damage to the skull

for a bump or bruise on the head apply

an ice pack

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bone muscle and joint injuries

the musculoskeletal system consists of

Bones muscles tendons ligaments and

joints that make up the skeleton and

muscles that surround it together this

system works to protect the vital organs

while giving the body shape and

stability an injury to a muscle bone or

joint is quite common and they range

from minor to severe as a first aid

provider you are likely to encounter one

although this type of injury is not

usually life-threatening it can cause

pain long-term aggravation or disability

types of bone muscle and joint injuries

include a fracture which is a break chip

or crack in the bone

fractures can be open or closed a closed

fracture is when the skin over the

fracture is not broken

an open fracture means the skin is

broken and a wound is created by a

protruding bone at this location is a

separation of a bone from a joint

a sprain is the tearing of ligaments at

a joint

a strain usually called a pulled muscle

is the stretching or tearing of muscle

or tendon

signs and symptoms of bone muscle and

joint injuries pain or tenderness that

worsens if the injury is moved swelling

at the site of the injury inability to

move or use the injured body part

discoloration of the skin feeling or

hearing the sound of Bones snapping or

grating external bleeding

protruding bone deformity the injured

area looks different from the uninjured

area inadequate circulation to the

extremity

first aid is the same for all muscle

Bone and Joint injuries keep the

casualty as comfortable as possible and

avoid causing any more pain

to perform first aid remember the

acronym rice R stands for rest I stands

for immobilize C stands for cold and E

stands for elevate

are rest

get the casualty to stop any further

movement and help them to get into the

most comfortable position without

causing too much pain

I immobilize

as you wait for medical help to arrive

immobilize the injured area with your

hands study and support the injured body

part in the position found

often the casualty will want to do this

themselves the purpose of immobilizing

is to lessen pain reduce the possibility

of circulation loss or further bleeding

and to prevent any bones from

penetrating the skin

a splint is a device that keeps the

injured body part in place there are

three types of splints soft rigid and

anatomic

soft splints include towels pillows

bandages and slings a rigid splint can

be made from boards metal strips or

folded newspapers and magazines

finally an anatomic splint is using a

healthy body part to immobilize an

injured area like fingers or toes

confirm proper circulation below the

injured area by checking for skin

temperature and color before and after

splinting loosen the splint if the area

becomes cold or discolored if condition

persists call 9-1-1 immediately

see cold

apply ice a chemical cold pack or cloth

soaked in cold water to decrease pain

and swelling as soon as possible early

treatment with cold compress will help

constrict the blood vessels and minimize

internal bleeding

when using an ice pack protect the skin

from freezing by placing a gauze or

cloth between the ice and the skin cool

the affected area for 20 minutes every

hour for the first 24 to 48 hours

e elevate

you can also reduce pain and swelling in

the affected area by elevating it if

possible Elevate the area above the

level of the heart to slow the flow of

blood do not Elevate the body part if it

causes the casualty to feel more pain

give ongoing care until medical help

arrives and takes over continue to

monitor circulation below the injury and

treat for shock

if medical attention is delayed or the

injury is minor immobilize the injury

with a sling or splint before

transporting the person to the hospital

lower leg injury

Place bandages underneath the injured

body part

place the splint on either side of the

leg covering the joints above and below

the injury

tie bandages to secure the splint in

place

pad a rigid splint to keep the body part

in a natural position

you can also use soft splints such as

towels blankets and pillows lower arm

injury

for lower arm injuries pad a rigid

splint to keep the body part in a

natural position

tie bandages to secure the splint in

place

slings

for upper body injuries you can apply a

sling place a triangular bandage

underneath the injured arm

the top point of the triangle should be

towards the injured elbow

wrap bandage securely to support the

injured body part

tie both ends of the bandage behind the

neck

twist or pin excess bandage around the

elbow

make sure the sling covers the entire

arm with fingers slightly exposed

for extra support secure a broad

transport bandage to stabilize the sling

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medical emergencies

some medical conditions can cause a

person to become seriously ill or

require immediate medical attention in

this section we will look at the

following medical emergencies diabetic

emergencies and convulsions or seizures

diabetic emergencies

diabetes is a chronic disease that has

no cure individuals who have diabetes

cannot produce the hormone insulin or

the insulin they do produce cannot be

properly used to regulate blood sugar

levels diabetics must exercise carefully

watch their diet and must regulate their

insulin and sugar levels daily

diabetic emergencies are caused by an

imbalance of sugar and insulin levels in

the body

hyperglycemia is a condition whereby

insulin levels are too low causing blood

sugar levels to be too high

this causes the blood to become more

acidic and can lead to a diabetic coma

hypoglycemia is the condition whereby

insulin levels are too high causing low

levels of blood sugar

in this case the brain does not receive

enough sugar and the person may lose

consciousness

signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia

increased thirst frequent urination

nausea and vomiting rapid breathing

decreased Consciousness acidic odor on

breath

signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia

headache perspiration dizziness or

lightheadedness confusion difficulty

speaking feeling anxious or weak

if the casualty is unconscious look for

a medical alert bracelet that may tell

you something about the casualty's

condition if the casualty is conscious

ask them what is wrong and if you can

assist them generally diabetics will

tell you what is wrong and what they

need if this is the case help them take

what is needed Jen it's Tony it's okay I

know first aid what's wrong

I'm diabetic you're diabetic I'm gonna

get you some sugar hold on

if the casualty is confused about what

is needed the first aid for hypoglycemia

and hyperglycemia is the same

give the casualty food or fluids that

contain sugar such as fruit juices

non-diet soft drinks or candy if the

casualty has prescribed medication

assist them in taking it in cases where

the casualty has low sugar the extra

sugar you give them will help however in

cases where the casualty has too much

sugar the extra sugar will not cause any

harm in the short term

if the casualty does not feel better

within a few minutes of taking the sugar

call medical help if you have not

already done so

have the casualty rest in the most

comfortable position and give ongoing

care

convulsions

a convulsion or seizure is the loss of

body control caused by irregular

electrical activity in the brain common

causes are disease injury fever and

epilepsy a disorder of the nervous

system characterized by seizures

although convulsions may look

frightening you should never try to

restrain the casualty instead first aid

care centers on protecting the casualty

from injury and managing their Airway

signs and symptoms of an epileptic

seizure

sudden loss of consciousness causing the

casualty to fall

stiffening of the body

sudden uncontrollable shaking irregular

breathing eyes may roll back drooling

from the mouth

grinding of teeth loss of bladder

control

try to protect the casualty from further

injury by clearing the area of objects

place a cushion or something soft under

the casualty's head to protect it

once the casualty has stopped convulsing

monitor ABCs and provide any first aid

that is required contrary to popular

belief you should never attempt to place

an object between the casualty's teeth

as there is little chance that they will

bite their cheek or tongue hard enough

to cause severe bleeding if the casualty

is unconscious place them into the

recovery position and wipe away any

fluids from the mouth and nose do not

restrain the casualty by holding them

down loosen constrictive clothing at the

neck and chest since the casualty may

feel embarrassed afterwards you should

provide space and privacy for the

casualty if possible

if you know the casualty has epilepsy

you do not need to call EMS however you

should call Ems for any of the following

cases

the casualty fails to regain

Consciousness the casualty has repeated

convulsions within a few minutes

the cause of the convulsion is uncertain

febrile convulsions

febrile convulsions are caused by high

fever and can occur if an infant or

child experiences a rapid rise in body

temperature

a fever emergency occurs when an

infant's temperature is 38 degrees

Celsius or higher and when a child's

temperature is 40 degrees Celsius or

higher

signs and symptoms of febrile

convulsions sudden loss of consciousness

sudden uncontrollable shaking irregular

breathing

drooling from the mouth loss of bladder

control

febrile convulsions can be prevented by

controlling a child's temperature before

it rises too high if a child develops a

high fever advise the parent or child

care provider to call the doctor and

follow their directions

encourage the infant or child to drink

fluid if the doctor cannot be reached

advise the parent or Guardian to give

acetaminophen such as Tylenol tempra or

children's ibuprofen do not give Asa or

aspirin

if the fever Remains the Same sponge the

child with lukewarm water for about 20

minutes do not use cold water as this

may shock the child and cause more

serious problems do not immerse the

child or infant in a tub of water the

temperature will go down more quickly if

the child's wet skin is exposed to air

If the child has a convulsion call for

medical help right away do not restrain

the child clear away objects and protect

the head loosen any constrictive

clothing at the neck and chest

when the convulsion stops clear the

mouth and nose and place the child into

the recovery position for an infant hold

them face down with the head lower than

the body

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environmental emergencies

there are many different types of

injuries that can occur due to the

environment exposure to extreme

temperatures whether hot or cold can

damage skin tissue and cause body

systems and vital organs to shut down

we will now examine different types of

environmental emergencies such as heat

emergencies hypothermia and frostbite

frostbite

frostbite is the freezing of body

tissues and is a type of cold emergency

that affects specific body parts

depending on the circumstances and time

of exposure frostbite may occur by

itself or along with hypothermia

frostbite can occur in body parts that

are exposed to extreme cold

the water in the skin freezes and swells

causing cells to die

deep frostbite can lead to the loss of

body parts

signs and symptoms of frostbite

loss of feeling in the affected area

skin appearing waxy

skin that feels cool to the touch

discolored skin ranging from white

yellow or blue

frostbite may occur by itself or along

with hypothermia

first aid for frostbite

gradually warm the body part by gently

immersing the affected area in warm

water until it appears and feels normal

Place gauze or cotton between the

fingers and toes

bandage the area with dry sterile

dressings

and see a doctor

hypothermia

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hypothermia is the general cooling of

the body air temperature humidity time

of exposure wet skin and wind chill are

all factors that can contribute to

hypothermia hypothermia is caused by

exposure to the cold to the degree that

the body cannot keep itself warm

in hypothermia body temperature drops

below 35 degrees Celsius or 95 degrees

Fahrenheit

as the person gets colder the heart

begins to beat irregularly and

eventually stops

signs and symptoms of severe hypothermia

person has stopped shivering

numbness

confused or unusual behavior

body temperature below 30 degrees

Celsius or 86 degrees Fahrenheit

body that feels stiff

breathing that has slowed down or

stopped

first aid for hypothermia

change the person's clothing only if

necessary and have them sit near a heat

Source like a fireplace or a stove give

warm liquids if the person is alert

preferably non-alcoholic and

decaffeinated drinks wrap the person in

blankets or heat pads do not warm too

quickly as it can cause heart problems

peat emergencies

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normal body temperature is 37 degrees

Celsius or 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit

heat emergencies can arise when there is

prolonged exposure to extreme heat or

intense physical exertion in a hot or

poorly ventilated environment

valuable fluids are lost due to

excessive sweating and circulation is

affected due to the increased blood flow

to the skin and away from vital organs

heat emergencies can worsen rapidly once

they appear providing first aid upon

spawning the initial signs of a heat

related illness could prevent it from

becoming life-threatening heat

emergencies such as heat cramps heat

exhaustion and heat stroke can arise

when the body cannot manage extreme heat

valuable fluids are lost due to excess

sweating and increased blood flow to the

skin causes a lack of proper blood flow

to the vital organs

cramps

heat cramps are painful muscle spasms

caused by fluid and salt loss it can

result from strenuous work or exercise

in warm temperatures

have the person rest and stretch and

massage the affected area

give the person cool liquids that do not

contain alcohol or caffeine sports

drinks are highly recommended

exhaustion

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heat exhaustion is more serious than

heat cramps and is the most common heat

illness it results from fluid loss due

to work exercise excessive sweating and

overexposure to warm or humid conditions

signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion

normal or slightly raised body

temperature

moist skin

that appears red or pale

nausea

dizziness and weakness

exhaustion

to prevent heat exhaustion drink plenty

of fluids dress appropriately for heat

and activity levels and take frequent

breaks in a cool or shaded area

heat stroke

heat stroke can arise if the signs and

symptoms of heat exhaustion are ignored

unable to cool itself the body's

temperature rises to a degree where the

brain and other vital organs cease to

function properly

signs and symptoms of heat stroke high

body temperature

red hot dry skin sweating has stopped

irritable or aggressive behavior

Progressive loss of consciousness

rapid weak or irregular pulse rapid

shallow breathing

first aid for heat stroke

if possible immersion in cold water is

the initial recommended treatment of

heat stroke

move the person away from the Heat and

give them cool water to drink

remove sweat soaked clothing

pour cool water on the skin especially

around the head and neck

fan the person to increase evaporation

to remove more heat out of the skin

if level of Consciousness changes call

9-1-1

to further cool the body use wet sponges

or ice packs

Place cold packs on the growing in each

armpit and on the neck to cool the large

blood vessels

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okay

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poisons

a poison is any substance that can cause

injury illness or death when it enters

the body

ingested poisons

ingested poisons are swallowed or come

into contact with the mouth or lips some

examples include medications cleaning

products and pesticides

call the Poison Center and follow their

directions

induce vomiting or dilute the poison in

the stomach with water only if

instructed by the poison Center

inhaled poisons

inhaled poisons are breathed into the

lungs these include carbon monoxide from

car exhaust and fumes from solvents

paints and Industrial Products

provide oxygen for the person as soon as

possible if it is safe remove the person

from the area to provide them with fresh

air

absorbed poisons

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absorbed poisons enter the body through

contact with the skin plants such as

Poison Ivy and the chemicals used in

gardening products are common sources

four poison plant contact wash affected

area with soap and water remove any

contaminated clothing for contact with

wet or dry chemicals call the Poison

Center and follow their instructions

injected poisons

insect stings are common examples of

injected poisons bees and wasps can

leave a stinger in the wound if the

Stinger is still in the skin remove it

by scraping it away

do not use tweezers as this may squeeze

more poison into the skin wash the area

with soap and water and cover it with

the sterile dressing put a cold pack

over the area to reduce pain and

swelling be sure to watch for signs of

an allergic reaction

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thank you for watching First Response

the complete guide to First Aid remember

this video is not a substitute for live

training and is recommended to contact a

local first aid CPR training company for

more information on courses in the

greater Toronto area please visit Heart

to Heart cpr.com

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all right

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