first aid

APUNTES DE EDUCACIÓN FÍSICA 4º ESO

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UNIT 6: FIRST AID- PRIMEROS AUXILIOS

1. CONCEPT

First aid is the provision of initial care for an illness or injury. It is usually

performed by a non-expert person to a sick or injured person until definitive

medical treatment can be accessed. It is the care given before emergency

medical help arrives.

2. OBJECTIVES / AIMS

Preserve life: the main aim of all medical care, including first aid, is to save lives

Prevent further harm: sometimes called prevent danger of further injury, this covers both external factors, such as moving a patient away from any cause of harm and applying first aid techniques to prevent worsening of the condition, such as applying pressure to stop a bleed becoming dangerous.

Promote recovery: first aid also involves trying to start the recovery process from the illness or injury.

3. GENERAL RULES TO PROVIDE FIRST AID

If you do not know what to do, DO NOTHING!

Since there is an emergency situation until definitive medical care arrives,

you must perform a series of actions to minimise the risk of occurrence of

similar situations that aggravate the prognosis of accident or sudden illness.

The guidelines should be based on clear and precise criteria that can be

summarised in the following points:

1 - Assessing the situation.

2 - Approach. We place ourselves in a safe and secure place.

3 - To protect the victim or the patient and yourself.

4 - Call for assistance. 112

5 - Relief for the victim or the sick. The main aim is to preserve the life of the

victim and prevent complications.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illness

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Injury

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_treatment


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4. TYPES OF EMERGENCIES AND ACTIONS

Bumps and bruises (contusiones y hematomas)

Bump: An injury caused by a blow or a fall in which there is no tearing of the

skin.

Bruise: A mass of blood in the tissues caused by the rupture of blood vessels

as a result of a bump, sudden movement ...

Symptoms

Pain, swelling and discoloration of the skin

Action

Apply ice and do not force movement of the affected area

Wounds and bleeding (heridas y hemorragias)

Wound: An injury that causes a tear or break in the skin so that you can see the

tissues underneath. All wounds should be treated within 6 hours to prevent

infection.

Rules/ Actions:

- Wash your hands before cleaning the wound

- Clean the wound with soap and water, disinfect and change the dressing or

cure once a day. This should take place until healing.

- Avoid exposing the wound to sunlight.

- It is advisable to put Vaseline on the dry scab to help it fall off and prevent the

wound from tearing.

- When the scab has fallen off, use sunscreen on the scar to avoid burning the

area.

- Do not take any oral antibiotics unless prescribed by a doctor.

Bleeding: It is the loss of blood from ruptured blood vessels. It can be caused by injury, fractures, bumps etc. Types and actions: - Internal: transfer to the health center or 112 - External (wound): plug with gauze and if severe transfer to the health centre/112. Do not remove bandages that are soaked in blood, put new bandages on top. - For natural orifices (nose, ear, etc) plug with gauze or manually / health centre.

DO NOT DO TOURNIQUETS!


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BONE INJURIES: BREAKS AND FRACTURES (fracturas y fisuras)

Break: Is a break or crack in the continuity of the bone.

Types:

Closed: no skin wound.

Open: skin wounds and the broken bone can sometimes be seen through

the skin.

Fracture: Incomplete fracture, bone segments don’t separate.

Symtoms:

Pain, Inflammation, inability to move area

Rules/Actions

Prevent all types of movement

Don’t try to reduce it

Transfer to health centre or call 112

JOINT INJURIES

CONCEPT: Injuries that affect any joint components.

Types:

Joint Bruise (contusion articular): direct impact

Sprain (esguince): unusual contraction of the joint producing sudden

stretching of its structure.

The symptoms are: pain, inflammation, bruise (not degree I) and the

inability to move the area.

There are three degrees:

- Degree I: strained ligaments. Treatment: Dressings, ice, lift up the

affected limb and rest from sport.

- Degree II: partial tear of the ligaments. Treatment: the same as

above, avoiding resting/supporting the limb and massage to get

rid of oedema.

- Degree III: total tear of ligaments. Treatment: operation.

The most common sprain occurs in the outward facing ligament of the

ankle.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bone


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Dislocation (luxación): the dislocation of the joints.

Rules/Actions

Immobilisation

Ice

Compressive dressing to avoid inflammation

Elevation

Transfer to health centre

MUSCULAR INJURIES (WITHOUT ANATOMICAL INJURY)

CRAMP (calambre): It is an involuntary contraction of a muscle or group of

muscles which causes intense pain in the affected area. It often occurs after a

long training session in which you have worked hard or because of dehydration.

Rules/Actions

Temporarily stop the physical activity

Forced and passive stretching for 20-30” and relax 4-5”

Ice

Replace dehydration by drinking isotonic drinks

ELONGATION (elongación): It is a sudden and violent stretching of the

muscular fibres, further then their limit. The symptoms are pain, and the inability

to move the area.

Rules/Actions

Apply ice in the first 24 h and later superficial heat

Put on a compressive, elastic dressing

Advise rest

Massage

Progressive stretches and training at the end of the treatment

CONTRACTURE (contractura): Caused by a shortening of the muscle,

caused by excessive use or demand of the muscle. There is throbbing pain and

this can happen during or after physical exercise.

Rules/Actions

Rest, apply dry heat, stretches without force or bouncing, massage and

progressive introduction back into sport.


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MUSCULAR INJURIES (WITH ANATOMICAL INJURY)

MUSCULAR TEAR (rotura muscular): Caused by a violent and sudden

strain of the muscle.

Types and treatments:

- Degree I: a small strain, “whiplash”. This is the most common.

Treatment: the same as the treatment for elongation.

- Degree II: small fracture (small bruise). Greater inability to use muscle.

Treatment: the same as for degree I, but for a longer period of time. Firstly a

massage as the bruise will already show.

- Degree III: full fracture (lump) Treatment: surgery or orthopaedic help.

(Plaster/cast for one month)

TENDINITIS: Inflammation of the tendon, due to a trauma, micro trauma or

because of being overweight.

Rules/Actions

Ice, rest, gentle stretches and a massage

BURNS (quemaduras)

BURNS: Injury caused by exposing skin to heat.

TREATMENT:

DEGREE I: disinfect with cold water and gentle soap.

DEGREE II: the same as for degree I, cover the burn with a sterile gauze

and soak with saline solution. You should not break the skin of the blister

to remove the liquid inside. This liquid is sterile and acts as a protective

layer which prevents possible infection.

DEGREE III: the same as for degrees I and II, don’t rest the affected

area on the floor, don’t remove clothes which are stuck, check for the


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vital signs of life and transfer to medical centre where they will remove all

the peeling skin which may cause infection and disinfect the area.

PROBLEMS WITH THE BLOOD SYSTEM/CIRCULATION

STOMACH CRAMP (corte de digestion): Lack of blood circulation to the

digestive system

During digestion, especially after eating foods which are high in fats, the

blood is concentrated in the digestive tube with the purpose of speeding up the

digestion of food. If the individual suddenly goes into water or does intense

physical exercise the blood in the digestive tube runs towards the muscles and

the skin. It is this sudden movement of blood which causes stomach cramp.

Symptoms

Nausea, vomiting, fainting, paleness and sweating

Actions/Rules

Take the victim out of the water immediately or stop exercise

Lay the person down and elevate their legs

Tilt the head to one side in case the person vomits

Call 112 if their condition does not improve

FAINTING (lipotimia): Loss or decrease in level of consciousness for a short

period of time, minutes or seconds, as a result of a sudden decrease of blood

flow to the brain. After a few minutes, the person regains consciousness

spontaneously or by stimulation. The vital signs, breathing and pulse are not

affected.

Symptoms

Dizziness, weakness in the legs, ringing in the ears, seeing bright lights,

paleness and sweating

Actions/Rules

Take the person out of the closed or hot environment

Lay the person down, tilt their head to the side and elevate the legs (45º)

Loosen tight clothing to allow the person to breathe

Avoid crowding around the person

Talk with the person in a loud voice and stimulate them with pats on the face

or cool them down with a damp cloth


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5. CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSITIATION

Learning the basic CPR techniques is more important than a student

trying to learn all of the secondary school course materials. These

techniques could quickly save yours or someone else’s life in any given

moment. We know that, today, traffic accidents and drugs damage the

lives of many teenagers. These techniques could help to save a

classmate or friend, not only on the street but also in the school.

5.1. CONCEPTS

- SCA (PCR parade cardiorespirtoria): Cardio respiratory failure (cardiac

arrest) is the sudden, unexpected and potentially reversible stoppage of

breathing and circulation.

5.2. CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSITIATION (CPR) (RCP reanimación

cardio pulmonary): Is the group of techniques aimed at reversing the effects

of SCA, firstly by giving artificial breaths to try to regain breathing and

circulation of the person, with the objective of the person regaining all brain

functions. Objective: Emergency oxygen supply to the brain that should begin

before 4’ and make advanced CPR possible.

Rules/Actions

1. CLINICAL APPROACH (aproximación al paciente)

- The most important thing is your safety and the safety of the people

around you

- Assess the situation and take protective measures

- CHECK FOR CONSIOUNESS (Ask questions and gently shake

the person) (comprobación de consciencia)

1.1. If they respond, they are conscious:

- Leave them in the same position (if it is not dangerous

- Get help if necessary

- Check on them often END

1.2. If they don’t respond, they are unconscious:

- Get help

- Following stages (A-B-C): Open the air way, breath (give air) and

check circulation


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2. Open the air ways

- If the person has not received a bump/knock we should tilt the chin

backwards “chin-forehead technique.” If they have received a

bump/knock we should support the forehead and hold the jaw open

with the other hand.

- Remove visible obstructions

3. Check breathing

How?

Look (chest), listen (sound of breathing) and feel (the heat of breathing).

Whilst doing this we should ask someone to call an ambulance.

3.1. If they breath

- We should put them into the LATERAL SAFETY POSITION: the

patient should be on their left or right side on the floor, with their head

being supported by their stretched arm and one leg semi-bent and

crossed over the other. This position is adequate to keep the air way

open and if they vomit they will not choke.

- Get help

- Check on them often FIN


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3.2. If they don’t breathe:

We are faced with a cardiac arrest (when breathing stops) and we have to

give the person two soft and balanced breaths.

If the cardiac arrest is caused by choking we have two options/

techniques:

- Coughing, caused naturally, we leave the person to cough freely.

- “The Heimlich maneuver”

a) If the person is concious, stand behind them with your arms around

their body. Close one of your hands and place 4 fingers over the belly

button. Hold the closed fist with your other hand. Exert sudden and

stong pressure upwards and inwards and then ease the pressure and

repeat the technique.

b) If the person is unconcious, open the mouth and stretch out the arms

and legs (recovery position) but with the head turned to the side and

the mouth open. Kneel down in front of the patient and put the base

of your hand and two fingers on the belly button, take the wrist of the

person with your other hand, the rest is the same as before.

4. CHECKING CIRCULATION/PULSE

Find the central pulse (artery) for 10 seconds.

4.1. If they have a pulse

- Breath 10-12/min (each one 5-6”)

- Visible elevation of the chest

- Every 2’ check pulse

- Check on them often

4.2. If they don’t have a pulse.

We start the cardiac massage. This is done so that blood reaches the

brain and it is oxygenated.

How do we do it?

We put the victim in the supine position on a hard surface and the

rescuer kneels down next to the thorax. Follow the space formed by the

ribs with your ring finger, from the lower ribs to the breastbone, once

there place your fingers on the heart, place the base of your hand over


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the heart and link the fingers of the opposite hand. Now we start the

compressions (firmly and quickly)

The rhythm of the compressions and breaths is 30-2, 30 compression

for every 2 breaths. You have to try to minimise possible interruptions. If

you have to carry out more than 10 it is likely that the patient will die.

Summary

first aid

Education