First Aid Assignment

This assignment provides a detailed overview of first aid, covering topics such as the roles and responsibilities of a first aider, infection control, consent, equipment identification, and safe equipment usage. It also includes information on life support priorities, CPR techniques, and treatment for various medical conditions. The assignment is a valuable resource for students and professionals seeking to enhance their first aid knowledge.

First Aid

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................4
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................4
1.1 Roles and responsibilities of first aider............................................................................4
1.2 Minimise the risk of infection to self and others..............................................................4
1.3 Need for establishing consent to provide first aid............................................................5
1.4 Identify the first aid equipment that should be available.................................................5
1.5 Safe use of first aid equipment.........................................................................................5
Table 1....................................................................................................................................5
What is priority of life support?...........................................................................................11
What does D.R.A.B.C. Stand for?........................................................................................12
What is kept in your first aid box?.......................................................................................12
What should not be kept in you first aid box and why?.......................................................12
The Resuscitation Council (UK 2006) advise ABCDE assessment. What do the D & E stand
for?........................................................................................................................................12
What precautions, of possible would you take to protect yourself from the above infections?
..............................................................................................................................................12
When checking an unconscious casualty for breathing, how long would you take?...........12
What signs would you look for when checking casualty for evidence of breathing?..........13
At what stage would you send for help if other people are present?....................................13
How long should you take to assess before life supporting begins and how long before brain
damage occurs?....................................................................................................................13
Why is it important not to use the neck tilt technique when spinal neck or neck injury is
suspected?.............................................................................................................................13
Please complete the table below in CPR techniques:...........................................................13
When help has been sent for how long would you continue CPR?......................................13

How might you manage CPR if two people where available?.............................................14
Why is a firm base needed for compressions and what would you do if there wasn't one?.14
What details would you need to give to the paramedics when they arrived?.......................14
Following CPR in your surgery or after using any first aid equipment what would you need to
do?........................................................................................................................................14
What position would you place an unconscious, breathing casualty in?.............................14
Why is this position most important?...................................................................................14
State the treatment for:.........................................................................................................14
Describe the signs and symptoms of shock..........................................................................15
State the treatment for shock................................................................................................15
How would you control severe bleeding in a casualty?.......................................................15
Where is your Emergency Drug Kit stored?........................................................................15
Describe how to identify a casualty with partially blocked airway......................................15
Describe how to identify a casualty with completely blocked airway.................................15
First aid to a choking casualty..............................................................................................15
How long should you take to assess before life support begins?.........................................15
How long should you take to assess before brain damage occurs?......................................16
Post CPR on surgery or use of first aid equipments, what needs to be done?......................16
What position should you place an unconscious, breathing casualty in?.............................16
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................16

INTRODUCTION
First aid refers to an emergency care or treatment given to an ill or injured person before
regular medical aid can be obtained. It include the fact that immediate first aid at correct time can
be considered much effective to reduce severe complications and even save a life of an
individual. The report will focus on roles of first aider and need of first aid including equipments.
It will also include safe use of first aid equipments and priority of life support.
MAIN BODY
1.1 Roles and responsibilities of first aider
Roles of first aider –
 Placing an unconscious casualty into the recovery position
 Performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
 Using an automated external defibrillator (AED).
 Stopping bleeding using pressure and elevation.
 Keeping a fractured limb still.
Responsibilities –
 Assess casualties and find out nature the nature & cause of victim's injuries.
 Arrange the further medical help.
 Provide appropriate first aid treated as trained.
1.2 Minimise the risk of infection to self and others
Methods to minimise risk of infection –
 Always cover all open skin areas to avoid infection.
 Wear desired personal protective equipments (PPE) such as gloves, mask, CPR barrier
mask and goggles.
 Try to put barrier between you and another person's body fluids.
 Minimise the splashing of body fluids (blood, urine, sputum and secretions).
 Wash hand and other exposed area immediately with soap after providing care.
 Handle sharp objects with caution.
 Dispose contaminated PPE in appropriate place.

1.3 Need for establishing consent to provide first aid
The needs for establishing consent to give first aid is necessary as this treatment consist
touching the victim in order to avoid causing offense or distress. However, it is observed in some
cases that relatives may object treatment of their known or relative, moreover, it is mandatory to
take permission before providing first aid because it may create problematic areas for first aider
in terms of several important factors. Meanwhile, Every person has their own culture including
respect for an individual's personal space. Cultural norms vary for each person. Some of
religions consider touching to be rude, offensive or threatening till permission granted. In few of
jurisdictions, it may be considered as battery if first aider touches victim without permission. So,
it is very essential for first aider to establish consent for providing first aid.
1.4 Identify the first aid equipment that should be available
Equipments in first aid
Gauze pads (4 by 4 inches and two large with 8 by 10 inches)
Box of adhesive bandages
One gauze roller bandage
Scissors, thermometer
Tweezers and adhesive tape
Resuscitation equipment
Latex gloves and wound cleaning agents
1.5 Safe use of first aid equipment
Safe use of first aid equipments –
 Follow desired legislation including Health & Safety (First-Aid) regulations 1981.
 Handle equipments in correct manner and obey appropriate procedures & techniques.
 Safely moving casualty, minimising pain and helping stabilise condition.
Table 1
Drug Used for
Adrenalin 1:1000 Treating anaphylaxis and acute allergic

reactions
Aspirin 300mg dispersible Headache, toothache, migraine, neuralgia, sore
throat or period pains, sciatica, lumbago,
fibrositis, rheumatic pains and muscular aches.
Chlorphenamine (Piriton) Hayfever, insect bites, urticaria, food & pet
allergies and angioneurotic oedema.
Diazepam injection Anxiety, muscle spasms, seizures and alcohol
withdrawal.
Glucagon Hypoglycemia
Glyceryl trinitrate tablets or spray Angina pectoris, hypertension during surgeries
and chronic anal fissures
Hydrocortisone injection Arthritis, severe allergies, blood diseases,
breathing problems, eye diseases, intestinal
disorders and skin problems.
Salbutamol inhaler Wheezing and shortness of breathing due to
Asthma & Chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD).
Drug Examples Used in dentistry
Analgesics Nonsteroidal anti-
inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),
opioids (codeine,
duhdrocodeine, oxycodone,
morphine) and paracetamol.
Ibuprofen (Advil, Nuprin,
motrin), Acetaminophen
(Tylenol) and Aspirin (Bayer).
Antibiotics Amoxicillin, Doxycycline,
Cephalexin, Ciprofloxacin,
Clindamycin, Metronidazole,
Azithromycin,
Amoxicillin, Erythromycin,
Ampicillin, Ticarcillin and
Metronidazole.

Sulfamethoxazole and
Levofloxacin.
Tranquillisers Hypnotics Diazepam, chlordiazepoxide,
phenothiazines, thioxanthines,
clozapine and rauwolfia
alkaloids.
Lorazepam, Diazepam,
Hydroxyzine, Zaleplon,
Triazolam and Nitrous oxide.
Angina- Pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart
Signs and symptoms Treatment
 Chest pain or discomfort possible
considered as pressure, squeezing,
burning or fullness.
 Pain or discomfort in arms, neck, jaw,
shoulder and back.
 Shortness of breathe and tiredness.
 Nausea, sweating and dizziness.
Medications – beta blockers, calcium channel
blockers, oral anti- platelet medicine,
angiotensin covering enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
and anticoagulants.
Life changes – stop smoking, control weight,
regular checking cholesterol levels, resting &
slowing down, avoid large meals, handle or
avoid stress and balanced diet with fruits.
Vegetables, whole grains, low fat dairy
products.
Surgical process – Angioplasty and coronary
artery bypass grafting.
Asthma- Narrowing of bronchial airways
Signs and symptoms Treatment
 Shortness of breathe.
 Chest tightness or pain.
 Trouble sleeping caused by shortness
Medications – Inhaled corticosteroids,
leukotriene modifiers, long-acting beta
agonists, theophylline, Ipratropium, oral &

of breathe, coughing or wheezing.
 A whistling or wheezing sign while
exhaling.
 Coughing or wheezing attacks.
 Signs of cold or allergies.
 Decrease or changes in lung function.
 Feeling tired, easily upset, grouchy or
moody.
intravenous corticosteriods.
Allergy medications – Immunotherapy and
Omalizumab.
Oxygen therapy.
Bronchial thermoplasty.
Breathing exercises.
Rescue or first aid treatment like inhalers and
nebulizers.
Asthma action plan.
Heart Attack – most often caused by sudden obstruction of blood supply to the heart
Signs and symptoms Treatment
 Pressure, tightness, pain or squeezing
in chest and arms.
 Nausea, indigestion, heartburn or
abdominal pain.
 Shortness of breathe.
 Cold sweat and fatigue. Light-headedness or sudden dizziness
Medications – Aspirin, Thrombolytics, Beta
blockers, Nitroglycerin, ACR inhibitors and
Statins.
Surgical process – Coronary angioplasty &
stenting and Coronary artery bypass surgery.
Stroke – interruption of blood flow to a part of the brain
Signs and symptoms Treatment
 Sudden numbness & weakness in face,
arm and leg
 Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or
difficulty in understanding speech
 Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss
of balance Sudden severe headache
Medications - Alteplase, Blood Thinners,
Statin, Antihypertensive drug, and ACE
inhibitor.
Procedures - Speech therapy, Rehabilitation,
Occupational Therapy, Stroke rehabilitation,
and Physical Therapy.

Cardiac Arrest/sudden and complete collapse – heart has stopped beating
Signs and symptoms Treatment
 Chest pain
 Heart palpitations
 Fainting Shortness of breathe
 Shortness of breathe
 Fatigue or weakness Dizziness or light-headedness
Medications - Captopril (Capoten), Enalapril
(Vasotec), Fosinopril (Monopril), Lisinopril
(Prinivil, Zestril), Perindopril (Aceon),
Quinapril (Accupril) & Ramipril (Altace) and
Involuntary nervous system blockers.
Surgical and other procedure – Defibrillation,
tracheal intubation, targeted temperature
management, cardiopulmonary resuscitation
(CPR) and coronary catheterization.
Epilepsy – disturbance of electrical activity in the brain
Signs and symptoms Treatment
 Temporary confusion
 A staring spell
 Uncontrollable jerking movement of
arms and legs
 Loss of consciousness or awareness Psychic symptoms such as fear,
anxiety or deja vu
Medications – Phenytoin, Levetiracetam,
Carbamazepine, Zonisamide, Primidone,
Ethosuximide and Tiagabine.
Surgery & procedures – Vagus nerve
stimulation, Ketogenic diet, deep brain
stimulation and epilepsy surgery.
Anaphylaxis – severe allergic reaction
Signs and symptoms Treatment
 Skin rashes, itching & hives Medications – Epinephrine like adrenaline,

 Swelling of lips, tongue & throat
 shortness of breathe, trouble in
breathing, wheezing
 dizziness or fainting stomach pain, vomiting or diarrhoea
Intravenous (IV) antihistamines and cortisone
and A beta-agonist as albuterol.
Process - Oxygen therapy to facilitate
comfortable breathe.
Faints – loss of consciousness caused by temporary insufficient blood supply to brain
Signs and symptoms Treatment
 Weakness and sweating
 Blurred vision, seeing spots
 Sensation that room is moving
 Ringing of ears
 Tingling or numbness of finger tips Bluish cast to the skin
Medications – Beta blockers and selective
serotonin inhibitors
Procedures – lifestyle alterations to intake
more water & salt by avoiding prolonged
standing. Angioplasty for cardiac syncope and
pacemaker implantation.
Hyperventilation or panic attack – rapid breathing
Signs and symptoms Treatment
 Feeling light-headedness, dizzy, weak
 Feeling of not catching breathe
 Chest pain or fast & pounding
heartbeat
 Belching and bloating
 Dry mouth
 Muscle spasms
 Numbness and tingling Problem in sleeping
Medications – Selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors (SSRIs) like fluoxetine (Prozac),
paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva); Serotonin and
norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
and Benzodiazepines including alprazolam
(Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin).
Processes – Purse the lips, limit the airflow
and psychotherapy.
Hypoglycemia – abnormally low blood sugar level

Signs and symptoms Treatment
 Shakiness
 Dizziness
 Sweating
 Hunger
 Irritability or moodiness
 Anxiety or nervousness Headache
Medications – Insulin treatment including
Glimepiride (Amaryl), Glipizide (Glucotrol)
and Glibenclamide (Glyburide, Micronase).
Procedure – Self monitoring blood sugar
level, intake proper diet and surgical removal
of tumour in pancreas.
Hyperglycemia – abnormally high blood sugar level
Signs and symptoms Treatment
 Increased thirst
 Headaches
 Trouble in concentrating
 Blurred vision
 Frequent peeing
 Weight loss blood sugar more than 180 mg/dL
Medications – Metformin, Sulfonylureas,
Meglitinides, Thiazolidinediones and DPP-4
inhibitors.
Processes – fluid replacement, electrolyte
replacement and insulin therapy
Choking – partial/complete blocked airway
Signs and symptoms Treatment
 Agitation
 Cyanosis
 Confusion
 Difficulty breathing
 Gasping for air
 Panic
 High pitched breathing noises like
Processes – Give back blows, do thrusts, do
high abdominal thrusts for obese or pregnant,
Give CPR, follow up and airway management.

wheezing Unconsciousness
What is priority of life support?
The basic priority of life support consist initial assessment, airway maintenance and
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Apart from this, some of advance life support include
tracheal intubation, rapid sequence induction, cardiac monitoring, cardiac defibrillation,
transcutaneous pacing and many more. When the casualty is unconscious, first aider needs to
provide basic life support.
What does D.R.A.B.C. Stand for?
D – Danger
R – Response
A – Airway
B – Breathing
C – Circulation
What is kept in your first aid box?
A first aid box should contain small, medium and large sized sterile gauze dressings, eye
dressings, triangular bandages, crepe rolled bandages, safety pins and tweezers. Moreover. It
consist of scissors, alcohol free cleansing wipes, sticky tape, thermometer, gloves, antiseptic
cream, painkillers (paracetamol) and antihistamine cream (Gamelli and et. al., 2015).
What should not be kept in you first aid box and why?
Expired medicines should not kept in first aid box because if carer have mistaken to
evaluate their expiry date and provide to victim then it may create severe condition for them.
Meanwhile, critical specified device should be avoided as it is not helpful in emergency
situations and may generate severe situation.
The Resuscitation Council (UK 2006) advise ABCDE assessment. What do the D & E stand for?
D - Disability
E - Exposure

What precautions, of possible would you take to protect yourself from the above infections?
There are several precautions which are required to be taken avoid selected infections for
remaining well-being. It include to do physical exercise daily, kick bad habits like intake alcohol,
smoking & daily fast food, manage stress by meditation, maintain healthy weight, eat healthy
balanced diet, mange high blood pressure, maintain high cholesterol and control diabetes.
When checking an unconscious casualty for breathing, how long would you take?
The checking of an unconscious casualty for breathing requires CPR method which may
take approximately 10 minutes to conduct overall steps of this process.
What signs would you look for when checking casualty for evidence of breathing?
The signs should be observed for checking casualty for evidence of breathing are
difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and difficulty performing normal
daily activities.
At what stage would you send for help if other people are present?
I will send other person for help if first aid techniques are not sufficient and did not
provide any positive outcomes of treatment like non stop bleeding.
How long should you take to assess before life supporting begins and how long before brain
damage occurs?
The time is very important so that I will take 2 minutes to provide first aid and if patient
will not respond positively then immediately send them to nearby hospital. However, permanent
brain damage occurs after only 4 minutes of without oxygen and death may occur within 4 to 6
minutes.
Why is it important not to use the neck tilt technique when spinal neck or neck injury is
suspected?
Neck tilt technique should not use during neck injury because it may create severe
problem in neck which create problem of crucial pain, headache, swollen neck muscles and an
inability to move head normally.
Please complete the table below in CPR techniques:
Ratio compressions: 30:2
Depth 2 inches (approx)

Rate per minute 100 to 120
Breathes 2
When help has been sent for how long would you continue CPR?
The help is required to have automated external defibrillator (AED) and trained medical
responder at scene place of CPR technique continue for a long time than normal.
How might you manage CPR if two people where available?
It is very difficult to mange CPR while two people are available then it is suitable to call
on helpline to get ambulance to send both of them to hospital. It is favourable to give
compressions to them till ambulance did not arrive.
Why is a firm base needed for compressions and what would you do if there wasn't one?
A firm base is need for chest compressions to enable depth and ratio of compressions to
be effective. It is essential to use firm base for achieving better outcomes of by conducting
effective compressions.
What details would you need to give to the paramedics when they arrived?
It is required to provide details to paramedics about symptoms observed in patient and
actions taken by first aider after injury along with after response of person.
Following CPR in your surgery or after using any first aid equipment what would you need to
do?
It is necessary to throw used gloves and masks at proper place along with taking steps of
protecting yourself from any of infection.
What position would you place an unconscious, breathing casualty in?
The patient should lie on back, place a pillow under bent knees and elevate the head of
that person with two pillows which facilitate to feel relax. It is necessary to make patient practice
breathing techniques.
Why is this position most important?
The above position is very important for relaxing the patient and reduce breathing
problem which is helpful to make them healthy.

State the treatment for:
a) Small cuts and grazes – Rinse the wound to clean dirt and apply sterile adhesive
bandage.
b) Bruises – This can be treated by ice therapy, vitamin K cream, vitamin C and heat to
boost circulation.
c) Small splinters – Wash thoroughly and then try to remove splinter and put a bandage.
Describe the signs and symptoms of shock.
The signs and symptoms of shock include cool & clammy skin, pale or ashen skin, rapid
pulse rapid breathing, nausea or vomiting, enlarged pupils, weakness or fatigue dizziness or
fainting.
State the treatment for shock
The treatment of shock consist fluid replacement, electroconvulsive therapy, dobutamine,
hyperventilation, insulin shock therapy and defibrillation.
How would you control severe bleeding in a casualty?
The severe bleeding is can be controlled by placing sterile bandage or clean cloth on
wound along with pressing it firmly by palm to stop bleeding.
Where is your Emergency Drug Kit stored?
The emergency drug kit should be place in desk drawer or storage of locker near the
office to immediate use the same in desired situations.
Describe how to identify a casualty with partially blocked airway
They are leaned forward in order to facilitate them in getting the breath back as they
would be facing difficulties while breathing. In case they still can't breathe, they are given blows
between their shoulder blades.
Describe how to identify a casualty with completely blocked airway
They should be leaned forward so that the item blocking their airway comes out from
their mouth instead of further moving down. They should be then given 5 sharp blows amidst
their shoulder blades by way of heel of the hand. This heel is present between the wrist and palm
of hand. Lastly it is checked if the blockage has been cleared.

First aid to a choking casualty
They should be encouraged to cough so as to clear their blockage. If this does not help,
they should be made to spit out the item which is stuck in their mouth. In case coughing or
spitting does not work, they should be given back blows or abdominal thrusts
How long should you take to assess before life support begins?
All the interventions within Basic Life Support inclusive of the time taken for checking
the pulse of a person should be lesser than 10 seconds.
How long should you take to assess before brain damage occurs?
Three minutes should be taken to asses before brain damage occurs as at three minutes,
neurons start to suffer from extensive damage.
Post CPR on surgery or use of first aid equipments, what needs to be done?
The person should be placed with their back lying on a hard and flat surface. If they are
facing down, roll them towards oneself while supporting their neck. Then they can be given C-
A-B method.
What position should you place an unconscious, breathing casualty in?
They should be placed in a recovery position as a part of the first aid treatment to be
given to them.
CONCLUSION
The above report has been concluded that first aid is an immediate treatment in
emergency situation to make patient feel relief. However, right First aid is capable to save even
life of an individual by utilising desired equipments properly. Moreover, a first aid box must
include some basic things like medicines, bandages, tweezers, cleansing wipes, thermometer,
antiseptic cream and sterile gauze dressings.