Comprehensive Guide to First Aid: Essentials and Emergency Response

This report provides a comprehensive overview of first aid, addressing the roles and responsibilities of a first aider during medical emergencies, emphasizing the importance of safety and assessment. It details methods to reduce the risk of infection, including hand hygiene and the use of personal protective equipment. The report outlines essential items for a first aid kit, from adhesive bandages to wound dressings. It explains the signs and symptoms of both partial and complete airway obstructions, and the necessity of obtaining consent before providing aid. The report also offers guidance on when to call for emergency help, including life-threatening conditions and organ dysfunction, and when to perform CPR on both children and babies. It also covers the types of external bleeding, its signs and treatment and the causes and signs of hypovolemic shock.

First aid essential

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
1. The role and responsibility of a first aider during medical emergency...................................1
2. Reducing the risk of infection during medical emergency.....................................................2
3. Items to be used during emergency ........................................................................................3
4. .................................................................................................................................................4
a. Signs and symptom of a partial blocked airway......................................................................4
b. Signs and symptom of a complete blocked airway...............................................................4
5. Need to establish consent before giving first aid....................................................................5
6. Example when to call for help in medical emergencies ........................................................5
7. When to perform CPR.............................................................................................................5
a. A child from 1-8 years ...........................................................................................................5
b. A baby under 1 year old..........................................................................................................6
8. The types of external bleeding and its signs and treatment....................................................6
9...................................................................................................................................................6
a) Causes of hypovolaemic shock...............................................................................................6
b)Signs and symptoms of hypovolaemic shock..........................................................................7
CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES ...............................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
To any person who has been suffering from a sudden illness or injury, the first aid is an
assistance that is being given (Mulryan, 2015). The aim of first aid is to preserve life and reduce
the risk of death. It is being given to the person who is injured to prevent the condition of further
harm or injury. From illness or injury the first aid involved to start the process of recovery. In
this report, the roles and responsibilities of first aid will be presented and also what all equipment
that can be used in first aid box will be represented. Furthermore, this report will recognise the
types of external bleeding and its signs and what should be done to reduce it will be represented
in this report.
1. The role and responsibilities of a first aider during medical emergency
The person or individual who is injured or ill the first help that is being given until the
more advanced medical treatment is being received from them by visiting a doctor, health
professional. The help is being offered by the first aider. They ensure that they and other people
who are involved are safe and the situation does not get worse. When dealing with an emergency
situation, the first aider has various responsibilities. They are as follows-:
 The incident need to be managed by them and safety of themselves, bystanders as well as
the casualty need to be ensured by them.
 The casualties need to be assessed by them and cause and nature of the injuries need to be
discovered by them.
 Before the arrival of further help the immediate, lifesaving and medical care is been
offered by first aider.
 In the recovery position an unconscious casualty is been placed by them
 Using pressure and elevation, the bleeding is stopped by them
 If needed, filling out any paper work
 When the further media help arrives a handover is provided by them.
 The appropriate first aid treatment is been provided by them as per their training
 The overall aim of first aider is to preserve the life (The role of a first aider , 2017). Other
aims may include preventing the condition of patients getting worsening and the recovery
is performed by them.
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2. Reducing the risk of infection during medical emergency
While giving first aid, it is essential to protect yourself from infection as well as injury.
The basic rules need to be followed.
 The hands need to be washed whenever possible and before touching any wound, blood
or other body fluids and apply disposable latex gloves.
 When there is a serious bleeding and there is no time to wear gloves. In such case there is
still possibility of controlling blood loss without having any direct contact with blood. In
plastic bags the hands need to be placed and the patient hand can be used to apply
pressure.
 By a water proof dressing, the cuts or wounds need to be covered if there are any
wounds in the hands (Raju, 2016.).
 During any treatment of a patient the mouth/nose need to be covered in order to avoid
inhaling infected droplets.
 With the blood or other body fluid if you are splashed then that particular area need to be
washed with soap and water as soon as possible. For specific medical advice the doctor
need to be contacted.(Raju, 2016).
 If the clothes are been contaminated by body fluids then they need to be removed
properly and in a container of household bleach it need to be immersed.
 All open areas of skin need to be always covered.
 The appropriate personal equipment need to be wore . The gloves, CPR barrier mask and
goggles etc need to be wear.
 A barrier need to be placed between care giver and pateint
 The splashing of body fluid need to be minimized.
 Immediately after giving care the hands and the exposed area need to be washed with
soaps .It need to be washed even when you are wearing gloves.
 The sharp objects need to be handled with caution
 If there is any risk to the exposure of airborne disease then in this case the mask can be
wear (Shultz and Forbes, 2014).
 In an appropriate container dispose the contaminate PPE.
3. Items to be used during emergency
Item Maintain Safe use
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Adhesive bandages Few adhesive bandages in all
colors, sizes and shapes
For bigger cuts, the larger ones
can be picked and for shaving
cuts and smaller scraps, the
smaller one can be used.
Antiseptic creams and lotions 1-2 creams and lotions The wound need to be cleaned
first before putting any
bandage. A good antiseptic
lotion is recommended that
will rinse the particles of
wounds that could infect the
person. In case if the wound is
not small, then it would for
pus. The antiseptic need to be
used regularly.
Muscle creams and sprays 1- 2 muscle creams ad sprays In order to get an instant relief
from aching muscles, the
muscle cream and gels can be
used. More effective option is
gel particularly when it is
coupled with a heating pad.
Pain relievers A few pain relievers need to be
there in the box
The first aid box also need to
have some pain relievers so
that before reacting to the
doctor, some relief can be
given to patients (Singh and
Talsania, 2015).
Sterling eye wash solution Used to flush eye lashed,
insects, dust from the eyes
If any object is there in the
eye, never attempt to remove
it. The urgent medical
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attention need to be seek.
Wound dressings For different wounds, the
different sizes are needed
In order to control bleeding
and reduce the risk of
information it is been used,
Non-adhesive dressing 2-3 non-adhesive bandages
need to be kept.
On a burnt or abraded skin,
never use adhesive dressings.
It is best used to cover burn or
abraded.
4.
a. Signs and symptoms of a partial blocked airway
In any part of airway an airway obstruction is a blockage. The inhaled air from the nose
and mouth in the lungs is being conveyed in the airways. The unusual breath sounds skin
discolouration or change in breathing patterns are some of the signs of partial airway obstruction.
Towards the neck the conscious patients will make a clutching motions. With some problem the
person will breathe. In and out of the lungs a person will not be able to get enough air to cough
or to make wheezing sounds (Raju, 2016). To speak also that person may get enough air. The
patient will be able to breathe and cough in partial airway obstruction .As the air will pass from a
narrowed space so there will be a crowding noise. By coughing a patient can usually can clear a
small foreign body .The air can still enter and leave the body although the breathing may be
noisy. The back blows need to be avoided at this stage as it may become a total obstruction. The
breathing laboured, gasping or noisy are some of the symptom and signs of partial airway. From
the mouth the some of them is escaping, the person coughing and extreme anxiety or agitation
are other signs and symptoms of partial airway obstruction.
b. Signs and symptoms of a completed blocked airway
When there is inability to talk, cough or breath, then complete obstruction of the upper
airway takes place. There is a presence of apnea and cynaosis and the note of paradoxical
respiration is being made (Wurzer and Kamolz, 2015). In this, the person will not be able to
cough, breath or seek effectively. And also, there will be no moment. By an inhaled foreign
body, trauma, internal swelling that is connected with a severe allergic reaction complete
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blocked airway is been caused. In breathing the person will be make efforts within drawing of
spaces that is in between ribs and the collarbones above. With both hands in this the person will
be clutching the throat.
5. Need to establish consent before giving first aid
The right to a conscious person is being given to either accept or refuse the care. One can
ask for their consent before starting any first aid if the person is conscious. The law informs their
consent of the person is unconscious or not able to consent formally. Before giving any
emergency care one need to ask a permission of person as they have the right to say no .The
decision need to be made by the person if that person is conscious and is able to make decision
for oneself. The wish of the patient need to be respected of the care if it is been refused by them.
One can call on the local ,emergency number but they cannot touch a person who refuses the
help. The legal rights have been given to people to accept or refuse the care. So, the permission
of the person need to be taken before giving care to any ill or injured person.
6. Example when to call for help in medical emergencies
When there is a serious risk to health of the individuals then the emergencies need to be called.
With life-threatening conditions who require care immediately the emergency help is given to
patients (Lee and Bhang, 2015.). To the bodily function of there is an serious impairment then
emergency help can be called.. In the body organ or part if there is a serious dysfunction then
also it can be called. The fainting, problem in breathing, poisoning, major injuries such as broken
bones, bleeding not in control, sudden severe pain etc are some of the conditions which the
emergencies need to be called. Suppose of the person is not been able to walk or speak or move
the portion of the body then the medical emergencies need to be called in this case .
7. When to perform CPR
a. A child from 1-8 years
CPR stands for Cardiopulmonary resuscitation. When the heart beat or breathing of the
child is being stopped, it is being done which is a lifesaving procedure. This may take place after
drowning, suffocation, choking or an injury. The oxygen to lungs of children is being provided
through rescue breathing. And, the chest compression in included in CPR which keeps the block
circulation in the child (Hsia and Mock, 2015). In case the flow of blood stops in the child, then
permanent brain damage and death can take place. CPR need to be continued till the heart beat
and breathing return.
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b. A baby under 1 year old
In case a baby is crying or coughing suddenly, then in this case something is blocking the
airway and this will need the help. While opening the mouth, the baby may make odd voices or
no sound at all. The skin of the baby may become red or blue. The airway is partially blocked if
the baby is coughing or gagging. In this case, the baby continues to cough as this is the most
effective way to dislodge blockage.
8. The types of external bleeding and its signs and treatment
There are basically three types of external bleeding by which blood is being damaged and
they are being categorised as follows:
Capillary bleeding – The most common type of bleeding is capillary bleeding. It is a type of
minor injury in which the blood vessels are able to clot and by themselves the bleeding is being
stopped (Bleeding, 2017).
Venous bleeding – When there is a damage in the vein in this case this bleeding will take place.
The blood flows steadily in this. The bleeding may actually be gushing of it is a large vein.
Arterial bleeding – This comes in the category of the most serious type of bleeding. In a very
short duration of time, a large amount of blood can be lost. The blood spurts from the wound in
arterial bleeding (Chooniedass, Temple and Becker, 2017).
Some of the signs of external bleeding are unconsciousness, extreme thirst, pale, pain at the
injured site etc.
Around the place where the blood is coming place pads and bandages and in place tape the
object. On an outer wound put the pressure directly with a sterling bandage , clean clothes or
even with a cloth. Use the hand if nothing else if available. For the external bleeding the direct
pressure is best .
9.
a) Causes of hypovolaemic shock
This is also known as haemorrhagic shock. It occurs when a human loses more than 20%
of the fluid of the body. Hypovolaemic shock results from the sudden or significant loss of fluid
in the body (Bond and Reavley, 2016). From serious cuts or wounds the bleeding comes. From
blunt traumatic injuries due to accidents the bleeding comes. From abdominal organs or ruptured
ectopic pregnancy internal bleeding can be there. From the digestive tract bleeding can come or
from significant vaginal bleeding.
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b) Signs and symptoms of hypovolaemic shock
The symptoms of hypoglycaemic shock may vary with the severity of fluid or loss of
blood. Until the signs of shock occur, the symptoms of internal bleeding are hard to identify.
However, nausea, dizziness, headache, profuse sweating etc. comes in the category of mild
symptoms of hypovolemic shock (Anan and Otomo, 2014). The cold or calmly skin, pale skin,
weakness, confusion, faster heart beat, loss of consciousness are some of the severe symptoms of
hypovolaemic shock
CONCLUSION
Thus, summing up the above report, it can be concluded that the aim of the first aider is
to preserve the life of pole by giving them proper acre. With respect to this, adhesive bandages,
pain relievers etc. must be there in a first aid box kit. When the bleeding is not in control in this
case emergency call ned to be made.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Anan, H. and Otomo, Y., 2014. Experience from the Great East Japan Earthquake response as
the basis for revising the Japanese Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) training
program. Disaster medicine and public health preparedness, 8(6), pp.477-484.
Bond, K.S. and Reavley, N.J., 2016. Mental Health First Aid training for Australian financial
counsellors: An evaluation study. Advances in Mental Health, 14(1), pp.65-74.
Chooniedass, R., Temple, B. and Becker, A., 2017. Epinephrine use for anaphylaxis: too seldom,
too late: current practices and guidelines in health care. Annals of Allergy, Asthma &
Immunology, 119(2), pp.108-110.
Hsia, R.Y. and Mock, C., 2015. Prehospital and emergency care: updates from the disease
control priorities, version 3. World journal of surgery, 39(9), pp.2161-2167.
Lee, C.S. and Bhang, S.Y., 2015. Psychosocial Intervention and Practical Experience in Children
and Adolescent before and after a Disaster. Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric
Association, 54(3), pp.276-281.
Mulryan, C., 2015. First Aid. Essentials of Nursing Practice, p.465.
Raju, S.K., 2016. Effectiveness of Structured Teaching Programme on Knowledge Regarding
Prevention and First Aid Management of Insects Bite in Children among the Primary
School Teachers of Mysore, Karnataka. International Journal of Nursing Education, 8(2),
pp.82-86.
Shultz, J.M. and Forbes, D., 2014. Psychological first aid: Rapid proliferation and the search for
evidence. Disaster Health, 2(1), pp.3-12.
Singh, A. and Talsania, N., 2015. An Interventional Study on Awareness Regarding First Aid
and Fire Safety Among the Second Year Undergraduate Medical Students of BJ Medical
College, Ahmedabad. Int J Sci Study, 3(4), pp.94-7.
Wurzer, P. and Kamolz, L.P., 2015. Smartphone applications in burns. Burns, 41(5), pp.977-989.
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Online
Bleeding. 2017.[PDF]
<http://www.jblearning.com/samples/0763742090/42090_CH08_090_096.pdf/>
The role of a first aider 2017. [Online] <http://www.sja.org.uk/sja/first-aid-advice/what-to-do-as-
a-first-aider/the-role-The role of a first aider 2017of-a-first-aider.aspx/>
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