New standards for CPR
What should I put in a first aid kit?
First aid handbook
Antiseptic wipes or hydrogen peroxide (for your own use)
Antibiotic spray or ointment (for your own use)
Band-aides / adhesive bandages of mixed sizes
Adhesive tape
Sterile gauze pads
Sterile gauze bandages to wrap around wounds
“Ace” bandage
Emergency blanket
Hand Sanitizer/wipes or soap
Calamine or hydrocortisone cream (for your own use)
Triangular bandages for slings
Ice and heat packs
Tweezers
Scissors or knife
Safety pins
Thermometer
Sterile eye pads or large pads that can cover the eye area
Acetaminophen or ibuprofen (for your own use)
Non-Latex gloves (several pairs; large size)
Safety glasses and face mask
Small bottle of water
“Zip lock” bags
Charcoal (for poisoning incase 911 tells you to use it)
CPR face mask
Sugar
Large trash bag
Pen and note pad
Water tight container for the supplies
This is just a suggested list, you may wish to add or subtract items as you see fit; these are the basics to get you started.
Your well being and who gets help first...
Emotional aspects of first aid, stress management, scene safety, body substance isolation, personal protection equipment, safety precautions that can be taken prior to performing the role of the first aider; these are all things this class will cover and more.
The middle of a crises is not the time to start figuring out how to handle it. Thinking in any crisis is as crucial as actions, First and foremost you need to quickly assess your situation and then act upon it. Remain calm, learn to improvise with what you have around you and never put yourself in danger.
Keep in mind that panic only aids in destroying good judgment calls on your part. Keep in mind that your panic will only make things worse and may paralyzes your response at hand. No two emergencies are exactly alike, you may be in a situation where you do not have your first aid kit at your disposal. This is where you must look around you and make do with what you have. If, for example, someone is bleeding and you do not have gauze, is there a clean cloth or shirt you can use.
In specific emergencies you, and only you can weigh your risks and dangers of each possible procedure; and it is up to you to keep yourself safe.
Keep in mind your goal is to stabilize the situation at hand, if you’re not a medical
Professional, you are not expected to “fix” anyone.
Who gets help first?
1) Immediate care: patients who…
Have severe bleeding/Unresponsive or unconscious
2) Urgent care: patients who…
Can be delayed in care for up to 1 hour
3) Delayed care: patients who…
Have minor injuries and could be delayed for up to 3 hours
4) Dead:
Patients who are obviously dead/mortally wounded
Assessing the patient:
When we encounter an emergency we need to start asking questions, physically check our victim, and prepare for whatever action we need to stabilize the situation.
ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED:Signs/Symptoms
What’s wrong/how do they feel/how long have they felt this way
Allergies
Is this a reaction/are they allergic to anything
Medications
What meds do they take over the counter/ doctor? Did they take them? Do they need them?
Past medical History
Has this happened before? Do they have any other
conditions?
Last oral intake
Eat/drink & when
Events leading up to
What were they doing when this started?
HN CASPER
· Head
· Neck
· Chest
· Abdomen
· Spine
· Pelvis
· Extremities
· Recheck vital signs
Hand off your report when 9-1-1 arrives:
· What did you see
· What the patient said
· What you did
· What has change. Keep in mind times as well. When did it start and how long till it changed.
· If there is immediate danger
· Unable to provide first aid in the position the patient is found in.
· If you have to move someone to get to a seriously injured patient
· ALWAYS protect the patients head & neck
· DO NOT remove helmets
