emergency first aid. i.c.e. your cell phone! i.c.e. your refrigerator!

EmergencyFirst Aid

I.C.E. your cell phone!

I.C.E. your refrigerator!

Which phone to use?

Taking a Pulse

Radial (wrist) Pulse

Use Fingers to check wrist pulse

Blood Vessels in the neck

Taking a Pulse

Carotid (neck) pulse

Just enough light pressure to feel the pulsation

Count the number of times you feel the pulsation in a specific

amount of time

So what’s normal?

60-100

People who are very athletic or who are on heart

medications may have slower heart rates (less than 60)

Note to self:

Any pulse is better than no pulse!

No pulse or unresponsive?Start CPR

What IS a heart attack?

What IS a heart attack?

The Heart pumps blood to every organ in the body,

including itself!

A heart attack is when there is a blockage of the

blood flow to the heart itself

This causes damage to the

heart and limits its ability to pump

blood to the rest of the body

What IS a heart attack?

How can I help?Heart Attack

• Have the person lie or sit down – avoid exertion

• If they take nitroglycerin, get it for them and help them place it under their tongue

• Call 911• If they are awake, have them

chew an aspirin (prevents clot forming)

What is a stroke?

A stroke is the result of lack of blood

flow to a portion of the brain

“brain attack”

A stroke is a blockage of blood to the brain (ie. brain attack)

Types of Stroke

Symptoms of stroke• Weakness, clumsiness, or numbness on

one side of the body • Blurry, dimming, or no vision • Difficulty swallowing, talking, or

comprehending others • Dizziness, falling, or loss of balance • Severe or unusual headache

Facial droop

Arm drift

How can I help?Stroke

• Call 911 right away – time is critical

• Note what time the symptoms first started

• Do not give them anything to drink

Choking

• Unable to speak• Difficulty breathing• Grips throat• Skin turns bluish• May lose consciousness

Choking

Choking

• EMERGENCY!!• Act quickly• Attempt Heimlich• Have someone call

911• DO NOT GIVE

THEM SOMETHING TO DRINK

Foreign body in “throat”(esophagus)

Esophageal Blockage

• Drooling or spitting• Leaning forward• Pain in throat/chest

Esophageal Blockage• Not an emergency• Can still talk• Uncomfortable• If they can’t swallow their saliva

(drooling), they can’t swallow water!

Head Injury

When do I need to go to the hospital?

• If I lost consciousness for more than a brief instance

• If I can’t remember the 15 minutes before or after the injury

• If I am on a blood thinner (coumadin, plavix)

• If I have a bad headache or am vomiting• If I am sleepy, confused, or having

trouble using my arms or legs

If I go to the hospital, what should I bring?

(what every ER doctor wants their patients to know!)

• List of your medications/medical problems/medical records

• Names of your doctors• One friend or family member

(preferably a quiet and sober one)• A good book!

Bee Stings• Epipen right away if allergic• Call 911 if allergic• Pull stinger out as quickly as

possible• Cool compresses or ice• Benadryl • Zantac or tagamet

Stinger Removal

Ankle Sprain

Ankle Sprain

Ankle Sprain Treatment

Cover tobacco with ace wrapor cotton dressing

Ankle support

BurnsBurns

First degreeburn

SecondDegree

burn

How can I help?Burns

• Clean skin with cool water• If skin not broken can use

topical solarcaine• Don’t break blisters• Bacitracin to open areas• “Fluff” a gauze to absorb

fluid and hold in place with a gauze “kling” or ace wrap

SplintingImmobilize Broken Bones

splinting

Wound Care

Soap and water

+/-Topical antibiotic

(bacitracin)

Clean, dry dressing

Wash daily, redress

Keep it simple…

1.Wash with soap and water

2. Keep clean and dry

3. Seek help if it becomes red or angry looking (infected)

Major Injuries

Major Injury Issues• Bleeding – an immediate life-threatening

problem -lie patient down-place clean gauze or towel over site of injury-apply direct, constant pressure-elevate the extremity-call 911-collect tissue or missing parts, place in plastic

bag

Bleeding management

Keep pressure on woundHold gauze in place with

circular dressing

Other risks with major injuries:

• Infection– If bleeding controlled, clean out wound

with saline or water• Tetanus

- Need tetanus shot within days if not up-to-date

• Nerve and muscle damage– Avoid additional damage to limb

Amputated Parts• Rinse off debris (saline or water)• Wrap in dry clean gauze, put in dry plastic

bag• Put plastic bag inside another plastic bag

with ice and water – do not pack in ice • Remove any rings• Do not eat anything• No smoking

Cuts and lacerations

The Art of Bandaids

Winged

For large joints like knees and elbows

Fingertipbandaid

Home First Aid Supplies

Protective Gloves

Bandaids

Peroxide

• Excellent for removing blood from hair, skin, clothing

Irrigation syringe

Wound cleaning

Topical antibiotic

Gauze dressing to apply to wound

Rolled gauze to hold dressing on

Ace bandage or coban to hold everything in place

Anchoring dressings

Tape to secure bandages

X

Medications

Pain medication

Pain medicationAnti-inflammatory

Aspirin

Chest painPossible

heart attack

Allergic Reaction/Bee stingsEpipen requires

Prescription*check expiration

dates

Thermometer

Hard to

read

Shears or scissorsCuts clothing off, cuts gauze

Tweezer

Steri-stripsBenzoin

Other possibilities:

Summary• Use common sense – follow your

instincts!• Do not give anyone having a medical

emergency something to drink• Keep a list of medications, doctors,

medical history readily available• I.C.E. your cell phone and refrigerator• Call 911 for chest pain, stroke

symptoms, breathing problems, excessive bleeding

Thank you for coming!!