Basic First Aid

1
Basic First Aid

• Tips for Everyday

2
Basic Rules To Remember

• When you respond to an incident that has resulted
  in injury always provide for your safety first
  and those in the immediate environment- you
  cannot help anyone if you secure an injury at the
  scene
• Always carry latex disposable gloves for
  emergencies on and off the playground
  
• Wash your hands after removing contaminated
  gloves
  
• Dispose of any bandages or gauze with blood or
  other body fluid contamination, using the double
  bagging method

3
Inform the Parent

• Always inform the parent or guardian of any
  injuries sustained at school, no matter how minor
  you suspect the injury might be.
  
• Make a note for the nurse and place in her
  mailbox, so that she can follow up on any serious
  incidents.

4
Incident Reports

• Many school employees fail to file an incident
  report when students sustain falls or injuries.
  These reports are essential to protect school
  personnel in case some complication develops
  later. Also, this reminds the school staff to
  inform the nurse and parents of more serious
  incidents.

5
Remember ABC

• Remember your CPR and Heimlich Maneuver
  Training
  
• A- Be sure the airway is open and not obstructed
• B- Breathing Begin assessment and provide
  respiratory support if needed
  
• C-Circulation If pulse is absent send for
  defibrillator (if one available), 9-1-1, and
  begin CPR

6
Injury to head, neck or back

• If an individual appears to have injured the neck
  or back it is important to stabilize the head
  gently between your hands in the position that
  the person is found. If movement is allowed and
  the spinal column is involved, it can result in
  paralysis.
• Send for emergency assistance and keep the person
  immobilized unless they have to be moved to a
  safer area

7
Choking

• It is wise to remind all teachers to review the
  universal choking sign with all students
  annually. Placing both hands as if they are
  grasping the front of their neck is that sign.
• If the victim is coughing or speaking, observe
  but do not administer first aid unless they are
  unable to cough or speak and it is apparent that
  something is lodged in the throat.
• Heimlich maneuver is taught in your CPR
  certification class.

8
Possible Fractured Bones

• If a child sustains an injury and demonstrates
  the following, they should have the area on the
  body immobilized and be referred to a physician
  for assessment
• Swelling or excessive bruising
• Deformity of the area
• Unusual complaint of pain in the area, even if
  swelling is not evident
  
• Remember only an x-ray can rule out a fracture

9
Cuts and Abrasions

• Wear gloves
• If bleeding, apply direct pressure
• After bleeding is controlled or if a minor
  scrape, clean with water and mild soap or at
  least flush with clean water
  
• If bleeding is severe, apply more gauze when
  bandage becomes soaked with blood-do not take
  original bandage off since this will tear away
  any clots that have begun to form

10
Control of Bleeding

• If severe laceration and it is possible, raise
  the limb (or cut) above the level of the heart
  and place a cold compress on top of bandage
  
• Watch any injury for infection for several days
• Refer any serious wounds to physician
  immediately
  
• Send for emergency assistance if bleeding cannot
  be controlled
  
• Apply clean dry dressing and advise parent of
  injury so that he/she can apply antibiotic crème
  or seek physician assessment if necessary

11
Puncture Wounds

• Any puncture wound is risky for infection
• Refer any puncture wound to the doctor after
  rinsing with clean water. The doctor will
  determine if a Tetanus booster is required.
  
• Any dirty item that causes a wound can cause
  Tetanus- it does not have to be a rusty object
  just dirty.

12
Nosebleeds

• Have student pinch the nostrils together gently
  for 5 to 15 minutes. If bleeding profusely, the
  student may need to lean head slightly forward to
  avoid choking on blood going down back of
  throat.
• Apply cool compress at nose bridge if bleeding
  does not stop
  
• After 20 minutes, contact emergency personnel if
  bleeding cannot be controlled (or if all efforts
  fail to slow the bleed.
  
• If fracture of the nose or face is suspected the
  child should be sent to physician immediately

13
Dental Injuries

• If a child loses a primary (baby) tooth, gentle
  rinsing with clean water generally stops the
  bleeding larger teeth may require that the child
  bite down on a clean gauze.
• If permanent tooth is lost, place the tooth in
  milk (preferred) or water, handling the tooth by
  the crown, not the root and send to the dentist
  immediately with the child.

14
Sprains and Strains

• Apply ace bandage that will support area
• Apply ice or cold compress on bandage at site of
  injury but do not ever place ice directly on bare
  skin!
  
• Elevate injured area
• If excessive swelling or discomfort continues,
  refer to physician immediately

15
Impaled Objects

• If the individual has an object stuck into the
  body and hanging out (like a pencil, stick, etc.)
  DO NO REMOVE THE OBJECT! It is impossible to
  determine how deep the object might be and what
  type of injury has occurred.
• Obtain assistance from 9-1-1 and refer to
  physician
  
• Contact parent immediately

16
Eye Injuries

• If a child gets some type of foreign object in
  the eye, flush gently with clean water
  
• If discomfort continues, refer to physician since
  the cornea may be effected with a scratch and may
  require antibiotic treatment to prevent
  infection.
• If a chemical splash into the eye flush eye with
  clean water thoroughly and refer to physician to
  check for burns on surface of eye
  
• If person wears contacts and experiences chemical
  splash in eye flush with water while contact is
  still in eye. Contact physician for further
  follow-up immediately.
• Contact parent and school nurse to report injury .

17
Chemical Burns

• Flush with cool water for 15 minutes on skin
  surface
  
• Contact physician if burn has occurred.

18
Fainting

• Should always be reported to family and child
  should be seen by family physician that day,
  unless there are specific orders from the doctor
  regarding these symptoms.

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Heat Emergencies

• Hot and humid weather takes its toll on the
  elderly and on children much more quickly than
  other age groups
  
• Keep individuals hydrated when outdoors and
  provide shaded areas for breaks

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Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion (Can lead to Heat
Stroke)

• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea
• Excessive thirst
• Skin is red and hot
• Get the person to a cooler area immediately

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If not nauseated

• Allow the student to drink ½ glass of water every
  15 minutes drinking excessively and quickly can
  cause vomiting which can worsen the situation
  
• If symptoms worsen or continue, contact 9-1-1
• Practices for sports should be scheduled during
  the cooler time of day during extreme
  temperatures.

22
When In Doubt

• Contact your school nurse
• Or during an emergency
• 9-1-1