FIR S T A ID

FO R C O M M O N
A ILM EN TS

W hat is First A id?

 Is the initial, immediate

and temporary care

given to a victim of
injury or sudden illness
until advanced medical
care can be given. It prevents
serious and sometimes,
permanent damage to the
victim.

3 Main Aims
3P's
P-revent further injury
P-romote recovery
P-reserve life

First A id P rovider

FU N C TIO N S O F A FIR ST
A ID ER -:Check for dangers.
Assess

Make the area safe and find out the

History of the situation.
Diagnose - Find out what's wrong
with the causality by finding out
their signs and symptoms and
other external clues.
Triage - Attend to the causalities
in order of priority.
Dispose - Send the causality to
the doctors, to the hospital or home
with somebody responsible. Give

Characteristics of a Good First Aider

Observant should notice all

signs
Resourceful should make
the best use of things at hand
Gentle should not cause pain
Tactful should not alarm the
victim

Guidelines in Giving Emergency Care

GETTING STARTED

Planning of action

Gathering of needed materials

Initial response as follows:

A - Ask for HELP

I - Intervene

D - Do no further HARM

Instruct Helpers

FEV ER
A fever is any body temperature

elevation over (37.5 C)

Causes and symptoms
Fevers are primarily caused by viral or
bacterial infections, such aspneumoniaor
influenza. However, other conditions can
induce a fever, including allergic reactions;
autoimmune diseases; trauma, such as
breaking a bone;cancer; excessive exposure
to the sun; intense exercise; hormonal
imbalances; certain drugs; and damage to the
hypothalamus

SIG N S A N D SYM P TO M S O F
FEV ER

Raised temperature
Pale skin (becoming red

as the temperature rises)

Feeling shaky and shivery
Increasing aches, pain,
and headache as the
temperature rises

M anagem ent for Fever

Monitor temperature using a

thermometer
Remove excess clothing
Keep the person in a cool place
Give a sponge bath in luke warm
water
Give plenty of fluids
Give prescribed doses of
paracetamol
Do not give aspirin to a person

MUSCLE
INJURIES

M U SC LE STR A IN

is the sudden, painful

tearing of muscle
fiber during exertion.
Pulled muscle
Occurs when:
Muscle extended beyond

its normal range of motion

Common caused due to

M U SC LE STR A IN

Signs and Symptoms

Pain
Swelling
Bruising
Loss of efficient
movement.

M U SC LE STR A IN

First Aid
Apply cold compress at
once.
Elevate the limb to reduce
swelling and bleeding
within the muscle. Rest the
pulled muscle for 24 hours.
Get medical help.

M U SC LE
CR A M PS
Description:
Sudden,
violent, and
painful but
short-lived
involuntary
muscle
contraction.

M U SC LE C R A M P S
Our muscles are triggered to

contract by electrical stimuli.

For proper functioning of the
neural impulses sodium and
potassium concentrations
must be well balanced. If this
equilibrium is disturbed,
abnormal impulses can lead
to a permanent muscle

M U SC LE C R A M P S

Symptoms:
Sudden, involuntary
muscle contractions or
spasms
A hard knot of muscle
tissue that may be
visible beneath the
skin

M U SC LE C R A M P S
First Aid:
Have the victim stretch out
the affected muscle to
counteract the cramp.
Massage the cramped muscle
firmly but gently.
Apply heat. Moist heat is more
effective than dry heat.
Get medical help if cramps

The general care

for injuries to
muscle includes
following R.I.C.E.

RICE
Rest
Ice
Compression
Elevation

BU RN S

Is an injury caused by

exposure to hot liquids,

chemicals, electricity,
fire, or excessive heat
of the sun. Are
classified by the extent
damage done to the

First-degree burns
(Superficial)

Only the skins

outer layer
(epidermis) is
damaged.

Symptoms include
redness, mild
swelling,
tenderness, and
pain.
Usually heals

First-degree burns
(Superf c
iial)
No blisters seen
Burned area

becomes white on
touch
Takes 3-6 days to
heal

M anagem ent for First-D egree

B urn
Remove patient from heat
source
Remove the burnt clothing
Run cool water over burnt area
Gently clean the injured area
Gently dry
Apply anti biotic/anti-bacterial
cream.
Use a sterile bandage to cover

Second-degree burns (PartialThickness)

Epidermis and

upper regions of
dermis are
damaged.
Symptoms
include
blisters,

M anagem ent for Second-D egree

B urn
Clean the affected area thoroughly
Submerge the burned area in cold
water
Gently dry
Apply antibiotic cream over
affected area
Make the patient lie down
Keep burnt body part at a raised
level

Third-degree burns (Full Thickness)

Severe burns that

penetrate all the

skin layers, into the
underlying fat and
muscle.
Symptoms include:
the burned area
appears gray-white,
cherry red, or black;
there is no initial
edema or pain
(since nerve
endings are

M anagem ent for Third-D egree

Bur
n
Requires
immediate hospital

care
Dehydration treated through
intravenous fluid supply
Oxygen is administered
Eschars are surgically opened
Periodically run clean cool water
over burns
Nutritious diet helps to heal
quickly
Regular monitoring essential

B urn Injuries C lassif c

iations:
Thermal (heat) burns caused by:
Flames
Hot objects
Flammable vapor that ignites
Steam or hot liquid
What to Do:
Stop the burning
Remove victim from burn source
If open flame, smother with blanket, coat or
similar item, or have the victim roll on ground.

Determine the depth (degree) of the burn

B urn Injuries C lassif c

iations:

Chemical burns
The result of a caustic or

corrosive substance touching

the skin caused by:
Acids (batteries)
Alkalis (drain cleaners- often
more extensive)
Organic compounds (oil
products)

 What to Do:
Remove the chemical by flushing the

area with water

Brush dry powder chemicals from the
skin before flushing
Take precautions to protect yourself from
exposure to the chemical
Remove the victims contaminated
clothing and jewelry while flushing with
water
Flush for 20 minutes all
chemical burns (skin, eyes)
Cover the burned area with
a dry, sterile dressing
Seek medical attention

B urn Injuries C lassif c

iations:

Electrical Burns

A mild electrical shock can

cause serious internal injuries.

There are three types of electrical injuries:
Thermal burn (flame) Objects in direct
contact with the skin are ignited by an
electrical current.
Mostly caused by the flames produced by the
electrical current and not by the passage of the
electrical current or arc.

Arc burn (Flash) Occurs when electricity jumps,

or arcs, from one spot to another.
Mostly cause extensive superficial injuries.

True Electrical Injury (contact) Occurs when an

electric current truly passes through the body.

M anagem ent for B U R N S

The main treatment for burns is
covering the affected area. All
burns on people, which are bigger
than
their own hand, or are intermediate
or deep degree burns should be
sent to the hospital. For people with
burns to the mouth and throat
you should give them short sips of
water.

N O SE B LEED IN G
Have child pinch the nostrils together

gently for 5 to 15 minutes. If bleeding

profusely, the child 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

A N IM A L B ITES
Animal bites are injuries that result

when flesh is torn between the

teeth of an animal. First aid for a
bite includes washing minor
wounds, applying pressure and
dressing with a clean cloth until
bleeding subsides. If the animal is
wild or domestic but not vaccinated
there may be a concern about
rabies. When possible the animal
must be quarantined or autopsied

A N IM A L B ITES
M A N A G EM EN T

A N IM A L B ITES
M A N A G EM EN T

A N IM A L B ITES
M A N A G EM EN T

W OUNDS
Is either an internal or external
break in the skin or tissue of
the body.

M ain types ofW ounds

C.L.I.P.S.

C Contused - Bruise, bleeding under the

skin.

L Laceration - a jagged cut caused by

barbed wire.

IIncised - a straight cut caused by a

knife.

P Puncture - deep wound caused by a nail.

S Special (Avulsion) - e.g. gunshot or graze.

M anagem ent for O P EN

W Wear
O U Ngloves
D S (to protect yourself)
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

M anagem ent
Apply direct pressure,

Raise and support

the injured limb,
cover wound with a
sterile dressing, treat
for shock and send to
hospital.

C losed W ounds

M anagem ent for C LO SED

W
O
U
N
D
S

Ice should be applied

immediately to an area that is
injured to reduce swelling and
diminish the black-and-blue
discoloration of bruising. Ice
packs may be alternated with
a heat pack for the next 48
hours. Although bruising may
be reduced by this method,

M anagem ent for C LO SED

W OUNDS

D R ESSIN G A N D
B A N D A G IN G

D ressings and B andages

The purpose of a dressing is to:
Control bleeding
Prevent infection and contamination
Absorb blood and fluid drainage
Protect the wound from further injury

What to Do:
Always wear gloves (if possible)
Use a dressing large enough to extend

beyond the wounds edges.

Cover the dressing with bandages.

D ressings and B andages

C ont.

Bandage can be used to:

Hold a dressing in place over an open

wound
Apply direct pressure over a dressing to
control bleeding
Prevent or reduce swelling
Provide support and stability for an
extremity or joint
Bandage should be clean but need not
be sterile.

Top 100 First A id

M iscon cep tion s
1. "You should put butter or cream on a
2.
3.
4.
5.

burn."
"If you cant move a limb, it must be
broken."
"The best way to treat bleeding is to
put the wound under a tap."
"Nose bleeds are best treated by
putting the head back."
"A tourniquet is the best way to treat
serious bleeding."

Top 100 First A id

M iscon cep tion s
6. "If someone has swallowed a

poison you should make them

sick."

7. Wound: ONLY rusty object(metals)

can cause tetanus infection.

8. "You must always call an

ambulance if you perform first

aid."
9. "To do first aid you need lots of
training."

To GOD
be the
Glory!!!