Basic First Aid

YEAR 10 OUTDOOR EDUCATION

2015

Learning Goals
Define the principles of basic first aid management
Perform checks to identify potential danger to oneself, the patient and bystanders
Recognise and manage people suffering minor burns: specifically sunburn.
Recognise and manage people suffering heat exhaustion or heat stroke
Recognise and manage people suffering needle-stick injuries
Perform a basic emergency care management assessment

Definition
First Aid is the immediate or emergency assistance given on the spot to persons
suffering from injury or the sudden onset of symptoms of illness.

Everyone should know the principles of first aid.

Chain of Survival
The chain of survival refers to a series of actions that, when put into motion,
reduce the mortality associated with cardiac arrest. Like any chain, the chain of
survival is only as strong as its weakest link.

When should someone be sent to hospital?

Danger

First Aid Action Plan

R Respons

e
S Send for help

A Airwa

y
B Breathin
g
C Cardio Pulmonary
Resuscitation
D Defibrillation

Danger

Make sure that there is no danger to yourself and no further danger to

bystanders or the patient(s).

How do you do this?

PUT ON GLOVES!! You are the most important person so protect yourself
from harm

R Respons
e

If there is no danger assess the consciousness of the patient

How do we assess the patient?

S Send for help

Have a bystander call emergency services if there is no response from the
patient.

What should you tell the operator?

Find a partner practise these first 3 stages

A Airway
If the patient is unconscious roll them on their side, and clear
the airway by gently tilting their head back and providing
support for their jaw.
Remove anything that may be blocking the airway
Make sure you keep the airway CLEAR and OPEN

Blocked airway
- no head tilt

Open airway
- head tilt & jaw lift

B Breathin
g

Keeping the patient on their side and with the head tilted backwards, lift and
support the jaw and look, listen and feel for any signs of breathing.
If the patient is breathing, place them in the lateral position.
If the patient is not breathing, and has no signs of life, roll them onto their back
and begin CPR.

C Cardio Pulmonary
Consists of:
Resuscitation

Rescue breathing
Cardiac compressions
Lower half of the
breastbone in the
centre of the chest

D Defibrillation
If performing CPR and a defibrillator is available, attach pads to the casualty and follow the
machine prompts.
If near the water you must make sure that the patients chest is dry.

It is crucial that CPR continues except when a shock is being delivered or

instructed by AED.

Sunburn
Burning of the skin caused by UV rays
Symptoms:
Redness
Pain
Blistering
Fever

Treatment:
Rest in a cool place
Cool sunburn with water for up to 20 mins
Give the patient fluids by mouth
Get medical advice if sunburn is extensive, especially if the patient is vomiting, dehydrated, has
severe headache, or if the patient is a child

Heat exhaustion
The first stage of heat-induced illness is called heat exhaustion,
where a person is sweating profusely, starts to feel hot, thirsty,
dizzy and tired. This often happens due to excessive exposure to
heat or during strenuous exercise, such as a fun run or triathlon.
Treatment:
Stop all activity
Rest in a cool place
Loosen clothing
Douse them with water
Cool them with fans but dont allow them to shiver
Give them a suitable amount of fluid, remember too much ,too
soon ,may lead to vomiting

Heat Stroke
This is the most severe heat-induced illness
This will occur if the earlier stages of heat exhaustion are not recognised and treated
properly.
It usually is accompanied by a physical collapse, in which the body temperature rises
above 39 degrees Celsius.
The skin feels hot and dry because the sweating mechanism is switched off as the
body attempts to stop the loss of fluid. People become restless or aggressive, or may
have a convulsion and become unconscious.
Treatment:
Lye them on their side and check airway and signs of life
Seek urgent medical help, as the patient will require intravenous fluids and glucose.
Apply cold packs or ice to the sides of the neck, the armpits and the groin, where
large arteries are close to the surface.

Needle stick injuries

Due to the risks of hepatitis and HIV infection, all needle stick injuries must be
regarded as potentially serious.
Reports of needles being found on and near beaches are becoming increasingly
common.
What should you do?
1.

Wash the area thoroughly in warm soapy water

2. Report the incident to the lifeguards

3. Person should go to their doctor or local hospital
4. Dispose of needle in a sharps container

NOTE: If needle is still in the patients body do not remove it seek medical help
immediately and apply a donut bandage.