First Aid

1. First Aid Duke of Edinburgh Hillary Award

2. Actions at accident scene • Before going on a journey into the outdoors, make sure at least one person in the group has a good knowledge of First Aid and the group is carrying a suitable First Aid Kit for the journey being undertaken. • If first at the scene of an accident, REMEMBER STOP, THINK, THEN ACT

3. Danger • Look around the scene. Consider any danger: To you; to others; to the injured. • Make sure that no-one else gets hurt, including yourself. Only proceed if it is safe

4. Response • Check the injured person for any response. Is the person conscious? • Gently tap on shoulder and ask” Can you hear me? What is your name?

5. Airways • Is the airway clear of objects? • Is the airway open? • If the patient is unconscious, they need to be placed on their back in case they need CPR

6. Breathing • Is the chest rising and falling? • Listen for sounds of breathing from the mouth • Fell for breathing on you cheek and with a hand on their stomach • Remember to look listen and feel, for at least 10 seconds. It is most import to know if the injured person is breathing or not.

7. Circulation • Take note of the colour of the person. • What happens when you press the skin or fingernail? • Can you see any obvious signs of life? • If a person is breathing, they have circulation • If no signs of life, CPR should begin immediately.

8. Initial Response • The person with most first aid experience and confidence should take the role of patient care and monitoring symptoms. • The leader manages the accident site and delegates tasks or assigns roles to group members eg sending people for help, making the group safe and comfortable; seeking help through radio transmission

9. Secondary survey • Establish the extent of the injuries by • Carry out ABC • If conscious, talk to patient to get as many details as possible • Examine patient’s all whole body to determine other injuries

10. Secondary: what to look for • Bleeding • Unusual colour • Tenderness or bruising • Loss of sensation • Any foreign objects in/around the person • Try to treat the person in the position they were found

11. Bleeding • From the first aid kit, use a sterile pad and apply directly on the source of bleeding. Apply pressure on that site. Keep in place with a bandage if possible

12. Fractures • Open fracture – bone protruding through skin – usually bleeding and risk of infection. Cover with sterile pad and support the injured limb. Keep as still as possible until help arrives • Closed or complicated fractures Signs and symptoms may be: • intense pain at site of injury, • observable deformity • painful movement of that region • loss of strength of that region • tenderness when pressure applied • A break or crack may be heard

13. Management of Fractures • Assess the severity of injury and availability of help before determining course of action • Immobilise the area with support or splints to avoid unnecessary movement at the fracture site • If appropriate administer pain relief such as panadol. • Where the patient cannot continue, keep warm, and comfortable, and insulated from ground until help arrives. Remember , with severe pain, a patient may go into shock. Provide reassurance and make sure the patient is monitored constantly, recording all vital signs and significant events.

14. Treatment of Foreign Bodies • Foreign bodies in eyes, ears or nose can cause a great deal of discomfort. Where possible try not to inflame the affected area by rubbing or prodding to remove the object. • Objects in eye • Try lifting upper lid down over lower lid to cause the eye to water and flush out object eg pollen or dirt. • Flush with water by leaning sideways with affected eye closest to ground and carefully pouring water into eye. • AVOID RUBBING EYE • Objects in nose and ear • Less easy to remove. Best left until medical help can be sought.

15. Diarrhoea • Having Diarrhoea while in the bush is most unpleasant and, if accompanied by vomiting , can lead to severe dehydration. • Steps to take to avoid diarrhoea: • Remember personal hygiene when toileting and preparing food • Use only treated water (do not drink directly from streams) • Avoid eating left over food • Wash dishes and utensils well • Treatment for diarrhoea • If available, take anti-diarrhoea medication • Continue to drink sips of boiled water to avoid dehydration • If available, electrolyte drinks are useful to maintain strength (May be carried with first aid kit) • Bury all faecal wastes (including toilet paper) to avoid possible cross contamination.

16. Recovery Position • If a patient is unconscious or semi conscious and still breathing, they should be placed into recovery position • Check mouth for any obstructions • Kneel down by patient’s chest • Place one arm across the patient’s chest and the other at 90degree to their body • Bend up the leg on the same side as the arm across the chest • Gently roll the patient to their side • Make sure the patient is stable and cannot move from this position • Continue to monitor levels of consciousness.