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Community First Aid & Safety. You arrive at the mall with your friend when suddenly you hear commotion. Oh, no! Someone’s collapsed!. Even though a crowd has gathered, no one is helping. Someone needs to help right now !. Are you equipped to help?. If not you…. who?. Consider this:.
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You arrive at the mall with your friend when suddenly you hear commotion. Oh, no! Someone’s collapsed! Even though a crowd has gathered, no one is helping. Someone needs to help right now! Are you equipped to help?
If not you… who?
Consider this: • Over 37 million injury-related visits were made to U.S. hospitals in 2000. • These injuries resulted in almost 90,000 deaths.
Previously, infectious diseases caused the greatest risk to the well-being of children . . . But now, unintentional injuries cause most childhood deaths.
More than 60 million people in the U.S. have heart disease. • Cardiovascular disease causes about 1 million deaths in the U.S. each year. • That accounts for over 40 % of all U.S. deaths that occur annually!
Over 600,000 Americans have strokes each year & more than 16,000 Americans die annually from stroke. EVERYONEshould know what to do in an emergency.
Leading causes of Death ages 0 to 44 Accidents - 53,027 25 20 15 Heart Disease22,327 Cancer - 24,675 Homicide 14,819 Suicide 16,661 10 5
The most important step you can take in an emergency: Call 911! The sooner emergency help arrives, the better a person’s chance of surviving.
Bystander’s Part in the Chain of Survival 3. 1st responder Care (CPR/AED) 2. Call 911 1. Recognize emergency 4. EMT care 6. rehab 5. Hospital care
Did you know . . . ? You are more likely to give care to a family member or a friend than to someone you don’t know.
Recognizing Emergencies • Unusual noises: screams, moans, breaking glass, crashing metal; changes in machinery noises. • Unusual sights: stalled vehicle, overturned pot, spilled medicine container, broken glass, downed electrical wires, smoke or fire.
Unusual odors: odors that are stronger than usual, unrecognizable odors, burning odors • Unusual appearances or behaviors: trouble breathing, clutching chest or throat, slurred or confused speech, sweating for not apparent reason, confusion, unusual skin color.
Reasons People Fail to Act In An Emergency • Presence of other people & uncertainty that an emergency really exists. • Fear of the type of injury of illness. • Fear of catching a disease. • Fear of doing something wrong. • Fear of being sued.
If there are several people around . . . • It may be difficult to tell what the emergency is & if anyone is providing first aid. • Don’t be embarrassed about coming forward in front of others. Ask if you can help. • Things you can do: call 911, keep area free of onlookers & traffic, give care.
When an injury or illness is frightening to be around. • Take a deep breath and try and remain calm. • Remember: you cannot effectively help someone if you are panicking.
Could I catch a disease if I help? • Always avoid contact with body fluids when possible. • Try to use protective breathing barriers, gloves, clean dry cloths. • Cover cuts & sores. • Wash hands after providing care.
Could I be sued for trying to help? • Most states have enacted Good Samaritan laws. • Reasonable & prudent care is protected under the law. • Always use common sense & reasonable level of skill.
Preparing For Emergencies • Keep medical information about you & your family on refrigerator or other handy place. • Keep a first aid kit in home or car. • Keep emergency telephone numbers by telephone or in first aid kit. • Learn & practice first aid skills.
Good things to keep in 1st aid kit: • antiseptic ointment • gauze/gauze pads • adhesive tape • band-aids (assorted sizes) • tweezers
disposible gloves • protective mouth barrier • OTC Medications: Benedral, tylenol, aspirin, antacids
