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Emergency First Aid

First Aid for a Large Disaster.

1. This article gives techniques that volunteers can use to help in disasters that overwhelm the existing emergency resources.
2. The purpose is to do the most good for the greatest number of victims.

Three reasons for death:

A. Death within minutes due to catastrophic blood loss or vital organ damage

B. Death within hours due excessive bleeding

C. Death within several days or weeks due to infection, lack of needed food and water.

Note:  In a large scale disaster, rescuers must focus on victims of "B" and "C". There is usually nothing that can be done or available to help victims of "A".

3. Learn Basic Life Support / CPR. Learn the ABC:

A. Airway: is the victim breathing? Check for Consciousness.

• Ask victim, "Can you hear me?"
• If no response, place hand on forehead, with 2 fingers under chin, tilt jaw upward, and head back.
• Check for airway obstructions and remove with you fingers.
• Look for chest rise
• Listen for air exchange
• Feel for abdominal movement
• Start Rescue Breathing if no sign of breathing and if you have another person to help you, do Chest compressions.

B. Bleeding: Controlling bleeding is essential

• Apply direct firm pressure on wound. If possible put on latex or nitrile gloves.
• Elevate wound above level of heart, preferably with the person laying down.
• Put pressure on nearest pressure point to slow blood to the wound.
• Tourniquet should not be used, or only if planning on loosing the limb.

C. Circulation: Treat for shock

• Shock Symptoms: Rapid or Shallow Breathing, Cold or Pale Skin, Failure to respond to simple commands (squeeze my finger )

     Treatment:

• Lay victim on back Elevate feet 6-10 inches
• Maintain body temperature, keep person dry.
• Do not give victim any water or food, just moisten lips and tongue only.

4. Triage: Sort victims according to severity.

A. Immediate: Life Threatening: (airway, bleeding, shock)

B. Delayed: May need professional car, but not immediate

C. Dead: When have time, remove to a separate location and cover

5. Additional Disaster Medical Treatment

• Additional Triage as needed by victim's health conditions.
• Thorough head-to-toe assessment of extent of injuries on paper left on each victim.
• Render first aid until professional help can be obtained

1. Head, Neck, Spinal Assessment.

All unconscious patients should be considered as a probable head/spinal injury.

• Signs of injury....
• Unconscious, or dizzy
• Unable to move a body part
• Pain, pressure in head or neck or back
• Tingling, numbness in an area of the body
• Difficulty breathing or seeing or talking
• Bleeding, bruising, deformity
• Blood/fluid in nose/ ears, or ears
• Bruising behind ears
• Seizures
• Nausea
• Treatment:  Stabilize head, neck and back to a back board.  Goal: Do no more harm

2. Burns

• Stop the burning, remove source of burning if possible
• Cool burned area with clean water if 2nd degree or less.
• Cover to reduce pain and infection
• 3rd Degree: Do NOT apply water
• Treat for shock
• Elevate
• DO NOT apply ice
• DO NOT apply antiseptics, ointments or remedies
• DO NOT break blisters, remove tissue or clothing in the burned area

3. Wound Care

Purpose: control bleeding and prevent infection

• Clean wound
• Bandage: Place sterile dressing over wound, apply bandage to hold it in place
• If bleeding continues, do not remove dressing. Redress over existing dressing and maintain pressure.
• If foreign object is stuck in a wound, DO NOT remove object, dress around it.

4. Fractures, Sprains, Strains

Purpose: Immobilize the injury and the joints immediately above and below the injury

• Closed Fracture: may need only splinting
• Open Fracture:
  • DO NOT put exposed bone back into tissue.
  • Cover exposed bone with sterile 4x4 gauze to keep from drying out.
  • DO NOT irrigate wound
  • Splint fracture. DO NOT try to relocate a dislocation, only immobilize
• Sprains and strains. Imobalize with elastic bandage or tape.  Have victim stay off limb.

5. Hypothermia/Frostbite

• Body temperature less than 95 degrees
• Redness, blueness, bluish-white of skin stiffness or hardness of skin
• Numbness, shivering, slurred speech

Treatment

• Hypothermia: Protest from weather.
• Remove wet clothing, wrap victim in a blanket or sleeping bag, covering neck and head.
• If conscious, offer warm sweet drinks and food. DO NOT offer alcohol or massage.
• If possible place the conscious victim in warm bath, or in a sleeping bag with another person.
• Frostbite:  DO NOT warm the affected area too quickly.
• Elevate the affected area if on the feet or hands.
• Do not allow the affected area to refreeze.

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