DEALING WITH A CASUALTY

                  Casualties are often frightened or become frightened because of what has just happened to them, their fears of what may happen next and of the pain and/or bleeding they are experiencing. Your role is to stay calm and take charge of the situation. However, be ready to stand back if someone better qualified is present to assist. If there is more than one casualty, assess each one using the primary survey and treat the most seriously injured casualty first.
        Simple and easy steps to be followed while dealing with a casualty..... They are as follows:

1. BUILDING TRUST
2. DIVERSITY AND COMMUNICATION
3. LISTEN CAREFULLY

• Make eye contact, but look away now and then so as not to stare.
• Use a calm, confident voice that is loud enough to be heard but do not shout.
• Do not speak too quickly.
• Keep instructions simple: use short sentences and simple words.
• Use affirming nods
• Check that the casualty understands what you mean - ask to make sure.
• Do not interrupt the casualty, but always acknowledge what you are told.

     4.TREATING THE CASUALTY
     5.ENLISTING HELP FROM OTHERS
     6.CARE OF PERSONAL BELONGINGS
     7.KEEPING NOTES


REQUESTING HELP:

1. TELEPHONING FOR HELP
2. MAKE A CALL - State your name clearly and say that you are acting in your capacity as a first aider. It is essential to provide the following:

• Your telephone number
• The exact location
• The type and gravity of the emergency. (Ex: Traffic incident, two cars, road blocked)
• Number, gender and age of the casualties.(Ex: One man, early sixties, breathing difficulties, suspected heart attack.)
• Details of any hazards, such as gas, toxic substances, power-line damage, or adverse weather conditions, such as fog or ice.

USE OF MEDICATION:

        If you administer, or advise taking, any medication other than that stipulated in this manual, the casualty may be put at risk, and you could face legal action as a consequence. Whenever a casualty takes medication, it is essential to make sure that

• It is appropriate to the condition;
• It is not out of date;
• It is taken as advised;
• Any precautions are strictly followed;
• The recommended dose is not exceeded;
• You keep a record of the name and dose of the medication as well as the time and method of administration.

CAUTION: Aspirin should never be given to anyone under the age of 16years as there is risk of a rare condition called Reye's syndrome.

PROTECT YOURSELF & CASUALTY FROM INFECTION

               When you give first aid, it is important to protect yourself (and the casualty) from infection as well as injury. Take steps to avoid cross infection - transmitting germs or infection to a casualty or contracting infection yourself from a casualty.
                Remember, infection is a risk even with relatively minor injuries. It is a particular concern if you are  treating a wound, because blood-borne viruses, such as hepatitis B or C and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), may be transmitted by contact with yours through a cut or graze.
                Usually, taking measures such as washing your hands and wearing disposable gloves will provide sufficient protection for you and the casualty. There is no known evidence of these blood-borne viruses being transmitted during resuscitation. If a face shield or pocket mask is available, it should be used when you give rescue breaths.
WHEN TO SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE??
                 Take care not to prick yourself with any needle found on or near a casualty, or cut yourself on glass. If you accidentally prick or cut your skin, or splash your eye, wash the area thoroughly and seek medical help immediately. If you are providing first aid on a regular basis, it is advisable to seek guidance on additional personal protection, such as immunisation. If you think you have been exposed to an infection while giving first aid, seek medical advice as soon as possible.
MINIMISING THE RISK OF CROSS INFECTION:

• Do wash your hands and wear latex-free disposable gloves. If gloves are not available, ask the casualty to dress his or her own wound, or enclose your hands in clean plastic bags.
• Do cover cuts and grazes on your hands with waterproof dressings.
• Do wear a plastic apron if dealing with large quantities of body fluids and wear plastic glasses to protect your eyes.
• Do dispose of all waste safely.
• Do not touch a wound with your bare hands and do not touch any part of a dressing that will come into contact with a wound.
• Do not breathe, cough and sneeze over a wound while you are treating a casualty.

CAUTION: To help protect yourself from infection you can carry protective equipment such as:

1. Pocket mask or face shield.
2. Latex-free disposable gloves.
3. Alcohol gel to clean your hands.

THOROUGH HAND WASHING:

     If you can, wash your hands before you touch a casualty, but if this is not possible, wash them as soon as possible afterwards. For a thorough wash, pay attention to all parts of the hands - palm, wrists, fingers, thumbs and fingernails, or rub your hands with alcohol gel.

1. Wet your hands under running water. Put some soap into the palm of a cupped hand. Rub the palms of your hands together.
2. Rub the palm of your left hand against the back of your right hand, then rub the right palm on the back of your left hand.
3. Interlock the fingers of both hands and work the soap between them.
4. Rub the back of the fingers of your right hand against the palm of your left hand,, then repeat with your left hand in your right palm.
5. Rub your right thumb in the palm of your left hand, then your left thumb in the right palm.
6. Rub the fingertips of your left hand in the palm of your right hand and vice versa. Rinse thoroughly, then pat dry with a disposable paper towel.

USING PROTECTIVE GLOVES:

     Disposable gloves should only be used to treat one casualty. Put them on just before you approach a casualty and remove them as soon as the treatment is completed and before you do anything else.

     When taking off the gloves, hold the top edge of one glove with your other gloved hand and peel it off so that it is inside out. Repeat with the other hand without touching the outside of the gloves. Dispose them in a biohazard hag.

CAUTION: Always use latex-free gloves. Some people serious allergy to latex, and this may cause anaphylactic shock. Nitrite gloves (often blue or purple) are recommended.

PUTTING ON GLOVES:

1. Ideally, wash your hands before putting on the gloves. Hold one glove by the top and pull it on. Do not touch the main part of the glove with your fingers.
2. Pick up the second glove with the gloved hand. With your fingers under the top edge, pull it on to your hand. Your gloved fingers should not touch your skin.

WHAT IS A FIRST AIDER??

INTRODUCTION

                  First aid is the initial assistance or treatment given to a person who is injured or suddenly taken ill. The person who provides this help is a first aider. This chapter prepares you for being a first aider,psychologically and emotionally, as well as giving practical advice on what you should and should not do in an emergency situation.
                  The information provided will help you to provide effective first aid to any casualty in any situation. However, to become a fully competent first aider, you should complete a recognised first aid course. Completing a course will also strengthen your skills and increase your needs.


          AIMS & OBJECTIVES:

1. To understand your own abilities and limitations.
2. To stay safe and calm at all times.
3. To assess a situation quickly and calmly and summon the appropriate help.
4. To assist the casualty and provide the necessary treatment, with the help of those around where necessary.
5. To pass on relevant information to the emergency services, or the person who takes responsibility for the casualty.
6. To be aware of your own needs.

                First aid refers to the actions taken in response to someone who is injured or suddenly taken ill. A first aider is a person who takes this action while taking care to keep everyone involved safe and to cause no further harm while doing so.

           Follow the actions that most benefit the casualty, taking into account your own skills, knowledge and experience, using the guidelines.

• This chapter prepares you for the role of first aider by providing guidance on responding to a first aid solution and assessing the priorities for the casualty. There is advice on the psychological aspect of giving first aid and practical guidance on how to protect yourself and a casualty.

FIRST AID PRIORITIES:

1. Assess a situation quickly and calmly.
2. Protect yourself and any casualties from danger - never put yourself at risk.
3. Prevent cross infection between yourself and the casualty as far as possible.
4. Comfort and reassure casualties at all times.
5. Assess the casualty: identify, as far as you can, the injury or nature of illness affecting a casualty.
6. Give early treatment, and treat the casualties with the most serious (life-threatening) conditions first.
7. Arrange for appropriate help: call for emergency help if you suspect serious injury or illness; take or send the casualty to hospital; transfer him into the care of a healthcare professional or to his home. Stay with a casualty until care is available.

• Chapter 2, Managing an Incident - provides guidelines on dealing with events (ex: traffic or water incidents or fires).
• Chapter 3, Assessing a Casualty - looks at the practical steps to take when assessing a casualty(sick or injured person's) condition.

HOW TO PREPARE YOURSELF:

• When responding to an emergency you should recognise both the emotional and physical needs of all involved, including your own. Your should look after your own psychological health and be able to recognise stress if it develops.
• A calm, considerate response from you that facilitates trust and respect from those around you is fundamental to you being able to give or receive information from a casualty or witnesses effectively. This includes being aware of, and managing, your reactions, so that you can focus on the casualty and make an assessment. By talking to a casualty in a kind, considerate, gentle but in firm manner, you will inspire confidence in your actions and this will generate trust between you and the casualty.Without this confidence he may not tell you about an important event, injury or symptom, and may remain in a highly distressed state.
• The actions described in this chapter aim to help you facilitate this trust, minimise distress and provide support to promote the casualty's ability to cope and recover. The key steps to being and effective first aider are as follows:

1. Be calm in your approach.
2. Be aware of risks (to yourself and others).
3. Build and maintain trust (from the casualty and the bystanders)
4. Give early treatment, treating the most serious (life-threatening) conditions first
5. Call appropriate help
6. Remember your own needs.

BE CALM

     It is important to be calm in your approach. Consider what situations might challenge you and how would deal with them. In order to convey confidence to other and encourage them to trust you, you need to control your emotions and reactions.

     People often fear the unknown. Becoming more familiar with first aid priorities and the key techniques in this book can help your feel more comfortable. By identifying your fears in advance, you can take steps to overcome them. Find out as much as you can, for example, by going on a first aid course, asking other how they dealt with similar situations or talking your fears through with a person your trust.

STAY IN CONTROL

      In an emergency situation, the body responds by releasing hormones that may cause a "fight, flight or freeze" response. When this happens, your heart beats faster, your breathing quickens and you may sweat more. You may also feel more alert, want to run away or feel frozen to the spot.

      If you feel overwhelmed and slightly panicky, you may feel pressured to do something before you are clear about what is needed. Pause and take a few slow breaths. If you know how to calm yourself, you will be better able to deal with your anxiety and so help the casualty.