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.