Brief Summary
This video provides essential first aid knowledge, covering asthma management, thermal stress, water emergencies, poisoning, bites, communicable diseases, emergency childbirth, and triage. It emphasises the importance of recognising symptoms, acting quickly, and seeking professional medical help when necessary. Key takeaways include:
- Understanding asthma triggers and proper inhaler usage.
- Recognising and managing heatstroke and hypothermia.
- Identifying drowning signs and safe rescue techniques.
- Knowing the different types of poisoning and appropriate first aid responses.
- Managing animal and insect bites, including tick removal and snake bite treatment.
- Preventing the spread of communicable diseases through hygiene and vaccination.
- Preparing for emergency childbirth and providing immediate newborn care.
- Using triage to prioritise patients in mass casualty incidents.
Asthma Management
Asthma is a chronic condition where airways become inflamed and narrowed, causing breathing difficulties. Common triggers include allergens, cold air, physical exertion, and stress. During an attack, muscles around the airways tighten, and excess mucus further blocks airflow, leading to wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Recognising the signs of an asthma attack, such as wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, and chest tightness, is crucial for prompt care.
Managing an Asthma Attack
To manage an asthma attack, help the patient sit upright and encourage slow, deep breaths. Reassure them to remain calm, as panic can worsen the attack. If they have a reliever inhaler like salbutamol, assist them in using it, typically one or two puffs, waiting five minutes between doses. If the condition worsens or doesn't improve after two doses, call for emergency medical assistance immediately. Monitor the patient for deterioration, avoid lying them down, and keep a record of inhaler doses administered.
Using a Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI)
A metered dose inhaler (MDI) delivers medication directly to the airways. To use it correctly, remove the mouthpiece cap, shake the inhaler, and prime it if necessary. Stand or sit up straight, breathe in deeply, and breathe out completely. Put the mouthpiece in your mouth, close your lips tightly around it, and as you breathe in, press down firmly on the top of the inhaler to release one puff of medicine. Continue breathing in slowly for three to five seconds, hold your breath for about 10 seconds, and then breathe out slowly. Rinse your mouth with water after using a steroid inhaler.
Thermal Stress: Heat-Related Illnesses
Thermal stress occurs when the body's ability to regulate temperature is overwhelmed, leading to heat or cold-related illnesses. Heat exhaustion presents with heavy sweating, dizziness, and nausea, requiring moving the patient to a cooler area, offering cool fluids, and rest. Heat stroke is more severe, characterised by dry, hot skin, confusion, and a rapid pulse, necessitating immediate medical attention and rapid cooling. Avoid using ice-cold water for cooling, as it can induce shock.
Thermal Stress: Hypothermia
Hypothermia occurs when the body's core temperature falls below 35°C (95°F), often due to prolonged exposure to cold environments, wet clothing, or windy conditions. Symptoms progress from intense shivering and pale skin in mild hypothermia to confusion, drowsiness, and slowed heart rate in moderate hypothermia, and loss of consciousness in severe hypothermia. Treat hypothermia by gently warming the person in a warm, sheltered environment, replacing wet clothing with dry, insulated clothing, and using gradual warming methods.
Thermal Stress: Hyperthermia
Hyperthermia occurs when the body's core temperature rises beyond its ability to cool itself, typically above 38.5°C (101.3°F). Mild hyperthermia includes excessive sweating and flushed skin, while heat exhaustion involves profuse sweating, nausea, and dizziness. Heat stroke, the most severe stage, is a medical emergency characterised by hot, dry skin, confusion, and even seizures. Manage hyperthermia by moving the person to a cool area, removing excess clothing, and applying cool cloths or spraying them with cool water.
Water Emergencies: Drowning
Drowning is often silent, with victims slipping underwater without shouting or making noise. Near drowning occurs when the victim survives the initial submersion but may require hospitalisation. Wet drowning happens when water enters the lungs, while dry drowning involves the larynx spasming and blocking airflow. Key signs of drowning include a person submerged with no obvious struggle, choking or coughing up water, or being unresponsive after being pulled from the water.
Water Emergencies: Responding to Drowning
In a water emergency, use flotation devices during rescues to stay safe and avoid direct contact with a struggling victim. Approach with a pole, rope, or life ring instead. Continue CPR even if it takes a long time, as some drowning victims have been revived after 30 minutes of resuscitation. After a drowning incident, all patients should be taken to a hospital for 24-hour monitoring due to the risk of delayed complications such as secondary drowning.
Poisoning: Types and Initial Actions
Poisoning can occur through ingestion, inhalation, absorption, or injection. Ingested poisoning involves swallowing toxic substances, while inhaled poisoning occurs when harmful gases or fumes are breathed in. Absorbed poisoning happens when substances enter the bloodstream through the skin, and injected poisoning occurs through animal bites, stings, or injected drugs. When someone has swallowed a poison, check the container label for first aid instructions, call emergency services, and do not induce vomiting unless explicitly instructed by medical professionals.
Poisoning: Inhaled, Absorbed and Injected
For inhaled poisoning, remove the person from the toxic environment and get them into fresh air. If they are struggling to breathe, keep them calm and still, and start rescue breaths or CPR if necessary. For absorbed poisoning, remove contaminated clothing immediately and flush the affected skin with water for at least 15 to 30 minutes. For injected poisons, call emergency services immediately, immobilise the affected limb, and keep it below heart level to slow the spread of the poison.
Poisoning: Cautions and Good Practices
Always believe a child who says they have swallowed poison, and be aware that some poisons cause delayed symptoms requiring medical attention even if the patient feels fine. Never induce vomiting unless directed by medical professionals. Keep all cleaning products, chemicals, and medications locked away from children. If poisoning is suspected, act immediately and call emergency services.
Bites and Stings: Introduction and Bee Stings
Animal and insect bites range from mild irritations to life-threatening conditions. Bee stings are among the most dangerous because they often cause severe allergic reactions. The venom leads to swelling, redness, and pain, but for allergic individuals, it can cause airway obstruction and shock. A patient experiencing a severe reaction may need an immediate epinephrine injection using an auto-injector like an EpiPen.
Bites and Stings: Ticks, Spiders and Scorpions
Ticks can transmit tick bite fever, a bacterial infection causing fever, headache, and a rash. Proper tick removal is essential, pulling them out gently with tweezers. Spider bites vary significantly; some spiders like the black widow have neurotoxic venom, while others like the violin spider have cytotoxic venom. Scorpion stings are highly dangerous, especially from species with neurotoxic venom, potentially causing breathing difficulties and paralysis.
Bites and Stings: Marine Stings and Snake Bites
Marine stings, such as blue bottles, are common in coastal regions. Hot water immersion for 20 minutes helps break down the toxins. Snake bites vary in severity depending on the species. Some snakes have neurotoxic venom, while others have cytotoxic or myotoxic venom. First aid includes keeping the patient still, applying a pressure bandage if appropriate, and seeking urgent medical care. Human and animal bites pose a high risk of infection, with rabies being a major concern.
Bites and Stings: Tick Bites and Removal
Tick bites can lead to serious bacterial infections, particularly tick bite fever. Remove ticks correctly by using fine tweezers or a specialised tick removal tool, grasping the tick as close to the skin as possible and pulling it out slowly and steadily. Clean the bite area with alcohol disinfectant or antiseptic solution to prevent infection. Never use petrol or a lit match to remove the tick.
Bites and Stings: Spider Bites
Spider bites can be classified into two categories based on the effects of their venom: neurotoxic and cytotoxic. Neurotoxic venom affects the nervous system, while cytotoxic venom causes local tissue damage. Clean the bite wound immediately with disinfectant to prevent infection. For severe bites, especially those causing intense swelling, pain, or signs of systemic illness, medical attention is required.
Bites and Stings: Scorpion Stings
Scorpions are divided into two categories based on their pincers and tail thickness: buod day scorpions (most dangerous) and scorpion aay scorpions (relatively harmless). Scorpion venom is primarily neurotoxic, affecting the nervous system. Administer first aid by washing the affected area with soap and water, applying a cold compress, and monitoring the patient for at least 24 hours.
Bites and Stings: Blue Bottle Stings
Blue bottles, also known as Portuguese Man o' War, are common marine stingers. Treat a blue bottle sting with hot water immersion, placing the affected limb in hot but not scalding water for about 20 minutes. Avoid pouring vinegar or urine on the sting site. Monitor victims for allergic reactions, particularly difficulty breathing or swelling of the throat.
Bites and Stings: Snake Bites and Venom Types
Snake bites can be life-threatening, and understanding the type of venom involved is essential. There are three primary types of venom: neurotoxic, cytotoxic, and hemotoxic. Neurotoxic venom affects the nervous system, cytotoxic venom destroys tissue, and hemotoxic venom damages blood vessels. Identifying the type of venom and acting quickly can significantly improve the patient's chances of survival.
Bites and Stings: Snake Bite Symptoms and First Aid
Neurotoxic venom leads to paralysis and breathing difficulties, cytotoxic venom results in severe swelling and tissue destruction, and hemotoxic venom disrupts blood clotting. Provide immediate first aid by calling for emergency help, keeping the patient calm and still, and washing the bite site gently with clean water. Check capillary refill to assess circulation.
Bites and Stings: Snake Bite Management and Precautions
A pressure bandage can help slow venom movement for neurotoxic snake bites, but it should be removed immediately if swelling increases rapidly, suggesting a cytotoxic bite. Monitor the patient closely for breathing difficulties or signs of shock. Avoid attempting to suck out venom or cutting the wound.
Bites and Stings: Animal and Insect Bites - Risks and Prevention
The infection that follows animal, human, or insect bites is often more dangerous than the bite wound itself. The risk of disease transmission depends on what bit the person, where the bite happened, and how deep or severe the wound is. Some infections can be treated with antibiotics or vaccines, while others like rabies are almost always fatal if symptoms appear.
Bites and Stings: Diseases Transmitted by Bites
Animal and insect bites can transmit dangerous diseases, including rabies, tetanus, malaria, Zika fever, cat scratch disease, tick bite fever, and Lyme disease. Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, making postexposure vaccination critical. Tetanus leads to severe muscle spasms and breathing difficulties, requiring a tetanus shot.
Bites and Stings: Warning Signs and First Aid
A bite should be evaluated by a doctor if it was caused by a human or animal, if the skin was broken, if the wound has distinct bite marks, or if the area becomes red, swollen, warm, or painful. Provide immediate first aid by washing the wound thoroughly with soap and running water, applying an antiseptic solution, and applying direct pressure to stop bleeding.
Bites and Stings: Precautions and Best Practices
Avoid assuming that a bite is harmless, as many infections develop slowly and symptoms may not appear for days or even weeks. Rabies is an urgent medical emergency requiring immediate medical care for postexposure vaccination. Always clean wounds immediately, seek professional medical attention for any deep or unknown bites, and wear protective clothing and insect repellent when traveling in areas with mosquitoes or ticks.
Communicable Diseases: Introduction and Transmission
Communicable diseases spread from one person to another through direct or indirect contact with pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. These diseases spread through physical contact, airborne particles, contaminated food and water, and insect bites. Taking proper precautions can limit the risk of exposure and protect both the first aider and the patient from infection and complications.
Communicable Diseases: Types of Pathogens
The most common types of pathogens include viruses (influenza, COVID-19, HIV), bacteria (tuberculosis, cholera, tetanus), fungi (ringworm, athlete's foot), and parasites (malaria, tapeworms). Each type of pathogen spreads differently, meaning proper infection control is crucial for reducing the risk of transmission.
Communicable Diseases: Modes of Transmission
Communicable diseases spread through contact transmission (direct and indirect), airborne transmission, vectorborne transmission (insects or animals), and food and waterborne transmission. Some pathogens, like Zika virus, can be spread by both mosquitoes and sexual contact.
Communicable Diseases: Limiting Exposure
Limit exposure to communicable diseases by practicing good hygiene, using personal protective equipment (PPE), following infection control procedures, and staying informed. Regular handwashing, covering wounds, and using antiseptics can significantly reduce infection risks. Always wear gloves, face masks, and CPR barriers when treating patients.
Communicable Diseases: Vaccination
Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. Recommended vaccines include Hepatitis B, tetanus, influenza, and COVID-19. By staying up to date on vaccinations, first aiders protect themselves, their families, and the people they assist.
Communicable Diseases: Cautions and Best Practices
Many infections do not show symptoms immediately, and some people spread diseases without knowing they are infected. Taking preventive measures is the best strategy. Best practices include washing hands frequently, wearing gloves and face masks during first aid treatment, and staying up to date on vaccines and health regulations.
Emergency Childbirth: Initial Steps
In an emergency childbirth situation, calm down and follow these instructions. You will need sheets, towels, or clean clothing, hand sanitiser or soap and water, shoelaces or string, and clean scissors. Do not try to pull out either the child or the umbilical cord. Put down some sheet towels, clothing, or even an unread newspaper. If you have assistance, help the mom to be stand with her knees slightly bent, otherwise have her lie on her back then prop up her back with something soft.
Emergency Childbirth: Delivery and Post-Delivery Care
Scrub your hands as well as your arms up to your elbows with hand sanitiser or soap and warm water. Remind the mom to be to take deep breaths and to push. Once the baby's head emerges, tell the mother to stop pushing. Gently cradle the baby's head then prepare to catch after the shoulders slip out one at a time, the rest of the body will quickly follow. Leave the cord cutting to a medical professional. Clear the baby's air passages by gently stroking downward on its nose and mouth. Wrap the baby in something clean and soft to keep it warm. Encourage the new mom to breastfeed immediately.
Emergency Childbirth: Emergency Delivery Pack and Newborn Care
Having a properly stocked emergency delivery pack is crucial. This pack should include protective gloves and a mask, a linen saver or clean towels, blankets, plastic bags, cord clamps or string, sterile cutting instruments, and gauze swabs. After birth, begin by gently clearing any fluids from the baby's mouth and nose. Dry the baby thoroughly and wrap them in a warm blanket to prevent heat loss. Skin-to-skin contact with the mother helps regulate the baby's temperature and encourages bonding.
Triage: Priority Levels
Triage is a systematic process for categorising patients based on the urgency of their medical needs. Priority One (immediate/red) patients need immediate medical attention due to life-threatening conditions. Priority Two (urgent/yellow) includes patients with serious injuries or conditions that require attention but are not immediately life-threatening. Priority Three (delayed/green) patients have minor injuries or conditions that can be delayed without significant risk. Priority Four (expectant/black) is for patients with injuries so severe that survival is unlikely. Deceased (white/black) is for individuals who have already succumbed to their injuries.
Triage: Multiple Casualty Situations
In a multiple casualty situation, assess the scene for dangers, call for emergency assistance, and triage the patients using the START method. Red (immediate) are life-threatening but treatable conditions, yellow (delayed) are injuries that require medical attention but are not immediately life-threatening, green (minor) are walking wounded with minor injuries, and black (deceased) are nonsalvageable with no signs of life. Begin treatment for the most critical cases first.
Blended Learning Questionnaires
The following questionnaires are an essential part of your Learning Journey. As part of the Blended learning program, you'll need to complete these questions in your notebook. This activity is designed to deepen your understanding of the material covered so far and ensure that you can apply these critical first aid Concepts in real life situations.
True or False: Asthma, Thermal Stress, Water Emergencies, Poisoning and Bites
This section presents true or false questions related to asthma management, thermal stress, water emergencies, poisoning, and bites. It covers topics such as asthma attack symptoms and management, heat stroke and hypothermia, drowning signs and rescue techniques, poisoning treatment, tick bites, scorpion stings, snake bites, and rabies.
