FIRST AID IN COMMON MEDICAL

EMERGENCIES
 AIM

• There will be number of occasions on which we

may be faced with a situation where, we may be
required to provide First Aid to the injured,
because of an accident or due to any calamity.

• Therefore it is very important for all cadets to

have knowledge of providing basic First Aid in
common medical emergencies.
 FIRST AID

WITH IN AVAILABLE
RESOURCES

BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF

MEDICAL AID

IMMEDIATE CARE
 BE PROMPT

NO FUSS QUICK

Principles
of first
aid

NO PANIC QUIET
 LOOK FOR

BREATH SEVERE
HEART
HAEMORR SHOCK
ING. FAILURE HAGE
 IF YES
Attend to this as priority

Stop bleeding

Treat shock

Artificial respiration

Minimal handling

Use first aid equipments

 IMPROVISED EQUIPMENTS

Books / news Wellpadded

Rifle
paper bayonet

Turban or strips of cloth

 RESPONSIBILITIES OF A PERSON
PROVIDING FIRST AID

Assess

Identify

Priortize

Adequate treatment

Arrange transportation
INJURIES TO INTERNAL ORGANS
 INJURIES : INTERNAL ORGANS

• These injuries cannot be seen but can only be

suspected.

• Bleeding instead of coming to the surface

occurs into the cavity of chest or abdomen.

• Important organs like heart, lungs, liver or

spleen might get ruptured.
 INJURIES : INTERNAL ORGANS

The following symptoms are observed in case of

internal injuries:-

• Cold clammy skin.

• Weak and rapid pulse.

• Shallow sighing and breathing.

• Face pinched and pale.

• Eyes deeply sunken with dark rings around them.

• Patient usually restless and anxious and may lose

consciousness.
 FIRST AID TREATMENT

• Keep the patient warm

and lying down with
feet raised up and head
kept low.
• Apply cold application
on the suspected
injured region.
• Reassure the patient.
• Arrange medical
attention as soon as
possible.
BURNS AND SCALDS
 DEFINITION

• Burns – injury caused to the tissues due to dry

heat.

• Scalds – injury caused due to moist heat

 CAUSES

• Dry heat – fire, flame, sun & hot metal.

• Electric burn – high / low voltage current.

• Friction – on rope or moving wheel.

• Chemical burn – Sulphuric acid, nitric acid.

• Radiation burn – X-ray radiation, nuclear

radiation.
• Wet heat – boiling water, steam, hot tar.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Red raw skin.

• Blister formation.

• Swelling.

• Oozing of fluid.

• Intense pain.
 CLASSIFICATION OF BURNS

• Superficial – 1 & 2nd degree

burns.

• First degree – redness,

swelling & pain.

• Full thickness burn –

damage beyond skin to
affect nerves, muscles &
fat.
 RULE OF NINE % OF BURN

• Head & Neck – 9%

• Anterior trunk – 18%

• Posterior trunk – 18%

• Arms – 2x 9%

• Legs – 2x18%

• Perineum – 1%
 FIRST AID AND TREATMENT

• Put out the flames.

• Roll / wrap the casualty in a sheet.
• Soak the area in cold water for at least 10 – 15
mins.
• Cover with dry, clean, washed towel.
• Don’t apply any greasy substances
• Give warm drinks – tea, coffee, milk.
• Give rest to the affected area and keep it elevated.
• Rush to hospital.
FIRST AID TREATMENT
 CHEMICAL BURNS

• Remove the clothing's that has been wet by

the chemicals.
• Wash thoroughly with cold water.
• Don’t apply any greasy ointment.
• Apply clean dressing.
• Give rest to burnt area.
• Give warm drinks, if casualty is not vomiting.
• If more than 10% body surface is affected,
send the casualty to nearest hospital.
 ELECTRIC BURNS

• Remove the cause.

• Reassure him.

• Give coffee or tea to drink if conscious.

• Seek medical help to rule out further

complications.
SNAKE, ANIMAL AND INSECT
BITES
 SNAKE BITE

• > 2500 types of snakes.

• All snake bites are not fatal.
• People die mostly due to fear, following snake
bite.
• In snake bite, the poison is injected by the
snake through a pair of hollow and deeply
grooved biting fangs.
• The majority of bites occur on parts of limbs
which are exposed like hands, feet and lower
legs.
DIFFERENTIATE IN SNAKE
 SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

• Burning sensation and numbness at the site.

• Severe pain, redness and swelling at the bite.

• A pair of puncture marks.

• Drowsiness.

• Breathing difficulty.

• Signs of paralysis.
 OBSERVATIONS TO BE MADE

• Note the time of bite.

• Note the appearance of snake.

• Take precautions to prevent others from

bitten.

• Notify authorities who will deal with the

snake.
 FIRST AID

Reassurance

Complete bed rest

Immobilize the affected part

Wash with soap & plenty of water

Apply ice packs over the wound

 FIRST AID

Treat for shock

Apply tourniquet above the site of

bite

Do not allow to sleep

Do not give alcohol or any

other stimulants

Transport to nearest hospital

INSECT BITES
 INSECT BITE

Insect bites and stings can be life threatening

to people with a severe allergy to insect’s
venom.
 SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

• Severe pain, redness and swelling at the site

of bite.

• It can lead to shock if not treated.

 FIRST AID
• Reassurance.

• Remove stings from bite.

• Rinse the wound with antiseptic lotion.

• Apply calamine lotion.

• Apply ice pack.

• Transport to hospital if required.

DOG BITE
 DOG BITE

• Rabies is a very dangerous disease transmitted

by a rabid dog.
• It may cause rabies. The disease is preventable
by giving anti-rabies vaccine.
• Dog should not be killed but to be observed for
10 days.
• If dog is healthy there is no danger for rabies.
 SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

• History of bite.

• Open wound and bleeding.

• Pain and discomfort.

 FIRST AID
• Reassurance.

• Immediately wash the bite area with lots of water and

soap.

• Wound should be cleaned with available antiseptic.

• Patient should be sent to hospital for an anti-rabies

injection course.

• Dog and the patient should be kept under observation for

at least 10 days.
 WHEN TO VISIT DOCTOR

• Do you know the owner of the dog?

• If so, is the dog up to date on all vaccinations,

including rabies?

• Did the bite occur because the dog was

provoked, or was the dog unprovoked?
FOREIGN BODY EYE, EAR &
NOSE
 FOREIGN BODIES

• Wooden pieces, nail, glass pieces, thorns etc.,

may get embedded accidentally.

• Generally embedded in skin, eye, ear, nose &

throat.

• Not to be removed which can cause severe life

threatening emergencies.
 TREATMENT

• Clean using soap & water.

• Try to remove with a sterile / clean

tweezers.

• If it does not come out, seek medical help.

• Ensure TT is given.
FOREIGN BODY EYE
 CAUSES

Particles of coal or dust may lodge on the

eye-ball or inside the eye lid causing
discomfort and damage to the tender
structure.
 TREATMENT
• Ask the patient not to rub the eyes.
• Wash the eye with water repeatedly for a minute
or two.
• Search for the foreign body by lifting the upper
eyelid and parting the lower eyelid down.
• The patient should face the light. If the foreign
body is seen, it can be wiped off with the
moistened corner of hand kerchief, cloth or
cotton swab.
• If foreign body is fixed to the eye-ball, patient
should be sent to the hospital with a light eye
bandage.
FOREIGN BODY IN EAR
 CAUSES

• This is common with children.

• They often put beads, peas, nuts and other

objects into the ear or an insect may get into
the ear.
 TREATMENT

• Do not try to remove the foreign body with

the help of a pin or forceps as this may
push the foreign body further in, causing
damage to the ear drum.

• The patient should be sent to the hospital.

FOREIGN BODY NOSE
 CAUSES
• This is a common occurrence among children.
They might put peas, beads etc in the nostril.
Eg.,
• Food particles
• Erasers
• Dried seeds like peas
• Objects, like crayons
• Beads
• Buttons
 FIRST AID

• Blowing the nose and sneezing may expel the

foreign body.
• Make casualty to breathe through mouth.

• Do not try to remove the foreign body.

• Do not try to give anything by mouth.

• Reassure patient and family.

• Send the victim to the nearest hospital.

ASPHYXIA
 RESPIRATION

• Automatic function –
• Inspiration
• Expiration
• Pause (relaxation)
 DEFINITION

Asphyxia is condition in which lungs do not get

sufficient supply of air breathing.
 CAUSES
 Drowning – due to water entering the air passage.

 Hanging and strangulation – due to obstruction to entry of air.

 Suffocation.
 Due to obstruction to entry of air through the air passage.

 Foreign body obstruction in air passage.

 Inhalation of poisonous gases e.G. Carbon monoxide.

 Over dosage of drugs such as sleeping pills, morphine,

pethedine.

 Electric shock.

 Diseases e.G. Tetanus, epilepsy, rabies.

 SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

• Dizziness and weakness.

• Shortness of breath rate or breathing increase.
• Rapid pulse.
• Partial loss of consciousness.
• Swelling of the veins of the neck.
• Face, lips, nails, fingers and toes turn blue.
 TREATMENT
• Remove the cause of asphyxia & open airway.

• Ensure that there is a free passage for air.

• Lay the individual on his back. Press the head back-wards

supporting the neck on your palm. Lift the tongue clear of the
airway. Give mouth to mouth breathing.

• Start artificial respiration

• When breathing & pulse returns, place the casualty in prone

position.

• Check the breathing rate, pulse & levels of consciousness at

10mins intervals.

• Transport to hospital.
 FIRST AID - DROWNING
• Wet cloths should be loosened.

• Mouth, throat and nostril should be cleaned of mucus

and any foreign body.

• Patient should be made to lie down over his belly, face

down, head turned to one side, arms stretched beyond
the head, tongue pulled out.

• Artificial respiration should be given till he starts

breathing.

• Cover the patient with a blanket.

 STRANGULATION OR HANGING

• Cut the constriction.

• Clear the air passage.

• Start artificial respiration.

• Give inhalations if possible.

• Make the patient warm and comfortable.

 IN CASE OF CHOKING

• Bend the casualty’s head and shoulders forward,

to dislodge the obstructions.

• In case of small child hold him upside down and

thump his back hard between the shoulder blades
or encourage vomiting by passing two fingers to
the back of the throat.
 SUFFOCATION BY POISONOUS
GAS

Protect yourself and remove the casualty from the

gas as early as possible.
 ELECTRIC SHOCKS

• Switch off or break the current, if possible.

• Remove the casualty from contact with the

current, if possible. Stand on some insulating
material such as rubber soled shoes or boots or
piles of news papers.

• Give artificial respiration.

• Treat for shock and burns.

BREAK THE CURRENT
DO NOT TOUCH THE SOURCE OF
ELECTRICITY.
 IF VICTIM IS UNCONSCIOUS

• Check to see if they

are breathing and have
a pulse.

• Start CPR

• Treat For Shock &

Burns.
INSENSIBILITY OR UNCONSCIOUSNESS
 UNCONSCIOUSNESS

Insensibility or unconsciousness is caused due

to interruption of the action of the brain, through
some interference with the functions of the
central nervous system.
 UNCONSCIOUSNESS
STAGES OF UNCONSCIOUSNESS

• 1st Stage -Delirium – When the restlessness of body

and mind are present.

• 2nd Stage -Patient responds to loud commands, gives

maximum response to minimum stimulus.

• 3rd Stage -Semi- Coma- Patient responds to painful

stimuli only (minimum response to maximum stimulus).

• 4th Stage - When the patient makes no response to

any Stimulus.
 CAUSES

• Head injury.

• Hemorrhage from brain.

• Heart failure.

• Diabetic coma, Hepatic coma, Uremic coma.

• Excessive narcotics e.g. sleeping pills, morphine.

• Intracranial or brain infections like meningitis,

encephalitis.
• Physical agents such as heat strokes, electric socks.

• Epilepsy.

• Hysteria.
 GENERAL RULES IF CASE OF
UNCONSCIOUSNESS
• Make the patient lie down with head turned to one side.

• Pull out his tongue.

• Loosen the clothing, ensure fresh air.

• If breathing has stopped or is irregular, start artificial

respiration.

• Keep the air passage clear.

• Nothing should be given by mouth.

• Remove false teeth, if any.

ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION
 ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION

• If there is any irregularity in breathing or a cardiac

arrest, artificial respiration is given.

• If it is given correctly and in time, the patient’s life

can be saved.

• Types of artificial respiration

• Holger-Nielson Method
• Schaefer’s Method
• Mouth to Mouth Respiration.
 HOLGER-NIELSON METHOD

• Keep the casualty in prone position.

• Movement 1
• Go down on the left opposite the casualty’s head, placing the
right foot on the ground.
• Place the casualty’s arm carefully above his head and keep them
there during the turn.
• Grasp his right upper arm and turn his face to one side.
• The mouth and nose must be unobstructed.
• The operator should be 6”to 12”from the top of his head.
• Place the hands on casualties back with the heel of the hand on
the lower part of the shoulder blade, the thumb on spine and
fingers pointing to casualty’s feet.
• Keeping the arms straight rock gently forward until the arms are
almost vertical, depending on the build of the casualty using no
special force.
• The movement takes 2 seconds counting one, two. This pressure
causes expiration.
 HOLGER-NIELSON METHOD
Movement 2
• The operator now rocks back counting 3 for one second
and slides his hand and grips the upper arms near the
elbow.
• He raises and pulls on the arms for 2 seconds counting
4, 5.
• He should take care not to raise the chest from the
ground.
• This movement causes inspiration.
• Counting 6 the operator lowers the casualty’s arm.
• The movements should be rhythmic in character and
continued until breathing recommences.
• When the casualty begins to show signs of breathing the
operator should continue with movement 2 only.
• For children the pressure on the shoulder blade should
be considerably reduced or applied with fingers.
• The ratio should be 12 times in a minute.
 SCHAEFER’S METHOD
• Position of the Casualty. Lay the casualty in prone position
with hand one over other under his head, the head turned to
one side, mouth and nose unobstructed.

Position of the Operator.

• Face the casualty’s head.

• kneel on both knees at the side of casualty just below his hip
joint.

• Sit back on your heels.

• Place your hands on the loins of the casualty, one on each

side of back bone with wrists almost touching, and thumbs as
far forward as possible without strain, and fingers together.
 SCHAEFER’S METHOD
Movement 1

• Without bending your elbows swing slowly forward by

unbending the knees until the thighs are in almost
upright position, allowing the weight from your body to
be communicated to the casualty’s loins.

• This causes abdominal organ compression against the

ground and up against the diaphragm.

• Air is forced out of the lungs, thus expiration takes

places.
 SCHAEFER’S METHOD
Movement 2

• Swing back slowly on to your heels, thus relaxing the

pressure.

• This causes the abdominal organs to fall back and the

diaphragm to come down thus inducing inspiration.

• These 2 movements must be carried out smoothly and

rhythmically and should take 5 seconds (i.e. 12 times per
minutes).

• Artificial respiration must be continued until natural

breathing is restored, or unless a doctor decides that
further efforts will be of no use.
 MOUTH TO MOUTH RESPIRATION

• Casualty should be in supine position.

• Clean the mouth and throat to maintain clear air passage.

• Extend the neck to straighten the air passage.

• Cover the patient’s mouth with clean gauze and blow

directly and slowly into it. (10 – 12 times per minutes).
 CONCLUSION

• First aid is a very simple and effective method

which if known to an NCC cadet can save
precious lives under various life threatening
situations.

• The crucial aspects are promptness and

correctness in administering first aid.

• A NCC cadet who reaches the victim must first

quickly investigate the cause and type of injury
before attempting to administer first aid.
THANK YOU