Basic Life Support BLS ABCs Airway Breathing Circulation

Basic Life Support (BLS) ABCs - Airway, Breathing, Circulation • Steps to follow in BLS – 1. – 2. – 3. – 4. – 5. – 6. – 7. Check the responsiveness of the victim Call for Emergency medical health Position victim on his or her back Open the airway Assess breathing Assess circulation Stay with the victim until help arrives.

Breathing Mouth-to-Mouth Ventilation Children and Adults • Steps to follow in Mouth-to-Mouth – 1. – 2. – 3. – 4. – 5. – 6. – 7. Place victim on their back Open the airway Check the victim’s breathing If no breathing, start artificial ventilation If chest doesn’t rise, airway may be blocked Take 5 -10 seconds to check for a pulse If breathing is restored, remain in position

Choking • Steps to follow if consciousvictim is choking: – 1. Call for emergency help – 2. Open the airway, don’t give up – 3. Use the Heimlich Maneuver

Choking • Steps to follow if unconscious victim is choking: – 1. – 2. – 3. – 4. – 5. Call for emergency help Open the airway, don’t give up Lay victim face up on a hard surface Assess responsiveness and breathing Perform Heimlich Manuever

Circulation (CPR) • CPR is combination of artificial ventilation and artificial circulation. • It should only be done by a qualified person • Periodic retraining is required

Allergic Reactions • Signs of allergic reactions include difficulty breathing (wheezing), swollen lips, tongue, and ears, hives, skin swelling and itching • Treatment – 1. Contact Medical Help – 2. Keep victim quiet in a comfortable position – 3. If victim stops breathing, give artificial ventilation.

Bites and Stings (General) • Treatment – 1. – 2. – 3. – 4. – 5. – 6. – 7. Lie victim down and immobilize limb Cold application on all bites except snakes Flush snakebite with water 2” wide cloth to provide a band near bite Band should not be too restricting Transport victim to hospital Provide non-alcoholic liquid to victim

Bites and Stings (Bees) • Treatment – 1. Do not remove stinger with a tweezer – 2. Remove stinger with a flicking motion – 3. If victim shows signs, treat for allergic react.

Bites and Stings (Animal) • Treatment – 1. Seek medical attention – 2. If skin is broken, wash with soap and water

Bleeding • Treatment – 1. – 2. – 3. – 4. – 5. Call for medical help Keep victim lying down Place pad directly over wound Apply direct pressure firmly with both hands Raise bleeding part higher than rest of body

Bleeding (Tourniquet) • Use on arms or legs only • Is usually not necessary • Do not attempt to use unless you are specially trained. • Should be placed between injury and heart

Burns • Object is to prevent shock and contamination. • All burns should be attended to by a physician • Do not apply ointments, grease, or baking soda

Burns (Thermal) • Treatment – 1. – 2. – 3. – 4. – 5. – 6. – 7. Cool quickly with water Place clean cloth over burned area Keep victim lying down Give no fluids Call for medical health Place head and chest lower than rest of body Raise legs if possible

Burns (Chemical) • Treatment – 1. – 2. – 3. – 4. – 5. – 6. – 7. Flush with plenty of water for 5 minutes Remove clothes if needed Place clean material over burns Call for medical help Lie victim down, provide lots of liquids Place head and chest lower than rest of body Raise legs if possible

Cuts and Abrasions • • • It’s important to prevent infections Never put your mouth over a wound Don’t breath on a wound Don’t touch with dirty fingers or cloths Treatment – 1. Cleanse wound with soap and water – 2. Hold sterile pad firmly over wound – 3. Continue to cover wound if bleeding persists

Fractures • First aid should do no more than prevent further injury • A fracture should be assumed if body part does not have normal look and function • Treatment – 1. Unless in danger, don’t move victim – 2. Leave the limb in the position you found it – 3. Apply a splint

Frostbite • Signs include skin that is pink just before frostbite and changes to whit or grayishyellow as it develops, initial pain, numbness and cold.

• Treatment Frostbite – Cover area with warm hand of woolen material – If hands, hold them in armpit – Bring victim inside – Place area in warm water (101 -103 F) – Don’t use hot water, water bottle, or heat lamp – Don’t rub frostbitten area – Let circulation reestablish naturally, exercise – Give them something warm to drink – See a doctor

Heat Exhaustion • Signs include pale and clammy skin, profuse perspiration, rapid pulse, weakness, headache, nausea, cramps in abdomen and limbs. • Treatment – Contact emergency medical help – Have victim lie down, elevate feet – Move victim to shade or cool place – Give victim diluted salt water

Heat Stroke • Signs include flushed hot and dry skin, rapid, weak pulse, confusion and unconscious • Treatment – Get medical help, delays could be fatal – Cool body by spraying or sponging with cool water – Liquids, but no alcohol

Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac • Signs include itching, redness, or blisters • Treatment – Cut clothing from exposed area (use gloves) – Avoid contact with contaminated area – Wash exposed area with soap water (no soap) – Wash yourself after treating – Apply commercial products – If blisters develop, see doctor

Seizures and Convulsions • A seizure is not a medical emergency. It usually ends in a few minutes. If it lasts more than 15 minutes, get medical help. • Treatment – Remove objects that may injure a person – Do not restrain victim – Do not slap victim or douse with water – Do not place finger or hard objects in the mouth – When seizure ends, take victim to comfortable area and allow them to sleep if they wish

Shock • Signs include cold, clammy skin with beads of perspiration on forehead and palms, pale skin color, a cold feeling, shaking chills, nausea, vomiting, shallow, rapid breathing • Usually accompanies severe injury

Shock • Treatment – Get medical help – Correct the cause of the shock – Keep victim’s airway open – If victim vomits, prevent choking – Elevate victims legs – Keep victim comfortable and warm – Give water to the victim (unless abdominal) – Reassure victim

Spine or Neck Injuries • Do not move victim unless needed • Get medical help • Do not move head except to keep airway open • If victim vomits, roll to their side. Don’t turn head • Monitor breathing

Sprains or Strains • • Treat as though it were a fracture Place injured part at rest Elevate injured part if possible Apply cold compress or ice to prevent swelling • Contact a doctor • Don’t apply heat for at least 24 hours