State the sequence to examine an injured person
During the primary survey, you should be concerned with what are referred to as the
ABCs of emergency care: airway, breathing, and circulation
State the reason for not moving an injured person unless absolutely necessary.
Careless or rough handling not only increases the seriousness of his injury but may also
cause his death. Unless there is a good reason for transporting a casualty, do not attempt
this until some means of medical evacuation is provided.
Describe the signs and symptoms of shock.
The pulse is weak and rapid.
Breathing is likely to be shallow, rapid, and irregular
The face, arms, and legs feel cold to the touch.
Sweating is likely to be very noticeable.
Very pale; but in some cases, there may be a bluish or reddish color to the skin
The pupils of the eyes are usually dilated (enlarged).
Complain of thirst
Feeling of weakness
Faintness or dizziness
Nauseous
Very restless and feel frightened and anxious.
Describe the treatment for shock.
- Keep patient calm
- Moisten lips or give small amounts of warm water with 1 teaspoon of salt
- Keep patient warm
- Place the injured person on his back on a bed, cot, or stretcher you should raise the
lower end of the support about 12 inches so his feet are higher than his head
Explain why you should not give an unconscious person anything by mouth.
The victim may vomit and get some of the material into his lungs when he breathes,
causing choking. Death could result.
Describe the three types of bleeding.
Capillary - blood is usually brick red in color. When capillaries are cut, the blood oozes
out slowly.
Veinous – Blood from the veins is dark red. When a vein is cut, the blood escapes in a
steady flow.
Arterial - When an artery near the surface is cut, the blood gushes out in spurts that are
synchronized with heart beats; but if the cut artery is deeply buried, the bleeding appears
in a steady stream. Arterial blood is usually bright red in color.
What are the four methods for controlling bleeding?
Direct pressure
Elevation
Indirect pressure
Tourniquet
How many pressure points are on the human body?
22 (11 per side)
What are the symptoms of a sucking chest wound?
Victims with open chest wounds gasp for breath, have difficulty breathing out, and may
have a bluish skin color to their face. Frothy-looking blood may bubble from the wound
during breathing.
Describe the first aid treatment for a sucking chest wound.
- Immediately seal the wound with a hand or any airtight material available
- Firmly tape the material in place with strips of adhesive tape and secure it with a pressure
dressing. - NOTE: If the victim’s condition suddenly deteriorates when you apply the seal, remove it
immediately. - Give the victim oxygen if it is available and you know how to use it
- Lay the victim on a stretcher on the affected side.
- Watch the victim closely for signs of shock, and treat accordingly.
- Do not give victims with chest injuries anything to drink.
- Transport the victim to a medical treatment facility immediately.
Describe the first aid treatment for a person with a suspected spinal injury.
- Do not move the victim unless it is absolutely essential
- The victim must be transported lying flat on his back with his face up. Place pillows or
sandbags beside his head so it cannot be turned to either side. - Do not put pillows or padding under his neck or head.
- Use a firm support in transporting the victim.
- Hold the injured person by his clothing; then slide or pull the victim onto the support.
- Do not attempt to lift the victim unless you have adequate assistance. (Minimum 4
personnel, 6 personnel preferred.)
Describe the three degrees of burns.
- FIRST-DEGREE burns are the mildest. These produce redness, increased warmth,
tenderness, and mild pain. - SECOND-DEGREE burns redden and blister the skin. They are characterized by severe
pain. - THIRD-DEGREE burns destroy the skin. They can destroy muscle tissue and bone in
severe cases.
Describe the first aid treatment of white phosphorous burns
- Superficial burns caused by simple skin contact or burning clothes can be flushed with
water and treated like thermal burns. - Partially embedded white phosphorous particles must be continuously flushed with water
while the first-aider removes them with whatever tools are available, such as tweezers
and needle-nose pliers. Do this quickly but gently. - Firmly or deeply embedded particles that cannot be removed by the first-aider must be
covered with a saline-soaked dressing, which must be kept wet until the victim reaches
medical personnel. - When rescuing victims from a closed space where white phosphorous is burning, protect
your lungs with a wet cloth over your nose and mouth.
Describe the first aid treatment of a chemical burn on the arm
- Begin flushing the area immediately with large amounts of water using a shower or hose
when available. Do not apply water too forcefully. Continue to flood the area while his
clothing, including shoes and socks, is being removed, as well as afterwards. - Dry lime should be brushed from the skin and clothing, unless large amounts of water are
available for rapid and complete flushing. - Acid burns caused by phenol (carbolic acid), wash the affected area with alcohol because
phenol is not water soluble. Then wash with water.
Describe the first aid treatment of a chemical burn to the eyes.
- Flush the eye immediately with large amounts of fresh, clean water.
- Acid burns should be flushed at least 5 minutes, and alkali burns flushed for as long as
20 minutes. - Because of the intense pain the victim maybe unable to open his eyes. When this occurs,
hold the eyelids apart so water can flow across the eyes.
Describe the symptoms of heat cramps.
Excessive sweating may result in painful heat cramps in the muscles of the abdomen,
legs, and arms. Heat cramps may also result from drinking ice water or other cold drinks
either too quickly or in too large a quantity after exercise.
Describe the treatment of heat cramps.
- Move the person to a cool place.
- Give the victim plenty of water to drink adding about 1 teaspoon of salt to a quart of water
- Apply manual pressure to the cramped muscle, or gently massage the muscle to relieve
the spasm. - In the event that the heat cramps do not pass or become more severe, other symptoms
may follow and the victim should be treated as a heat exhaustion casualty and then
transferred to a medical facility for treatment.
Describe the symptoms of heat exhaustion.
- Weakness, fatigue, headache, loss of appetite, and nausea.
- Ashen gray appearance
- Skin is cold, moist, and clammy
- Pupils of his eyes are dilated (enlarged)
- The vital signs are usually normal; however, the victim may have a weak pulse, together
with rapid and shallow breathing. - The body temperature may be below normal.
Describe the treatment of heat exhaustion.
- Care for the victim as if he were in shock
- Move the victim to a cool or air-conditioned area
- Loosen clothing, applying cool wet cloths to the head, axilla, groin, and ankles, and fan
the victim - Do not allow the victim to become chilled (if this does occur, then cover the victim with
alight blanket and move him into a warmer area) - When the victim is conscious, give him a solution of 1 teaspoon of salt dissolved in a
quart of cool water - If the victim vomits, do not give him any more fluids
- Transport the victim to a medical facility as soon as possible
Describe the symptoms of heat stroke
- Extremely high body temperature (105°F [41°C] or higher)
- Headache, nausea, dizziness, or weakness
- Breathing is deep and rapid at first; later, it is shallow and almost absent
- Usually the victim is flushed, very dry, and very hot
- His pupils are constricted (pinpointed)
- Pulse is fast and strong
Describe the treatment of heat stroke.
- Move the victim to the coolest possible place, and remove as much clothing as possible.
- Body heat can be reduced quickly by immersing the victim in a cold -water bath.
- When a cold-water bath is not possible, give the victim a sponge bath by applying wet,
cold towels to the whole body. - Exposing the victim to a fan or air conditioner also promotes body cooling.
- When cold packs are available, place them under his arms, around his neck at his ankles,
and in his groin. - When the victim is conscious, give him cool water to drink Do NOT give him hot drinks or
stimulants. - Because of the seriousness of heatstroke, it is important to get the victim to a medical
facility as soon as possible. - Cooling measures must be continued during transportation.
Explain how heat casualties in the field may be prevented.
Sweat must be replaced ounce for ounce; in a hot environment, water consumption must
be drastically increased. Salt should be replaced by eating well-balanced meals, three
times a day, salted to taste.
Describe immersion foot
A cold injury resulting from prolonged exposure to wet, cold temperatures just above
freezing. It is often associated with limited motion of the extremities and water-soaked
clothing
Describe how to treat immersion foot
- Get the victim off his feet as soon as possible.
- Remove wet shoes, socks, and gloves to improve circulation.
- Do not rupture blisters or apply salves or ointments.
- The feet may be cleansed carefully with soap and water, dried, elevated, and exposed to
dry air.
