Summary

In this Study Session you have learnt that:

• Purposes of providing first aid service are to sustain (preserve) life, prevent worsening of the problem (prevent complication), Promote healing and Recovery, and minimise or avoid casualty suffering.
• During the provision of first aid service, every first aider has to follow the general principles of first aid, and they are:
  • Assessment of the situation and casualty.
  • Arriving at a diagnosis for each victim.
  • Giving immediate & adequate treatment based on priority matrix.
  • Arrangement for transport according to the seriousness of the condition.
  • Prevent cross infection.
• The Components of assessment process includes:
  • Assessment of the situation and safety / scene size up/- assessment of the scene (current situation of an event) and the surroundings, if it is safe, will provide valuable. Information to the first responder and will ensure the well-being of the first responder (i.e., unstable situation, violent, hazmat situation (industry hazardous material, etc.)
  • Initial assessment- After a through observation of the situation and the surroundings, the first aider can proceed to initial assessment comprising general impression, assessment of responsiveness, and assessment of the Airway, Breathing and Circulation (A, B and C) of the casualty to identify and determine the condition.
  • Physical Examination is designed to locate and begin the initial management of the signs and symptoms of illness or injury. The first responder should complete a physical exam on all patients following the initial assessment. Inspection and palpation /feeling of body parts/ are the two important methods of physical examination in first aid practice. Inspect and palpate for DOTS (Deformity, Open wound, tenderness and Swelling). Do the physical examination in the sequence of: Head --> Neck ---> Chest--> Abdomen --> Pelvic --> Extremities.
  • Vital signs are the key signs used to evaluate a patient's condition. The first set is known as baseline vitals. Vital signs includes: Respirations, pulse and blood pressure, skin temperature and condition, capillary refill time, pupils reaction and level of consciousness
  • History taking- For medical patients the history may be completed prior to the physical examination. History of the casualty can be taken from the casualty himself or herself. If the casualty could not respond or he/she is not conscious, history can be taken from a witness or bystander. Take "SAMPLE" history: Signs and Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Pertinent past history, Last oral intake, and Event.
  • Ongoing assessment- After the initiation of the first life restoring help and waiting for referral or additional help, the first responder should continue to assess the condition of the casualty. Repeat the reassessment every 15 minutes for a stable patient and repeat every 5 minutes for an unstable patient. The ongoing assessment involves:
  • Repeat initial assessment
  • Repeat exam as needed.
  • Check Interventions calm.
  • Reassure.
  • Handoff report.