- •General procedures for injury or sudden illness on the land
- •If lifeguard recognizes that somebody needs immediate help:
- •If the victim is not moving or breathing:
- •Unconscious choking victim
- •Rescue breathing:
- •If there is pulse, but still no movement or breathing-continue rescue breathing
- •If there is no movement, breathing or pulse- begin cpr
- •If there is movement, breathing and a pulse-place the victim in recovery position cpr (cardiopulmonary resuscitation)
- •Infants are 0-12 months, children are from 1-12 years, and adults are more than 12 years old Cardiac Chain of Survival
- •Aed (automated external defibrillator)
- •If there is movement, breathing and a pulse - place the victim in recovery position recovery position
- •Conscious chokin - adult and child
- •Conscious chokin – Infant
- •Breathing and cardiac emergencies
- •Sudden illness
- •If the closed wound is not serious:
- •Eye injury
- •Nosebeed
- •Injures to muscles, bones and joints
- •Immobilize common muscle, bone and joint injuries:
- •Heat-related emergencies
- •Cold-related emergencies
- •Head, neck and back injuries
- •Victim recognition
- •Entries
If the closed wound is not serious:
apply direct pressure on the area to decrease bleeding under the skin
elevate the injured part to reduce swelling if a muscle, bone or joint injury is not suspected and it does not cause more pain
apply ice or a cold pack on the area to help control swelling and pain .When applying ice or chemical cold pack, place a gauze pad ,towel or other cloth between the source or cold and the victim’s skin. Live on for no more than 20 minutes. If continued icing is needed remove the pack for 20 minutes and then replace.
OPEN WOUNDS
Four main types of open wounds
Abrasion - skin has been rubbed or scraped away. The area usually is painful. Dirt and other matter can enter the wound. Cleaning the wound is important to prevent infection.
Laceration - cuts bleed freely ,and deep cuts can bleed severely .Deep cuts can damage nerves, large blood vessels and other soft tissue
Avulsion - a cut in which a piece of soft tissue or even part of the body ,such as a finger is torn loose or is torn off entirely. Often deeper tissues are damaged, causing significant bleeding
Puncture - puncture wounds often do not bleed a lot and can easily become infected. Bleeding can be severe with damage to major blood vessels or internal organs. An embedded object in the wound should be removed only by EMS personnel
EXTERNAL BLEEDING occurs when there is a break in the skin surface.
To care for a minor wound:
cover the wound with a dressing such as a sterile gauze pad
apply direct pressure firmly against the wound for a few minutes to control any bleeding
wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water .If is possible ,irrigate an abrasion for about 5 min. with clean ,running tap water
apply triple-antibiotic ointment or cream to a minor wound
cover the wound with a sterile dressing and bandage if it is still bleeding slightly or if the area of the wound is likely to come into contact with dirt or germs
To care for a major wound, follow the general procedures for injury or sudden illness on land:
cover the wound with a dressing such as a sterile gauze pad
apply direct pressure firmly against the wound until bleeding stops
cover the dressing with a roller bandage and tie the knot directly over the wound
if the bleeding does not stop apply additional dressing and bandages on top of the first ones
take steps to minimize shock.
SHOCK
Any serious injury or illness can cause the Shock. Shock is a natural reaction by the body .It usually means the victim’s condition is very serious
Signs and symptoms of shock:
restlessness or irritability
altered level of consciousness
pale or ashen ,cool moist skin
nausea or vomiting
rapid breathing and pulse
excessive thirst
To minimize the effects of shock
-summon EMS
-monitor ABCs
-control any external bleeding
-keep the victim from getting chilled or overheated
-have the victim to lie down and elevate the legs about 12 inches if a head ,neck or back injury or if broken bones in the hips or legs are not suspected
Do not give food or drink to a victim of shock!