LESSON 1

• First aid - is the care given immediately to an injured or ill person.
• Characteristics of a first aider:

  Gentle

  Resourceful

  Observant

  Tactful

  Sympathetic

  Respectable
• Vital signs - are measurement of our body’s most basic functions such as the body temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate, and blood pressure.
• Body temperature – measurement of the body’s capacity to produce and eliminate heat.
• Pulse rate – the heart rate or the count of heart beats per minute.

  Adults with pulses of 60-100 per minute are in good physical shape.
• Respiration rate – the number of breaths a person takes per minute usually measured during a person’s rest.
• Blood pressure – the force of blood pushing the artery walls measured with blood pressure cuff and stethoscope.
• circulation, airway and breathing (CAB) - is a technique in lifesaving when a person’s breathing or heartbeat has stopped.
• Circulation – restoring blood circulation by chest compression.
• Airway – clearing the airway of the victim for breathing.
• Breathing – breathing for the victim through mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-nose.
• First aid kit - is a collection of supplies and equipment for use in giving first aid, and can be put together for the purpose by an individual

  or organization or purchased complete.
• Wounds - Break in the continuity of the tissue of the body, either internal or external.
• Abrasion - The top layer of skin is removed with little or no blood loss.
• Laceration - A cut skin with jagged, irregular edges and caused by a forceful tearing away of skin tissue.
• Incisions - Smooth edges and resemble a surgical or paper cut.
• Punctures - Deep, narrow wounds such as a stab wound from a nail or a knife in the skin and underlying organs.
• Avulsion - Flap of skin is torn loose and is either hanging from the body or completely removed.
• Amputation - Cutting or tearing off of a body part such as a finger, toe, hand, foot, arm, or leg.
• Gauze Bandage - a piece of sterile cloth that covers a wound to prevent infection & or to stop bleeding.
• Triangular Bandage – commonly used to support fractures and dislocations, apply splints, form slings, and make improvised bandages.
• Square or Reef Knot – used in tying triangular bandages. It is secure and it does not slip.
• Fireman’s carry – easiest way to transport a light & smaller victim.
• Piggy back - When victim is conscious
• Pack strap carry - When victim is larger than the first aider.
• Shoulder drag - Used when the floor is smooth, short distance transport.
• Blanket drag - Used when the victim is seriously injured &

  should not be lifted.
• Fireman's drag - Used when first aider & victim must crawl underneath a low structure
• Chair carry- when there are two first aider & a chair is available.
• Primary Survey -Perform a quick and systematic survey of the person to establish any conditions or injuries sustained as life threatening.
• Secondary Survey - Methodically check other injuries or illnesses by performing a head-to-toe examination.
• An open phase bandaging is used for wounds on top & back of the head, chest, back , hand ,foot & as arm sling.
• A cravat phase bandaging is used for wounds that need extra support like wound in the eye, forehead, ear, cheek, jaw, shoulder, hip, arm, leg , elbow, knee &etc.
• First-Degree Burns - Only the skin’s outer layer (epidermis)

  is damaged.
• Second-Degree Burns - Epidermis and upper regions of dermis are

  damaged.
• Third-Degree Burns - Severe burns that penetrate all the skin layers,

  into the underlying fat and muscle.
• Heart Attack –is caused by a sudden obstruction of blood to the part of the heart muscles.
• Food Poisoning - Caused by consuming food /drink that is contaminated w/ bacteria or viruses.
• Sprain - An injury to the ligaments of a bone due to

  accidental tearing or overstretching.
• Strain- injury to the muscles w/c is a result of improper use of muscle.