Australian Ski Patrol Association

1
Australian Ski Patrol Association

• Advanced First Aid
• Lesson 7
• Medical Emergencies

2
Respiratory Problems

• Upper Airway obstruction
• choking, hanging
• drowning/near drowning
• swollen throat tissue
• Lower Airway obstruction
• asthma
• Hyperventilation syndrome

3
Recognition

• Noisy or stertorous breathing
• Lack of normal chest motion
• Indrawn chest
• Breathing effort may be exaggerated
• Cyanosis

4
Airway Obstruction Management

• Recovery position and clear airway
• 4 black blows
• Re-check
• Up to 4 lateral chest thrusts
• Re-check
• EAR
• Repeat lateral chest thrusts every 60 secs

5
Child

• Place child across knees with head lower than
  chest to give back blows
• Squeeze chest from both sides simultaneously for
  lateral chest thrusts

6
Asthma - Triggers

• Upper resp. infections
• Exercise
• Dust/pollens
• Also
• Smoke, animals, dust mites, emotions, food,
  temperature, cleaning agents, artificial
  colourings, mould, some medications

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Asthma Management

• Where possible ensure sufferers are using
  preventive medication as prescribed
• Encourage the person to use their bronchodilator
  - 4 puffs or 1 puff into a space with 4 breaths.
• Repeat in 4 minutes. If no improvement by second
  time, set emergency plan in motion
• Continue the 4 puffs every 4 minutes routine
  until help arrives.

8
Hyperventilation

• Deliberate or anxiety caused overbreathing.
  O2? CO2?
• Other more serious conditions may be present
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, blurred vision
• Shortness of breath, fleeting chest discomfort to
  stabbing pain, pressure across chest
• Tingling or spasm in fingers, toes, hands, feet

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Management

• Do not use a bag for re-breathing due to risk of
  lowering O2 level too far
• Reassure and comfort,
• Encourage slowing breathing rate and depth
• O2 therapy is usually used
• CPR may be necessary

10
Cardiac/Circulatory Problems

• Angina Pectoris
• Fainting
• Heart Attack
• Congestive Cardiac Failure

11
Diabetes - Low blood sugar

• Recognition
• dizziness, weakness, trembling, hunger, numbness,
  paleness, profuse sweating, rapid pulse, mental
  confusion
• Management
• Unconscious - give nothing by mouth, SMA
• Conscious - sugar, glucose or sweetened drink may
  be given until medical aid arrives - every 15 mins

D R A B C
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Diabetes - High blood sugar

• Recognition
• excessive thirst, frequent urination, hot dry
  skin, rapid pulse, smell of acetone on breath,
  drowsy ? unconsciousness
• Management
• Unconscious - SMA
• Conscious - assist casualty to self-administer
  insulin, SMA, if delay expected sugar-free drinks
  can be provided

D R A B C
13
Epilepsy

• Recognition
• casualty may fall to ground, there may be jerking
  movements, froth at the mouth, loss of bowel
  control, rigidity
• Treatment
• Protect the casualty
• Place on side when possible
• SMA if first attack or gt 10 mins

D R A B C
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Convulsions

• Usually caused by overheating
• Cool the casualty slowly - do not overcool
• Reassure parents
• SMA

15
Stroke

• Recognition
• loss of movement, feeling usually to one side of
  the body, severe headache, difficulty swallowing,
  LOC, slurred speech, pounding pulse, sometimes
  seizures, pupils may be different size, weakness
• Management
• DRABC, SMA urgently, reassure
• Lie down with head and shoulders supported,
  maintain airway

D R A B C
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Emergency Childbirth
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Key Points

• Support the child, do not pull
• If not normal delivery, support mother and SMA
• Only cut cord in medical aid will be delayed
• Placenta
• Bleeding control
• Child breathing

18
Facial injuries

• The eye
• foreign bodies
• burns
• The ear
• foreign bodies
• insects
• bleeding
• The nose
• foreign bodies
• bleeding

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THE END

• I think!
• Any questions
• ?