Australian Ski Patrol Association

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Australian Ski Patrol Association

• Advanced First Aid
• Lesson 1
• INTRODUCTION TO FIRST AID
• APPROACH TO THE CASUALTY

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Lesson 1

• FIRST AID IS ...
• the initial care of the ill or injured
  until more qualified assistance is available

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The Priorities of First Aid

• FIRST AID AIMS TO
• (Promote a safe environment)
• Preserve life
• Protect the unconscious
• Prevent the condition worsening
• Promote Recovery
• Arrange medical assistance

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Principles of Assessment

• HISTORYThis is obtained from the casualty,
  bystanders, surroundings. Try to establish a
  mechanism of injury.
• SIGNSWhat you can observe. Eg bleeding,
  swelling, recognisable odours, irregularities.
• SYMPTOMSWhat the patient feels and tells you. Eg
  nausea, pain.

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Assessing the situation

• An accurate and thorough assessment of the
  incident scene and of any injured person is
  essential.
• There are three parts to assessing the casualty
• The Primary Survey
• The Vital Signs Survey
• The Secondary Survey

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The Primary Survey

• Follow this at every incident and you cant go
  wrong.
• D
• R
• A
• B
• C

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THE PRIMARY SURVEY

• The aims are
• to ensure safety for all
• to establish a clear airway
• to determine the presence or absence of breathing
  pulse
• to locate and deal with any life-threatening
  bleeding

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D - Danger

• Assess actual or potential danger to the first
  aider, any bystanders and the casualty.
• If possible, put on latex gloves.

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R - Response

• Briefly assess the casualtys state of
  consciousness by asking questions
• Can you hear me?
• What is your name?
• Can I help?
• If no response gently tap and talk to the
  casualty. Give a command
• Open your eyes.
• Squeeze my hand.

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A - Airway

• If there is no response, carefully roll the
  casualty into a stable lateral position.
• Position the head and jaw to ensure an open
  airway.
• Look and gently feel for any obstructions in the
  airway and remove them if found.

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B - Breathing

• Establish whether breathing is present
• For a conscious casualtyask the casualty to take
  a deep breath and look for signs of pain or
  abnormal breathing
• For an unconscious casualtylook, listen and feel
  for breathing

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C - Circulation

• For a conscious casualtycheck the pulse looking
  for rate, rhythm and nature (radial or carotid)
• For an unconscious casualtycheck for the
  presence of a pulse (carotid)
• If at any time a torrential, life-threatening
  bleed is found it must be dealt with immediately.

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VITAL SIGNS SURVEY

• Having established the presence of a clear
  airway, breathing and pulse and dealt with
  life-threatening bleeding
• Measure the rate, depth and nature of breathing
• Measure the rate, strength and nature of pulse
• Observe the condition of the skin
• Monitor the pupillary response
• Take observations of the level of consciousness

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Level of consciousness

• This is determined by observing the casualtys
  best verbal, eye-opening and motor responses
• To establish this
• ask questions
• give commands
• administer a painful stimulus
• Observe and note the responses at 10 minute
  intervals

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SECONDARY SURVEY

• Carry out a systematic examination of the
  casualty (if unconscious - still in the lateral
  position)
• Proceed from head, neck, spine, shoulders, chest,
  abdomen, pelvis, limbs checking for tenderness to
  pressure, dampness, blood, swelling or other
  abnormalities
• (pages 201-204)

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Secondary Survey - 2

• After establishing all injuries, decide on the
  order of priority for their treatment
• Monitor and record vital signs every 10 minutes
  until medical assistance arrives
• Provide all information when handing casualty over

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Position of the Casualty

• At all times and unconscious casualty must be
  treated in a stable lateral position to ensure a
  clear airway. This takes precedence over all
  other injuries, including spinal injuries.

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Practical Exercises

• Finding and timing carotid and radial pulse
• Positioning casualty in stable lateral position
  from various initial positions