FIRST AID INFORMATION

Danger, Response, Airways, Breathing, Circulation

1) Ensure safety of rescuer and victim.

2) Check the victim for a response:
Gently shake the victim's shoulders and ask loudly, "Are you all right?

3a) If there is a response (the victim answers or moves):
Do not move the victim (unless he or she is in further danger), check the victim's condition, and get help if needed.
Reassess the victim's condition regularly.

3b) If the victim does not respond:
Shout for help, send someone for help, or if you are on your own, consider leaving the victim and going for help.
Open the victim's airway by tilting the head and lifting the chin:
If possible, without moving the victim from his or her original position, place your hand on the victim's forehead and gently tilt the head back, keeping your thumb and index finger free to close the victim's nose if rescue breathing is required.
At the same time, with your fingertip(s) under the point of the victim's chin, lift the chin to open the airway.
If you have any difficulty, turn the victim onto his or her back and then open the airway as described. Avoid head tilt if trauma (injury) to the neck is suspected.

4) Keeping the airway open, look, listen, and feel for breathing (more than an occasional gasp):
Look for chest movements.
Listen at the victim's mouth for breath sounds.
Feel for air on your cheek.
Look, listen, and feel for up to 10 seconds before deciding that breathing is absent.

5a) If the victim is breathing (other than an occasional gasp):
Place the victim in the recovery position.
Check for continued breathing.

5b) If the victim is not breathing:
If you have not already done so, send someone for help, or if you are on your own, leave the victim and go for help
return and start rescue breathing as below.

6) Assess the victim for signs of circulation:
This includes:
Looking for any movement, including swallowing or breathing (more than an occasional gasp)
Checking if the carotid pulse is present.
Take no more than 10 seconds to do this.

7a) If you are confident that you can detect signs of circulation within 10 seconds:
Continue rescue breathing, if necessary, until the victim starts breathing on his or her own.
About every minute, recheck for signs of circulation; take no more than 10 seconds each time.
If the victim starts to breathe on his or her own but remains unconscious, place the victim in the recovery position.
Check the victim's condition and be ready to turn the victim onto his or her back and restart rescue breathing if breathing stops.

7b). If there are no signs of circulation or if you are at all unsure:
Start chest compression:
Locate the lower half of the sternum (breastbone), and place the heel of one hand there, with the other hand on top of the first.
Interlock the fingers of both hands and lift them to ensure that pressure is not applied over the victim's ribs. Do not apply any pressure over the upper abdomen or bottom tip of the sternum.
Position yourself vertically above the victim's chest, and with your arms straight, press down on the sternum to depress it between 4 and 5 cm (1.5 to 2.0 inches).
Release the pressure, then repeat at a rate of about 100 times a minute (a little less than 2 compressions per second). Compression and release should take an equal amount of time. o Combine rescue breathing and compression:
After 15 compressions, tilt the head, lift the chin, and give 2 effective breaths.
Return your hands immediately to the correct position on the sternum and give 15 further compressions, continuing compressions and breaths in a ratio of 15:2.

8) Continue resuscitation until:
The victim shows signs of life.
Qualified help arrives.
You become exhausted.

ALLERGIC REACTIONS

Signs and Symptoms
Itchy Rash Patient may be anxious
Rapid heart beat
Trouble breathing
Swelling of lips and tongue
Low blood pressure

Care
Follow DRABC
Activate EMS if moderate or severe
Patients who have had severe allergic reactions in the past may carry an Epipen (injectable adrenaline - also called epinephrine) and antihistamine tablets. Travelling companions of these patients should be familiar with the use of these medications.

CHEST PAIN: ANGINA OR HEART ATTACKS

Signs and symptoms
Symptoms may come on with exertion eg walking or at rest
Pain or discomfort in centre of chest
Discomfort may also be felt in neck or arms
Difficulty breathing / Short of breath
Sweating Anxious
Symptoms may be relieved by rest

Care
Advise patient to rest
Assist patient in administering
Angina medication If attack if prolonged patient should seek urgent medical review

BLOOD NOSE (EPISTAXIS)  

Signs and symptoms
Can range in severity from mild to life threatening. Patient may also experience blood running down back of throat.
Signs of major blood loss may also be present.

Care
Patient should be told to grasp entire nose firmly and maintain pressure continuously for at least 10 minutes,
or longer if bleeding continues. Take care to avoid exposure to patients blood.
Urgent medical review of patients with ongoing or massive bleeding.

DIABETIC PROBLEMS
Most common diabetic problems include both low and high blood sugar.

LOW BLOOD SUGAR
Most commonly due to incorrect dosing of medication - insulin or tablets, or unusually high levels of physical activity.
If you are travelling with a diabetic person, you should find out how to use their glucometer
(machine to check blood glucose level).

Signs and Symptoms
Confusion / drowsy Nausea / vomiting Sweating Anxiety

Care
If patient unconscious, follow DRABC and activate EMS. If patient conscious, give food and sweet drinks
(not diet drinks) until patient recovers or EMS arrives

HIGH BLOOD SUGAR

Signs and symptoms
Thirst
Increased urine volumes
Increased urination at night
Confusion
Rapid breathing
Fatigue
Vomiting
Dehydration
Fever
Rapid heart rate
May also have signs of underlying cause, most commonly infectious eg Urinary tract infection, Chest infection

Care
If you are travelling with a diabetic person, you should find out how to use their glucometer
(machine to check blood glucose level) Allow patient to self administer insulin
Seek urgent medical help Encourage sugar free drinks

ALTITUDE ILLNESS   Also called Acute Mountain Sickness

Signs and Symptoms
Headache
Nausea and vomiting
Light headedness
Dizziness
Difficulty breathing
Weakness or fatigue
Insomnia
Confusion
Difficulty walking

Care
Descent is the best treatment for altitude illness. If not possible, rest and adequate fluid intake may suffice.
Medications such as Acetazolamide and Dexamethasone are helpful.

Also called the "Bends"

Signs and Symptoms
Weakness
Joint pain
Blurred vision / Double vision
Hearing loss
Chest and abdominal pain
Headache
Confusion

Care
Basic life support as indicated Activate EMS. Hyperbaric treatment may be indicated.
For more information on decompression sickness, and other diving related medical problems,
goto the Divers Alert Network.