First Aid International

Introduction to First Aid

Definition of First Aid

First Aid is any emergency care given to an injured or ill person before medical assistance arrives i.e. Ambulance Officer, Nurse or Doctor

Importance of Reassurance

Easing of discomfort and anxiety is a very important process of first aid. Many first aiders forget that they are treating a 'person', as well as the injury/illness. By combining reassurance with good first aid management, and possibly distracting or diverting the casualty's attention to something else, you will, in most circumstances, actually ease the anxiety and pain levels of the casualty.

By easing anxiety and pain levels you will help to promote recovery of the injured/ill casualty by:

  • Decreasing the heart rate
  • This will in turn decrease blood loss
  • Which will in turn slow down the shock process

Assessment Principles

History - This is the story of the accident/illness which is obtained from the surroundings, the casualty or any bystanders/witnesses that saw the incident.
Signs - This is what you can see, hear or smell, i.e. you can see external bleeding, vomiting, or swelling. You can hear noisy breathing or you can smell alcohol on the breath.
Symptoms - This is how the casualty feels. They can tell you that they feel sick; they have a head ache, abdominal pain or chest pain.

By linking the History, Signs and Symptoms together, you end up with a fair assessment of the injury/illness. For example:

History - The casualty has had a sudden attack of chest pain which came on all of a sudden and it's been there for 15 minutes.
Signs - The casualty is pale and sweaty.
Symptoms - Central chest pain and the pain is going down the left arm.
Assessment - Possible Heart Attack. Call '000' Immediately.

Priorities of First Aid

(The Primary Survey)

Life threatening problems are identified and dealt with first. This is done in a strict order to prioritise any life threatening problems. The Primary Survey is a systematic approach to any First Aid situation that you go to, from a cut finger to a cardiac arrest. It is also carried in order to ensure the safety of you, any bystanders and the casualty. The Primary Survey uses the following formula:

  • Dangers
  • Response
  • Airway
  • Breathing
  • Compressions
  • Defibrillation
DRABCD

Contact First Aid International - 1300 36 56 75

Brisbane 07 3513 3255 - Sydney 02 9204 7777, Sydney Fax 02 9806 9789 - Melbourne 03 9018 9673 - Perth 08 6363 5303 Gold Coast 07 5630 1148

Head Office Fax: 07 3352 3631
Head Office Postal: PO Box 275 Kelvin Grove QLD 4059
Head Office Email: headoffice@firstaidinternational.com.au

Training Locations
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