Basic First Aid: Script - National Ag Safety Database

1 Basic First Aid: ScriptAgSafe, Coalition for Health and Safety in Agriculture1 The following Safety module is intended to be usedas a refresher Safety awareness session and is in no wayto be used as a substitute for job training nor for properequipment MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR ALLINJURIESIt is very important for you to get immediatetreatment foreveryinjury, regardless how small you maythink it is. (See Figure 1.) Many cases have beenreported where a small unimportant injury, such as asplinter wound or a puncture wound, quickly led to aninfection, threatening the health and limb of theemployee. Even the smallest scratch is large enough fordangerous germs to enter, and in large bruises or deepcuts, germs come in by the millions.

2 Immediateexamination and treatment is necessary is First aid? It is simply those things you cando for the victim before medical help arrives. The mostimportant procedures are described BLEEDING WITH PRESSUREB leeding is the most visible result of an injury. Eachof us has between five and six quarts of blood in ourbody. Most people can lose a small amount of bloodwith no problem, but if a quart or more is quickly lost,it could lead to shock and/or death. One of the best waysto treat bleeding is to place a clean cloth on the woundand apply pressure with the palm of your hand until thebleeding stops. You should also elevate the wound aboveFigure medical attention for all injuriesthe victim s heart, if possible, to slow down the bleedingat the wound site.

3 (See Figure 2.) Once the bleedingstops, do not try to remove the cloth that is against theopen wound as it could disturb the blood clotting andrestart the bleeding. If the bleeding is very serious, applypressure to the nearest major pressure point, locatedeither on the inside of the upper arm between theshoulder and elbow, or in the groin area where the legjoins the body. Direct pressure is better than a pressurepoint or a tourniquet because direct pressure stops bloodcirculation only at the wound. Only use the pressurepoints if elevation and direct pressure haven t controlledthe bleeding. Never use a tourniquet (a device, such asa bandage twisted tight with a stick, to control the flowof blood) except in response to an extreme emergency, Warren Hall, university of California, Berkeley, CA publication is compiled from various reference sources and is designed to provide current and authoritative information on the subjectmatter covered.

4 It is provided with the understanding that the publishers are not engaged in rendering medical, legal, accounting or otherprofessional service. AgSafe, the Safety Center, Inc., and FELS believe the information provided to be correct, but assume no liability forconsequential or other damages attendant to the use of this material. In no event shall the liability of AgSafe, the Safety Center, Inc., or FELSfor any claim, however designated, exceed the purchase price, if any, for this publication. No claim may be maintained against AgSafe, theSafety Center, Inc., or FELS in any tribunal unless written notice of the claim is delivered to the applicable entity within 30 days of First Aid: ScriptPage 2such as a severed arm or leg.

5 Tourniquets can damageFigure bleeding with pressurenerves and blood vessels and can cause the victim tolose an arm or PHYSICAL SHOCK QUICKLYS hock can threaten the life of the victim of an injuryif it is not treated quickly. (See Figure 3.) Even if theinjury doesn t directly cause death, the victim can gointo shock and die. Shock occurs when the body simportant functions are threatened by not getting enoughblood or when the major organs and tissues don t receiveenough oxygen. Some of the symptoms of shock are apale or bluish skin color that is cold to the touch,vomiting, dull and sunken eyes, and unusual requires medical treatment to be reversed, so allyou can do is prevent it from getting worse.

6 You canmaintain an open airway for breathing, control anyobvious bleeding and elevate the legs about 12 inchesunless an injury makes it impossible. You can alsoprevent the loss of body heat by covering the victim(over and under) with blankets. Don t give the victimanything to eat or drink because this may causevomiting. Generally, keep the victim lying flat on victim who is unconscious or bleeding from themouth should lie on one side so breathing is easier. Staywith the victim until medical help physical shock quicklyMOVE THE INJURED PERSON ONLY WHENABSOLUTELY NECESSARYN ever move an injured person unless there is a fireor when explosives are involved.

7 The major concernwith moving an injured person is making the injuryworse, which is especially true with spinal cord you must move an injured person, try to drag him orher by the clothing around the neck or shoulder area. Ifpossible, drag the person onto a blanket or large clothand then drag the blanket. (See Figure 4.)Figure the injured person only when absolutelynecessaryBasic First Aid: ScriptPage 3 PERFORM THE HEIMLICH MANEUVERON CHOKING VICTIMSAsk the victim to cough, speak, or breathe. If thevictim can do none of these things, stand behind thevictim and locate the bottom rib with your hand. Moveyour hand across the abdomen to the area above thenavel then make a fist and place your thumb side on thestomach.

8 Place your other hand over your fist and pressinto the victim s stomach with a quick upward thrustuntil the food is dislodged. (See Figure 5.)Figure the Heimlich maneuver on choking victimsFLUSH BURNS IMMEDIATELY WITH WATERT here are a many different types of burns. They canbe thermal burns, chemical burns, electrical burns orcontact burns. Each of the burns can occur in a differentway, but treatment for them is very similar. For thermal,chemical or contact burns, the First step is to run coldwater over the burn for aminimumof 30 minutes. (SeeFigure 6.) If the burn is small enough, keep it completelyunder water. Flushing the burn takes priority over callingfor help.

9 Flush the burn First . If the victim s clothingis stuck to the burn, don t try to remove it. Removeclothing that is not stuck to the burn by cutting ortearing it. Cover the burn with a clean, cotton you do not have clean, cotton material, do not coverthe burn with anything. Do not scrub the burn and donot apply any soap, ointment, or home remedies. Also,don t offer the burn victim anything to drink or eat, butkeep the victim covered with a blanket to maintain anormal body temperature until medical help the victim has received an electrical burn, thetreatment is a little different. Don t touch a victim whohas been in contact with electricity unless you are clearof the power source.

10 If the victim is still in contact withthe power source, electricity will travel through thevictim s body and electrify you when you reach to the victim is clear of the power source, yourpriority is to check for any airway obstruction, and tocheck breathing and circulation. Administer CPR ifnecessary. Once the victim is stable, begin to run coldwater over the burns for a minimum of 30 t move the victim and don t scrub the burns orapply any soap, ointment, or home remedies. Afterflushing the burn, apply a clean, cotton cloth to the cotton is not available, don t use anything. Keep thevictim warm and still and try to maintain a normal bodytemperature until medical help burns immediately with waterUSE COOL TREATMENT FOR HEATEXHAUSTION OR STROKEHeat exhaustion and heat stroke are two differentthings, although they are commonly confused as thesame condition.