Transcript Check Victim

Chapter 1
part 3
Life-Threatening and
Non-Life Threatening
Conditions
Checking for Life
Threatening Conditions
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An emergency situation is rarely clear
cut.
The exact steps you take will vary
depending on what you find when you
reach the victim.
In every emergency, follow the
emergency action steps.
Checking for Life
Threatening Conditions
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STAY CALM
CHECK the scene, then CHECK the
victim.
CALL 9—1—1 or the local emergency
number.
CARE for the victim until EMS
personnel arrive.
Checking for Life
Threatening Conditions
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During the CHECK step, check the victim
first for any life- threatening conditions.
Conditions that are an immediate threat to
life include—
• Unconsciousness.
• Not breathing.
• No heartbeat (or pulse).
• Severe bleeding.
Checking for Life
Threatening Conditions
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A victim who can speak or cry is conscious,
breathing, and has a heartbeat.
However, the person may still have a lifethreatening condition that requires calling
EMS personnel. For instance, a person may
have difficulty breathing, persistent chest
pain, or may drift in and out of
consciousness.
When possible, the victim should always be
checked in the position in which he or she is
found. For a conscious infant or child, this
may be in the arms of a parent or caregiver.
Checking an Unconscious
Victim
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Start by checking consciousness. Then check
the airway, breathing, and circulation. (ABC)
Sometimes the victim’s position may make
checking for breathing impossible. In this
case, you must carefully roll the victim onto
his or her back, but avoid twisting the spine.
Then complete the check for life-threatening
emergencies.
Critical Thinking Scenario
As you ride along the bike trail on your
way home, you are tired but relaxed.
You must have ridden at least 10
miles. Then as you round a sharp
curve you abruptly swerve. A person is
sprawled facedown across the trail.
You stop your bike. It is very quiet.
The person lies motionless on the
pavement.
Critical Thinking
Questions
1.
2.
3.
What might you do to make the scene
safe for you to check the victim?
What kind of injuries or other problems
might the victim on the bike trail have?
If the victim on the bike trail does not
respond when you tap, what would your
next step be? Why?
Checking for Life
Threatening Conditions
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Checking a conscious person has two basic
steps:
1. Interview the victim and bystanders.
2. Check the victim from head to toe.
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When possible, the victim should always be
checked in the position in which he or she is
found. For a conscious infant or child, this
may be in the arms of a parent or caregiver.
Checking A Conscious
Victim
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When possible, remember to identify yourself and
get consent to help.
Begin interviewing by asking the victim four simple
questions to help you determine what happened
and the victim’s condition.
These include—
1.
2.
3.
4.
What happened?
Do you feel pain anywhere?
Do you have any allergies?
Do you have any medical condition or are you taking any
medications?
Checking A Conscious
Victim
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If the victim feels pain, ask the victim:
1. To describe it.
2. When the pain started.
3. How bad the pain is.
If the victim is unable to give you any
information, ask family members, friends, or
bystanders.
Checking A Conscious
Victim
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Do a head-to-toe examination. Start at the victim’s
head, checking for changes in consciousness and
breathing. Then check the victim’s skin. If you do
not suspect an injury to the head, neck, or back,
determine if there are any other specific injuries.
Ask the victim to tell you if any areas hurt. Avoid
touching any painful areas or having the victim
move any area that is painful.
Checking A Conscious
Victim
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When checking a conscious child or infant, follow the same
general steps as for an adult. In addition,—
 Start by checking toe-to-head. This will ease the
child's comfort level.
 Communicate clearly with the child and parent or
caregiver.
 Get at eye level and talk slowly and in a friendly
manner.
 Ask simple questions the child can answer easily.
 When you begin the examination, begin at the toes
instead of the head to give the child an opportunity to
adjust to the process.
Checking A Conscious
Victim
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Use your senses—sight, sound, touch,
and smell—to detect anything
abnormal.
Remain constantly aware of the
victim’s level of consciousness. If the
victim becomes unconscious at any
time, stop your check and call 911 or
the local emergency number.
You are the Citizen
Responder
Scenario 1
You see a car veer off the road, striking
a utility pole. The pole splinters,
dropping wires onto the vehicle. You
decide to help. How would you
respond?
You are the Citizen
Responder
Scenario 2
You arrive at your grandfather’s home
and find him motionless
in the backyard. You hear a neighbor
in the yard next door.
You decide to help. How would you
respond?
You are the Citizen
Responder
Scenario 3
While jogging, you notice a bike rider
fall as she rounds a corner on a rainslick road. She is lying in the road
moaning, with her crumpled bike
nearby. You decide to help. How
would you respond?
You are the Citizen
Responder
Scenario 4
During a softball game, a ball is hit
between two players. Both go for the
ball. They collide, falling to the
ground. One player is holding his arm,
screaming in pain. The second player
lies motionless. You decide to help.
How would you respond?
Checking The Victim Part 2
Closing
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CALL 9—1—1 or the local emergency number immediately if
you determine a life-threatening condition exists,
To provide care until EMS personnel arrive, follow these
general guidelines:
 Do no harm.
Monitor breathing and consciousness.
Help the victim rest in the most comfortable position.
Keep the victim from getting chilled or overheated.
Reassure the victim.
Provide any specific care needed.
Shock
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Shock is a life-threatening condition in which an
insufficient amount of blood is being delivered to
all parts of the body and can result from injury or
illness
Shock is likely to develop after any serious injury or
illness
A person showing signs of shock needs immediate
medical attention
Body systems and organs begin to fail
The goals of first aid are to get help quickly and
give care to minimize shock while caring for the
illness or injury
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Signals of shock
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Restlessness
Altered level of consciousness
Nausea or Vomiting
Pale, Ashen, Cool, Moist skin
Rapid breathing
Rapid, weak pulse
Excessive thirst
Caring For Shock
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Call 9-1-1
Have the person lie down
– Most comfortable position
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Control External Bleeding
Help maintain normal body Temperature
Do not give the person anything to eat or drink
Reassure the person
Continue to monitor Airway, Breathing, &
Circulation