Onboard First Aid

• 400 years of experience......a million casualties.......based on real life........
• THERE CANNOT BE A BETTER FIRST AID BOOK
• It is the US ARMY experiences.
• Please support my work.
• US Army Medical Department Center and School.
• CHAPTER ONE ; FUNDAMENTAL CRITERIA FOR FIRST AID
• 1-1. General
• 1-2. Terminology
• 1-3. Understanding Vital Body Functions for First Aid
• 1-4. Adverse Conditions
• 1-5. Basics of First Aid
• 1-6. Evaluating a Casualty
• WARNING If a broken back or neck is suspected, do not move the casualty unless his life is in immediate danger
• WARNING
• Leg fractures must be splinted before elevating the legs as a first aid measure for shock.
• (a) Check for the following signs and symptoms of a back or neck injury and perform first aid procedures as necessary.
• WARNING Do not move casualty to place padding.
• CHAPTER 2: BASIC MEASURES FOR FIRST AID
• OPEN THE AIRWAY AND RESTORE BREATHING
• 2-2. Breathing Process
• 2-3. Assessment of and Positioning the Casualty
• 2-4. Opening the Airway of an Unconscious or Not Breathing
• 2-5. Rescue Breathing (Artificial Respiration)
• 2-6. Preliminary Steps—All Rescue Breathing Methods
• 2-7. Mouth-to-Mouth Method
• 2-8. Mouth-to-Nose Method
• 2-9. Heartbeat
• 2-10. Airway Obstructions
• 2-11. Opening the Obstructed Airway—Conscious Casualty
• 2-12. Opening the Obstructed Airway—
• Casualty Lying Down or Unresponsive
• STOP THE BLEEDING AND PROTECT THE WOUND
• 2-13. general
• 2-14. Clothing
• 2-15. Entrance and Exit Wounds
• 2-16. Field Dressing
• 2-17. Manual Pressure
• 2-18. Pressure Dressing
• 2-19. Digital Pressure
• 2-20. Tourniquet
• 2-21. General
• 2-22. Causes and Effects
• 2-23. Signs and Symptoms of Shock
• 2-24. First Aid Measures for Shock
• CHAPTER 3: FIRST AID FOR SPECIFIC INJURIES
• CHAPTER 3: FIRST AID FOR SPECIFIC INJURIES
• 3-2. Head, Neck, and Facial Injuries
• 3-3. General First Aid Measures
• 3-4. Chest Wounds
• 3-5. First Aid for Chest Wounds
• 3-6. Abdominal Wounds
• 3-7. First Aid for Abdominal Wounds
• 3-8. Burn Injuries
• 3-9. first aid for burns
• 3-10. Dressings and Bandages
• 3-11. Shoulder Bandage
• 3-12. Elbow Bandage
• 3-13. Hand Bandage
• 3-14. Leg (Upper and Lower) Bandage
• 3-15. Knee Bandage
• 3-16. Foot Bandage
• CHAPTER 4: FIRST AID FOR FRACTURES
• CHAPTER 4: FIRST AID FOR FRACTURES
• 4-2. Kinds of Fractures
• 4-3. Signs and Symptoms of Fractures
• 4-4. Purposes of Immobilizing Fractures
• 4-5. Splints, Padding, Bandages, Slings, and Swathes
• 4-6. Lower Extremity Fractures
• 4-7. Upper Extremity Fractures
• 4-8. Lower Extremity Fractures
• 4-9. Jaw, Collarbone, and Shoulder Fractures
• 4-10. Spinal Column Fractures
• 4-11. Neck Fractures
• CHAPTER 5: FIRST AID FOR CLIMATIC INJURIES
• 5-1. General
• 5-2. Heat Injuries
• 5-3. Cold Injuries
• CHAPTER 6: FIRST AID FOR BITES AND STINGS
• 6-1. General
• 6-2. Types of Snakes
• 6-3. Snakebites
• 6-4 Human or Animal Bites
• 6-5. Marine (Sea) Animals
• 6-6. Insect (Arthropod) Bites and Stings
• 6-7. First Aid for Bites and Stings
• CHAPTER 7: FIRST AID IN A NUCLEAR, BIOLOGICAL, AND CHEMICAL ENVIRONMENT
• 7-1. General
• 7-2. First Aid Materials
• 7-3. Classification of Chemical and Biological Agents
• 7-4. Conditions for Masking Without Order or Alarm
• 7-5. First Aid for a Chemical Attack
• 7-8. First Aid for Nerve Agent Poisoning
• 7-9. Blister Agents
• CHAPTER 8:
• FIRST AID FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL REACTIONS
• 8-1. general
• 8-2. Importance of Psychological First Aid
• 8-3. Situations Requiring Psychological First Aid
• 8-4. Interrelationship of Psychological and Physical First Aid
• 8-5 Goals of Psychological First Aid
• 8-6. Respect for Others’ Feelings
• 8-7. Emotional and Physical Disability
• 8-8. Combat and Other Operational Stress Reactions
• 8-9. Reactions to Stress
• 8-10. Severe Stress or Stress Reaction
• 8-11. Application of Psychological First Aid
• 8-12. Reactions and Limitations
• 8-13. Stress Reactions
• APPENDIX A: FIRST AID CASE AND KITS, DRESSINGS, AND BANDAGES
• A-1. First Aid Case with Field Dressings and Bandages
• A-2. General Purpose First Aid Kits
• A-3. Dressings
• A-4. Standard Bandages
• A-5. Triangular and Cravat (Swathe) Bandages
• APPENDIX B: RESCUE AND TRANSPORTATION PROCEDURES
• B-1. general
• B-2. Principles of Rescue Operations
• B-3. Considerations
• B-4. Plan of Action
• B-5. Proper Handling of Casualties
• B-6. Positioning the Casualty
• B-7. Medical Evacuation and Transportation of Casualties
• B-8. Manual Carries
• B-9. Improvised Litters
• Plase support my work.

1-1. General

1-2. Terminology

1-3. Understanding Vital Body Functions for First Aid

In order for the person to learn to perform first aid procedures, he must have a basic understanding of what the vital body functions are and what the result will be if they are damaged or not functioning.

(a) Carotid pulse. To check the carotid pulse, feel for a pulse on the side of the casualty’s neck closest to you. This is done by placing the tips of your first two fingers beside his Adam’s apple (Figure 1-2).

(b) Femoral pulse. To check the femoral pulse, press the tips of your first two fingers into the middle of the groin.

(c) Radial pulse. To check the radial pulse, place your first two fingers on the thumb side of the casualty’s wrist.

(d) Posterior tibial pulse. To check the posterior tibial pulse, place your first two fingers on the inside of the ankle.

1-4. Adverse Conditions

1-5. Basics of First Aid

• Check for BREATHING: Lack of oxygen intake (through a compromised airway or inadequate breathing) can lead to brain damage or death in very few minutes.

• Check for BLEEDING: Life cannot continue without an adequate volume of blood to carry oxygen to tissues.

• Check for SHOCK: Unless shock is prevented, first aid performed, and medical treatment provided, death may result even though the injury would not otherwise be fatal.

1-6. Evaluating a Casualty

WARNING If a broken back or neck is suspected, do not move the casualty unless his life is in immediate danger

(b) If the casualty is not breathing, stop the evaluation and begin first aid measures to attempt to ventilate the casualty.

(b) Partial or complete amputation, apply dressing and then apply tourniquet if bleeding is not stopped

(5) Check for shock. If the signs and symptoms of shock are present, stop the evaluation, and begin first aid measures immediately.

WARNING

Leg fractures must be splinted before elevating the legs as a first aid measure for shock.

(6) Check for fractures.

(a) Check for the following signs and symptoms of a back or neck injury and perform first aid procedures as necessary.

• Pain or tenderness of the back or neck area.

• Cuts or bruises on the back or neck area.

• Inability of a casualty to move or decreased sensation to extremities (paralysis or numbness).

(b) Immobilize any casualty suspected of having a back or neck injury by doing the following:

• If a back injury is suspected, place padding (rolled or folded to conform to the shape of the arch) under the natural arch of the casualty’s back. (For example, a blanket/poncho may be used as padding.)

WARNING Do not move casualty to place padding.

• If a neck injury is suspected, immediately immobilize

• Check for open fractures by looking for—• Bleeding.• Bones sticking through the skin.• Check for pulse.

• Check for closed fractures by looking for—• Swelling.• Discoloration.• Deformity.• Unusual body position.• Check for pulse.

(b) If a head injury is suspected, continue to watch for signs which would require performance of rescue breathing, first aid measures for shock, or control of bleeding; .

Cardiac arrest is the abrupt loss of heart function in a person who may or may not have diagnosed heart disease. The time and mode of death are unexpected. It occurs instantly or shortly after symptoms appear.

OPEN THE AIRWAY AND RESTORE BREATHING

Several conditions that require immediate attention are an inadequate airway, lack of breathing, and excessive loss of blood (circulation). A casualty without a clear airway or who is not breathing may die from lack of oxygen.

Excessive loss of blood may lead to shock, and shock can lead to death; therefore, you must act immediately to control the loss of blood.

2-2. Breathing Process

2-3. Assessment of and Positioning the Casualty

2-4. Opening the Airway of an Unconscious or Not Breathing

2-5. Rescue Breathing (Artificial Respiration)

2-6. Preliminary Steps—All Rescue Breathing Methods

2-7. Mouth-to-Mouth Method

2-8. Mouth-to-Nose Method

2-9. Heartbeat

2-10. Airway Obstructions

2-11. Opening the Obstructed Airway—Conscious Casualty

2-12. Opening the Obstructed Airway—

Casualty Lying Down or Unresponsive

STOP THE BLEEDING AND PROTECT THE WOUND

2-13. general

2-14. Clothing

2-15. Entrance and Exit Wounds

2-16. Field Dressing

2-17. Manual Pressure

2-18. Pressure Dressing

2-19. Digital Pressure

2-20. Tourniquet

2-21. General

2-22. Causes and Effects

2-23. Signs and Symptoms of Shock

2-24. First Aid Measures for Shock

CHAPTER 3: FIRST AID FOR SPECIFIC INJURIES

This chapter discusses specific first aid procedures for wounds of the head, face, and neck; chest and stomach wounds; and burns. It also discusses the techniques for applying dressings and bandages to specific parts of the body.

3-2. Head, Neck, and Facial Injuries

3-3. General First Aid Measures

3-4. Chest Wounds

3-5. First Aid for Chest Wounds

3-6. Abdominal Wounds

3-7. First Aid for Abdominal Wounds

3-8. Burn Injuries

3-9. first aid for burns

3-10. Dressings and Bandages

3-11. Shoulder Bandage

3-12. Elbow Bandage

3-13. Hand Bandage

3-14. Leg (Upper and Lower) Bandage

3-15. Knee Bandage

3-16. Foot Bandage

CHAPTER 4: FIRST AID FOR FRACTURES

A fracture is any break in the continuity of a bone. Fractures can cause total disability or in some cases death by severing vital organs and/or arteries. On the other hand, they can most often be treated so there is a complete recovery.

4-2. Kinds of Fractures

4-3. Signs and Symptoms of Fractures

4-4. Purposes of Immobilizing Fractures

4-5. Splints, Padding, Bandages, Slings, and Swathes

4-6. Lower Extremity Fractures

4-7. Upper Extremity Fractures

4-8. Lower Extremity Fractures

4-9. Jaw, Collarbone, and Shoulder Fractures

4-10. Spinal Column Fractures

4-11. Neck Fractures

6-1. General

Snakebites, insect bites, or stings can cause intense pain and/or swelling. If not treated promptly and correctly, they can cause serious illness or death.

The severity of a snakebite depends upon: whether the snake is poisonous or nonpoisonous, the type of snake, the location of the bite, and the amount of venom injected.

6-2. Types of Snakes

6-3. Snakebites

6-4 Human or Animal Bites

6-5. Marine (Sea) Animals

6-6. Insect (Arthropod) Bites and Stings

6-7. First Aid for Bites and Stings

American forces have not been exposed to NBC weapons/agents on the battlefield since World War I. In future conflicts and wars we can expect the use of such agents.

7-1. General

7-2. First Aid Materials

7-3. Classification of Chemical and Biological Agents

7-4. Conditions for Masking Without Order or Alarm

7-5. First Aid for a Chemical Attack

7-8. First Aid for Nerve Agent Poisoning

7-9. Blister Agents

8-1. general

Psychological first aid is as natural and reasonable as physical first aid and is just as familiar.

8-2. Importance of Psychological First Aid

8-3. Situations Requiring Psychological First Aid

8-4. Interrelationship of Psychological and Physical First Aid

8-5 Goals of Psychological First Aid

8-6. Respect for Others’ Feelings

8-7. Emotional and Physical Disability

8-8. Combat and Other Operational Stress Reactions

8-9. Reactions to Stress

8-10. Severe Stress or Stress Reaction

8-11. Application of Psychological First Aid

8-12. Reactions and Limitations

8-13. Stress Reactions

A-1. First Aid Case with Field Dressings and Bandages

A-2. General Purpose First Aid Kits

A-3. Dressings

A-4. Standard Bandages

A-5. Triangular and Cravat (Swathe) Bandages

APPENDIX B: RESCUE AND TRANSPORTATION PROCEDURES

B-1. general

B-2. Principles of Rescue Operations

B-3. Considerations

B-4. Plan of Action

B-5. Proper Handling of Casualties

B-6. Positioning the Casualty

B-7. Medical Evacuation and Transportation of Casualties

B-8. Manual Carries

B-9. Improvised Litters

BOOKS

GLOSSARY

INDEX

WIKIPEDIA LINKS FROM HERE;-

Anaphylaxis, a life-threatening condition in which the airway can become constricted and the patient may go into shock. The reaction can be caused by a systemic allergic reaction to allergens such as insect bites or peanuts. Anaphylaxis is initially treated with injection of epinephrine.

Battlefield first aid—This protocol refers to treating shrapnel, gunshot wounds, burns, bone fractures, etc. as seen either in the ‘traditional’ battlefield setting or in an area subject to damage by large scale weaponry, such as a bomb blast.

Bone fracture, a break in a bone initially treated by stabilizing the fracture with a splint.

Burns, which can result in damage to tissues and loss of body fluids through the burn site.

Cardiac Arrest, which will lead to death unless CPR preferably combined with an AED is started within minutes. There is often no time to wait for the emergency services to arrive as 92 percent of people suffering a sudden cardiac arrest die before reaching hospital according to the American Heart Association.

Choking, blockage of the airway which can quickly result in death due to lack of oxygen if the patient’s trachea is not cleared, for example by the Heimlich Maneuver.

Childbirth.

Cramps in muscles due to lactic acid build up caused either by inadequate oxygenation of muscle or lack of water or salt.

Diving disorders, drowning or asphyxiation.

Gender-specific conditions, such as dysmenorrhea and testicular torsion.

Heart attack, or inadequate blood flow to the blood vessels supplying the heart muscle.

Heat stroke, also known as sunstroke or hyperthermia, which tends to occur during heavy exercise in high humidity, or with inadequate water, though it may occur spontaneously in some chronically ill persons. Sunstroke, especially when the victim has been unconscious, often causes major damage to body systems such as brain, kidney, liver, gastric tract. Unconsciousness for more than two hours usually leads to permanent disability. Emergency treatment involves rapid cooling of the patient.

Hair tourniquet a condition where a hair or other thread becomes tied around a toe or finger tightly enough to cut off blood flow.

Heat syncope, another stage in the same process as heat stroke, occurs under similar conditions as heat stroke and is not distinguished from the latter by some authorities.

Heavy bleeding, treated by applying pressure (manually and later with a pressure bandage) to the wound site and elevating the limb if possible.

Hyperglycemia (diabetic coma) and Hypoglycemia (insulin shock).

Hypothermia, or Exposure, occurs when a person’s core body temperature falls below 33.7°C (92.6°F). First aid for a mildly hypothermic patient includes rewarming, but rewarming a severely hypothermic person could result in a fatal arrhythmia, an irregular heart rhythm.

Insect and animal bites and stings.

Joint dislocation.

Poisoning, which can occur by injection, inhalation, absorption, or ingestion.

Seizures, or a malfunction in the electrical activity in the brain. Three types of seizures include a grand mal (which usually features convulsions as well as temporary respiratory abnormalities, change in skin complexion, etc.) and petit mal (which usually features twitching, rapid blinking, and/or fidgeting as well as altered consciousness and temporary respiratory abnormalities).

Muscle strains and Sprains, a temporary dislocation of a joint that immediately reduces automatically but may result in ligament damage.

Stroke, a temporary loss of blood supply to the brain.

Toothache, which can result in severe pain and loss of the tooth but is rarely life threatening, unless over time the infection spreads into the bone of the jaw and starts osteomyelitis.

Wounds and bleeding, including lacerations, incisions and abrasions, Gastrointestinal bleeding, avulsions and Sucking chest wounds, treated with an occlusive dressing to let air out but not in

Certain skills are considered essential to the provision of first aid and are taught ubiquitously. Particularly the “ABC”s of first aid, which focus on critical life-saving intervention, must be rendered before treatment of less serious injuries. ABC stands for Airway, Breathing, and Circulation. The same mnemonic is used by all emergency health professionals. Attention must first be brought to the airway to ensure it is clear.

Obstruction (choking) is a life-threatening emergency. Following evaluation of the airway, a first aid attendant would determine adequacy of breathing and provide rescue breathing if necessary. Assessment of circulation is now not usually carried out for patients who are not breathing, with first aiders now trained to go straight to chest compressions (and thus providing artificial circulation) but pulsechecks may be done on less serious patients.

Some organizations add a fourth step of “D” for Deadly bleeding or Defibrillation, while others consider this as part of the Circulation step. Variations on techniques to evaluate and maintain the ABCs depend on the skill level of the first aider. Once the ABCs are secured, first aiders can begin additional treatments, as required. Some organizations teach the same order of priority using the “3Bs”: Breathing,Bleeding, and Bones (or “4Bs”: Breathing, Bleeding, Brain, and Bones). While the ABCs and 3Bs are taught to be performed sequentially, certain conditions may require the consideration of two steps simultaneously. This includes the provision of both artificial respiration andchest compressions to someone who is not breathing and has no pulse, and the consideration of cervical spine injuries when ensuring an open airway.