~Severe Allergic Reactions~
Severe Allergic Reactions

|Description|
Allergic reactions may result from insect stings, bites, certain foods and medication (or any other substance to which the patient is sensitive). ALL allergic reactions should be treated seriously, and first aiders need to quickly manage these patients until an ambulance arrives.

|Symptoms|
Symptoms:	

    * Swelling of the face especially around the mouth, throat and eyes
    * Swelling of the affected area if there has been contact with a chemical or venom
    * Redness of the skin or an itchy rash over chest and back
    * Nausea and/or vomiting
    * Breathing difficulty similar to an asthma attack
    * dizziness, weakness or collapse
    * Diarrhoea.

|Action|
Action:

    * Stay with the patient and ensure total rest
    * Call the emergency number for an ambulance
    * Be ready to start CPR
    * Assist patient take any prescribed medication
    * If the reaction follows exposure to a chemical, wash the contact area thoroughly with water
    * If patient becomes unconscious, put them on their side. 

~Asthma~
Asthma
|Description|
Asthma is a common condition where the airways narrow in response to certain triggers, which differ from patient to patient.

The symptoms of asthma are reversible, however, it is important for the first aider to determine whether administering the patients medication is sufficient to relieve the asthma attack, or if medical help is needed.

The narrowing of the airway is due to a muscle spasm, which can be associated with a respiratory infection but is more commonly triggered by an allergic reaction to:

    * Pollen
    * Dust
    * Fur
    * Smoke
    * Cold air 

|Symptoms|
Symptoms:			

    * Breathlessness and difficulty speaking more than a few words without agasp of air
    * Wheezing sometimes, but not always
    * Persistent cough, often moist and "rattling"
    * Poor skin colour, especially blueness of lips and fingertips

|Action|
Action:		

    * Help the patient to rest in a comfortable position
    * Assist the patient to take their "relieve" medication
    *Call the emergency number for an ambulance if you are worried, medication does not relieve the asthma, or the patient gets worse 

~Burns~

Burns
|Description|
Burns are usually caused by heat, but can also result from extremely low temperatures (liquid gases and dry ice), electricity and chemicals. Burns cause skin loss and tissue damage, with a resultant risk of fluid loss and infection.

|Action|
To manage a burn, first take particular care to ensure that you are in no danger from chemicals, electricity or other agents that may have caused the injury. Then:

    * Remove patient from danger
    * Call for an ambulance early for burns: larger than a patients hand; or if the burn involves the face, neck, hands, feet joints or genitals; or the patient is in significant pain; the patient is very old or very young; the patient has a significant chronic medical problem or you are worried
    * Flood area with cold water (not ice cold) for up to 20 minutes (to reduce pain and damage)
    * Do not remove clothing adhering to the skin
    * Remove restrictive jewellery if possible
    * Do not put any creams on the burn
    * Lightly cover with cling film or clean dressing to prevent infection 

~Diabetes~

Diabetes
|Description|
Insulin is a chemical that is necessary for normal cell function in the body because it helps to pass the sugar from the blood stream into our body cells. In diabetes, insulin is often not present or is greatly reduced, which results in a person having very high blood sugar levels. Diet or the taking of insulin can manage diabetes. There are two abnormal states a diabetic can present in - these are described below.

|Hyperglycaemia|
Hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar)


    * Prolonged onset
    * Breathing is difficult
    * Breath smells sweet or musty
    * Excessive thirst
    * Dropping level of consciousness 

|Action|		

    * If conscious  keep comfortable
    * If unconscious  on side (supported), or in the recovery position
    * Call the emergency number and ask for ambulance 

|Hypoglycaemia|
Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar)


    * Sudden onset
    * Weakness or faint
    * Sweating
    * May feel nauseous, vomit
    * Limbs may tremble
    * Confusion, lowering consciousness
    * Mimics intoxication
    * Seizures may occur 

|Action|
    * If conscious  give something sweet
    * If unconscious  on side (supported), or in the recovery position
    * Call the emergency number and ask for an ambulance 


~Broken Bones (Fractures)~
Broken Bones (Fractures
|Description|
When a bone is broken it is said to be fractured. This fracture may be through the full thickness of the bone or partially through it. The fracture is usually as a result of an unusual force being applied to the bone.

|Fractures|
Key points to remember are:

    * Do not move the fractured limb unnecessarily
    * Stabilise the fracture
    * Support the limb and transport or call the emergency number and ask for an ambulance

|Symptoms|
    * Deformity
    * Swelling and discolouration
    * Tenderness and pain  severe discomfort
    * Altered sensation (e.g. pins and needles)
    * Sound of breaking
    * Exposed bone ends
    * Constant pain
    * Loss of normal function

|Action|
    *  Call the emergency number and ask for an ambulance
    * Control any bleeding using direct/indirect pressure
    * Immobilise fracture, ideally using padding around the limb
    * Assist patient into a comfortable position
    * Splinting of a large bone is not necessary in a metropolitan environment, and should only be done if help will be delayed


~Head Injuries and Spinal Injuries~
Head Injuries and Spinal Injuries
Head injuries involve injury to the brain (for example, bruising or bleeding), injuries to the skull (for example, fractures or breaks) and injuries to the face (for example, bruising, bleeding and fractures). Spinal injuries involve injury to the backbone (from the upper neck to the lower back). These have the potential to be life-threatening injuries.

|Head injuries|

|Symptoms|	

    * Any bleeding from the head that is more than minor
    * Loss of consciousness or altered state of awareness (not awake and talking to you) or groggy
    * Confusion
    * Nausea, vomiting
    * Memory loss 
|Action|
    * Safety, Response, Airway, Breathing, Compressions, Defibrillate, Severe bleeding (SRABCDS)
    * Call the emergency number and ask for an ambulance 



|Spinal injuries|

|Symptoms|
Examine for any loss of movement or sensation in the arms and legs.

Ask the patient if they experience:

    * Pins and needles
    * Pain in the spinal region
    * Limb stiffness
    * Clumsiness
    * Heaviness 

Check for secondary injuries

Unconscious patient with suspected spinal injuries
Check for:

    * A change in breathing pattern
    * No chest movement
    * Secondary injuries 

|Action|
    * Safety, Response, Airway, Breathing, Compressions, Defibrillate, Severe bleeding (SRABCDS)
    * Call the emergency number and ask for an ambulance early
    * If they are awake and can move, let the patient determine their own position, but minimise unnecessary movement if possible 

If they are unconscious, place them on their side (supported) if possible 

 ~Nose Bleeds~
Nose Bleeds
A nose bleed is a common condition which usually only results in minor blood loss from blood vessels inside the nostrils. More serious bleeding may result in considerable blood loss and, if the patient swallows blood, vomiting may result.

|Symptoms|

    * Nose bleeds may occur spontaneously or after sneezing, picking or blowing the nose
    * If bleeding occurs after an accident consider the possibility of a nose or skull fracture
    * Leakage of clear or straw-coloured fluid from the nose may indicate a base of the skull fracture

|Action|
    * Sit the patient down.
    * Advise the patient to breathe through the mouth, with the head tilted forward. Get him or her to pinch the entire soft part of the nose for 10 - 20 minutes.
    * If bleeding has not been controlled, repeat pressure and call the emergency for an ambulance.
    * When the bleeding stops tell the patient not to blow his or her nose for a few hours, because this may restart the bleeding.

~Poisoning~
Poisoning
|Description|
A poison is any substance that, if taken in sufficient quantities, causes temporary or permanent damage to the body.

Poisons enter the body through:

    * The mouth  ingested or swallowed
    * The lungs  inhaled or sniffed
    * The skin  absorbed or injected
    * The blood  injected or absorbed 


Poisons may be

    * Solid
    * Liquid
    * Gas 


And come in the form of

    * Medicines
    * Industrial products
    * Household substances 

|Note|
Note:

    * If you are certain that the substance is corrosive (for example, bleach) and the patient is fully conscious and alert, then you may give a small amount of water or milk to drink.
    * If the substance is non-corrosive then giving fluids may increase the toxicity by making the substance pass from the stomach to the intestine where it is absorbed more rapidly and could increase the risk of vomiting. 


|Plant Poisoning|
Plant Poisoning

All plants should be considered poisonous unless you know otherwise.

|Action|
    * Safety, Response, Airway, Breathing, Compressions, Defibrillate, Severe bleeding (SRABCDS)
    * Call your emergency number and ask for ambulance
    * Treat for level of consciousness
    * Try to identify the plant 

|Food Poisoning|
Food Poisoning
Caused by inflammation of the stomach and intestine, which may have been caused by a virus, bacteria or amoebae. Food poisoning is more serious if it is prolonged and/or occurs in children or the elderly.

    * Rest
    * Small amount of fluid
    * Call a doctor if symptoms persist
    * Call your emergency number and ask for ambulance if
          o The patient is an infant, child or elderly person who has persistent vomiting or diarrhoea
          o Dehydration is developing
          o The patient develops severe abdominal pains 


|Poisons : Ingested|
Ingested
	
|Symptoms|
    * Burns and stains around the mouth
    * Unusual breath odours, body odours, or odours on the patients clothing or surroundings
    * Abnormal breathing
    * Excessive saliva formation or frothing at the mouth
    * Stomach or abdominal pain
    * Vomiting
    * Diarrhoea
    * Convulsions
    * Altered level of consciousness 


|Action|
    * Safety, Response, Airway, Breathing, Compressions, Defibrillate, Severe bleeding (SRABCDS)
    * Call your emergency number and ask for ambulance
    * Keep patient still
    * DO NOT induce vomiting
    * DO NOT give patient anything to drink unless the poison is highly corrosive and the patient is fully conscious
    * If conscious and a corrosive has been drunk give small amount of water or milk
    * If unconscious, place in recovery position
    * Monitor ABCs
    * Collect information on poison
    * Keep and pass on to ambulance nay containers, notes or vomit 

|Poisons :Inhaled|
Inhaled
|Symptoms|
    * Shortness of breath
    * Coughing
    * Eyes of patient may become irritated
    * Seizures 

|Action|
    * Safety, Response, Airway, Breathing, Compressions, Defibrillate, Severe bleeding (SRABCDS)
    * Call your emergency number and ask for ambulance
    * Remove patient from sources if possible and if required
    * Maintain ABCs
    * Provide life support procedure if necessary
    * Remove contaminated clothing if necessary 

|Poisons :Absorbed|
Absorbed

|Symptoms|
    * Confusion
    * Convulsions
    * Abdominal pian
    * Headache
    * Dizziness
    * Diarrhoea
    * Cramps
    * Unconsciousness
    * Numbness and tingling about the mouth
    * Shock 

|Action|
    * Safety, Response, Airway, Breathing, Compressions, Defibrillate, Severe bleeding (SRABCDS)
    * Call your emergency number and ask for ambulance
    * Personal safety (e.g. gloves)
    * Remove patient from source if possible and if required
    * Immediately flood affected body area with water
    * Remove contaminated clothing and jewellery and wash affected area with soap and water unless stuck to skin 

|Poisons :Injected|
Injected

|Symptoms|
    * Puncture marks to the skin  arms and legs
    * Itching skin
    * Weakness or collapse
    * Difficulty breathing
    * Headache 


|Action|
    * Safety, Response, Airway, Breathing, Compressions, Defibrillate, Severe bleeding (SRABCDS)
    * Call your emergency number and ask for ambulance
    * Treat for shock
    * Maintain airway
    * Provide life support if necessary 


~Shock~
Shock
|Description|
Shock is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body is not getting enough blood flow. This can damage multiple organs. Shock requires immediate medical attention and can get worse very rapidly.

		
|Symptoms|
The patient may:

    * Have pale, moist and cold skin
    * Have an increased breathing rate and become weak
    * Feel like vomiting
    * Be thirsty and request a drink
    * Be anxious, feel dizzy and their level of consciousness may decrease 

|Action|
    * Safety, Response, Airway, Breathing, Compressions, Defibrillate, Severe bleeding (SRABCDS)
    * Call your emergency number and ask for ambulance
    * Reassure the patient and stay with them
    * Keep warm
    * Do not give anything to eat or drink 


~Adult Resuscitation~
Adult Resuscitation
|Description|

A person may collapse following injury or sudden illness and sometimes may need cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Some patients may be unconscious and simply need protection to avoid further harm. Others will need urgent cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to maintain life.

|Symptoms|
CPR is needed when there are no signs of life and the patient is:

    * Unconscious and not reponding to the first aider.
    * Not breathing normally
    * Not moving

|Action|
All collapsed patients should be carefully assessed to decide what emergency care is needed. The SRABCDS of resuscitation is the method used for the assessment:

    * Safety  Yourself, bystanders and patients
    * Response  Does the patient respond to voice and touch? Call your emergency number and ask for ambulance (if required)
    * Airway  Open and Clear
    * Breathing  Look, listen and feel for breathing for up to 10 seconds
    * Compressions  Compress chest (4 - 5 cm), rate about 100/minute until a total of 30 have been given.
    * Defibrilation  Automated External Defibrillator (AED) should be used as soon as possible and follow the prompts!
    * Severe Bleeding  Check for life threatening bleeding

Chest compressions are the most important part of CPR. If for any reason you cannot give rescue breaths to a patient, DO attempt chest compressions..
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