University of Eastern Philippines

LAOANG CAMPUS
Laoang, Northern Samar

PE 3
First Aid
Water Safety

Crmgst. MARY ANN R. GALIT

Subject Teacher
Module 1a
INTRODUCTION TO FIRST AID
First aid is an emergency care for a victim of sudden illness or injury until more
skillful medical treatment is available. First aid may save a life or improve certain vital
signs including pulse, temperature, a patent (unobstructed) airway, and breathing. In
minor emergencies, first aid may prevent a victim's condition from worsening or provide
relief from pain.
First aid is the immediate care given to a person who has been injured or suddenly
become ill. It includes self-help and home care if medical assistance is not available or is
delayed. It also includes well-selected words of encouragement, evidence of willingness
to help, and promotion to confidence by demonstration of competence.
The principles and practice of First Aid are based on practical medicine and
surgery, which would, in case of accidents or sudden illness, enable trained persons to
give such care until medical aid is available.

Definition of terms
1. Emergency is a situation that poses an immediate risk to health, life, property or
environment.

2. Injury is a general term that refers to any damage to the human body.

3. Self-aid is any care given to oneself.

4. First Aider refers to a person who gives first aid.

5. Hemorrhage is a escape of large quantities of blood from the blood vessels that
may cause shock.

6. Shock is a state of condition when there is not enough or adequate blood supplies
to the vital tissues and organs.

7. Dressing is a sterile pad or a compressed sponge that is applied directly to cover

the wound.

8. Bandage is a piece of material that is used to support a dressing, splint, or an

injured part of a person's body.

9. Fracture refers to a break in the continuity of a bone.

 10. Venom is a poison secreted by some animals and injected into the body of victims
through bites.

11. Heat Injuries are environmental injuries that may result when a person is exposed
to extreme heat, such as from the sun or from high temperature.

12. Heat Cramps are muscle spasms caused by low levels of salt and water in the
body.

13. Heat Exhaustion is caused by loss of water through sweating as caused by

inadequate fluid replacement; it may cause heat stroke.

14. Heat Stroke is a medical emergency and can be fatal if not treated promptly and
correctly. It occurs when a person experiences an abnormally elevated body
temperature caused by failure of the body's cooling mechanism when the
environmental temperature is too high or there is dehydration.

15. Cold Injuries are most likely to occur when an unprepared individual is exposed
to very low temperature and the blood circulation to the extremities become
inadequate. This is also known as frostbite.

16. Burn is a type of injury to flesh or skin caused by heat, electricity, chemicals,
friction, or radiation

Characteristics of First Aider

1. Observant. The first aider should notice all signs and symptoms of the illness.

2. Resourceful. The first aider should make the best use of things at hand.

3. Gentle. The first aider should not cause pain to the victim/patient.

4. Tactful. The first aider should not alarm the victim/patient.

5. Sympathetic. The first aider should be comforting on the feelings and pain
experienced by the victim/patient.

6. Cheerful. The first aider should have a happy expression that inspires confidence.

Objectives of First Aid

1. To alleviate suffering.
 2. To prevent further injury, damage or danger.

3. To prolong life.

Importance of First Aid

1. To save life.

2. To prevent permanent disability.

3. To reduce prolonged hospitalization.

Basic Life Saving Steps

1. Check for blood circulation (pulse).

2. Check for breathing.

3. Check for bleeding.

4. Check for shock.

Purposes of First Aid Training

1. To prevent accidents.

2. To train people to do the right thing at the right time.

3. To prevent added injury or danger.

4. To provide proper transportation if necessary.

5. To give First Aid for large numbers of persons caught in a natural disaster.

General Directions for First Aiding

1. Don't panic. The first aider must remain calm so that he or she has a clear mind
during the emergency situation.

2. Ensure the safety of the area. In an emergency situation, the first aider must first
make sure that the area is safe for him/her and the victim. He/she should transport
the victim to a safer place if necessary.

3. Check for vital functioning. The first aider should assess and monitor pulse and
breathing of the victim.
 4. Check for injuries. The first aider must conduct careful physical examination of
the victim to prevent further injury. In cases of multiple injuries, the first aider should
know which problem to treat first.

5. Give the needed first aid urgently. The first aider must be capable of applying
necessary and appropriate steps to attain the objectives of first aiding.

6. Keep the victim lying down. The victim should be examined in a lying position in
order to immobilize the body.

7. Keep the victim warm. This would help the victim recover faster by increasing the
circulation of blood throughout the body. The victim may be provided with a jacket,
a blanket or a body heat transfer by embracing the victim.

8. Do not give fluids to an unconscious or partly conscious person. This must

be noted by every person not only the first aiders and rescuers. The water may
enter the windpipe and block the airway passage. Do an unconscious person by
not attempt to arouse shaking him because it might cause further injury.

9. Following injury, do not lift a gasping person by the belt. This may aggravate
injuries of the back or internal organs.

10. Reassure the victim. The first aider should explain to the victim the first aid to be
done and how it will help him/her reduce the feelings of anxiety.

11. Be reluctant to make statements. The first aider should be reluctant to give
statements to the victim and bystanders about the injuries. It is not included within
the first aider's tasks to diagnose, evaluate and predict illnesses and injuries, but
only to provide needed immediate care.

Materials Needed for First Aid Training

1. Strips of cloth 2", 3" and 4" wide by 36" or longer

2. Two blankets or mats

3. Triangular bandages

4. Two gauze pads 3"x 3", adhesive compress; bandage compress

5. 1 set of splints for extremities (fixation)

6. 2 stretcher poles, 7 feet long each

 7. 1-24-Unit first aid kit

Basic Equipment for First Aid

1. Spine Board

2. Short Board/ Kendrick's Extrication Device

3. Sets of splints

4. Poles

5. Blankets

Suggested Contents of First Aid Kit

1. Rubbing Alcohol

2. Povidone Iodine

3. Cotton

4. Gauge pads

5. Tongue Depressor

6. Penlight

7. Band aid

8. Gloves

9. Scissors

10. Forceps

11. Triangular Bandage

12. Elastic Roller Bandage

13. Occlusive Dressing

14. Plaster