Premergency First Aid, CPR and AED Manual

1 Introduction to First Aid

Medical Treatment First aiders provide care and support to the ill or injured, but do not provide diagnosis of an illness or injury. Diagnosis of an injury or illness can be provided by trained medical personnel. In most cases you will ensure that anyone you help will receive further care from medical personnel. When a person is ill or injured, the sooner they receive appropriate medical treatment, the better the outcome. Certain serious injuries and illnesses can be a life threatening to a patient, and any delay in treatment and transport to a hospital can increase the chance of permanent disability or death. As you will learn, certain types of accidents and health conditions pose a significant possibility of harm. Activating 911 or calling for medical help should be done without delay as soon as you determine the need.

Transport Transporting an ill or injured person can be a complicated process. Any injuries or illnesses must be supported and the patient moved safely and in such a way that avoids additional harm. Ambulances and other emergency vehicles are specially designed and equipped to move patients safely and should always be used when available. Although unlikely, if the only way to get medical help for a person is to take them yourself, or if they face a life threat and you feel they cannot wait for an ambulance, you may decide to transport them. Lifting and Moving Moving an injured or ill person requires special skills and procedures to be done safely and is not a decision to make lightly. Most patients will be better served by transport in an ambulance with medical personnel.

17

www.preohs.com