Assessing a Victim

Prompt action during an emergency could mean the difference between life and death. The following article describes how to assess a victim's airway and breathing.

CHECK THE RESPONSE if faced with a person who appears to be unresponsive, check the response by gently shaking the shoulders and asking loudly, "Are you all right?" Speak loudly and clearly and squeeze gently because there may be a neck injury.

OPEN THE AIRWAY

1. Place one hand on the forehead and gently tilt the head back. Open the victim's mouth and remove any obvious obstruction, including dislodged dentures, but leave well-fitting dentures in place.
2. Place the fingertips of the other hand under the point of victim's chin and lift the chin. If injury to the neck is suspected, handle the head very gently and try to avoid tilting the head.

IF THERE IS NO RESPONSE. Shout for help. If possible, leave the victim in the position in which you found him and open the airway. When it is not possible to carry out an assessment of the victim in the position found, turn the person onto his back and open airway.

     Apply the same techniques for a child as for an adult. For a baby, use only one finger under the chin and very careful not to over-extend the neck when tilting the head back.

CHECK FOR BREATHING. Keep the airway open and look, listen, and feel for breathing for no more than 10 seconds.

• Look for chest movement.
• Listen for sounds of breathing.
• Feel for breath on your cheek.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF A NON-BREATHING CASUALTY

• Unconsciousness, stillness.
• Pale skin with possible blue lips.
• No movement of the chest.
• No feeling or sound of breathing.

OPENING AIRWAY AND CHECKING BREATHING

DO:

• Check to see if the victim is conscious.
• Open the airway by gently lifting the chin, checking in the mouth, and tilting the head.
• Check for breathing for up to 10 seconds.

DO NOT:

• Sweep blindly in the mouth for obstructions.

WHAT IF:

• The person is unconscious? Treat any other injuries as necessary.
• The person is breathing? Turn into the recovery position.
• The person is not breathing? Give rescue breaths.

AT THE EMERGENCY SCENE

When faced with an emergency situation, you should follow a set routine and establish your priorities. If possible, send someone to call for medical help while you deal with the situation. Make sure that you are in no danger and make the scene safe. Then check the victim's condition and carry out treatment as appropriate.

GETTING APPROPRIATE HELP. Life-threatening emergencies require professional medical assistance. If possible, ask a bystander to contact the emergency services by dialling 911. Useful information to have at hand includes:

• Details of what happened.
• Number of people injured.
• Types of illness or injuries.
• Whether or not person is breathing.
• The exact address with landmarks if possible.
• A contact phone number.

Do not hang up until the operator tells you to. He or she may be able to guide you through first aid procedures if you are unsure what to do next.

MAKING THE SCENE SAFE. The cardinal rule of first aid is to ensure that you can give assistance without endangering yourself. Do not rush to the scene: walk slowly and steadily, looking around you for potential dangers and an overview of what has happened. Be prepared to take charge unless someone more qualified than you is present. Identify dangers and remove them if it is safe to do so, but if you cannot eliminate the danger, call for emergency help and advice and consider whether the danger poses a continuing risk to the injured person. If it does, assess whether you can safely move him or her. If in doubt, do not approach the scene. Keep everybody else back and call for emergency help.

Potential dangers include:

• At the scene of an accident--other cars, broken glass or metal, or an unsteady crash vehicle.
• Chemicals, fire, or electricity.
• Aggressive behavior in those who may be ill, hysterical, or as a result of drugs or alcohol.
• Sharp objects on the floor such as a knife or syringe.

TREATING THE INJURED OR ILL. If you can give first aid safely, your priorities are to maintain an open airway and resuscitate if necessary, to treat serious bleeding and to treat for shock. If faced with several injured people, always approach the quietest first-- a person who is shouting is at least able to maintain a clear airway.

     Determining what may be wrong with an injured person is part of the treatment. To help you reach a provisional diagnosis you need to consider:

• What actually happened ( from what you or bystander has observed).
• The signs ( what you can see, hear, touch, or smell on the victim such as pale skin, swelling, noisy breathing, or alcohol on the breath).
• The symptoms ( what the injured or ill person tells you-- for example, he or she feels dizzy or is pain).

First aid by its very nature is often a highly emotional activity. It is important that after helping at the scene of the accident, you give yourself the chance to discuss what happened, what you did and how you feel with your family and friends.

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Frederick Luneta is a 24-year old guy and he is a Computer Engineering student and a young part time blogger. Currently lives in the Philippines. He knows a lot about computer.