
first aid tips Allergic Reactions Asthma Attack Burns CPR Fractures Internal and nose bleeding Poisoning Shock Allergic reactions An allergy is a reaction by the body to a substance to which the patient is sensitive e.g. stings, food, medications, seafood, peanut-butter, eggs. If a person is known to have a severe reaction to a substance they should wear a Medic-Alert bracelet/necklace If you have had a severe allergic reaction to a substance previously, the next reaction will be worse than the one before. A local reaction Signs and Symptoms Swelling and redness at site of sting / bite/ allergen Rash at site Treatment Check for a Medic-Alert bracelet/necklace Use Stingose or similar to alleviate pain and limit reaction A system-wide allergic reaction can be life-threatning A system-wide allergic reaction affects all body systems including heart-rate, breathing and the airway Signs and Symptoms May occur within seconds or take minutes from exposure Tightness in the chest or throat Difficulty breathing – the breathing may cease Lowered level of consciousness May be swelling of the face and / or neck Treatment DIAL 1-1-1 IMMEDIATELY! If patient is conscious it is easier for him to breathe sitting up Check for Medic-Alert necklace/bracelet Does the patient carry anti-allergen medication? Is Ana-Kit/Epipen or something similar available? Assist with medication and monitor Perform rescue breathing / CPR if required and follow SkillsforLife Cycle Children: Mild allergy-affecting-asthma occurs in probably one out of 50 children under the age of two. Most childhood allergies are outgrown by the age of three. In older children and adults it is less frequent, affecting about one in 500 people. If the common foods causing allergies are not introduced to a child’s diet until they are 2 years of age they are less likely to develop life long allergies. Be vigilant with children with known allergies. If they have medication provided, make sure it is taken with them if the child is taken on a trip or outing etc. For comprehensive first aid information please refer to the MediTrain First Aid Manual or complete a S.A.F.E Gisborne First Aid Course. Telephone Numbers in this article are specific to New Zealand. Asthma Attack Asthma is a condition where the breathing tubes in the lungs are extra sensitive and overreact to certain stimuli e.g. exercise, smoke, cold, stress Asthma can be life-threatening If diagnosed early and properly treated it is less likely to cause permanent damage i.e. scarring of the lungs. With asthma, the lining inside the air passages of the lungs is persistently inflamed and sensitive – even if there are no symptoms at the time. An asthma attack happens when the breathing tubes: Spasm - Tightening of the muscles in the walls of the airways Swell - Inflammation of the lining of the airways Produce sticky mucus - Phlegm plugging up the airways Squeeze - Flattening of the airways by the pressure in the chest when trying to breathe out hard Signs and Symptoms A patient may have one, any or all of the following Cough – the most common symptom, usually dry and persistent. Occurs particularly at night and after exercise Wheezing – a high pitches wind-blowing noise on breathing out Shortness of breath – breathing is fast and shallow, it feels like you can’t get enough air to breathe Chest tightness – like someone is standing on your chest and doesn’t allow it to expand freely when you breath Raised shoulders – as breathing becomes more difficult, the neck muscles tense causing the shoulders to be raised Blueness around the mouth – a sign that your body isn’t getting enough oxygen Difficulty speaking – the lack of breath results in not being able to say more than a few words at a time Expirations – are long, noisy and difficult Mild attack? Short of breath, wheeze, cough, chest tightness Moderate attack? Loud wheeze, breathing difficulty, can only speak in short sentences Treatment Comfort and reassure patient Sit patient forward with arms supported Assist with medication If the patient does not improve after five minutes, call an ambulance. Continue to use the blue inhaler –four to six puffs every five minutes until help arrives. In this situation you will not overdose the patient by administering the reliever every five minutes Severe/life threatening? Distressed/afraid, struggling to breathe, difficulty speaking two words, blueness around the mouth, it is a sudden severe attack, gets no relief from the reliever, appears to be getting worse Treatment Get help / DIAL 1-1-1 Comfort and reassure patient Sit patient up with arms supported Assist with medication* Use the blue inhaler – four to six puffs every five minutes until help arrives In this situation you will not overdose the patient but administer the reliever every five minutes For comprehensive first aid information please refer to the MediTrain First Aid Manual or complete a S.A.F.E Gisborne First Aid Course. Telephone Numbers in this article are specific to New Zealand. Burns Burns cause damage to the skin and underlying tissues by excessive heat from fire, steam, water or chemicals. Infants and the elderly do not compensate well after burn injuries and need medical attention immediately Surface burns and scalds* Partial skin thickness Signs and symptoms Very painful Reddened skin Blisters Swelling Treatment Cool with copious quantities of water for 10 minutes (check the clock). If still painful cool under water again Cover with clingfilm preferably, otherwise sterile dressings. If neither are available then use clean lint-free cloth. You can continue to cool affected area with water when covered by clingfilm Do not completely encircle any part of the body in clingfilm as swelling may occur. Place clingfilm / dressings between adjacent burnt areas e.g. fingers or toes Take the patient to Medical Centre or DIAL EMERGENCY depending on the severity of burn ANY burn covering an area the size of the palm of the patient’s hand requires medical treatment Burns on the face or chest will cause breathing difficulty Any burns to the face, hands, feet or genitals are considered serious If in doubt, always DIAL 1-1-1 DO NOT Give any medications or drinks Break or prick blisters Pull away any clothing stuck to the burn Put ointments, oils, butter or any substance at all on the burn Leave the patient alone Chemical Burns – DIAL EMERGENCY Read and understand information sheets on all chemicals before using them Brush or wash off chemical – protect yourself and the patient from further harm Most chemicals will require large amounts of water to flush them away Keep flushing until medical help arrives Flush for at least 20 minutes ( check the clock) If the patient has to be transported, cover their burnt skin with clingfilm preferably, otherwise sterile dressings Child Safety Keep children out of the kitchen when cooking Watch children when using incinerator Keep matches, lighters and candles where children cannot reach them Barbeques can cause extreme injuries. Erect out of the way and set clear childfree boundaries around them Never leave lighters or matches in any vehicle where children may travel – even childproof/child resistant ones Ensure you have a well-stocked First Aid Kit on hand for any burn or scalding emergency. We sell a wide range of First Aid Kits. For comprehensive first aid information please refer to the MediTrain First Aid Manual or complete a S.A.F.E Gisborne First Aid Course. Telephone Numbers in this article are specific to New Zealand. CPR SAFETY Think of the safety of yourself first, Are you in danger? Use Barriers, (Gloves, CPR Shield etc), Consider Bystanders and then the casualty. RESPONSE Gently Tap and Shout to see if the casualty responds. If no response, get help, call 111 AIRWAY Check that the airway is open and clear mouth if necessary. Leave dentures in place unless loose. Tilt patient’s head back using Head Tilt/Chin Lift and... OPEN the AIRWAY Look , listen and feel for breathing BREATHING Is the patient BREATHING? If not…get help, Call 1-1-1 START CPR REMEMBER 30 to 2, NO MATTER WHO! For comprehensive first aid information please refer to the MediTrain First Aid Manual or complete a S.A.F.E Gisborne First Aid Course. Telephone Numbers in this article are specific to New Zealand. Fractures / Dislocations A fracture is a crack, break or bend in a bone. A dislocation is the separation of two bones which form a joint. It is preferable not to splint unless absolutely necessary for transport / comfort as mishandling of the injury can cause tissue and / or nerve damage Fractures A fracture is a crack, break or bend in a bone Signs and Symptoms Pain Swelling, followed by bruising of the injured part May be deformity at site of fracture Patient may find it difficult / impossible to move the part normally An open fracture may have bleeding and a wound, while the bone may or may not be visible Shock DO NOT move suspected fractures of: Head, neck or spine Pelvis Femur/thigh bone Elbow Unless the patient’s life is in danger as moving the patient may result In life-long disabilities Treatment Treat patient gently Make as comfortable as possible Place packing around injured site to stabilize Place padded ice or cold-pack over injured area to minimize swelling With arm / leg injuries, the patient usually puts the limb in the most comfortable position. Support / Bind limb in place. If bandages are not available, improvise by using clothing, clingfilm etc Dislocation A dislocation is the separation of two bones forming a joint. For any dislocations DIAL 1-1-1 Signs and Symptoms Extreme pain Deformity May be discoloured Treatment Treat patient gently Place packing around injured site to stabilize if not transporting Place ice-wrapped up, or cold-pack over injured area to minimize swelling Check for circulation and sensation below the dislocation If patient must be transported, support /bind gently in comfortable position For comprehensive first aid information please refer to the MediTrain First Aid Manual or complete a S.A.F.E Gisborne First Aid Course. Telephone Numbers in this article are specific to New Zealand. Internal and Nose Bleeding Internal bleeding is possible in any impact or accident. Look at the circumstances of the accident, as there may be no external evidence of injury but there may be serious damage to internal organs. If blood is lost from the circulatory system (from the damaged organ), not from the body itself, shock may be the first indication of internal injury. Often internal organs, e.g. spleen and liver are damaged as a result of a blow from an object, a fall, or a restraining device (like a car seatbelt). Internal Bleeding Signs and Symptoms Tenderness or pain over the injury site Swelling or bruising over the injury site Lowered conscious level Tissue/skin colour pale Rapid, weak pulse Thirst Anxiety Nausea If force has been involved in the accident, gently press on either side of the patient’s abdomen feeling for any tenderness or pain reaction, swelling or hardening of the abdomen. Compare one side of the abdomen with the other. Treatment Get help / DIAL 1-1-1 DO NOT give food or drink to the patient, or allow to smoke DO NOT move unnecessarily Raise legs by 8 – 12 inches (20 – 30 cm's) if you do not suspect head / spinal injuries or heart problems Treat for shock SkillsforLife Cycle Nose-Bleeds Nose-bleeds are most common during childhood when they are usually insignificant and easily stopped. (If frequent, see a Doctor as they can usually be easily stopped from re-occurring). They occur infrequently in healthy young adults but become more common and more serious during old age. Otherwise, nose-bleeds are generally caused by accidents (blows to head, face or nose) or high blood pressure. Treatment The patient should sit upright and lean forward to prevent blood flowing down back of throat Breathe through the mouth – put absorbent cloth or container under the nose to contain blood –Use red flannel or towel for a child as it doesn’t frighten them as much as a white cloth! Keep the patient still – no talking, swallowing or raising the head Pinch just below the bridge of the nose firmly If blood flows back down the throat – release the nose If an icepack is available, place that on bridge of nose never put ice directly on the skin, have a barrier between After bleeding has stopped, have the patient avoid exertion and not blow their nose for at least 4 hours to avoid disturbing the clotting Get Help / Dial 1-1-1 If the bleeding from the nose is not noticeably lessening within 10 minutes If bleeding has not stopped completely within 30 minutes If the patient shows any signs of shock If patient has clear or straw-coloured fluid leaking from the nose or ears Ensure you have a well-stocked First Aid Kit on hand for any internal or nose bleed emergency. We sell a wide range of First Aid Kits. For comprehensive first aid information please refer to the MediTrain First Aid Manual or complete a S.A.F.E Gisborne First Aid Course. Telephone Numbers in this article are specific to New Zealand. Poisoning Poisoning is exposure to a poisonous substance or over-exposure to a normally harmless substance. The substance may be swallowed, inhaled, injected or absorbed. Substances may be introduced to a patient By mouth – ingestion Breathed in – inhalation Enters through the skin – absorption Physically forced into the tissues or blood stream – injection The effects of poisoning may be immediate, local at point of contact, or be delayed, taking several hours Signs Evidence of poisoning e.g. containers Lowered conscious level Seizures Substance around mouth/on clothing Respiratory arrest / breathing difficulties Cardiac arrest Car exhaust running Rash Symptoms The patient/bystander tells you about substance Nausea / vomiting Abdominal pain Treatment If possible, establish which substance, amount taken and time of poisoning. Save any vomit, pills containers, or samples of substances for the ambulance and hospital. Be careful to protect yourself from any poison present If the patient is conscious It is essential you phone the Poison Centre 0800 POISON and do only as directed Take patient to the phone with you if possible Wash any burning substance off mouth and face with water only Remove contaminated clothing Save any evidence DO NOT make vomit DO NOT give anything to the patient unless directed to do so by the Poison Centre. (0800 POISON) If the patient is unconscious or confused GET HELP/ DIAL 1-1-1 If rescue breathing is necessary, mouth-to-nose rescue breathing should be used in case of contamination by the poison that has been swallowed or inhaled Note First aid measures printed on product containers may not be correct Inhalation can present a danger to responders. Only if you can protect yourself do you move the victim to fresh air New Zealand Poison Centre, Freephone: 0800 764 766 0800 POI SON In Brief If the patient is conscious DIAL POISON CONTROL CENTRE If the patient is unconscious DIAL EMERGENCY 111 For comprehensive first aid information please refer to the MediTrain First Aid Manual or complete a S.A.F.E Gisborne First Aid Course. Telephone Numbers in this article are specific to New Zealand. Shock Shock is the reaction of the body to lack of oxygen. When the body recognizes that not enough oxygenated blood is flowing through the blood vessels, it reduces the blood flow to the skin, arms and legs as it attempts to supply sufficient blood to the vital organs The three main causes of shock are: Heart failure – insufficient oxygenated blood being circulated due to heart pump failing Fluid failure - circulating blood lost due to internal / external bleeding or burns Blood-vessel failure – due to spinal injury or an allergic reaction. For example, blood vessels below the injury site dilate (get bigger) so there is not enough blood to fill the system or in reaction to a substance e.g. penicillin Signs Tissue/skin colour is pale Moist sweaty (cool) skin Rapid weak pulse Shivering Breathing may be shallow, gasping or noisy May become confused and/or distressed Thirst Anxiety Nausea Treatment Get help/ 1-1-1 SkillsforLife cycle is the primary treatment for shock DO NOT give food or drink to the patient or allow to smoke Maintain body temperature, as near normal temperature as possible - Do not overheat May need a blanket both under and over patient e.g. on hot tar seal or icy ground Raise the legs 20 – 30 cm's (8 – 12 inches) if you do not suspect head / spinal / heart problems Reassure and comfort patient continuously We can also suffer shock due to fear, pain, fright or overheating. This is where the arteries dilate (get bigger) resulting in the same amount of blood flow not reaching all the circumference of the arteries, causing a lack of oxygen to the body tissues. Not life-threatening. If uninjured, walking for a few hundred metres will help the arteries return to normal size Children may suffer shock when witnessing an accident. They commonly react in one of two ways: Absorbing curiosity Numb / silent with fear Remove uninjured children from the scene if possible Fainting Is a brief loss of consciousness and lasts for only a few seconds. Once lying down the patient recovers rapidly If a fainting patient has not regained consciousness within one minute Get Help / DIAL 1-1-1 For comprehensive first aid information please refer to the MediTrain First Aid Manual or complete a S.A.F.E Gisborne First Aid Course. Telephone Numbers in this article are specific to New Zealand.

first aid tips

Allergic Reactions
Asthma Attack
Burns
CPR
Fractures
Internal and nose bleeding
Poisoning
Shock

Allergic reactions

An allergy is a reaction by the body to a substance to which the patient is sensitive e.g. stings, food, medications, seafood, peanut-butter, eggs. If a person is known to have a severe reaction to a substance they should wear a Medic-Alert bracelet/necklace

If you have had a severe allergic reaction to a substance previously, the next reaction will be worse than the one before.

A local reaction

Signs and Symptoms

Swelling and redness at site of sting / bite/ allergen
Rash at site

Treatment

Check for a Medic-Alert bracelet/necklace
Use Stingose or similar to alleviate pain and limit reaction

A system-wide allergic reaction can be life-threatning
A system-wide allergic reaction affects all body systems including heart-rate, breathing and the airway

Signs and Symptoms

May occur within seconds or take minutes from exposure
Tightness in the chest or throat
Difficulty breathing – the breathing may cease
Lowered level of consciousness
May be swelling of the face and / or neck

Treatment

DIAL 1-1-1 IMMEDIATELY!

If patient is conscious it is easier for him to breathe sitting up
Check for Medic-Alert necklace/bracelet
Does the patient carry anti-allergen medication?
Is Ana-Kit/Epipen or something similar available?
Assist with medication and monitor
Perform rescue breathing / CPR if required and follow SkillsforLife Cycle

Children:

Mild allergy-affecting-asthma occurs in probably one out of 50 children under the age of two. Most childhood allergies are outgrown by the age of three. In older children and adults it is less frequent, affecting about one in 500 people. If the common foods causing allergies are not introduced to a child’s diet until they are 2 years of age they are less likely to develop life long allergies.

Be vigilant with children with known allergies. If they have medication provided, make sure it is taken with them if the child is taken on a trip or outing etc.

For comprehensive first aid information please refer to the MediTrain First Aid Manual or complete a S.A.F.E Gisborne First Aid Course.
Telephone Numbers in this article are specific to New Zealand.

Asthma Attack

Asthma is a condition where the breathing tubes in the lungs are extra sensitive and overreact to certain stimuli e.g. exercise, smoke, cold, stress

Asthma can be life-threatening

If diagnosed early and properly treated it is less likely to cause permanent damage i.e. scarring of the lungs. With asthma, the lining inside the air passages of the lungs is persistently inflamed and sensitive – even if there are no symptoms at the time.

An asthma attack happens when the breathing tubes:

Spasm - Tightening of the muscles in the walls of the airways
Swell - Inflammation of the lining of the airways
Produce sticky mucus - Phlegm plugging up the airways
Squeeze - Flattening of the airways by the pressure in the chest when trying to breathe out hard

Signs and Symptoms
A patient may have one, any or all of the following

Cough – the most common symptom, usually dry and persistent. Occurs particularly at night and after exercise
Wheezing – a high pitches wind-blowing noise on breathing out
Shortness of breath – breathing is fast and shallow, it feels like you can’t get enough air to breathe
Chest tightness – like someone is standing on your chest and doesn’t allow it to expand freely when you breath
Raised shoulders – as breathing becomes more difficult, the neck muscles tense causing the shoulders to be raised
Blueness around the mouth – a sign that your body isn’t getting enough oxygen
Difficulty speaking – the lack of breath results in not being able to say more than a few words at a time
Expirations – are long, noisy and difficult

Mild attack? Short of breath, wheeze, cough, chest tightness

Moderate attack? Loud wheeze, breathing difficulty, can only speak in short sentences

Treatment

Comfort and reassure patient
Sit patient forward with arms supported
Assist with medication

If the patient does not improve after five minutes, call an ambulance. Continue to use the blue inhaler –four to six puffs every five minutes until help arrives. In this situation you will not overdose the patient by administering the reliever every five minutes

Severe/life threatening?

Distressed/afraid, struggling to breathe, difficulty speaking two words, blueness around the mouth, it is a sudden severe attack, gets no relief from the reliever, appears to be getting worse

Treatment

Get help / DIAL 1-1-1
Comfort and reassure patient
Sit patient up with arms supported
Assist with medication*

Use the blue inhaler – four to six puffs every five minutes until help arrives

*In this situation you will not overdose the patient but administer the reliever every five minutes

For comprehensive first aid information please refer to the MediTrain First Aid Manual or complete a S.A.F.E Gisborne First Aid Course.
Telephone Numbers in this article are specific to New Zealand.

Burns

Burns cause damage to the skin and underlying tissues by excessive heat from fire, steam, water or chemicals. Infants and the elderly do not compensate well after burn injuries and need medical attention immediately

Surface burns and scalds
Partial skin thickness

Signs and symptoms

Very painful
Reddened skin
Blisters
Swelling

Treatment

Cool with copious quantities of water for 10 minutes (check the clock). If still painful cool under water again
Cover with clingfilm preferably, otherwise sterile dressings. If neither are available then use clean lint-free cloth. You can continue to cool affected area with water when covered by clingfilm Do not completely encircle any part of the body in clingfilm as swelling may occur.
Place clingfilm / dressings between adjacent burnt areas e.g. fingers or toes
Take the patient to Medical Centre or DIAL EMERGENCY depending on the severity of burn
ANY burn covering an area the size of the palm of the patient’s hand requires medical treatment
Burns on the face or chest will cause breathing difficulty
Any burns to the face, hands, feet or genitals are considered serious
If in doubt, always DIAL 1-1-1

DO NOT

Give any medications or drinks
Break or prick blisters
Pull away any clothing stuck to the burn
Put ointments, oils, butter or any substance at all on the burn
Leave the patient alone

Chemical Burns – DIAL EMERGENCY
Read and understand information sheets on all chemicals before using them

Brush or wash off chemical – protect yourself and the patient from further harm
Most chemicals will require large amounts of water to flush them away
Keep flushing until medical help arrives
Flush for at least 20 minutes ( check the clock)
If the patient has to be transported, cover their burnt skin with clingfilm preferably, otherwise sterile dressings

Child Safety

Keep children out of the kitchen when cooking
Watch children when using incinerator
Keep matches, lighters and candles where children cannot reach them
Barbeques can cause extreme injuries. Erect out of the way and set clear childfree boundaries around them
Never leave lighters or matches in any vehicle where children may travel – even childproof/child resistant ones

Ensure you have a well-stocked First Aid Kit on hand for any burn or scalding emergency. We sell a wide range of First Aid Kits.
For comprehensive first aid information please refer to the MediTrain First Aid Manual or complete a S.A.F.E Gisborne First Aid Course.
Telephone Numbers in this article are specific to New Zealand.

CPR

SAFETY
Think of the safety of yourself first, Are you in danger? Use Barriers, (Gloves, CPR Shield etc),
Consider Bystanders and then the casualty.

RESPONSE
Gently Tap and Shout to see if the casualty responds.
If no response, get help, call 111

AIRWAY
Check that the airway is open and clear mouth if necessary.
Leave dentures in place unless loose.
Tilt patient’s head back using Head Tilt/Chin Lift and...

OPEN the AIRWAY
Look , listen and feel for breathing

BREATHING
Is the patient BREATHING?
If not…get help, Call 1-1-1

START CPR
REMEMBER 30 to 2, NO MATTER WHO!

For comprehensive first aid information please refer to the MediTrain First Aid Manual or complete a S.A.F.E Gisborne First Aid Course.
Telephone Numbers in this article are specific to New Zealand.

Fractures / Dislocations

A fracture is a crack, break or bend in a bone.

A dislocation is the separation of two bones which form a joint.

It is preferable not to splint unless absolutely necessary for transport / comfort as mishandling of the injury can cause tissue and / or nerve damage

Fractures
A fracture is a crack, break or bend in a bone

Signs and Symptoms

Pain
Swelling, followed by bruising of the injured part
May be deformity at site of fracture
Patient may find it difficult / impossible to move the part normally
An open fracture may have bleeding and a wound, while the bone may or may not be visible
Shock

DO NOT move suspected fractures of:

Head, neck or spine
Pelvis
Femur/thigh bone
Elbow

Unless the patient’s life is in danger as moving the patient may result In life-long disabilities

Treatment

Treat patient gently
Make as comfortable as possible
Place packing around injured site to stabilize
Place padded ice or cold-pack over injured area to minimize swelling
With arm / leg injuries, the patient usually puts the limb in the most comfortable position. Support / Bind limb in place.

If bandages are not available, improvise by using clothing, clingfilm etc

Dislocation
A dislocation is the separation of two bones forming a joint.

For any dislocations DIAL 1-1-1

Signs and Symptoms

Extreme pain
Deformity
May be discoloured

Treatment

Treat patient gently
Place packing around injured site to stabilize if not transporting
Place ice-wrapped up, or cold-pack over injured area to minimize swelling
Check for circulation and sensation below the dislocation
If patient must be transported, support /bind gently in comfortable position

For comprehensive first aid information please refer to the MediTrain First Aid Manual or complete a S.A.F.E Gisborne First Aid Course.
Telephone Numbers in this article are specific to New Zealand.

Internal and Nose Bleeding

Internal bleeding is possible in any impact or accident. Look at the circumstances of the accident, as there may be no external evidence of injury but there may be serious damage to internal organs. If blood is lost from the circulatory system (from the damaged organ), not from the body itself, shock may be the first indication of internal injury. Often internal organs, e.g. spleen and liver are damaged as a result of a blow from an object, a fall, or a restraining device (like a car seatbelt).

Internal Bleeding

Signs and Symptoms

Tenderness or pain over the injury site
Swelling or bruising over the injury site
Lowered conscious level
Tissue/skin colour pale
Rapid, weak pulse
Thirst
Anxiety
Nausea

If force has been involved in the accident, gently press on either side of the patient’s abdomen feeling for any tenderness or pain reaction, swelling or hardening of the abdomen. Compare one side of the abdomen with the other.

Treatment

Get help / DIAL 1-1-1
DO NOT give food or drink to the patient, or allow to smoke
DO NOT move unnecessarily
Raise legs by 8 – 12 inches (20 – 30 cm's) if you do not suspect head / spinal injuries or heart problems
Treat for shock
SkillsforLife Cycle

Nose-Bleeds
Nose-bleeds are most common during childhood when they are usually insignificant and easily stopped. (If frequent, see a Doctor as they can usually be easily stopped from re-occurring). They occur infrequently in healthy young adults but become more common and more serious during old age. Otherwise, nose-bleeds are generally caused by accidents (blows to head, face or nose) or high blood pressure.

Treatment

The patient should sit upright and lean forward to prevent blood flowing down back of throat
Breathe through the mouth – put absorbent cloth or container under the nose to contain blood –Use red flannel or towel for a child as it doesn’t frighten them as much as a white cloth!
Keep the patient still – no talking, swallowing or raising the head
Pinch just below the bridge of the nose firmly
If blood flows back down the throat – release the nose
If an icepack is available, place that on bridge of nose
- never put ice directly on the skin, have a barrier between

After bleeding has stopped, have the patient avoid exertion and not blow their nose for at least 4 hours to avoid disturbing the clotting

Get Help / Dial 1-1-1

If the bleeding from the nose is not noticeably lessening within 10 minutes
If bleeding has not stopped completely within 30 minutes
If the patient shows any signs of shock
If patient has clear or straw-coloured fluid leaking from the nose or ears

Ensure you have a well-stocked First Aid Kit on hand for any internal or nose bleed emergency. We sell a wide range of First Aid Kits.
For comprehensive first aid information please refer to the MediTrain First Aid Manual or complete a S.A.F.E Gisborne First Aid Course.
Telephone Numbers in this article are specific to New Zealand.

Poisoning

Poisoning is exposure to a poisonous substance or over-exposure to a normally harmless substance. The substance may be swallowed, inhaled, injected or absorbed.

Substances may be introduced to a patient

By mouth – ingestion
Breathed in – inhalation
Enters through the skin – absorption
Physically forced into the tissues or blood stream – injection

The effects of poisoning may be immediate, local at point of contact, or be delayed, taking several hours

Signs

Evidence of poisoning e.g. containers
Lowered conscious level
Seizures
Substance around mouth/on clothing
Respiratory arrest / breathing difficulties
Cardiac arrest
Car exhaust running
Rash

Symptoms

The patient/bystander tells you about substance
Nausea / vomiting
Abdominal pain

Treatment

If possible, establish which substance, amount taken and time of poisoning. Save any vomit, pills containers, or samples of substances for the ambulance and hospital. Be careful to protect yourself from any poison present

If the patient is conscious

It is essential you phone the Poison Centre 0800 POISON and do only as directed
Take patient to the phone with you if possible
Wash any burning substance off mouth and face with water only
Remove contaminated clothing
Save any evidence
DO NOT make vomit
DO NOT give anything to the patient unless directed to do so by the Poison Centre. (0800 POISON)

If the patient is unconscious or confused
GET HELP/ DIAL 1-1-1

If rescue breathing is necessary, mouth-to-nose rescue breathing should be used in case of contamination by the poison that has been swallowed or inhaled

Note

First aid measures printed on product containers may not be correct
Inhalation can present a danger to responders. Only if you can protect yourself do you move the victim to fresh air

New Zealand Poison Centre, Freephone: 0800 764 766 0800 POI SON

In Brief

If the patient is conscious DIAL POISON CONTROL CENTRE
If the patient is unconscious DIAL EMERGENCY 111

For comprehensive first aid information please refer to the MediTrain First Aid Manual or complete a S.A.F.E Gisborne First Aid Course.
Telephone Numbers in this article are specific to New Zealand.

Shock

Shock is the reaction of the body to lack of oxygen. When the body recognizes that not enough oxygenated blood is flowing through the blood vessels, it reduces the blood flow to the skin, arms and legs as it attempts to supply sufficient blood to the vital organs

The three main causes of shock are:

Heart failure – insufficient oxygenated blood being circulated due to heart pump failing
Fluid failure - circulating blood lost due to internal / external bleeding or burns
Blood-vessel failure – due to spinal injury or an allergic reaction. For example, blood vessels below the injury site dilate (get bigger) so there is not enough blood to fill the system or in reaction to a substance e.g. penicillin

Signs

Tissue/skin colour is pale
Moist sweaty (cool) skin
Rapid weak pulse
Shivering
Breathing may be shallow, gasping or noisy
May become confused and/or distressed
Thirst
Anxiety
Nausea

Treatment

Get help/ 1-1-1
SkillsforLife cycle is the primary treatment for shock
DO NOT give food or drink to the patient or allow to smoke
Maintain body temperature, as near normal temperature as possible - Do not overheat May need a blanket both under and over patient e.g. on hot tar seal or icy ground
Raise the legs 20 – 30 cm's (8 – 12 inches) if you do not suspect head / spinal / heart problems
Reassure and comfort patient continuously

We can also suffer shock due to fear, pain, fright or overheating. This is where the arteries dilate (get bigger) resulting in the same amount of blood flow not reaching all the circumference of the arteries, causing a lack of oxygen to the body tissues. Not life-threatening. If uninjured, walking for a few hundred metres will help the arteries return to normal size

Children may suffer shock when witnessing an accident.

They commonly react in one of two ways:

Absorbing curiosity
Numb / silent with fear

Remove uninjured children from the scene if possible

Fainting Is a brief loss of consciousness and lasts for only a few seconds. Once lying down the patient recovers rapidly

If a fainting patient has not regained consciousness within one minute Get Help / DIAL 1-1-1

For comprehensive first aid information please refer to the MediTrain First Aid Manual or complete a S.A.F.E Gisborne First Aid Course.
Telephone Numbers in this article are specific to New Zealand.