PADI RTO First Aid Student Manual

How do you manage head injury? Head injuries are often accompanied by other injuries such as internal bleeding and spinal damage. Always follow primary care procedures for these injuries – pay particular attention to a casualty’s breathing and circulation. Head injuries are a medical emergency. Place casualty in lateral recovery position and follow primary care procedures. Neck and spinal injuries What is the function of the spinal cord? Your spinal cord connects the brain to the rest of the body and organs. It is essential for life and runs down through the vertebrae in the neck and spine. Vertebrae are rings of bones surrounding the spinal cord and run from the neck to the lower back. These bones make up the backbone, or spinal column. A spinal cord injury may result in permanent paralysis or death. The higher up in the spinal column the injury, the more likely it will cause a serious disability. This is why it’s so important to guard the head, neck and spine when attending to an injured casualty.

HLTAID003 - PROVIDE FIRST AID

HLTAID003 - PROVIDE FIRST AID

Ear injuries How do you manage outer ear injuries? If you suspect there is also head trauma (see ‘head injury’), call EMS. If there is any external bleeding, apply direct pressure. And if any portion has been amputated, treat accordingly. Apply a cool compress to the area to help decrease swelling and get medical attention. Fractures What is a fracture and what are the three main types of fractures? A fracture is defined as a crack, chip or break in the continuity of a bone. A closed fracture shows no associated open wound, although bruising may be evident. In cases of cracks and chips, simple fractures can be difficult to diagnose without the aid of X-rays. There may be bleeding into surrounding tissues. An open fracture is when the bone is fractured and there is also an associated open wound. In some cases the broken bone ends may protrude through the wound. The control of bleeding and prevention of further infection into the broken bone ends are major considerations in the treatment. Complicated fractures occur when the fracture causes damage to, or interference with, organs or other important structures. Examples are broken ribs causing lung damage, or a broken forearm causing damage to blood vessels. The most common type of complication is when broken bone ends trap blood vessels and restrict circulation which can have very serious consequences. Both open and closed fractures can be complicated when there is associated injury. Complicated fractures can also involve multiple bone fragments. Febrile convulsions What are febrile convulsions and how do you manage them? Febrile convulsions are usually associated with a rapid high fever or a viral infection causing electrical activity in the brain to be disturbed. Febrile convulsions occur in approximately 3% of all children at some stage between the age of six months and six years. Seizures not resulting in loss of consciousness require little first aid other than reassurance and protection of the casualty from injury. However, if this is occurring for the first time call 000 (Triple Zero) and place casualty in lateral recovery position. Head injury How do you recognise head injuries? Casualties suffering from head injuries can lose consciousness and be at risk of damage to the brain, eyes, ears, teeth, mouth and airway. Casualties may experience a changing level of consciousness, loss of consciousness, blood or fluid from ears, nose, and mouth, have difficulty speaking or moving and be agitated or irritable. Casualties may vomit, be nauseous, complain of headache or dizziness, or have altered pupil size and seizures. Concussion can occur with a head injury, leading to a temporary loss of consciousness followed by a rapid recovery. However, a severe head injury can lead to permanent disability and/or death.

Why is it important to protect the spinal cord during primary care? Spinal cord injuries can result in permanent paralysis or death so you should never move a casualty unless absolutely necessary. If spinal injury is suspected, support the head and minimise its movement. What nine indications signal the possible need for spinal injury

management? The indications that there may be a need for spinal injury management are: a change of consciousness (like fainting), difficulty breathing, vision problems, the inability to move a body part, headache, vomiting, loss of balance, tingling or numbness in hands, fingers and feet and/or toes and any pain in the back of neck area. When should you always suspect a spinal injury? You should always suspect a spinal injury when the casualty has been in a traffic/car accident, was thrown from a motorised vehicle, has fallen from a height greater than person’s own height, has a penetration wound, such as a gunshot wound, if you suspect severe blow to the head, neck or back, after a head-first dive in a swimming pool, if the person has been in a lightning strike, for any serious impact injury, or if the person complains of pain in the neck or back. Minor skin injuries How do you manage minor skin injuries? For minor skin injuries (cuts and scrapes), remember to protect yourself and try to control the bleeding. Then wash the wound and apply a bandage. How do you manage minor bruises? For minor bruising you may apply a cold compress to the area and then elevate and support the injury to ease any swelling.

III-9

III-8

PADI RTO

PADI RTO