PADI RTO First Aid Student Manual

What is internal bleeding? It is difficult to recognise internal bleeding. However, Emergency Responders should always suspect internal bleeding when a person is injured. Injuries that commonly cause internal bleeding include those caused by a violent blunt force or when an object penetrates the skin and damages internal organs. Car accidents and falling from extreme heights may also cause internal bleeding. Unlike external bleeding, internal bleeding may also be due to medical conditions such as ulcers, haemophilia (a lack of ability to clot blood from a wound) or aneurysm (internal bursting of a blood vessel). Common signs of internal bleeding include anxiety and restlessness, rapid breathing, rapid and weak pulse, unconsciousness and pale tongue along with bleeding from a body opening such as the ears, mouth and nose. Three symptoms of internal bleeding include, pain and tenderness around the affected area, thirst and nausea. Unlike external bleeding, Emergency Responders can do little for a person with internal bleeding. If you suspect a casualty has internal bleeding, call EMS immediately, keep the patient comfortable and immobile (unless in harm’s way). Internal bleeding typically requires surgery. Cardiac conditions What are the indications of cardiac arrest and how do you manage them? Cardiac arrest symptoms are immediate and drastic and may include a sudden collapse, no normal breathing and a loss of consciousness. Other indications may precede sudden cardiac arrest, such as fatigue, fainting, blackouts, dizziness, chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness, palpitations or vomiting. If the casualty is not breathing normally begin CPR/defibrillation as soon as possible. Ensure you also alert EMS. Choking and airway obstruction How do you recognise upper airway obstruction? Airway obstruction may be partial or complete and may be present in the conscious or the unconscious casualty. Typical causes include relaxation of the airway muscles due to unconsciousness, inhaled foreign body, trauma to the airway, severe allergic reaction. During partial obstruction breathing is laboured and may be noisy, some escape of air can be felt from the mouth. During complete obstruction, there may be efforts at breathing or no sound of breathing, there is no escape of air from nose and/or mouth. How do you manage foreign body airway obstruction (FBAO, or choking)? Assess the severity, check if there is an effective cough. Effective cough (mild airway obstruction): encourage coughing to expel the foreign material and continue the Cycle of Care (DRSABCDS) and if the obstruction is not relieved the responder should call EMS. Ineffective cough (severe airway obstruction): if casualty is conscious, call EMS, give up to five back blows with the heel of one hand in the middle of the back between the shoulder blades – if this is not effective, give up to five chest thrusts. These are similar to chest compressions but sharper and delivered at a slower rate. If casualty is unconscious, call EMS and commence CPR.

HLTAID002 - PROVIDE BASIC EMERGENCY LIFE SUPPORT

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PADI RTO