PADI RTO First Aid Student Manual

What are common cold injuries and how are they managed? Frostnip is when the surface skin begins to freeze, becoming red and painful. Frostbite is when the body area freezes, forming ice crystals within cells. You should treat frostbite as a medical emergency and follow the Cycle of Care (DRSABCDS) while moving the casualty to a warm, sheltered area. Hyperthermia What is hyperthermia? Hyperthermia may be caused by excessive heat absorption from a hot environment, excessive heat production from metabolic activity, failure of the cooling mechanisms, or an alteration in the body’s set temperature. Hyperthermia can lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Dehydration What is dehydration and how do you manage it? Dehydration happens when fluid intake does not equal perspiration loss. The casualty has a clammy skin, weak pulse and is nauseous, dizzy and anxious. Replace fluids by encouraging them to drink water, juice, or sports drinks. You should seek medical help if symptoms get worse or don’t improve within 24 hours, the casualty is elderly or an infant, or if you think a prescription medication caused the dehydration. Heat exhaustion What is heat exhaustion and how do you manage it? Heat exhaustion is when the body temperature rises beyond its normal core temperature but is still less than 40°C. Indications include fatigue associated with headache, nausea, vomiting, malaise, dizziness and possibly collapse. It is important to lie the casualty down, loosen and remove excessive clothing, moisten the skin with a moist cloth or atomiser spray, cool by fanning, give water to drink (only if fully conscious). Call EMS (dial triple zero, 000) and keep the casualty in the shade. Heat Stroke What is heat stroke and how do you manage it? Heat stroke is defined as when your body temperature rises dangerously high, more than 40°C. The casualty will have hot, dry, skin, rapid pulse and is disoriented or unconscious. You should treat heat stroke as a medical emergency, call EMS and follow the Cycle of Care (DRABCDS), assist the casualty to a cool area, spray or sponge him with cool water, cover him with wet cloth and continue to monitor the Cycle of Care (DRSABCDS) until EMS personnel arrive. Eye injuries What are different types of eye injuries? Eyes can be injured by burns, wounds, small objects (dirt dust), penetrating or embedded objects and smoke. How do you manage eye injuries? Determine what type of injury it is. Follow the Cycle of Care (DRSABCDS). Identify factors that could potentially make it worse. Don’t touch the eye and don’t allow the casualty to rub their eye. It is important that you don’t attempt to remove any object penetrating the eye and that you don’t apply pressure to the eye when bandaging it. Decide whether this can be managed by you or whether EMS is required.

HLTAID003 - PROVIDE FIRST AID

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PADI RTO