PADI RTO First Aid Student Manual

PADI RTO HLTAID003 - PROVIDE FIRST AID How do you manage nose bleeds? If the casualty has a nose bleed, remember to protect yourself and apply direct pressure below the nose bridge. Have the person sit, head leaning slightly forward and not backwards; ensure the person remains seated at total rest for 10-20 mins. Needle stick injury What are needle stick injuries and what risks are associated with them? Some people, such as health care workers, are at increased risk of needle stick injury, which occurs when the skin is accidentally punctured by a used needle. Blood-borne pathogens could be transmitted by such an injury; they include human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV). How do you manage needle stick injuries? Always protect yourself first. Then, if safe to do so, wash the wound with soap and water. If soap and water aren’t available, use alcohol-based hand rubs or solutions. If you are at work, notify your supervisor or occupational health and safety officer – you will need to fill out an incident report form. The casualty should go straight to their doctor, or to the nearest hospital emergency department. Poisoning and toxic substances What are different types of poisoning? Poisons may have been ingested (e.g. medications, chemicals, cleaners, solvents, pesticides and plant material), inhaled (e.g. carbon monoxide, gases and toxic fumes), absorbed (e.g. poison ivy, oak or sumac and chemical sprays), or ingested by food. Food poisoning occurs when people eat foods contaminated by bacteria or eat food that is toxic, such as certain mushrooms, fish or shellfish. Poisons may also be injected through unintentional or deliberate overdose. Poisoning can occur through inhalation from industrial use, or from the burning of plastics, acrylics, synthetic rubber, carpets or upholstery. Poisoning can also occur either by ingesting cyanide compounds or by absorbing them through the skin. What are the common indications of poisoning? Common indications that a casualty has ingested poison may include burns or stains around the mouth, excessive salivation, sweating, nausea, tears, chemical along with smell on breath, vomiting, diarrhoea, convulsions, drowsiness, unconsciousness. Indications of inhaled poisons may include headache, dizziness, nausea, tight chest, coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, pale along with skin going bluish, cherry-red lips and nail beds. Absorbed poison indications include skin swelling, rash, itching, burning, blisters (symptoms may be delayed). Indications can also include severe difficulty breathing, headache, weakness. How do you manage poisoning? It is important to prevent poisoning the rescuer; use barriers and try to identify the possible cause. If possible, save the food or other item for emergency services.

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