Emergency First Aid Protocols and Treatment Steps

Hanging Strangulation

• Remove any constriction.
• Support the body while you relieve the constriction.
• Have the person lie down while supporting their head and neck to restore adequate breathing.

Hyperventilation

• Speak firmly; she may be able to regain control of her breathing more easily and quickly.
• Encourage her to seek medical advice on preventing and controlling panic.
• Symptoms: Unnaturally fast breathing, fast pulse rate, apprehension.
• Action: Remove her from the cause of distress and calm her.

Hand and Finger Injuries

• Treat any bleeding and loosely cover the wound with a sterile dressing.
• Remove rings and wrap the hand.
• Use an elevation sling.
• Secure the arm and seek medical attention for swelling or deformity.

Hip and Thigh Injuries

• Have the person lie down and support the limb at the knee.
• Straighten the leg, support the limb at the ankle while you straighten it, and pull in the line of the limb.
• Call for emergency services and immobilize the limb to prevent further injury.

Heat Exhaustion

• Help the person to a cool, shady place.
• Have them lie down and support their legs to improve blood flow to the brain.
• Give them plenty of water to drink.
• Monitor and call for help if symptoms like headache or confusion persist.

Heatstroke

• Remove as much of their outer clothing as possible and call for emergency services.
• Wrap them in a cold, wet sheet until their temperature falls to 38°C under the tongue; replace the wet sheet with a dry one.
• Monitor the patient to lower the temperature.
• Symptoms: Headache, dizziness, discomfort, confusion, hot and flushed skin.

Headache

• Help the person to sit.
• Give them a cold compress to hold against their head.
• Administer paracetamol to relieve pain.

Inhalation of Fumes

• Call for emergency services.
• Escape from the source of the fumes into fresh air.
• Encourage the person to breathe normally, treat obvious burns, and monitor to restore adequate breathing.
• Symptoms: Headache, confusion, unconsciousness, coughing, vomiting, skin discoloration, breathlessness.

Internal Bleeding

• Symptoms: Initially pale, cold, clammy skin; if bleeding continues, the skin may turn blue-grey. Rapid weak pulse, rapid shallow breathing, possible collapse, unconsciousness, bleeding from body openings, pain, confusion, restlessness, and irritability.
• Causes: Bleeding in the lungs, bleeding in the digestive system, or ruptured blood vessels.

Impalement

• Call for emergency services.
• Support the body weight until emergency services arrive to prevent further injury.

Infected Wounds

• Cover the wound with a sterile dressing and bandage it in place.
• Seek medical service if the infection is advanced.
• Symptoms: Increasing pain and soreness, pus within or oozing.

Impaired Consciousness

• Call for emergency services and monitor.
• Maintain an open airway, assess, and record the level of response.
• Do not move the casualty unnecessarily.
• Use the AVPU scale.
• Causes: Low oxygen, low blood sugar.

Insect Stings

• Brush or scrape the stinger off sideways with the edge of a credit card or your fingernail.
• Raise the affected part, apply a cold compress, and seek medical advice.
• Monitor for swelling and pain.