The Ultimate First Aid Course

This course is designed to give you the theoretical knowledge as to what to do if you find someone unconscious, ill or injured. This course is also an excellent First Aid Training package for people to gain invaluable knowledge at their own time and pace.

The course consists of handouts and videos and a short test yourself section fully compatible with all computers and mobile devices. You will be able to stop and start as often as you like and on completion you will be able to print your Certificate.

It is impossible to cover all eventualities within this course, or to equip you with the knowledge and skills to appropriately diagnose and treat in unpredictable real life situations. If you suspect illness or injury, you should always seek immediate professional medical advice.

In this video we will look at what your role is as a first aider and how to address the fears and concerns someone might have in the administration of first aid.

Always be prepared - make sure you have medical information on you or at the very least emergency contact details.

Have a look at the you tube video below on how to set up your medical ID on a iPhone as well as the PDF to help you and the relevant links for your phone.

First Aid kits come in all different shapes, sizes and colours. We will talk about the differences between your own personal first aid kit in comparison to a workplace first aid kit.

A First Aid Kit needs to be fit for your purpose.

In this video we will address the fear of infection. Especially in the current climate with COVID -19 still prevalent we need to ensure we as first aiders are kept safe. We will talk about how to minimise the risk of infection with appropriate PPE and hand washing.

Learn how to wash your hands correctly , make sure you download the attached sheet and practice!

Make sure you download the resources attached and also watch the external video on how to set up What 3 Words.

Learn how to call the EMS and what to tell them as well as how to prepare for their arrival.

Have a look at the attached resources to set up the text service for the EMS especially useful if you are hearing impaired (UK) and the silent 55 resource (useful if you can't speak).

In this video you will learn how to stay safe in an emergency by considering the safety of the scene.

We will talk about checking the area for dangers and understanding why we need to talk to the casualty.

When you are watching this video we will be encouraging you to practice on yourself or on another (or maybe a teddy or pillow).

Download the resources attached to help you and remember to start and stop the video as often as you like.

Practice the recovery position on both sides - and if you have a casualty, ask them to be floppy and act like a sack of potatoes (if you let go of their hand they should just flop it back to the floor again)!

Practice makes perfect!

In this video we will talk about the reasons someone might suffer from a seizure and how to treat them.

Practical

With a family friend or family member practice the sequence for a adult / child and use the worksheet to help you.

Please DO NOT perform back slaps or abdominal thrusts on anyone alive because you can cause serious internal bleeding.

However practice the placements of the hands to you know how perform the back slaps and the abdominal thrusts.

Adult and Child

1. Give up to five back blows

2. Give up to five abdominal thrusts

3. Call EMS and repeat

   
   

Practical

In order to practice the baby procedure, you can use a cushion or a doll.

Baby

1. Give up to five back blows

2. Give up to five chest thrusts

3. Call EMS can repeat

Information:

A severe allergic reaction of the body’s immune system. It causes chemicals to be released in the blood which widen the blood vessels and cause air passages to narrow. If someone is struggling to breathe they need their medication to relax the airways.  The medication they need is an auto injectorpen.  There are currently three types the market - the Jext, Epi pen and the new one on the market, the emerade pen.  The Jext and Epi pen work the same way.  The emerade is less confusing as it only has one end, the cap covers the needle.  

Signs and Symptoms

• Breathing becomes difficult

• Blotchy patches on the skin

• Swelling around the face

• Feeling of terror

Treatment

• 999 instantly

• Ask if they have an epi pen 

• Help the casualty sit in a comfortable position

• Monitor vital signs until more qualified help arrives.

TASK: Watch the video and download the leaflets on how to use each pen

TASK:

In order to feel what a asthma suffer feels like when they are having an attack, place a straw in your mouth and breathe in through your nose for 5 seconds and out through the straw for 2 seconds, repeat. How do you feel? You will probably feel some of the symptoms of a asthma sufferer.  PLEASE STOP, DONT MAKE YOURSELF FEEL ILL.

INFORMATION:

The muscles of the air passages contract and go into spasm as a result making it difficult to breathe out.

Signs and Symptoms: 

• Difficulty in breathing

• Wheezing

• Difficulty in speaking

• Coughing

• Distress/anxiety

• Blue tinge to lips

Treatment

• Allow them to take their inhaler (the reliever - normally with blue caps)

• Keep the chest open - shoulders back and down

• Blow out for longer than in

• Help the casualty use their inhaler and encourage the use of their spacer.

Things you should never do when someone is having an asthma attack:

• Never leave them alone

• Never take them to colder air

We will have a look at different types of bleeding.

I will be encouraging you to take part in this exercise, so please ensure you have a bandage available or a substitute bandage such as a scarf.

In this video we will talk about Shock and Fainting

In this video we will have a look at the different types of burns and scalds we could get. I will show you how to judge the severity of a burn and the correct treatment of burns.

Watch the video about the dangerous of button cell batteries - attached resource

Burns are one of the most common household injuries, especially among children. The term “burn” means more than the burning sensation associated with this injury. Burns are characterized by severe skin damage that causes the affected skin cells to die. 

Most people can recover from burns without serious health consequences, depending on the cause and degree of injury. More serious burns require immediate emergency medical care to prevent complications and death.

LEVELS OF BURNS

There are three primary types of burns: first (superficial), second (Partial thickness)-, and third-degree (full thickness). Each degree is based on the severity of damage to the skin, with first-degree being the most minor and third-degree being the most severe. Damage includes:

• First degree burns red, nonblistered skin

• second-degree burns: blisters and some thickening of the skin

• third-degree burns: widespread thickness with a white, leathery appearance

There are also fourth-degree burns. This type of burn includes all of the symptoms of a third-degree burn and also extends beyond the skin into tendons and bones.

Burns have a variety of causes, including:

• scalding from hot, boiling liquids

• Chemical burns

• electrical burns

• fires, including flames from matches, candles, and lighters

• Sun exposure

The type of burn is not based on the cause of it. Scalding, for example, can cause all three burns, depending on how hot the liquid is and how long it stays in contact with the skin.

Chemical and electrical burns warrant immediate medical attention because they can affect the inside of the body, even if skin damage is minor.How to treat a burn

Treatment of burns

• Run a burn under COOL running water for 20 minutes

• Remove any jewellery that is NOT attached to the burns.  Jewellery can restrict the blood flow

• Cover with cling film to prevent infection. Seek medical help if the burn is on a baby or child, bigger than 1% of your skin surface area, deep and on the face, hands, feet and genitals.

Preventing burns

The obvious best way to fight burns is to prevent them from happening. Certain jobs put you at a greater risk for burns, but the fact is that most burns happen at home. Infants and young children are the most vulnerable to burns. Preventive measures you can take at home include:

• Keep children out of the kitchen while cooking.

• Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove.

• Place a fire extinguisher in or near the kitchen.

• Test smoke detectors once a month.

• Replace smoke detectors every 10 years.

• Keep water heater temperature under 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Measure bath water temperature before use.

• Lock up matches and lighters.

• Install electrical outlet covers.

• Check and discard electrical cords with exposed wires.

• Keep chemicals out of reach, and wear gloves during chemical use.

• Wear sunscreen every day, and avoid peak sunlight. 

• Ensure all smoking products are stubbed out completely.

• Clean out dryer lint traps regularly.

It’s also important to have a fire escape plan and to practice it with your family once a month. In the event of a fire, make sure to crawl underneath smoke. This will minimize the risk of passing out and becoming trapped in a fire.

TASK:

Watch the video and download  the attached resource and practice both the support sling and elevation sling using a triangular bandage if you have one or make your own out of a pillow case.

Make sure you practice both sides.

INFORMATION

There are different types of fractures:

Closed Fractures

Open Fractures

Complicated Fractures

Greenstick Fractures

What to look for - Broken bones and fractures

The seven things to look for are:

1. 1. Swelling

2. 2. Difficulty moving

3. 3. Movement in an unnatural direction

4. 4. A limb that looks shorter, twisted or bent

5. 5. A grating noise or feeling

6. 6. Loss of strength

7. 7. Shock

What you need to do - Broken bones and fractures

• If it is an open fracture, cover the wound with a sterile dressing and secure it with a bandage. Apply pressure around the wound to control any bleeding.

• Support the injured body part to stop it from moving. This should ease any pain and prevent any further damage.

• Once you’ve done this, call 999 or 112 for medical help. While waiting for help to arrive, don’t move them unless they’re in immediate danger.

Waiting for medical help to arrive

Protect the injured area by using bandages to secure it to an uninjured part of the body to stop it from moving. For example, fractures on the arm can be secured with a sling, and a leg with a fracture can be tied to the uninjured leg.

Keep checking the casualty for signs of shock This does not mean emotional shock, but is a life-threatening condition, often caused by losing blood.

If they lose responsiveness at any point, open their airway, check their breathing and prepare to treat someone who’s become unresponsive 

I will address the signs and symptoms of a spinal injury and explain the treatment

In this video we will show you how to perform the spinal recovery position and recap the log roll from the previous spinal injury video,

Task:

If you have a helper or helpers available please practice the spinal recovery position. When you have mastered it, apply the Primary Survey and Secondary Survey to it (from previous videos).

Recap: Primary Survey - Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing check

Secondary Survey: Check body for injuries

I will teach you how to help if someone suffers from heat exhaustion and heat stroke. I will explain febrile convulsions and I will explain the importance of staying hydrated.

In this video I will explain what sickle cell is and the importance of following a care plan.

In this video we look at poisons from household cleaners, tablets plants, berries and food. We will address how to identify is someone is poisoned and how to help them