Eye Injuries

You can treat many minor eye irritations by flushing the eye with water, but more serious injuries require medical attention.

How to Help

Foreign Body

  • Wash your hands thoroughly before touching the eyelids to examine the eye.
  • Flush the eye with water, Optrex or Saline – avoid flushing into the uninjured eye.
  • Do not touch, press, or rub the eye itself.
  • Do not try to remove any foreign body except by flushing.
  • If the foreign body is not dislodged by flushing, the eye should be covered and the patient should get medical assistance.

Embedded Foreign Body

  • If an object is sticking out of the eye do not try to remove it.If possible, gently cover both eyes.
  • Seek immediate medical assistance.

Chemical Exposure

  • Flush the eye as above and continue to rinse the eye(s) as much as possible until the patient has medical assistance.
  • Ensure the unaffected eye doesn’t become exposed. Flush the affected eye with the head tilted and the affected eye closest to the ground.

This information is for reference only and comprehensive life saving skills can only be gained by attending a First Aid Christchurch first aid course.

Diabetes

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a disorder that affects the way your body uses food for energy. It occurs when the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar (specifically, glucose) in the blood. Glucose in the blood gives you energy to perform daily activities, walk briskly, run for a bus, ride your bike and perform your day-to-day chores.

Some of the Signs and Symptoms may be:

  • Excessive Thirst/Eating
  • Irritability
  • Feeling Weak & Tired
  • Shallow Breathing
  • Skin may be Cool, Clammy, Pale or Sweaty
  • Confused

How to Help

  • Often in a first aid situation, the patient is likely to have a low blood sugar level.Give the patient something sweet to raise their blood sugar quickly – e.g. jelly beans, honey sandwich, sugar sachet etc.
  • If the patient’s condition does not improve after being given sugar CALL 111.

This information is for reference only and comprehensive life saving skills can only be gained by attending a First Aid Christchurch first aid course.

Shock

What Is Shock?

Shock is a very serious and life-threatening condition and must be identified and managed immediately. Shock occurs when the body is not getting enough blood flow and can damage multiple organs.

Some of the Signs and Symptoms may be

  • Cold, Pale and Clammy Skin
  • Anxiety
  • Confusion
  • Feeling Dizzy, Faint and Unwell
  • Shallow Breathing
  • Rapid but Weak Pulse

How to Manage Shock

  • Call 111 for Assistance.
  • Check DRABC
  • If the patient is conscious and DOES NOT have an injury to the head, leg, neck or spine, place the person in the shock position by laying them on their back and elevating their legs about 50 cm. If raising the legs will cause pain or potential harm, leave them lying flat.
  • Give first aid for any wounds or injuries and control any bleeding.
  • Keep the patient warm and comfortable.
  • Keep reassuring them as much as possible.

This information is for reference only and comprehensive life saving skills can only be gained by attending a First Aid Christchurch first aid course.

Seizures

What is a Seizure?

A seizure is an involuntary behaviour that usually affects how a person feels or acts for a short time and are usually associated with epilepsy.

Some of the Signs and Symptoms may be:

  • Dizziness
  • Falling to the ground/loss of consciousness
  • Incontinence
  • Body Spasms
  • Staring, excessive blinking or upward rolling of the eyes

How to Help

  • Try to reassure the patient.
  • Clear the area. Move any furniture or objects out of the way that may cause harm.
  • Do not place anything in their mouth, as this can increase the risk of choking.
  • Do not try to restrain the patient.
  • Check DRABC
  • If possible, put the patient into the recovery position.
  • If the patient has not had a seizure before or suffers repeated or prolonged seizures, CALL 111.

This information is for reference only and comprehensive life saving skills can only be gained by attending a First Aid Christchurch first aid course.

Asthma

What Is Asthma?

Asthma is a condition that affects the airways – the small tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs.

When a person with asthma comes into contact with something that irritates their airways (an asthma trigger), the muscles around the walls of the airways tighten so that the airways become narrower and the lining of the airways becomes inflamed and starts to swell. Sometimes sticky mucus or phlegm builds up which can further narrow the airways.

Some of the Signs and Symptoms may be:

  • Coughing
  • Wheezing
  • Shortness of Breath
  • Tightness in the Chest
  • Distressed

How to Help

  • Calm the patient and continue to reassure them.
  • Ensure they take their ‘reliever’ medication, usually a blue inhaler, immediately.
  • The patient should sit down and ensure that any tight clothing is loosened. Do not lie the patient down!!
  • If the asthma attack does not subside or if the patient cannot get out more than two words without a rest, CALL 111.
  • Continue to reassure them.

This information is for reference only and comprehensive life saving skills can only be gained by attending a first aid chch first aid course.

Allergic Reactions

What is an Allergic Reaction?

An allergic reaction is the body’s way of responding to an “invader”. When an allergen (the substance that causes an allergic response) enters the body, it causes the body’s immune system to develop an allergic reaction in a person with an allergy to it.

Allergic reactions can be mild or serious. Most severe allergic reactions occur within seconds or minutes after exposure to the allergen.

Some of the Signs and Symptoms may be:

  • Rashes/Itching
  • Difficulty Breathing
  • Tightness in the Chest
  • Difficulty Swallowing
  • Swelling of the Face, Eyes & Tongue
  • Nausea & Vomiting
  • Anxiety

How to Help

  • Calm the patient and continue to reassure them.
  • Try to identify the allergen and ensure they avoid any further contact with it.
  • If the patient has emergency allergy medication on hand, help the person take or inject the medication.
  • Check DRABC
  • Watch the patient for signs of increasing distress.
  • If you have any concerns about the patient’s wellbeing, CALL 111.

This information is for reference only and comprehensive life saving skills can only be gained by attending a First Aid Christchurch first aid course.

Poisoning

What is Poisoning?

Poisoning occurs when the body comes into contact with a harmful or toxic substance which has been swallowed, inhaled, absorbed or injected.

Different poisons affect the body in different ways, they can take effect quickly or over time.Poisoning should be considered as a cause if someone suddenly becomes ill for no apparent reason, or acts strangely, particularly if they are found near a poisonous substance.

Some of the Signs and Symptoms may be:

  • Nausea & Vomiting
  • Difficulty Breathing
  • Diarrhea
  • Abdominal Pain
  • Abnormal Skin Colour
  • Dizziness/Drowsiness
  • Burns around the Nose or Mouth
  • Blurred Vision
  • Seizures
  • Unconsciousness

How to Help

  • Ensure your safety – protect yourself from poisoning.
  • Immediately CALL 111
  • Contact the National Poisons Centre – 0800 764 766 (0800 POISON).
  • Check DRABC
  • DO NOT make the person vomit without advice from a medical professional

This information is for reference only and comprehensive life saving skills can only be gained by attending a First Aid Christchurch first aid course.

Fractures & Dislocations

What is a Fracture?

A bone fracture is a break in a bone and happens because an area of bone is not able to support the energy placed on it. Fractures are common and most people fracture at least one bone during their lifetime!

Some of the Signs and Symptoms may be:

  • Bruising
  • Loss of Function
  • Swelling around the injured area
  • Deformity of the Limb

What is a Joint Dislocation?

A dislocated joint is a joint that slips out of place. It occurs when the ends of bones are forced from their normal positions. When a joint is dislocated, it no longer functions properly.

Some of the Signs and Symptoms may be:

  • Swelling
  • Intense Pain
  • Immobility of injured joint
  • Deformity of the Limb

How to Help

  • Try not to move the patient unless it is absolutely necessary.
  • Control any bleeding.
  • Immobilise the limb. Where possible, it should not be moved at all.Support it in the as found position.
  • Cold packs may help reduce pain and swelling.
  • Keep the patient warm and continue to reassure them.
  • Check for signs of shock.

This information is for reference only and comprehensive life saving skills can only be gained by attending a First Aid Christchurch first aid course.

Angina or Heart Attack

What Is Angina?

Angina is a painful or uncomfortable sensation in the chest that occurs when part of the heart does not receive enough oxygen.

What Is A Heart Attack?

Heart attack occurs when there is blockage of a coronary artery. Heart attack lasts much longer than angina, and its symptoms generally continue even after a person rests.

Some of the Signs and Symptoms may be:

  • Chest Pain
  • Pain on Left Side – shoulder/arm/hand/neck/throat/jaw
  • Tightness in the Chest
  • Nausea
  • Breathing Difficulties
  • Sweating
  • Often mistaken for indigestion

How to Help

  • Does the patient have a history of Angina and carry medication?If so, give their recommended dose of medication.
  • If in doubt, immediately CALL 111.
  • The patient should rest.
  • Keep them calm and continue to reassure them.

This information is for reference only and comprehensive life saving skills can only be gained by attending a First Aid Christchurch first aid course.

Bleeding

If there is excessive bleeding, CALL 111.

Protect yourself – use gloves or plastic bags over your hands.

Using a clean bandage, pad (or whatever is available) apply direct pressure over the wound.

If possible, elevate the wounded area.

If the dressing becomes blood soaked, don’t remove the dressing, but place another dressing on top and continue with the direct pressure on the wound.

Pressure points on a limb will also help to control excessive bleeding.

This information is for reference only and comprehensive life saving skills can only be gained by attending a First Aid Christchurch first aid course.

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