• Today we will be covering three different
aspects of first aid.
• However all three of them can be treated
similarly, using bandages.
• The first area we will look at bleeds.
• Arterial Bleeding – from arteries and blood is
bright red in colour. The blood is high in
oxygen as it has just come from the lungs.
Bleeding from arteries spurts out with high
pressure after each heart beat.
• Venous Bleeding – from the veins and is dark
red in colour as low in oxygen. Bleeding from
the veins oozes as there is less pressure
forcing the blood.
Signs & Symptoms
- Blood
- Altered conscious state
- Weak, rapid pulse
- Rapid and gasping breathing
- Faint/Dizzy
- Anxiety/Restlessness
- Thirst
- Nausea
- Sweaty
• Management of a bleeding casualty
1. DRABC (Wear gloves)
2. Inspect wound for foreign bodies/objects,
remove superficial bodies
3. Have patient apply pressure over bleeding site
with own hand
4. Apply pad and continue applying direct pressure
5. Secure pad using a roller bandage
Eg, bleeding wrist…
1.Apply cloth/bandage over wound and have
patient apply pressure
2.Begin bandaging from above the injury, have
patient continue applying pressure
3.Wrap bandage around arm covering half of
the last layer each time.
4.If the wound bleeds through, add another pad
and bandage, do NOT replace
Applying a Bandage to an Amputation
Eg, amputated hand…
1. Have patient apply pressure
2. Put a cloth over end and continue pressure
3. Elevate
4. Anchor bandage around wrist
5. Go over the top and apply pressure here rather than
around wrist
6. Once this is done…deal with amputation
7. Put in airtight container or bag
8. Put container in ice and water
Try for yourself…
• In small groups have a turn at bandaging a
wound and an amputation…show me once
you have finished.
• Remember…apply very firm pressure!
• In this section we will be discussing stings and
bites.
• In many cases these can be fatal if they are
not treated quickly.
Snake Bite
• All snakebites should managed the same as it
can be hard to identify the type of snake.
• The way that they should be treated is as
though the snake was venomous.
Snake Bite continued…
Signs and Symptoms
- Fang marks/scratch
- Headache
- Abdominal pain
- Blurred or double vision
- Drooping eyelids
- Difficulty speaking, swallowing and breathing
- Limb weakness or paralysis
- Respiratory weakness or arrest
Managing a Snake Bite
1. DRABC – Ensure snake is not still present
2. Look for bite site
3. Do NOT wash bite site
4. Apply non-adherent dressing over bite
site…to mark the site
5. Manage using pressure immobolization
technique
6. Call 000
Pressure Immobilization Technique
• This is used for management of venomous bites
or severe allergic reactions to stings.
1. Immobilize limb by using a roller bandage.
2. Regardless of where bite is, on arm or leg, start at
fingers or toes
3. Wind the bandage as far up the limb as possible
4. Splint the limb at the joints on either side of bite
5. Check fingers or toes for adequate circulation
6. Do NOT move patient and keep them totally still
7. Do NOT remove splint of bandages until medical
assistance arrives
Red Back Spider Bite
• When bitten by a red back spider pain occurs
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
- Immediate intense bite a site venom acts
rapidly at the site of thepain but thethat spreads
slowly so a serious illness is unlikely in under 3
- Hot, red and swelling at site
hours.
-Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Sweating
- Tremors
- Increased heart rate
- Headache
- Pins and needles in hands and feet.
Managing a Red Back Spider Bite
1. DRABC
2. Apply ice compress to the bite site
3. Continually monitor the patients condition
4. Call Ambulance 000
Funnel Web Spider Bite
• The funnel web spider is the only spider in
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Australia that is
- Pain at bite site an immediate threat to life.
Dangerous effects can
- Tingling around mouth show within 10
minutes.
- Sweating
- Huge secretion of saliva
- Abdominal pain
- Confusion, leading to coma
- Muscular twitching
- Breathing difficulty
Managing a Funnel Web Spider Bite
1. DRABC – ensure spider is not present
2. Look for bite
3. Apply non-adherent dressing over bite site
4. Manage using pressure immobilization
technique
5. Call Ambulance 000
Bee & Wasp Sting
• Although a bee or wasp sting can be quite
painful, it is only serious if the patient has an
allergic reaction.
• A bee stings only once and leaves a barb and
poison sac in the skin…once it has stung once
the bee will die.
• A wasp can sting multiple times without
leaving barb in the skin.
Signs and Symptoms
• Immediate, intense localised pain
• Local redness and swelling
• Barb or sting left in skin
Managing a Bee or Wasp Sting
1. DRABC
2. Scrape a bee sting off sideways with a
fingernail or sharp edge. The sac must not be
ruptured or squeezed.
3. Apply an ice compress for up to 15 minutes.
4. If there are signs of an allergic reaction, call
Ambulance.
5. If allergic reaction, apply pressure
immobilization technique.
Today’s Tasks
• Complete accompanying “Bleeds, Bites &
Stings” worksheet from your workbook.
• Practice the pressure immobilization
technique.
• Go over bandaging a wound or amputation.