First Aid/Primary Assessment & Basic Life Support
Introduction — Issues in Providing Care — Primary Assessment & Basic Life Support — Secondary Assessment — Circulatory Emergencies
Respiratory Emergencies — Soft Tissue Injuries — Bone & Joint Injuries — Environmental Illness & Injury
Medical Conditions & Poisoning — Advanced Topics — Appendices — Meta content
A quick summary of Basic Life Support/Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (BLS/CPR) is available!
Primary Assessment & Basic Life Support
Emergency First Aid & Initial Action Steps — A for Airway — B for Breathing — C for Compressions — D for Deadly Bleeding
The first thing you should do in any situation requiring first aid is to follow the three C’s: Check, Call, Care
To Check the victim, you must first survey the scene to ensure your safety. You need to notice the victims position as you approach him or her and any automatic red flags. If you get hurt trying to help, you may only serve to make matters worse. Next, do a primary survey, which can be done while you are walking/running out on the field. This involves checking to determine if the victim is conscious or unconscious, has an open airway and is breathing, and has a pulse. One of the first items that need to be assessed is if the victim could have a head and neck injury. This will determine what steps need to be done in what order.
After checking the victim, designate a person to Call EMS. If you are the only one, then you must do it yourself. You should be able to tell EMS your location, the situation at hand, and description of the patient. Also you should be able to give the EMS up to date directions to your current location. Remaining calm in this step is crucial.
After calling the EMS, provide appropriate Care until EMS arrives and takes over. Be aware of signs and symptom of shock from the victim.
It is important to do your best to stay calm and stay focused so that you will be able to provide the best care possible for the injured individual.
