Title: First Aid Essentials — LearnCoachAssist

Q: What is first aid?
A: First aid is the immediate and temporary care given to a person who is injured or suddenly ill to prevent their condition from worsening, promote recovery, or preserve life until professional medical help arrives.

Q: Why is first aid important?
A: First aid is crucial because it can save lives, reduce pain and suffering, prevent complications, and minimize long-term disability by providing timely intervention during emergencies.

Q: What does the acronym DRABC stand for in first aid assessment?
A: DRABC stands for Danger (check scene safety), Response (assess consciousness), Airway (open and clear), Breathing (check rate and quality), and Circulation (check pulse and control bleeding).

Q: What should you do first upon arriving at an emergency scene?
A: Ensure the scene is safe for yourself, bystanders, and the casualty before approaching; remove any dangers if possible without risking your safety.

Q: How do you check if a person is conscious?
A: Gently squeeze their shoulders and ask loudly, 'Are you alright?' while observing for any response in movement, sound, or eye opening.

Q: What is the recovery position and when is it used?
A: The recovery position involves placing an unconscious but breathing person on their side with their head tilted back to keep the airway open; use it for casualties who are unresponsive but breathing normally.

Q: What are the signs of an obstructed airway?
A: Signs include sudden inability to speak, cough, or breathe, clutching the throat, blue lips or skin, and high-pitched breathing sounds.

Q: How do you perform the Heimlich maneuver on a conscious choking adult?
A: Stand behind the person, make a fist with one hand placed above their navel and below the ribcage, grasp it with the other hand, and deliver quick upward thrusts until the object is expelled or they become unresponsive.

Q: What is CPR and when is it performed?
A: CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) is a lifesaving technique combining chest compressions and rescue breaths to restore blood circulation and oxygenation; perform it on unresponsive, non-breathing adults with no pulse.

Q: What is the correct compression depth and rate for adult CPR?
A: Compress the chest at least 5-6 cm (2-2.4 inches) deep at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute, allowing full chest recoil between compressions.

Q: How do you use an AED on an adult?
A: Turn on the AED, follow voice prompts, attach pads to bare chest, ensure no one touches the person during analysis, and deliver a shock if advised, then resume CPR.

Q: What are the signs of severe bleeding?
A: Severe bleeding shows as bright red blood spurting or flowing heavily from a wound, soaking through dressings quickly, and accompanied by pale skin, rapid pulse, or shock symptoms.

Q: How do you control severe external bleeding?
A: Apply direct pressure with a sterile dressing or clean cloth, elevate the limb if possible, and use a tourniquet only as a last resort for life-threatening limb bleeding, noting the time applied.

Q: What is shock and what are its signs?
A: Shock is a life-threatening condition where vital organs lack adequate blood flow; signs include pale/cold/clammy skin, rapid weak pulse, nausea, restlessness, and rapid shallow breathing.

Q: How do you manage a casualty in shock?
A: Lay them down with legs elevated 30 cm (unless spinal injury suspected), keep them warm, reassure them, and do not give food or drink; monitor breathing and pulse.

Q: What are the steps for treating a minor burn?
A: Cool the burn under running cool water for at least 20 minutes, remove jewelry or tight clothing, cover loosely with a sterile non-stick dressing, and do not apply creams or break blisters.

Q: What are the different degrees of burns?
A: First-degree affects outer skin (redness), second-degree involves deeper layers (blisters), and third-degree destroys all skin layers (white/charred appearance); seek medical help for second- and third-degree burns.

Q: How do you treat a suspected sprain or strain?
A: Follow RICE: Rest the injury, Ice for 20 minutes every 2 hours, Compress with an elastic bandage, and Elevate above heart level.

Q: What are signs of a fracture?
A: Signs include pain, swelling, deformity, bruising, inability to use the limb, grating sensation, or unnatural movement; treat as a fracture if unsure.

Q: How do you immobilize a suspected fracture?
A: Immobilize the joint above and below the injury using a rigid splint or sling, apply ice, elevate if possible, and seek medical help.

Q: What is a sling used for and how do you apply one?
A: A sling supports arm injuries like fractures or sprains; fold a triangular bandage into a band, place over the arm with elbow bent at 90 degrees, tie at neck, and secure forearm to body.

Q: What are signs of a heart attack?
A: Signs include central chest pain lasting over 15 minutes (may radiate to arms/jaw), shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, and pale skin; call emergency services immediately.

Q: How do you assist a heart attack casualty?
A: Help them sit comfortably (reduced angle), reassure them, give aspirin if available and not allergic, monitor breathing/pulse, and await ambulance.

Q: What are the FAST signs of stroke?
A: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call emergency services; act fast as treatment is time-critical.

Q: What is anaphylaxis and its signs?
A: Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction causing airway swelling; signs include widespread hives, swelling of face/lips/tongue, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, and collapse.

Q: How do you treat anaphylaxis?
A: Use an auto-injector EpiPen into the outer thigh if available, call emergency services, monitor ABCs, and place in recovery position if conscious and breathing.

Q: What are signs of heatstroke?
A: Heatstroke signs include body temperature over 40°C (104°F), hot dry skin, rapid strong pulse, confusion, seizures, or unconsciousness; it's a medical emergency.

Q: How do you cool a heatstroke casualty?
A: Move to shade, remove excess clothing, fan vigorously while applying cold wet sheets or water sprays to skin, and seek immediate medical help.

Q: What are signs of hypothermia?
A: Hypothermia signs include shivering (early), cold pale skin, slow pulse/breathing, confusion, and unconsciousness; core temperature below 35°C (95°F).

Q: How do you treat mild hypothermia?
A: Move to warmth, remove wet clothing, wrap in blankets/foil, give warm sweet drinks if conscious, and avoid alcohol or vigorous rubbing.

Q: What should you do for a seizure?
A: Clear the area of hazards, cushion the head, time the seizure, turn to recovery position after jerking stops, and call emergency if first seizure, lasts over 5 minutes, or breathing issues.

Q: How do you treat a nosebleed?
A: Sit upright leaning forward, pinch nostrils together for 10-15 minutes without releasing, apply ice to nose/forehead, and seek help if persists over 20 minutes.

Q: What is the treatment for fainting?
A: Lay flat with legs elevated, loosen tight clothing, ensure fresh air, and monitor recovery; call help if no quick improvement.

Q: How do you treat insect stings?
A: Remove stinger by scraping with a card edge, wash with soap/water, apply cold pack, and watch for allergic reactions.

Q: What are signs of poisoning?
A: Signs include nausea/vomiting, abdominal pain, drowsiness, seizures, burns around mouth, or chemical smells; call poison control immediately.

Q: What should you never do for poisoning?
A: Never induce vomiting unless instructed by poison control, as it can worsen damage; provide details of substance and amount to professionals.

Q: How do you treat a foreign object in the eye?
A: Do not rub; irrigate with clean water or saline from inner to outer corner, cover both eyes loosely, and seek medical help.

Q: What is the primary treatment for chemical eye exposure?
A: Flush the eye continuously with water or saline for at least 20 minutes while holding eyelids open, then seek urgent medical care.

Q: How do you treat a scalp laceration?
A: Apply firm pressure to control bleeding (scalp bleeds profusely), clean gently if minor, cover with dressing, and monitor for concussion signs.

Q: What are signs of concussion?
A: Concussion signs include headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, unequal pupils, or loss of consciousness; seek medical evaluation.

Q: What should a first aid kit contain?
A: A basic kit includes adhesive bandages, sterile gauze, tape, scissors, tweezers, gloves, antiseptic wipes, CPR barrier, instant cold packs, and pain relievers.

Q: How often should you check and restock a first aid kit?
A: Check monthly and after each use, restocking expired items and ensuring supplies are adequate for potential needs.

Q: What is the Good Samaritan Law?
A: The Good Samaritan Law protects rescuers acting in good faith from liability if reasonable care is provided during emergencies, encouraging bystander help.

Q: When should you call emergency services (e.g., 911)?
A: Call for life-threatening situations like no breathing/pulse, severe bleeding, chest pain, stroke signs, major trauma, or unresponsiveness.

Q: What is the difference between choking and asthma attack?
A: Choking is sudden airway blockage (universal choking sign); asthma is wheezing/breathlessness from airway inflammation, treated with inhaler, not abdominal thrusts.

Q: How do you treat diabetic hypoglycemia?
A: Give fast-acting sugar like glucose tablets, juice, or sweets (15g carbs), recheck blood sugar after 15 minutes, and give longer-acting carbs if improving.

Q: What are signs of diabetic hyperglycemia?
A: Signs include excessive thirst/urination, fatigue, blurred vision, and fruity breath; provide water and seek medical help for severe cases.

Q: How do you treat an embedded object in a wound?
A: Do not remove it; stabilize with bulky dressings around it, apply pressure beside (not on) the object, and seek immediate medical help.

Q: What is electrical shock first aid?
A: Turn off power source first, check for dangers, assess responsiveness, treat burns if present, and monitor for heart issues.

Q: How do you treat drowning casualties?
A: Remove from water safely, check ABCs, start CPR if not breathing (even without pulse check), treat for hypothermia, and call emergency services.

Q: What advanced first aid involves for snakebites?
A: Immobilize the limb, keep at heart level, mark bite site and swelling progression, avoid tourniquets/cutting/suction, and seek antivenom urgently.