Download Checking an Ill or Injured Person

CHECKING AN ILL OR
INJURED PERSON
Chapter 1
When checking an ill or injured
person…

If you are not sure whether someone is unconscious,
tap him or her on the shoulder and ask if they are
ok.
 Use
the persons name if you know it
 Speak loudly

Infant
 Tap
the bottom of their foot and/or
 Tap the infants shoulders
 Shout to see if the infant responds
Steps to take when checking

Interview the person and bystanders
 Remember
to get consent
 Keep interviews simple and ask questions to learn more
about what happened
 What
happened?
 Do you feel pain or discomfort anywhere?
 Do you have any allergies?
 Do you have any medical conditions or are you taking any
medicine?
Check the person from head to toe

When checking a conscious person
 Do
not move areas in which they have discomfort
 Check the persons head by examining the scalp, face,
nose, ears, and mouth
 Look for cuts, bruises, or bumps
 Watch for changes in consciousness
 Look for changes in the persons breathing
 Notice how the skin looks and feels
 Look for a medical identification/alert tag
Shock

When the body is healthy, 3 conditions are needed
to keep the right amount of blood flowing…
 1.
The heart must be working well
 2. An adequate amount of oxygen-rich blood must be
circulating in the body
 3. The blood vessels must be intact and able to adjust
blood flow.

SHOCK is a condition in which the circulatory system
fails to deliver oxygen-rich blood to the body’s
tissues and vital organs.
Shock



When the body's organs, don’t receive this blood,
they fail to function properly.
This triggers shock
Signals of shock
 Restlessness
or irritability
 Altered level of consciousness
 Nausea or vomiting
 Pale, ashen, cool, moist skin
 Rapid breathing and pulse
 Excessive thirst
Caring For Shock

1. Call 911 or the local emergency number immediately


Shock can not be managed effectively by first aid alone.
2. Have the person lie down
This is often the most comfortable position.
 Helping the person rest comfortably is important because
pain can intensify the body’s stress and speed up the
progression of shock.


3. Control any external bleeding

Elevate the persons legs about 12 inches, unless you suspect
head, neck, or back injuries
Do not…

Give the person anything to eat or drink, even
though they will be thirsty.
 Shock
may require surgery and its best for the stomach
to be empty
Checking an unconscious person


Always check that the person has an open airway
and is breathing normally
Look, Listen, and Feel
 Do
this for no longer than 10 seconds
 Think



of the ABC’s
Airway – open the airway
 Head-tilt / Chin-lift
Breathing – check for movement or breathing
 Give 2 rescue breaths
Circulation – check for signs of life
 Begin CPR
Recovery position.



If the person is unconscious but breathing normally.
Some situations you may need to place a person in
recovery position.
Situations may include:
 If
you are alone and need to leave for help
 The person vomits or has fluids in them
This will help keep the airway clear. See hand out.
Recovery Position