Emergency First Aid and Life-Threatening Conditions - Revision Sheet

1. 📌 Essentials

• Life-threatening bleeding often presents as spurting blood, indicating arterial injury.
• Apply direct pressure immediately; use a tourniquet only if pressure fails- Call emergency services (9-1-1) before starting treatment.
• Secondary assessment (SAM): Signs & Symptoms, Allergies, Medications.
• Cool burns with cold water remove dry agents carefully.
• Head/spinal injuries may show visible trauma, loss of sensation, confusion, or pain.
• Fractures, sprains, dislocations require immobilization; avoid unnecessary movement.
• Nosebleeds: pinch nostrils, sit forward, do not tilt head back.
• Heat stroke: core temperature >104°F; life-threatening, requires rapid cooling.
• Hypothermia: core temperature <95°F; common outdoors, needs gentle rewarming.
• Poisoning signs include abnormal heart rate, vomiting, breathing difficulty.
• Lightning safety: wait 30 minutes after last strike before resuming outdoor activity.
• Heart attack: chest pain, radiating pain, pale skin, sweating.
• Diabetic emergency: confusion, weakness, rapid heartbeat.
• Seizures: loss of consciousness, convulsions.
• Stroke: facial droop, arm weakness, speech difficulty.
• Shock: rapid weak pulse, pale skin, thirst, irritability; caused by bleeding, allergies, dehydration.

2. 🧩 Key Structures & Components