When providing assistance as an emergency response officer you always follow these five rules, and in this order:
1. look for danger;
2. find out what happened and what is wrong with the victim;
3. reassure the victim and provide shelter;
4. call in professional assistance;
5. help the victim where they are.
* skin damage
* possibla damage of muscles and tendons
* external bloodloss, depending on the severity of the wound
* risk of an infection because the natural barrier of the body hes been breached
* smaal and superficial wounds can, if necessary, be rinsed with lukewarm, soft running water
* you may use chlorhexidine to disinfect the surrounding area
* cover the wound with a sterile dressing
* if necessary let the victim support and rest the injured limb
* larger and/or deeper wounds
* visible muscle, tendon or bone
* a wound you can't clean
* foreign objects stuck in the wound (never remove them yourself!)
* wounds that will not heal
Wounds that have to be seen by a doctor should NOT be disinfected with products such as iodine, betadine or similar, because these cause discoloration of the tissue.
If blood leaks through an emergency dressing, apply a pressure bandage.
* Stem the bleeding by applying pressure to the wound (victim may do this themselves)
* cover the wound with a sterile dressing
* wrap the finger(-tip) in a sterile gauze and place in clean plastic bag
* place this bag in a larger bag with water and ice
* never bring the finger(-tip) in direct contact with the ice!
* if no ice is available, then just wrap the finger(tip) in a sterile gauze or a clean cloth
We distinguish three kinds of burn wounds:
* redness of the skin
* painful
* (lightly) swollen
* dry skin
* redness of the skin
* painful
* (lightly) swollen
* dry skin
* blisters
* black discoloration of the skin when burnt by fire or electricity
* white/grey or yellow/grey discoloration of the skin when burnt by steam or a hot liquid
* the center of the wound is painless due to damage of the nerve endings
* Fire
* Hot objects/surfaces
* Hot liquids
* Inhaling hot gasses or vapours
* Electricity
* Radiation
* Chemicals
* Other causes like radioactive materials
* risk of infection with damaged skin, because the natural protective barrier of the skin is broken
* shock due to secere loss of fluids through the wound
* hypothermia, because the natural temperature regulating capacity of the skin is compromised
Burn wounds can lead to additional stress on the body, which may show through;
* deminished appetite
* nausia
* rapid heartbeat
* rapid breathing
* fever
* fatigue
* lack of concentration
Immediately start cooling!
Do this with lukewarm, soft flowing water and let this flow from top to bottom along the injured part of the body.
With large 1st degree burns call for a doctor or a 'huisartsenpost' in case of severe swelling, cold shivers, fever, nausia, vomiting, headache or heartpalpatations.
With large 2nd and/or 3rd degree burns immediately call 1-1-2.
Eye injuries can occur in many different ways. Some examples of posssible causes are:
* dirt in the eye
* a loose, solid particle in the eye
* a stuck, solid particle in the eye, such as a metal splinter
* a protruding injury by a larger object than a splinter
* corrosive (chemical) substance
* burns, possibly chemical
* UV radiation, like from a tanning bed, bright lights or welding equipment
* blunt force trauma to the eye, e.g. by a ball, branch or fist
Eye injuries can show the following symptoms:
* redness
* tears
* deformed pupil
* bleeding in or around the eye
* swelling around the eye
Victims often squint with one eye, complain of impaired vision. The eye can be painful, the victim may be restless or even in panic.
The approach with an eye injury depends on the nature of teh injury. When in doubt, visit a doctor or call 1-1-2.
In any case make sure the victim does not rub their eye(s).
* when an object is in the eye, leave it in place!
* in case of a protruding injury call 1-1-2
* do not remove any contactlenses
* cover the wounded eye, e.g. with a paper cup or similar
* let the victim cover the other eye with one hand, so the wounded eye will move less
* in case of a loose piece of dirt in the eye which is not on the iris, remove it using the tip of a sterile gause by gently whiping it towards the nearest corner of the eye.
* when chemicals have come into contact with the eye, rinse with water for at least half an hour, from the nose towards the outside corner of the eye.
Sit the victim down and put them at ease. Let the victim take off any jewellery, soks or shoes themselves. If necessary you may assist with this.
Start by cooling the injury for 10 to 20 minutes. Apply a supporting bandage to the sprain. Even afterwards continued cooling may help to lessen the swelling and ease the pain.
We know two kinds of fractures: open and closed fractures. The bone has been entirely or partially been broken.
* Pain
* Swelling
* Loss of function, limited or no movement possible
* Sometimes abnormal position of the injured limb
* Internal bleeding
In case of a leg fracture call 1-1-2
* Stabilize the injured limb to prevent further movement
* In case of a leg fracture, make sure the foot can not rotate sideways
* In case of an arm fracture, let the victim support the arm in the most comfortable position themselves
* Pain
* Swelling
* Loss of function, limited or no movement possible
* Sometimes abnormal position of the injured limb
* External bleeding
* In case of an open fracture there is always a risk of infection
In case of a leg fracture call 1-1-2
* Stabilize the injured limb to prevent further movement
* In case of a leg fracture, make sure the foot can not rotate sideways
* In case of an arm fracture, let the victim support the arm in the most comfortable position themselves
* Cut away any clothing if necessary
* Apply pressure to the wound to stem the bleeding if necessary
* Do not apply pressure to protruding bones, apply pressure next to the wound, on both sides of the bone!
* Loosely cover the wound with a sterile gauze or wound compress and fix in place on two sides with adhesive tape
A collarbone fracture can be caused by a fall and is sometimes hard to see because of swelling or blood effusion.
* the shoulder droops and is hanging slightly forward
* moving the shoulder is very painful
* the victim keeps the arm close to the body
Make sure the arm moves as little as possible. You may fixate the arm if necessary. Take the victim to a 'huisartsenpost'.
With a dislocation there is an abnormal position of two bones in a joint, in relation to each other.
* the limb is in an abnormal position at the joint
* the limb can hardly be used or not at all
* swelling at the dislocation
A spinal injury can occur due to a fall from height, a collision or other accident, a heavy object falling on a person's head, or taking a dive in shallow water.
A broken vertebra can damage the spinal cord, therefor it is imperative the victim does not move! Movement may cause paralysis.
* pain in neck or back
* victim is unable to move their head
* tingling sensation in legs and feet
* numbness
* paralysis of legs and feet
* Call 1-1-2
* leave the victim in the position you found them in
* make sure the victim does NOT move!
* make sure bystanders do not touch or bother the victim
* if necessary protect the victim against the weather
* stay with the victim and wait for professional assistance
When a victim is suspected to have a spinal injury, leave them in the same position as much as possible. However, when the victim becomes unconscious, you have to keep the airway open. If the victim stops breathing, you have to turn them on their back so you canb start CPR. Preferably do this with help, and as careful as possible, keeping the spinal column as straight as possible. Performing CPR always trumps any spinal injury!