Emergency First Aid Guidelines for California Schools An Overview

Emergency First Aid Guidelines for California Schools An Overview of Content And How to Use

Purpose To serve as a basic “what to do in an emergency” for school staff with or without medical training. The guidelines were created as a recommended procedure. In a true emergency situation use your best judgment.

It is strongly recommended that staff who are in a position to provide first-aid to students complete an approved first-aid and CPR course. that you familiarize yourself with the format of the guidelines prior to the actual emergency situation. that you use the guidelines for reference before, during and/or after an event.

What do the Guidelines address? Emergency procedures When to call 9-1-1 Basic information on infection control Information on emergency planning Planning for persons with special needs Recommended first-aid equipment

The Design Alphabetical order with tabs Flow charts guide you through decision steps to treat common illnesses and injuries Flow charts use color-coded shapes to clarify steps

Key to Shapes and Colors START HERE This note provides background information. This type of box should be read before emergencies occur.

Key to Shapes and Colors NO ? Question Being Asked? You need to choose based on person’s condition. Follow the pathway for your answer. Provides First-Aid Instructions YES

Key to Shapes and Colors STOP HERE. This is the final instruction. Final instruction for the algorithm. In some emergencies, multiple algorithms may be used. Additional Information or Signs and Symptoms

Key to Shapes and Colors TIME TO CALL 9-1-1 There may be additional directions to continue care or see another algorithm.

Don’t Delay 9-1-1 When Needed Have someone contact the 911 system, as soon as possible, after it is known that their assistance is needed. Delay in accessing the 911 system could result in worsening of a person’s condition and may lead to additional injury.

Direct Fire/Ambulance Have someone meet fire or ambulance response units Give directions to location of person.

Always Remember ABCs Airway – Open the airway – 1st No Air in, all else is lost. Breathing – Ensure Breathing – 2nd You may need to breath for the person or do CPR Circulation (i.e., bleeding) – 3rd Heart beating or CPR – Nothing else matters Control Bleeding – Prevent the loss of

Call 9-1-1 For: Blocked Airway Unable to get air into lungs (i.e., choking) Difficulty Breathing Absent or labored breathing Wheezing due to an allergic reaction (i.e., after a bee sting) Near drowning – even if awake and appears ok water can have a delayed effect on lungs

Call 9-1-1 for Uncontrollable Bleeding – you can’t stop it Unconsciousness After any injury If person has history of Diabetes Unexplained reason Head Injury Possible Poisoning

Call 9-1-1 Immediately GET ADVANCED MEDICAL HELP ASAP Answer Questions Follow Instructions Do Not Hang Up Stay Calm Provide First Aid until ambulance arrives

WHAT TO DO FIRST CHECK FOR RESPONSIVENESS If Unresponsive, send someone to call 9-1-1 AIRWAY ENSURE AIRWAY IS OPEN. If patient is unconscious use head tilt-chin lift or jaw thrust

WHAT TO DO NEXT BREATHING ENSURE PERSON IS BREATHING LOOK, LISTEN, AND FEEL for breathing. If no breathing, SEE CPR and Give Rescue Breaths CIRCULATION CHECK FOR SIGNS OF CIRCULATION (Pulse, movement, breathing, color). If no signs of circulation, SEE CPR. CONTROL BLEEDING

DO NOT FORGET THESE DISABILITY - TREAT INJURIES/ILLNESS THAT MAY RESULT IN DISABILITY. (Head injuries, spine injuries, and fractures will need medical attention) FIRST AID / MEDICAL AID Provide first aid and medical support to most serious injuries/illness risks first.

Which One First? Scenario Child falls from bleachers Dirty, abrasions Bleeding scalp Unconscious, then awakes Remember ABC’s 1. 2. 3. Unconscious due to injury – call 911 Is awake, therefore airway open & breathing Bleeding, See “Bleeding” apply direct pressure

Ready to Try One?

Try this One Child is holding hand and tells teacher he was bitten by a dog. There is some blood oozing from several small punctures/scrapes. Child otherwise is crying and looks normal.

BITES (Human & Animal) Yes Is the person bleeding? No Hold bite area under running water for 23 minutes Wash with soap and water If wound bled, apply clean bandage If bite is from a snake, scorpion or other reptile, hold the bitten area still and below the level of the heart. Call POISON CONTROL CENTER 1-800-876-4766 See “Snake Bite”, if appropriate · Don’t try to catch or touch the animal · Get description and location of animal · Report to Animal Control or proper authority, usually the local Health Department, so that animal can be caught & watched for rabies No ·Press firmly with a clean dressing/cloth on bleeding site ·“See Bleeding” Is bite large or gaping? Is blood spurting? Yes Is bleeding uncontroll No ed? No Yes CALL 9-1- 1 See “Bleeding” Is bite from a human? Yes Check immunization record for DT, DPT (tetanus). See “Tetanus” for more information. Contact responsible school nurse or administrator and parents/legal guardians. Inform if a human bite that both the person bitten and the person biting may have been exposed to blood from other person. ENCOURAGE IMMEDIATE MEDICAL CARE File Incident Report The Whole Thing

BITES (Human & Animal) Wear disposable gloves when exposed to blood or other body fluids Yes decision Leads to action box YES · Press firmly with a clean Is the person bleeding? dressing/cloth on bleeding site · See “Bleeding” Check second protocol for additional help

BITES – First Aid Is the person bleeding? YES NO · Hold bite area under running water for 2-3 minutes · Wash with soap and water · If wound bled, apply clean bandage Press firmly with a clean dressing/cloth on bleeding site See “Bleeding” NO Is bite large or gaping? Is blood spurting? First Aid Steps

BITES (Con’t) · Press firmly with a clean dressing/cloth on bleeding site · See “Bleeding” Different Action steps NO Emergent condition, do you need 9-1-1? Is bite large or gaping? Is blood spurting? YES CALL 9-1-1 See “Bleeding” GET HELP !

BITES – Next Steps Decision what type? , If bite is from a snake, scorpion or other reptile, hold the bitten area still and below the level of the heart. Call POISON CONTROL CENTER 1-800-876-4766 See “Snake Bite”, if appropriate. Bandage YES Is bleeding uncontrolled? N O Is bite from a human? YES Use Poison Control, and follow directions

BITES – Last Steps · Don’t try to catch or touch the animal · Get description and location of animal · Report to Animal Control or proper authority, usually the local Health Department, so that animal can be caught & watched for rabies Check immunization record for DT, DPT (tetanus). See “Tetanus” for more information. Contact responsible school authority and parents/legal guardians. Inform if a human bite that both the person bitten and the person biting may have been exposed to blood from other person. ENCOURAGE IMMEDIATE MEDICAL CARE File Incident Report The END

BITES (Human & Animal) ·Press firmly with a clean dressing/cloth on bleeding site ·“See Bleeding” Yes Is the person bleeding? No Hold bite area under running water for 23 minutes Wash with soap and water If wound bled, apply clean bandage If bite is from a snake, scorpion or other reptile, hold the bitten area still and below the level of the heart. Call POISON CONTROL CENTER 1-800-876-4766 See “Snake Bite”, if appropriate · Don’t try to catch or touch the animal · Get description and location of animal · Report to Animal Control or proper authority, usually the local Health Department, so that animal can be caught & watched for rabies No Is bite large or gaping? Is blood spurting? Is bleeding uncontroll ed? No No CALL 9-1- 1 See “Bleeding” Is bite from a human? Yes Check immunization record for DT, DPT (tetanus). See “Tetanus” for more information. Contact responsible school nurse or administrator and parents/legal guardians. Inform if a human bite that both the person bitten and the person biting may have been exposed to blood from other person. ENCOURAGE IMMEDIATE MEDICAL CARE File Incident Report The Whol e Thing

Implementing the Guidelines Review the Guidelines in advance Write down your local emergency phone numbers Make available to all who might use Provide training to staff. Encourage all school staff to take 1st Aid and CPR training. Check with designated first aid person and local policies.