Standard First Aid, CPR, and AED, Eighth Edition

About the Author

With more than 38,000 members, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (aaos.org or orthoinfo.org), is the premier not-for-profit organization that provides education programs for orthopedic surgeons and allied health professionals, champions the interests of patients, and advances the highest quality of musculoskeletal health. Orthopedic surgeons and the Academy are the authoritative sources of information for patients. The general public on musculoskeletal conditions, treatments, and also related issues. More than one in four Americans have bone or joint health problems. It’s making them the greatest cause of lost workdays in the U.S. When orthopedic surgeons restore mobility and reduce pain, they help people get back to work and have independent, productive lives. Orthopedic surgeons keep this “Nation in Motion.” To learn more about the A Nation in Motion campaign. To read hundreds of patient stories or to submit your own story, visit ANationInMotion.org.

American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP)

The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) exists to support quality emergency medical care. To promote the interests of emergency physicians. The Board of Directors has identified values that serve as the guiding principles for the specialty of emergency medicine. These values, and the objectives that follow, are the foundation of ACEP’s planning processes and Council and also Board actions. The values of the American College of Emergency Physicians are: Quality emergency care is a fundamental right and unobstructed access to emergency services should be available to all patients who perceive the need for emergency services. There is a body of knowledge unique to emergency medicine that requires continuing refinement and development.

Physicians entering the practice of emergency medicine should be residency trained in emergency medicine. Quality emergency medicine is best practiced by qualified, credentialed emergency physicians. The best interests of patients are served when emergency physicians practice in a fair, equitable, and supportive environment. Emergency physicians have the responsibility to play the lead roles in the definition, management, evaluation, and improvement of quality emergency care. The ACEP was founded in 1968 and is the world’s oldest and largest and also largest emergency medicine specialty organization. Today it represents more than 28,000 members. It is the emergency medicine specialty society recognized as the acknowledged leader in emergency medicine.

Dr. Alton L. Thygerson was born and raised in Texas, where as a high school senior, he won the Texas State 100-yard and 220-yard dashes. He attended BYU on an athletic scholarship and was a conference champ in the 100-yard dash. As of 2006, he has taught a total of 43 years: BYU, Chabot College (CA), and Cambell Union High School District (CA). His five sons have all gone into a health or safety related field. He has authored over 40 books for various organizations such as—the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), National Safety Council, Wilderness Medical Society, American Heart Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Thygerson has also authored 1,200 Deseret News weekly articles.

Dr. Steven M. Thygerson is an assistant professor in the Department of Health Science at Brigham Young University. Before his appointment at BYU, he worked for nine years in various occupational and environmental health settings, including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration as a researcher, Eastman Kodak Company as the site industrial hygienist and safety engineer, and most recently at the Workers Compensation Fund as the Senior Safety and Health Consultant.

Steve is now excited to train students in occupational safety and health systems and programs to provide a safer workplace for people worldwide. Steve is affiliated with national associations such as the American Industrial Hygiene Association and the American Society of Safety Engineers. He received his B.S. in Zoology from BYU, his MSPH from the University of Utah, and his Ph.D. in environmental health from Colorado State University. He is also certified in the comprehensive practice of industrial hygiene (CIH). His wife Adrianne is a graduate of BYU in conservation biology. They have four children: Jakob, Tanner, McKinley, and Anders. Hobbies include hiking, camping, skiing, rock climbing, golfing, home projects, and geocaching.

Table of Contents

Welcome vii

Preface viii

Acknowledgments ix

Chapter 1 Your Role as a First Aid Provider 1

Understanding Injuries and Illnesses 1

The Importance of First Aid 2

Deciding to Help 4

Communicating Calmly 5

Providing Competent Care 6

Chapter 2 Actions to Take Before Helping 9

Introduction 9

Scene Size-up 12

Seeking Professional Medical Care 13

Legal Aspects of First Aid 15

Preventing Disease Transmission 16

Chapter 3 Checking an Injured or III Person 21

Assess an Injured or III Person 21

Checking a Person Appearing to Be Unresponsive 23

Checking a Responsive Person 23

Interviewing an Injured or III Person 24

Physical Exam (Head-to-Toe Check) 25

Chapter 4 Injury Emergencies 27

Bleeding Control 27

Wound Care 35

Blisters 37

Nose Injuries 39

Tooth Injuries 40

Eye Injuries 41

Ear Injuries 43

Impaled (Embedded) Object 44

Amputations and Avulsions 45

Head Injuries 46

Spinal Injury 47

Chest Injuries 48

Abdominal Injuries 49

Bone, Joint, and Muscle Injuries 50

Burns 58

Shock 62

Chapter 5 Sudden Illnesses 65

Asthma 65

Severe Allergic Reactions (Anaphylaxis) 70

Heart Attack 73

Stroke 73

Fainting 74

Seizures 76

Diabetic Emergencies 77

Pregnancy Complications 80

Chapter 6 Environmental Emergencies 81

Heat-Related Emergencies 81

Cold-Related Emergencies 85

Poisoning 90

Drug Emergencies 91

Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, and Poison Sumac Reactions 94

Animal Bites 95

Snake and Other Reptile Bites 96

Arthropod Bites and Stings 101

Marine Animal Injuries 108

Chapter 7 CPR and AED 113

Heart Attack and Cardiac Arrest 113

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) 114

Airway Obstruction 123

Automated External Defibrillation (AED) 129

Review 132

Appendix A First Aid Supplies 135

Appendix B Emergency Rescues, Moves, and Priorities 139

Index 150

ECSI programs are offered in association with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American College of Emergency Physicians-two of the most renowned medical organizations in the world. These organizations provide medical direction to ECSI and stand behind the content of our training materials. Our programs are consistent with ILCOR recommendations and meet or exceed the American Health Association (AHA) guidelines. To learn how to become an ECSI instructor or approved ECSI Education Center, visit https://www.ecsinstitute.org/get-started/instructor.