Other emergency first aid

1. Choking and asphyxiation

Choking occurs when a sweet, a piece of food or another object finds its way into the windpipe. A victim with a partially blocked airway will usually be in panic and coughing. You must help to clear a blocked airway (Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4). If the airway has been successfully unblocked, there may still be a fragment of the object in the windpipe, which can cause complications. After a choking incident, a victim should always be checked for possible injury. 

Asphyxiation occurs if the airway is completely blocked, for example because of smoke, swelling as a result of heat. A victim with a completely blocked airway will eventually stop responding. 

2. Turning a victim quickly on his side

If a victim starts to vomit he must be turned onto his side quickly (Step 1 | Stap 2 | Stap 3) to prevent him from choking. If the victim has to be turned onto his side during CPR, turn him back again as quickly as possible so that the CPR is interrupted as short as possible. 

3. Bleeding

In all cases of bleeding, the loss of blood has to be stopped by exerting pressure on the wound. With severe bleeding, so much blood can be lost that the body suffers a shortage of oxygen and goes into a state of shock. Severe bleeding must therefore be stopped as quickly as possible by exerting pressure on the wound. 

Nosebleeds (Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3) can be caused by blowing the nose hard, picking the nose, a blow to the nose, or sharp changes in temperature. A nosebleed can also occur spontaneously. 

What the ERO should do:

  • Call 112 if a wound is bleeding severely and if the victim feels unwell and looks pale after severe loss of blood
  • Stem the flow of blood by exerting pressure on the wound (step 1 | step 2 | step 3 | step 4 | step 5 | step 6 | step 7)
  • Do not remove any object in the wound
  • Get the victim to lie on his back or in a position he finds comfortable (protect against cooling off)

4. Shock

Shock is a life-threatening condition caused by reduced blood circulation, which deprives the body of oxygen. Shock develops gradually. Slowly but surely the functioning of the skin, muscles, digestive system and kidneys reduces. In response to this, the heart beats faster to safeguard the oxygen supply to the brain. Breathing quickens to get more oxygen into the blood. 

All other organs (including the skin, muscles, stomach, intestines and kidneys) receive less blood, producing the characteristic symptoms of shock. The victim will feel anxious. If the causes of shock are not treated (in the case of internal bleeding), the victim’s condition may deteriorate so much that the brain stops working. The victim will then stop breathing and his heart will stop pumping. 

Shock can be caused by: 

  • Severe internal or external bleeding 
  • Disruptions to the heart or circulation 
  • Major loss of body fluid 
  • An allergic reaction, such as to a bee or wasp sting

The shock will not become apparent for some time, and can take as long as 24 hours to manifest 

itself.

Symptoms of a shock:

  • Pale, cold and clammy skin
  • A weak, rapid pulse
  • Rapid, shallow breathing
  • Weak muscles
  • Thirst
  • Dry mucous membranes: a dry mouth and lips
  • A cold feeling
  • Restlessness, anxiety and confusion
  • Sunken eyes and face, prominent nose
  • Nausea, digestive system stops working
  • Drowsiness and exhaustion in the later stages

Though an ERO cannot treat shock, you must be able to identify it. Shock is a serious condition that can lead to death. The most important thing to do in the event of shock is to call in professional help as quickly as possible.

Furthermore the ERO can:

  • Laying the victim down
  • Stemming any major external blood loss
  • Remaining with and reassuring the victim
  • Preventing the victim from cooling down, while not adding any extra warmth
  • If necessary, keeping the airway clear and placing the victim in the recovery position

Do not give the victim anything to drink to avoid the risk of vomiting. 

5. Angina pectoris

Angina pectoris occurs when blood circulation deteriorates in the coronary arteries, reducing the oxygen supply to the heart. 

Characteristics of angina pectoris:

  • Victim will be experiencing constriction of the chest
  • Pain centring behind the sternum
  • Radiating out to the left arm, both arms, shoulder blades and/or jaw
  • Pain gradually subsides when the victim rests

Attacks usually occur during physical exertion. 

What to do in case of angina pectoris:

  • Call 11
  • Follow the receptionists instructions
  • Stay with the victim 

6. Heart attack

During a heart attack, or myocardial infarction, the coronary artery is suddenly blocked by a blood clot. 

Characteristics of a heart attack:

  • Victim will be experiencing constriction of the chest
  • Feel nauseous
  • Sweating profusely
  • Pain will no stop by itself when the victim rests

What to do in case of a heart attack:

  • Call 112
  • Follow the receptionists instructions

7. Stroke

A stroke or CVA (cerebrovascular accident) is caused by a cerebral infraction or a brain haemorrhage . A TIA (transient ischemic attack) is a mild form of stroke with short-lived symptoms that usually largely disappear after 24 hours. 

Characteristics of a stroke:

  • Mouth crooked or hanging down 
  • The victim does not understand what is said to him and cannot express himself clearly
  • Loss of strength in an arm or leg
  • A sudden combination of severe dizziness, difficulties with coordination or balance
  • Sudden double vision, blurred vision or blindness in one eye

What to do in case of a stroke:

  • Call 112 if you suspect the victim has had a stroke or if he has a severe headache, especially when combined with nausea and vomiting

8. Epileptic seizures

The most severe form of epilepsy (tonic-clonic or grand mal seizures) involves muscle cramps, muscle spasms and unconsciousness.

Characteristics of epileptic seizures:

  • Victim will be showing uncoordinated and highly spasmodic movements or convulsions
  • Victim will suddenly become drowsy without warning
  • Epileptic seizures usually pass by themselves within a few minutes

What to do in the case of an epileptic seizure:

  • Try to keep the victim out of danger during the attack
    • Place any objects with which he could harm himself out of reach
    • Gently guide the victim away from danger (e.g. a busy road or water)
    • Remain with the victim until the seizure is over, and reassure him 
    • Keep an eye on the time
  • In the case of a tonic-clonic seizure:
    • Call 112, if the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes, or if several seizures occur in rapid succession
    • Lay the victim in the recovery position after the seizure has passed to prevent saliva from entering the windpipe
    • Check for loose objects in the mouth. Do not give the victim anything to drink, as he could choke due to drowsiness. Loosen any tight clothing
    • Give the victim time to recover, and keep bystanders at a distance

9. Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease that prevents the body from processing sugars, or glucose, from food, due to a reduction in or absence of insulin production. The body of a diabetic does not automatically ensures that the is precisely enough insulin to absorb glucose in the blood. The result is fluctuating sugar level in the blood, from too low (hypo) to too high (hyper). 

Characteristics of diabetes:

  • Sweating
  • Pallor
  • Palpitations
  • Unclear speech
  • Feeling of hunger
  • Yawning
  • Tingling in the mouth
  • Unclear vision
  • Headache
  • Trembling
  • A shaky, uncertain or weak feeling
  • Mood swings
  • Feeling cold
  • Inability to concentrate
  • Feeling light-headed
  • Unconsciousness

A patient having a ‘hyper’ will experience:

  • A frequent need to urinate in large quantities
  • Thirst and a dry mouth
  • Tiredness, drowsiness
  • Tingling and numbness
  • Unconsciousness

What to do in the case of diabetes:

  • During a hypo
    • Get the victim to sit calmly
    • Have the victim eat some extra rapid-working carbohydrate
    • Call 112 if the victim no longer responds when spoken to, if he is unconscious and is not breathing normally, start CPR

10. Brain injury

Causes brain injury:

  • Blow to the head
  • Collision between the head and a hard object
  • Fall or other trauma to the skull

A brain injury generally means that the victim no longer responds properly to stimuli such as calling his name of heat / cold. 

Characteristics of a brain injury:

  • Memory loss (most typical)
  • Brief failure to respond to speech and shaking
  • Confusion about what has happened
  • No sense of time
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • General confusion
  • Vomiting

What to do in the case of a brain injury:

  • In serious cases, call 112
  • Always call 112 after an accident if the victim has a severe headache, is unconsciousness or feels serious anxiety
  • In all other cases, call a doctor
  • Make the victim rest
  • Cool a bump on the head with wet towel, a cold pack or ice