FOOD PRODUCTION NOTES

TOPIC

FIVE

FIRST AID

It is the skilled application of accepted principles of treatment on occurrence of an accident or in the case of sudden illness using facilities or materials available at that time.

It is approved method of treating a casualty until placed if necessary in the care of a doctor or removed to hospital.

First aid is given to a casualty to:

1) To prevent his/her condition from becoming worse

2) To promote recovery

3) To sustain life

THE SCOPE OF FIRST AID

It consists of four parts

1) Assessing the situation

2) Diagnosing what is wrong with the casualty

3) Giving immediate & appropriate treatment

4) Disposing of the casualty to the hospital doctor or home

Priorities of first aid

-To restore breathing

-Stop any bleeding

-Determine the unconsciousness

1. Asphyxia.

This is a condition where there is lack of oxygen in the blood.

-it could be caused by tissue not recovering enough supply because:

-there is insufficient amount of oxygen in the air to breathe in.

-the lungs and the heart have stopped to function effectively.

Common causes

·        Suffocation by plastic bags and pillows.

·        Fluids and water.

·        Gas or smoke in the air passage.

·        Poisoning.

·        Compression of the chest caused by falls, crushing against the wall or pressure in a crowd.

Common causes.

Breathing rate and depth becomes difficult at first.

-then becomes noisy with frithing at the mouth finally stopping.

-The head, neck and lips becomes congested.

-Consciousness is gradually lost.

Treatment

-open the airway to allow air to reach the lungs.

-there should be sufficient oxygen to enter the lungs and pass it into the blood group liquid. There should be sufficient circulation blood to the tissues of the body.

2. Choking.-this is a common incident at all ages although the following body will be present the obstruction to spasm (short but intense experience of pain or coughing).

Signs and symptom’s

-the casualty may have a bit of coughing his face and neck are congested and may become bluish and greyish in colour.

          Treatment

Infant

-to remove the obstruction hold the infant by his legs smash him smartly 3 or 4 times between the shoulders.

Child.

-lay the child over your knees head downwards give 3 or 4 slaps between the shoulders.

Adult:

-immediately strike 3 or 4 sharp blows between the shoulders.

NB. In all cases after clearing the obstruction from the throat give artificial respiration if necessary.

 Electrical injuries

This can irregular cause tremor of muscles of the heart or stop its actions burns may also be present.

Actions:

-switch off the plug

-break the contact by switching off the current by removing the plugs.

-if not possible the casualty must be removed from the contact ensure that you are properly insulated or you may also be affected

-this can be done by wearing grooves or standing on a rubber surface or thick layer  of dry clothes or newspaper.-withdraw casualty to hold  a dry rope or walking stick.

-Avoid dump items and metals.

-if no breathing commence artificial respiration can be given.

-treat the burns if present.

If it is a high voltage do not attempt to rescue keep all persons at least some meters back and get somebody to call the police.

Slight bleeding:

The body has certain inbuilt mechanism that tends to stop bleeding 

-should blood tend to clot thus blocking the damaged vessels.

-the cut alertly contracts thus loosening loss of blood .the blood pressure falls consequently  less blood is pushed out.

Prevention of slight bleeding.

This is easily controlled by local pressure applied firm pressure over a sterile dressing and adhesive dressing may be sufficient.

Elevate the bleeding part and support in position unless a fracture is suspected.

Wash the would dirt with running water from outwards before dressing.

Dry the would with cotton wool swabs using each swab once.

Severe bleeding

-the aim is to stop bleeding immediately and to obtain medical aid immediately

-Apply direct pressure with fingers over a dressing 5-15 minutes.

-if they would is large press the sides of the would firmly but gently together.

-lay the casualty down with the head lower in a comfortable position.

-raise the injured part and support in position unless the fracture is suspected.

-carefully remove any foreign bodies physical from the would.

-keep them out or wipe off the dressing.

-apply a sterile dressing to the would press it firmly down the would and cover it with a firm bandage.

-if bleeding continues apply further dressing and pads and bandage firmly.

-mobilize the injured part by suitable method (sling).

-move the casualty to the hospital immediately.

Nose bleeding.

·        Support the casualty in a sitting position with his head slightly forward.

·        Loosen his clothes to breathe through the mouth.

·        Pinch the soft part of the nose firmly for about 10 minutes.

·        Loosen the clothing around the neck and the chest

·        Inform him not to blow his nose. If bleeding.

Bruises.

-this is bleeding unbroken skin due to a fall or blow on the surface of the body.

-the injury may be accomplished by pain, swelling and discoloration.

Treatment

-put the part at least in the most comfortable position

-apply a cold application as quickly as possible to reduce swelling and to relieve pain.

-a cold application consists of

A.cold compress.

This is a piece of cloth e.g. towel or handkerchiefs deeped in cold water squeezed out and placed in a bruised area.

-it is kept cold by dripping additional water on it

b.ice bag

 is a plastic bag of ice cubes mixed with common salt to help it melt so as to increase the cooling action and wrapped in a clean towel and applied it in a bruised area.

BURNS AND SCALDS

  Burns are caused by dry heat e.g. fire hot object contact with electric current or strong acids and alkali e.g. sulphuric acid etc.

Scalds are caused by moist heat e.g. boiling water, steam etc.

SIGNS &SYMPTOMS

·        Severe pain

·        Reddening of the skin and sometimes blistering

·        Destruction of the skin or deeper tissues and shock which increase rapidly because of loss of fluid or from escape of the blood.

General rules 4 treatments:

-place the part gently under slow running cold water or immerse the part in cold water

-remove anything of a constructive nature e.g. rings bungles belt b4 the part start swelling

-carefully remove wet clothing but not the burnt clothing

-cover the injured part with a dressing of fleshly rounder linen

-remobilize the badly burnt part

-give small cold drink at frequent intervals to a badly injured conscious casualty

-arrange for immediate removal 2 hospital

-do not break blisters has the infection will get to the burnt part

SHOCKS: is a condition arising from stress or injury causing insufficient supply of blood 2 the brain and affect the vital function of the body.

CAUSES

-Severe bleeding either internal or external

-loss of plasma i.e. loss of liquid due to burn or clash injuries

-heart failure or acute heart attack

-acute abdominal emergencies e.g. appendix rapture

-loss of body fluid due to vomiting or diarrhea

SYMPTOMS

-Casualty will become extremely pale

-the skin will be cold and dammy with much sweating

-he may feel faint dizzy and may vomit

-he complains of thirst and feel anxious`

-breathing is shallow and rapid

TREATMENTS

-Lay the casualty down and deal with the cause of shock

-keep head low and turned to one side raise the legs if possible

-loosen the clothing at the neck chest and waist

-if he complains of thirst moisten lips with water

-protect if necessary with blanket or sheet

-keep frequent record of pulse and respiration rates if removal to hospital is likely to be delayed .otherwise getting to the hospital quickly as possible.

NB

-Do not use hot water bottles

-do not give anything to drink

-do not move him unnecessarily

FAINTING

This is a feeling of dizziness which leads to a collapse

It is caused by temporary induction in blood supply to the brain

CAUSES

Fatigue-where we have a long period of sitting or standing in a hot stuffy atmosphere

*bad news

*a frightened

*a horrifying site

*pain

*an injury to some part of the body 

IMPENDING FAINT (just about to faint)

The person may yawn become dizzy his face become pale start sweating.

His face neck and hands may be crowded

If this occurs re-assure the casualty and urge him to breathe deeply

-loosen clothing at the neck, chest and waste

-lay him down in a fresh air or sit him down and lower his hands b2n his knees.

-on recovery ship of water will be given

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF FAINT

The casualty is unconscious his face is pale with cold and sticky breathing is shallow pulse is weak and slow at first but gradually increase in rate.

 TREATMENTS.

-Lay the casualty down and deal with the cause

-raise the legs

-see that he has a lot of fresh air

-place him in the shade if necessary

-loosen the cloth at the chest and neck

-re-assure him as he re-gains consciousness

-gradually raise him into the sitting position and give chipped of water if required.

STRAIN

Is overstretching of muscles it arises from lifting heavy items or carrying them.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Sudden sharp pain at the injury, the muscle may swell and from severe muscle cramp.

Assignment

Draw different cuts of vegetables pg 365

12^th edition practical cookery

Byj.campbell

d.fosket

n.rippington p.paskin