(introduction...)

The health defect and the life of the injured person depend to a high degree on the correct rescue work.

First aid measures - Rescue and bedding of the injured person

- Artificial respiration in the case of respiratory paralysis
- Cardiac massage in the case of cardiac arrest
- Alkalinization
- First wound treatment
- Calling medical help

Measures in the case of unconsciousness (survey)

Figure

Figure

Measures in a state of consciousness

- Let the injured person drink an alkalinized solution.
(Sodium hydrogencarbonate drinking ampoule or two table-spoonfuls of bicarbonate of soda in 1 l water.)

- Only then treatment of secondary wounds, such as immobilization of fractures etc..

Do not

- give the injured person any medicine!
- Do not pour any fluids down an injured person's throat! (Danger of suffocation).
- Do not touch open wounds with hands.
- Do not remove foreign bodies that have penetrated the body.

Reanimation must be continued until clear signs of returning life are visible or a medical doctor orders to stop the measures.

What information should an information board of first aid give?

Every person who had an accident caused by electric current has to be considered as seriously injured. Such person must not be left alone!

3.1. Measures Taken if the Injured Person is Conscious

It has to be supposed that the injured person has just been rescued.

- Prevent hypothermia by putting blankets underneath and on the person.

- Administration of an alkalinized solution.

(Bevore giving the injured person the alkalinized solution, the rescuer must try it in order to avoid that the injured person gets a cauterization. Inform the medical staff about the alkalinization.)

- Treatment of wounds and secondary injuries. (Only first aid.)

- Examination of the pulse and respiration, especially during the first 30 minutes.

- Calling a second rescuer.

- Calling medical help.

- Preparation of transportation of the injured person to further medical treatment.

What has to be considered with the treatment of wounds and secondary injuries?
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3.2. Measures Taken if the Injured Person is Unconscious but Respiration is Regular

Also here it is supposed that the injured person has just been rescued.

Brief examination of the injured person to find out the extent of the injuries.

- Examination of heart action
- Examination of the pulse
- Opening of too tight clothes which might obstruct the respiration
- Recognition of further signs of life

· Rosy skin
· Pupillary light reflex
· Mucosa visibly blood-supplied

- Stating of further injuries

· Burns of the skins
· Arterial bleedings
· Bone fractures

Bedding the injured person in coma position

Figure 1 - Coma position (right side)

If the injured person is wounded on the right side of his body, he is put in coma position on his left side. The coma position prevents the squeezing of the respiratory tract and enables the flowing off of blood, phlegm and vomit through the mouth.

Further measures

- Constant examination of respiration and heart action
- Supply of fresh air
- Treatment of arterial bleedings
- Calling of medical help
- Preparation of the transportation of the injured person to further medical treatment

3.3. Measures Taken if the Injured Person is Unconscious and Has Stopped Breathing

If the respiration stops, there is acute danger of life! (5 minutes after the respiration has stopped, at the latest, it comes to incurable cerebral damages.) Artificial respiration must be started immediately after the injured person is rescued.

Preparatory measures

- Open the mouth of the injured person by hands.

· Kneel down above the head of the injured person.

· Put both your thumbs on the lower jaw of the injured person, left and right thumbs pointing to the tip of the chin.

· Get hold of the lower jaw with the fingers of both hands.

· Press the lower law downwards thumbs and fingers acting as a lever.

- Opening the mouth of the injured person with the mouth opener.

· Kneel down on the right side of the injured person.

· Press the thumb of your left hand between the lips of the injured person thus exposing the row of teeth.

· Open the clenched jaws with the help of the mouth opener.

- Cleaning of the oral cavity.

- Overstretching the head in order to make the upper respirator tract accessible.

· Put one hand on the forehead of the injured person and - without force - pull his head back.

· By the other hand raise the lower jaw.

Figure 2 - Overstretching of the head

If after the overstretching of the head respiration does not start visibly and audibly, artificial respiration must be started immediately!

Carrying out of the artificial respiration
Why is a person who has lost consciousness in danger of suffocation?

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Figure 3 - Danger of suffocation in a state of unconsciousness - 1 Respiration tract, 2 Tongue