OVERVIEW

First Aid is assistance provided by non-qualified people to victims of trauma or diseases in emergency settings. Often, first-aid is administered in situations where it provides the very last chance of survival for the patient - e.g. in cases of cardiac arrest or any dire situation could lead to the death of a victim or patient. First Aid, delivered properly and in a timely manner by laic people can limit damage to the patient (or victim) – saving the patient’s life and enabling further intervention by qualified people capable of more detailed diagnosis and treatment.

All citizens should be trained in First Aid, especially medical education professionals, who can, as they impart their First Aid knowledge to students, act as vectors of First Aid knowledge to society at large.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Included in the training/educational model, the First Aid training curriculum module will instruct and impart the necessary knowledge necessary to perform optimal First Aid during emergencies that involve sport-related and auto-related injuries.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The student will understand the difference between First Aid given outside of a medical facility, and emergency treatment delivered in a controlled Emergency Department (ED). The student will learn the basic regulations under which First Aid is delivered and be able to evaluate and recognize which circumstances are appropriate for First Aid application. The student will also be taught how to recognize potential dangers to himself/herself during First Aid activity, as well as for nearby bystanders

Once First Aid scenarios have been identified, the student will be able to correctly transmit the appropriate, corrective First Aid application the patient, as well as accurately report the patient’s clinical conditions to the 112 emergency operations center. The student will be required to recognize and provide first aid according to current guidelines and according to good clinical practice in the following scenarios:

• In the event of a loss of consciousness: following an analysis of the reason for the patient’s loss of consciousness – whether due to cardiac arrest or some other cause – the student will be able to undertake appropriate and corrective cardio-respiratory resuscitation maneuvers, including knowledge of how to properly use a defibrillator. Following recovery of consciousness (patient is conscious and/or breathing) the student will be able to perform the lateral safety position maneuver.

• overheating injuries (e.g. sunstroke): the student will know the difference between sun stroke and heat stroke.

• Burns:, the student will know how to recognize the extent of burn lesions according to Wallace's rule and put in place appropriate maneuvers to reduce further complications. The student will also know how to accurately convey the severity of burns to the medical center.

• The student will know how to recognize foreign body asphyxia and treat the conscious (or unconscious) patient with appropriate maneuvers

• The student will know how to recognize bleeding injuries, and based on available resources, a apply a manual tamponade.

• In the case of cranio-encephalic trauma, the student will be able to recognize the severity of the patient’s situation and deploy stabilization maneuver, keeping in mind potential dangers of moving the patient in the event of a spinal fracture of the spine.

• In cases of osteoarticular trauma, the student will understand the difference between various types of lesions, and be able to properly treat the lesion based on a diagnosis of lesion severity. The student will know how to apply an elastic support bandage to permit positional stabilization.

• In the event of medical emergencies like an allergic reaction, asthmatic crisis, or convulsive crisis, the student will understand the difference among the foregoing situations and apply the appropriate First Aid technique called for by the situation. The student will understand that this knowledge is fundamental reducing the risk of injury to the patient – or, as in the case of asthma and anaphylactic reactions – know which pharmaceuticals (if available). Regarding pharmaceuticals, the student will understand drug interactions that might further injure a patient, so as not to cause further injury.

• The student will have to know what a First Aid kit contains, and how to maintain it.

• The student will understand appropriate hygiene techniques necessary to prevent infection, with particular regard to hand washing, disinfection, and dressing of simple wounds.

The student must know and how to perform the following procedures:

• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation

• Carry out the safety position of the patient

• Heimlich maneuver

• Control external bleeding.

• Bandaging and immobilizing limbs

PREREQUISITES

The student must have basic knowledge of the elements of anatomy and physiology of the human body which will also be reviewed during the course.

TEACHING METHODS

The course will be held in lectures format, in addition to an additional 2-3 hour segment that will instruct the via practical simulated exercises and emergency First Aid scenarios.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The "First Aid" course includes 10 hours of training, including 2 hours of practical exercises about the following:

• Introduction to first aid (general concepts and regulations)

• BLSD (basic life support defibrillation)

• Outline of anatomy in general, in particular, the cardiovascular and respiratory systems

• Cranio-encephalic trauma

• Eye trauma

• Trauma and thoracic-abdominal injuries, in general

• Burns; heat stroke; frostbite

• Fractures, dislocations

• Post-traumatic external hemorrhages and application of hemorrhagic tamponade

• Medical emergency differentiation: (e.g. allergic reactions; asthma crisis; fits, etc.)

• Drowning, asphyxia, obstruction of airways

• What is contained in a basic First Aid kit, including basic understanding of First Aid

Knowledge of hygiene and prevention of infectious diseases with particular regard to the following:

Hand washing; disinfection; dressing of simple wounds

Understand and be able to perform the following procedures:

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Analyze the patient’s most optimal physical position in order to maintain patient safety and prevent further injury

Perform the Heimlich maneuver

Know how to control external bleeding.

Bandage and immobilize a limb

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

didactic material is provided at the end of each lesson (slides with comments and films)

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

LAURA BONZANO (President)

GIACOMO BORGONOVO (President)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

according to the didactic calendar published at the beginning of the course

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

Exam schedule