First Aid For Stroke

First Aid For Stroke by Lelsi 2012/02/13 19:16
A stroke occurs when there's bleeding into your brain or when normal blood flow to your brain is blocked. Within minutes of being deprived of essential nutrients, brain cells start dying a process that may continue over the next several hours.

In the event of a possible stroke, use FAST to help remember warning signs.
- Face. Does the face droop on one side trying to smile?
- Arms. Is one arm lower when trying to raise both arms?
- Speech. Can a simple sentence be repeated? Is speech slurred or strange?
- Time. During a stroke every minute counts. If you observe any of these signs, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately

Other signs and symptoms of a stroke include:
-Weakness or numbness on one side of your body including either leg
- Dimness, blurring or loss of vision, particularly in one eye
- Severe headache a bolt out of the blue with no apparent cause
- Unexplained dizziness, unsteadiness or a sudden fall, especially if accompanied by any of the other signs or symptoms.

For any symptoms call 911 immediately, as prompt medical attention can prevent a fatal or disabling stroke from occurring.
The following steps are the instructions what you should do if you suspect someone is having a stroke, and by following these steps, you will go along way to helping a stroke victim survive. I know this is a long topic but it can help you to save someone's life.

1)Check RESPONSE:
- Ask the person their name. If someone has had a stroke, they may not be able to talk, so grasp both their hands and ask them to squeeze they may respond by squeezing one of your hands.

- Does the person respond? If so, they are conscious: follow the directions at the end of the page while you wait for help to arrive.

- If the person does not respond, they are probably unconscious. Make sure someone has dialled for an ambulance, then continue.

Lelsi 2012/02/13 19:21
2)Check AIRWAY:
- Is the airway clear of objects?
- Is the airway open?

If the airway is not clear, turn the person into recovery position.
- Kneel beside the person.
- Put their arm thats farthest from you out at right angles to their body.
- Place their nearer arm across their chest.
- Bend their nearer leg up at the knee; the other leg should be straight.
While supporting their head and neck, roll the person away from you.
When they are on their side, keep their top leg bent at the knee, with the knee touching the ground.

Then tilt the head slightly backwards and downwards to let anything thats in the airway (such as vomit) drain out, and clear the airway with your fingers.

Lelsi 2012/02/13 19:22
Check for BREATHING:
- Tilt the head back.
- Check is the persons chest rising and falling.
- Check can you hear the person breathing.
- Can you feel their breath on your cheek?

If the person is not breathing:
- turn the casualty onto their back;
- tilt their head backwards;
- lift the chin, pinch the nose closed and give 2 initial mouth-to-mouth breaths;
- make sure the chest rises and falls with each breath; and if breathing does not return and there are no signs of life, go to the next step (CPR).

If the person is breathing, follow steps below under while waiting for help.
give CPR
- Kneeling beside the person, give 30 chest compressions on the lower half of the breastbone. - Use 2 hands with the fingers interlocked.
- Then tilt the head backwards, tilt the chin and give 2 mouth-to-mouth breaths while pinching the nose shut.
- Keep alternating between 30 compressions and 2 breaths until the person shows signs of life or medical help arrives.

Lelsi 2012/02/13 19:24
- While waiting for help:
If the person is conscious:
- lie the person down with their head and shoulders raised and supported (use pillows or cushions);
- keep them at a comfortable temperature;
- loosen any tight clothing;
- wipe away any secretions from the mouth;
- make sure the airway is clear and open;
- assure the person that help is on the way (they may be able to communicate by squeezing your hands if they cant speak) and;
- do not give them anything to eat or drink.

If the affected person becomes unconscious, put them in the recovery position as described above to prevent anything (blood, saliva, or their tongue) from blocking the windpipe and choking them. Continue to monitor their airway and breathing, and be ready to resume the steps above as necessary.

Even if the symptoms are short-lived a mini-stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) ensure the person seeks immediate medical help, as these symptoms can be a warning sign of a future stroke.