NUS Lifesaving

what i am going to do is flood this website with information. i'm currently missing the slow pace of darwin life.

first up, there will be a practice session for those taking bronze cross exam later today at 6pm NUS SRC. i will upload the things you need to know for theory below. The initial idea was to print for everyone but that will cost so ya those who are interested den just copy and print.

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Hypothermia

Definition:
Hypothermia is a condition whereby one’s core (internal) temperature drops to 35 degrees Celsius and below. Hypothermia happens when one is unable to maintain body heat as a result of long exposure to cold. This usually hits the young and old.

Causes:
Long exposure to cold water (body cools 30 times faster in water)
Fatigue
Poorly heated houses
Effect of alcohol

Signs and Symptoms:
Shivering, Pale, Cold and Dry Skin
Lethargy with failing consciousness
Disorientated/Irrational behavior
Slow weakening pulse
Cardiac Arrest (in extreme cases)

Treatment:
Aim: Increase victim’s temperature
Bring victim into shelter if they are out in cold
Remove wet clothing if applicable
Ensure victim is well covered
Offer warm water / soup to victim ONLY if they are alert and responsive
Monitor victim’s ABC during this time

Prevention:
Prevent long exposure to cold conditions
Early recognition of potential victims

Heat Stroke

Definition:
Heat Stroke is a emergency causes by failure of the heat-regulating mechanisms (thermostat) in the brain. Heat Stroke can occur suddenly and lead to unconsiousness within minutes.

Causes:
Prolonged exposure to intense heat
Followed a heat exhaustion (sweating cases and body is not able to cool)

Signs and Symptoms:
Hot, Flushed and Dry skin
Body temperature exceeding 40 degrees Celsius
Rapid decrease in level of consciousness
Pounding pulse
Restlessness and Confusion

Treatment:
Aim: Lower victim’s temperature
Call an ambulance
Wrap victim in wet and cold blanket
(If no blanket available use clothes)
Wet the blanket with cold water occasionally
(If no water available, fan the victim)
Monitor ABC

Prevention:
Recognition heat exhaustion early
Avoid long exposure to heat (eg: sauna, jacuzzi )
Hydrate our body adequately


Fracture

Definition:
Fracture is a break in continuity of bone and is defined according to its type and extent.

Causes:
It occurs when bone are subjected to stress greater than it can absorb. Fractures usually caused by direct blows, crushing forces, sudden twisting motions and extreme muscle contractions.

Classifications:
Complete fracture: A break across the entire cross-section of the bone and its usually displaced (removed from normal position)

Incomplete fracture: Involves breakage of partial of bone
(eg:green-stick fracture)

Comminuted fracture: Produces several bone fragments

Closed fracture (simple fracture): Fracture that does not cause breakage in the skin

Open fracture (compound/complex): Skin or membrane wound extends to the fracture bone and are classified into three grades.
Grade 1: Clean wound less than 1cm long
Grade 2: Larger wound without extensive soft tissue damage
Grade 3: Highly contaminated, extensive tissue damage

***Compression Fracture: Occurs usually in spinal Cord

Signs and Symptoms:
Extrem pain: Pain will be felt until immobilization for the bone is done
Loss of function: Extreamity are not able to function normally due to pain
Deformity: Caused by tissue swelling or direct effect of broken bones
Shortening of extremity: Especially in fractures of long bones as there is contraction of surrounding muscles. Shortening could be as much as 2 inches
Local swelling/Discoloration: Result of trauma and bleeding in tissues and may surface much later

** Watch out for signs of hypovolemic shock as bone can protrude into arteries

Treatment:
Aim: Prevent worsening of fracture
Whenever a fracture is suspected:
Call an ambulance
Immobilize the body part
Cover wound if there is one with clean materials
Splint the area adequately (with bandage, cloth)

Prevention:
Additional care should be taken in high risk activities
Proper ways of breaking falls

Dislocations
Definition:
Dislocation is a condition whereby surfaces of bones joints are no longer in contact with each other. Partial dislocations are called subluxation. Severe dislocations may even cause surrounding bones to be fractured. Thus, it can be difficult to distinguish the two.

Causes:
Strong force (forcing bone into an abnormal position)
Violent muscle contraction

Common sites for dislocations include:
Shoulder
Thumb
Finger
Jaw

In cases that the spine is dislocated, the spinal cord may be involved resulting in damage of major nerves causing paralysis.

Signs and Symptoms:
Pain
Change in contour of joint
Loss of mobility
Change in length of extremity

Treatment:
Aim: Prevent affected joints from worsening
Call an ambulance
Immobilize the area (arm slings are recommended for shoulder dislocations)

**NEVER attempt to manipulate the dislocated joint back into place as it can cause further injuries

**Prompt treatment of dislocation is important as tissue death may occure due to diminished blood supply to the affected area

Prevention:
Additional care should be taken in high-risk activities

Cramps
Definition:
Cramp is the sudden, involuntary and painful muscle spasm.

Causes:
Excessive loss of salt fluids in body
Lack of warm up activities

Signs and Symptoms:
Pain
Felt of muscle mass

Treatment:
Aim: Relieve pain and spasm
Instruct victim to relax the affected area
Stretch in opposite direction the affected muscle
Massage whole muscle area with palm gently

Prevention:
Replenish salts adequately during physically demanding activities
Adequate warming up activities

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That done, reminder to be at tanjong beach 9.30am sharp to help to unload stores and prepare for the exam.

Second up, those doing the hougang demo, there will be a rehearsal after training today. I realise we do not have a wet weather plan which i need to check with Zul if we need to. Got to be professional about this. lets do a full rehearsal today straight after training so the rest can watch.

Lastly, just to keep everyone informed. For the month of June, Sentosa has requested that we assist them in 3 more DEMO shows and this is of course in return we can leave our gears there. The available manpower from ULC courses is used up and that means that some of us from TeamNUS have to volunteer. So the dates are 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th june. hope to see some of us step up as a group and say they will settle which ever dates demo.for each demo 3 personnel is needed. Those who are willing can look for me or junsong.

-yaowen