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Performance
Steps
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1. Check the casualty’s level of consciousness.
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a.
Question the casualty.
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(1)
"What is your
name?"
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(2)
"Where are
you?"
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(3)
"What is today’s
date (day, month, year)?"
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b.
Report incorrect answers,
inability to answer, or changes in
answers to medical personnel.
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2. Position the casualty.
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WARNING
Do
not move the casualty if he exhibits
signs and/or symptoms, other than
minor bleeding, of a neck, spine, or
severe head injury
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a.
The casualty is conscious
or has a minor scalp wound.
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(1)
Have the casualty sit
up unless other injuries prohibit
sitting up.
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(2)
Raise the head slightly
if the casualty is lying down and
is not accumulating fluids in his
throat.
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(3)
Turn his head to the
side or position the casualty on
his side (opposite the wound) if
the wound is bleeding into the
mouth or throat.
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b.
The casualty is
unconscious or has a severe head
injury.
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(1)
Treat the casualty as
having a potential neck or spinal
injury.
Immobilize and do not move
the casualty unless absolutely
necessary.
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(2)
Turn the casualty, if
he is choking and/or vomiting or
bleeding into the mouth.
Position the casualty on
his side opposite the wound.
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WARNING
If
it is necessary to turn a casualty
with a suspected neck or spinal
injury, assistance will be required. Roll the casualty gently onto his side keeping the head,
neck, and body aligned while providing
support for the head and neck
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3. Expose the wound by removing the casualty’s helmet
if necessary.
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WARNING
In
a chemical environment removing the
mask or other protective clothing
could be hazardous to the casualty
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Note.
In a chemical environment-
–
If
the casualty’s mask and hood are not
breached, do not apply a dressing.
If the all clear has not been
given, do not remove the casualty’s
mask to treat the wound.
–
If
the casualty’s mask or hood has been
breached, and the all clear has not
been given, attempt to repair the
breach with tape or wet cloth
stuffing.
Do not apply a dressing.
–
If
the casualty’s mask or hood has been
breached and the all clear has been
given, remove the mask to apply a
dressing.
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4. Apply the casualty’s field dressing to the wound.
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WARNING
To
prevent further injury to the
casualty-
Do
not try to clean the wound.
Do
not put unnecessary pressure on
the wound.
Do
not try to push brain matter back
into the head.
Do
not give the casualty any food or
drink.
Do
not move the casualty if a broken
neck or broken back is suspected
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a.
Forehead or back of the
head.
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(1)
Apply the dressing,
white side down, directly over the
wound with the tails extending
toward the sides of the head.
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(2)
Wrap the tails, one at
a time, around the head in
opposite directions making sure
the tails cover the dressing but
not the eyes and ears.
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(3)
Tie the tails at the
side of the head using a nonslip
knot.
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b.
Top of the head.
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(1)
Apply the dressing,
white side down, directly over the
wound.
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(2)
Wrap one tail down
under the chin and bring it up in
front of the ear over the dressing
to a point just above, and in
front of, the opposite ear.
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(3)
Wrap the other tail
down under the chin in the
opposite direction and up the side
of the head to meet the first
tail.
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(4)
Cross the tails.
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(5)
Wrap one tail across
the forehead above the eyebrows to
a point just above and in front of
the opposite ear.
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(6)
Wrap the other tail
above the ear, low over the back
of the head, and above the
opposite ear to meet the other
tail.
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(7)
Tie the tails using a
nonslip knot.
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c.
Side of the head or
cheek.
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(1)
Apply the dressing,
white side down, directly over the
wound with the tails extending up
and down.
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(2)
Wrap the top tail over
the top of the head, down in front
of the ear, under the chin, and up
over the dressing to a point just
above the ear.
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(3)
Wrap the other tail in
the opposite direction to meet the
first tail.
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(4)
Cross the tails and
complete the procedure as follows:
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(a)
Wrap one tail across
the forehead above the eyebrows
to a point just above, and in
front of, the opposite ear.
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(b)
Wrap the other tail
above the ear, low over the back
of the head, and above the
opposite ear to meet the other
tail.
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(c)
Tie the tails using a
nonslip knot.
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5. Monitor the casualty.
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a.
Check the casualty’s
level of consciousness every 15
minutes.
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b.
Awaken the casualty every
15 minutes if he falls asleep.
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c.
Note any changes from
earlier checks.
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6. Watch the casualty for life-threatening conditions
and check for other injuries, if
necessary.
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