Notes from Ryan Peterson MD First Aid Workshop

 Here are the notes to the First Aid Workshop presented by Dr. Ryan Peterson. I highly recommend that you print off a copy if the link under "Handouts and Fliers". I will also quote it here:

Notes from Ryan Peterson MD First Aid Workshop

February 22, 2023

(Do your own research on uses, benefits, dosage recommendations and side effects before using the following recommendations. Neither Ryan Peterson nor DISTRICT 10 Preparedness are responsible for adverse reactions due to using any of the following)

First Aid Kit Essentials

to go with what you already have:

-Ibuprofen (or Toradol for more strength); inflammation, most effective when used with ice

-Tylenol; pain, lowering fevers, alternate with Ibuprofen

-Aspirin; mild or moderate pain, cardiovascular health (daily use or chew and swallow 325 mg if experiencing heart attack symptoms)

-Nitric Oxide; if family has history of heart disease, many benefits

-Benadryl; allergic reactions (consider Medrol, and have Epi Pens for serious issues)

-Bactine Spray; anti-bacterial and pain relief for scrapes or other topical issues

-Gauze; lots of it…add more for compression if bleeding continues (do NOT take original layers off) and after 15 minutes consider constricting arteries (do your research!)

-Coban Wrap; sprains, twists, extra strength for joints, etc.

-Fabric Bandages; plastic “band-aids” trap moisture and bacteria…skin needs to breath

-Saline Solution (or Iodine or even Salt if nothing else is available); wash wounds with water only when nothing else is available (it introduces contaminants and extends healing time)

-Hydrogen Peroxide; for initial washing of wounds only (it damages cells and inhibits healing if used multiple times)

-Naloxone; opioid overdose

-Super Glue; holds wounds together similar to sutures

Treatments

“The best first aid, is to first aid your health by living a healthy life, moving, and building strength in body, spirit, and mind.”

-Ryan

(The following list may not be exhaustive. Readers are encouraged to seek further education, especially according to possible family needs)

-Shock: Lie patient down, slightly elevate legs and feet, cover with blanket

-Strokes: F A S T : Facial changes, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties, Time! (“The Golden Hour”: DON’T hesitate if you suspect a stroke! Get professional help within one hour…the sooner the better!)

-Heart Attacks: A B C : check… Airway, Breathing, Circulation (again, get professional help ASAP if you suspect a heart attack is coming on… “The Golden Hour”)

-Resuscitation: 1- direct someone to call 911 (or do it yourself if nobody else is available), 2- direct someone to fetch an AUD if available, 3- 200 chest compressions, 100 to 120 compressions per minute (along with the beat of the song “Staying Alive” by the Bee Gees). Note that only 8% of patients are helped by “mouth-to-mouth” CPR. Chest compressions have a success rate of 80% then use AUD, repeating until EMTs arrive.

-Trauma: 1- stop bleeding (gauze, etc.), 2- check for sensitivity below cut (lack indicates nerve damage and needs treatment immediately to prevent bad side effects), 3- check for functionality below cut (also indicates nerve damage and demands immediate treatment). If cut is deep and into the white layers of skin, it needs stitches (best from the inside layers out).

-Burns: Get patient to professional help for immediate evaluation.

-Choking: Use methods, such as the Heimlich Maneuver only in case of a full blockage. In partial blockage get professional help ASAP.

Additional Notes:

Always make sure it is safe for you or others to enter an area to help a victim before proceeding, such as going into a burning building, where gas pipes are ruptured or where electrical wires are down, etc. Trained rescuers do not need additional victims.

Keep in mind that if a patient needs immediate help, it may be in his or her best interest to transport him/her to an ER yourself as quickly as possible rather than waiting for an ambulance to arrive, go through their protocol, and get them to help. You be the judge!

Utah’s “Good Samaritan Law” prevents people who are honestly trying to aid a victim from being held liable, even if mistakes are made, as long as you are acting within reason. For instance, if a victim needs to be removed from a vehicle and stabilized on his back, etc., go ahead and do it as long as you are not creating a hazard for yourself.