| Xavier University Army ROTC
Study Guide
First Aid
1. What is the definition of first aid?
First aid is the emergency care given to the
sick, injured or wounded before medical treatment can be administered
by medical personnel.
2. Who carries the first aid pack in combat?
Every soldier.
3. Why is individual training in first aid of
such a great importance?
In the event of an emergency, medical personnel
may not be readily available.
4. What are the four life-saving measures in
order?
1. Open the airway and restore breathing and
heartbeat
2. Stop the bleeding
3. Protect/treat the wound
4. Treat for shock
5. What methods of carrying a casualty can one
man use?
- Fireman’s carry Cradle drop drag
- Supporting carry Pistol-belt carry
- Arms carry Pistol-belt drag
- Saddleback carry Neck drag
- Pack-strap carry
6. What is the most effective method of preventing
disease?
Cleanliness.
7. What military publication covers first aid?
Field Manual 21-11.
8. When you discover an individual’s heart
has stopped beating, what action must be taken immediately?
External Chest Compression: One rescuer will
perform CPR using a 15 to 2 ratio (15 compressions followed
by 2 quick but full long inflations). Two rescuers - 1 compression
each second with the second rescuer giving 1 breath every
5 compressions.
9. What is the best way to give artificial respiration?
Mouth to mouth artificial respiration.
10. What is the principal danger of small wounds
such as cuts and scratches?
Infection from contamination as these wounds
bleed very little.
11. When administering mouth to mouth or mouth
to nose, how many times per minute should you repeat the cycle?
12 times per minute.
12. How do you treat a casualty who has fainted?
Lie the person down, elevate the feet six to
eight inches, if available, place an ample amount of ammonia
near the casualty’s nose for a few seconds, and loosen
clothing and apply a cool wet cloth to his face.
13. What is the ratio of heart compressions
to breaths when administering CPR using the one-rescuer method?
15 to 2 Ratio - 15 heart compressions followed
by 2 quick but full lung inflations. This cycle is repeated
(15:2) 4 times, then check the casualty for breathing and
pulse.
14. What are the three methods that can be used
to clear an obstruction from the throat of a conscious victim?
- Back blows
- Abdominal thrusts
- Chest thrusts
15. Describe mouth-to-mouth artificial respiration.
- Clear the mouth and throat of mucus, food,
or foreign matter
- Tilt the head back, grasp lower jaw and lift
- Pinch nostrils, take a deep breath, place
your mouth around soldier’s mouth and blow forcefully
until the chest rises
- Listen and look for signs of throat obstruction
or clogged passages. Repeat this process twelve times per
minute
16. What kind of artificial respiration is used
in contaminated areas?
Chest pressure arm lift method.
17. How long do you continue the heart massage
and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation?
Until the casualty starts to breathe on his
own and his pulse is detected, or until rescuer is relieved
by another person, or until he is too tired to continue.
18. When must mouth to nose respiration be used?
Mouth to nose respiration must be used when
the casualty has a severe mouth or jaw wound or when the jaws
are tightly shut by muscle spasms.
19. What is the purpose of splinting and why?
To immobilize or fix bone fragments. Broken
fragment may cause blood vessel and nerve damage which may
lead to shock and increased pain.
20. What is a fracture?
A broken bone.
21. What are the two types of fractures?
- Compound or open fracture (bone through the
skin)
- Simple or closed fracture
22. What are the principles of splinting?
- All fractures and long bones should be splinted
"where they lie"
- Immobilize the joint above and below the
fracture
- Do not interfere with blood circulation
- Pad the splint
23. How is an open fracture treated prior to
splinting?
Stop the bleeding, then apply a dressing and
bandage.
24. What is a closed fracture?
A break in the bone without a break in the overlying
skin.
25. What are the five signs of a fracture?
- Bone protruding through the skin
- Unnatural position
- Tenderness or pain when slight pressure is
applied
- Swelling of the injured area
- Discoloration of the skin at the injury
26. What equipment can be used as a splint?
Rifles, boards, tree limbs, or anything flat.
27. How should a patient with a fractured spine
be transported?
Soldier should be transported on a litter or
a straight board maintaining the natural arch in the back.
28. When should a patient not be placed in the
shock position?
When the patient has a head injury.
29. What is the minimum amount of ties used
in immobilizing a limb?
Four ties, minimum, 2 above and 2 below the
fracture.
30. What may result if an unsplinted fracture
is moved?
Pain, can increase shock, may further damage
nerve, muscles and blood vessels.
31. What are the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning?
Headache, dizzy, yawn, nausea, ears ring and
heart flutters.
32. How do you treat a carbon monoxide casualty?
Move the casualty to fresh air, immediately
administer artificial respiration if required, keep quiet
and get him to a medical treatment-facility as soon as possible.
33. There are seven symptoms of mild nerve agent
poisoning, name them.
- An unexplained runny nose
- Unexplained sudden headache
- Sudden drooling
- Difficulty seeing
- Tightness in chest or difficulty breathing
- Localized sweating or twitching
- Stomach cramp
- Nausea
34. There are ten symptoms of sever nerve agent
poisoning, name them.
- Strange or confused behavior
- Wheezing, difficulty in breathing, and coughing
- Severely pinpointed pupils
- Red eyes with tearing
- Vomiting
- Severe muscular twitching and general weakness
- Loss of bladder/bowel control
- Convulsions
- Unconsciousness
- Stoppage of breathing
35. If you have a major eye injury, which eye
should be bandaged?
Both.
36. If a casualty has an open chest wound, after
the wound is bandaged air-tight, should he be allowed to sit
up if he is more comfortable?
Yes.
37. If a casualty with an open chest wound chooses
to lie down after the wound is air-tight, which side should
he lie on?
His injured side.
38. Should a casualty with an abdominal wound
be allowed to drink water or eat anything?
No.
39. Name two important things you shouldn’t
do when treating a person with abdominal wounds.
- Touch or try to push protruding organs into
the wound
- Apply dressing or bandages too tightly because
it can cause additional injury
40. In what position do you place a casualty
with a stomach wound?
On his back with his knees flexed.
41. Explain how to treat a snake bite.
- Reassure soldier and keep him/her quiet.
Immobilize bitten limb in a position lower than the heart
- Place an improvised lightly constricting
band (shoestring, bootlace, strip of cloth) between bite
site and heart, 2 to 4 inches above the bite
- Remove all jewelry from bitten limb, continue
to reassure the soldier
- Send someone for assistance; if a litter
or a vehicle is available, transport the soldier to nearest
medical facility. The snake should be killed (if possible
without damaging the head and taken along for identification
- Observe casualty closely for signs of difficult
breathing and be ready to initiate artificial respiration
42. To stop bleeding, should pressure be applied
between the wound and heart, or between the wound and end
of the extremity?
Between the wound and the heart.
43. How do you identify a person that is in
shock?
A person in shock may tremble and appear nervous,
may be thirsty, may become very pale, wet with sweat, and
may pass out.
44. What preventive measures can be taken to
prevent heat injuries?
Drinking plenty of water.
45. If pressure has been applied to a bleeding
wound and the bleeding wound doesn’t stop, what method
should you use in stopping the bleeding?
Tourniquet.
46. When treating for or trying to prevent shock,
you are suppose to give the casualty, provided he is awake
and does not have a belly wound, a stimulant. Would you consider
alcohol a stimulant?
No, it’s a depressant.
47. When don’t you elevate the injured
part of the body above the heart to lessen bleeding?
When there is a broken bone in the injured part.
48. Name three types of bleeding.
- Arterial
- Venous
- Capillary
49. Name the four methods used to stop bleeding.
- Pressure dressing (the preferred method)
- Field dressing
- Manual pressure
- As a last resort, tourniquet
50. How is arterial bleeding recognized?
Spurts of bright red blood.
51. If you have a severe cut on the inside of
your wrist, which is bleeding badly, where would you apply
a tourniquet?
Directly above the elbow.
52. Where are the pressure points in the facial
area?
- Below the ear lobe at the rear of the jaw
bone
- Above the ear in the vicinity of the temple
53. When do you use a tourniquet?
Only when pressure over the wound area, pressure
over the appropriate pressure point and elevation of the wounded
part fail to control the bleeding.
54. What is found in the first aid packet that
each individual carries?
Field dressing.
55. What does the word "hemorrhage"
mean?
Excessive bleeding.
56. What usually causes bleeding to stop in
the case of a very mild hemorrhage?
It stops itself due to the coagulation or clotting
of the blood.
57. What are the three types of blood vessels?
Veins, arteries and capillaries.
58. Describe the appearance of bleeding from
a vein.
Dark red and a steady flow.
59. In an emergency situation what is the choice
method for controlling the bleeding?
The use of the pressure dressing.
60. After a tourniquet is used to stop bleeding,
who is authorized to remove it?
A doctor or medically qualified person.
61. What is a dressing?
A sterile pad, compress or sponge applied directly
to a wound for the promotion of healing.
62. Give five uses of dressings.
- Control bleeding
- Apply medication
- Absorb excess moisture
- Conserve local heat
- Protect the wound
63. What are the four types of burns?
- Thermal burns
- Electrical burns
- Chemical burns
- Laser burns
64. What are three types of classification of
burn and describe?
- 1st degree: reddening of the skin
- 2nd degree: blistering
- 3rd degree: charred flesh.
65. What are the five steps in treating a blister?
- Wash the area with soap and water
- Sterilize a needle by heating until red
- Puncture the outside edge as close to the
lower edge as possible
- Roll the needle from the top edge to the
bottom edge draining the blister of any fluid
- Apply and secure a compress dressing
66. How do you treat burn wounds?
Expose the burn, apply a field dressing, If
casualty is conscious and not nauseated, give him small amounts
of water, treat for shock and seek medical aid.
67. What is "self aid in relation to the
Armed Forces"?
The emergency treatment one applies to oneself.
68. What are the signs of dehydration?
Dark yellow urine, sluggish, no appetite, nausea,
drowsy, higher temperature, dizzy and dry mouth.
69. What first aid measures should be given
to a person suffering from heat stroke?
- Move the casualty to a cool, shady area of
improvised shade and loosen his clothing
- Immerse him in cool water, if he cannot be
immersed, the arms and legs should be massaged with cool
water, pour water on him and fan him
- If conscious have him slowly drink at least
one canteen full of water
- Seek medical aid and evacuate as soon as
possible
70. What is the amount of water given a person
suffering from heat stroke or heat exhaustion?
Slowly drink at least one canteen full of water.
71. What are the symptoms of heat stroke?
Clammy skin, does not perspire, hot and dry
skin, extreme high temperature, unconsciousness nearly always
results.
72. How do you treat a casualty for heat cramps?
- Move the casualty to a shady area or improvised
shade and loosen his clothing -Give large amounts of cool
water slowly
- Monitor and give more water as tolerated
- Seek medical aid if the cramps continue
73. What are the symptoms and treatment for
heat exhaustion?
Symptoms:
- Loss of appetite
- Headache
- Excessive sweating
- Weakness or faintness
- Dizziness
- Skin is pale, cool, moist and clammy
Treatment: Move to a cool, shady area or improvised
shade, loosen clothing, pour water on him and fan him, have
casualty slowly drink at least one full canteen of water,
elevate casualty’s legs, seek medical aid if symptoms
continue.
74. What are the two types of frostbite?
75. If another person has possible frostbite
on his feet, how would you help him?
Take off his socks, put dry ones on, and place
his feet inside your field jacket.
76. What are two types of wet weather injuries
and how would you prevent them?
- Immersion foot: exposure to dampness and
heat; change socks daily (between changing allow 5 minutes
for air to get to feet) and keep moisture out of footgear
- Trench foot: exposure to dampness and cold;
treatment is the same as above
77. What are the signs of deep frostbite?
Numbness and skin appears yellowish or waxen
"wooden" or solid to the touch.
78. Where should a deep frostbite be treated?
At the aid station.
79. How do you treat superficial frostbite?
Warm at body temperature, hands on cheeks (don’t
rub), fingers under armpits, and feet on buddy’s belly
under clothing.
80. What is trench foot?
Trench foot is when the feet are exposed to
wet conditions, generally at temperatures from freezing to
50 degrees F., and the feet are inactive for a long period
of time..
81. What are the signs of snow blindness?
Eyes feel gritty, get red, painful and they
water.
82. Name four principles to remember in psychological
first aid.
- Respect everyone’s right to have his
own feelings
- Accept emotional disability as being just
as real as physical disability
- Realize that every physically injured person
has some emotional reaction to the fact that he/she is injured
- Realize there is more strength in most disturbed
soldiers than appears at first glance
83. What is rabies?
Rabies is a disease of warm-blooded animals
transmitted to humans by bites and scratches.
84. What should you do if you are bitten by
a stray, domestic or wild animal?
Try to impound the animal but not kill it, unless
it is a last resort. If the animal has to be killed, it should
be done without injuring the head.
85. What are some of the most common causes
of blisters and abrasions?
Ill-fitting footwear and socks, improperly maintained
footwear and heat and moisture
86. How do you treat a casualty for a severe
electrical shock?
Treatment for severe electrical shock is to
turn off the power, if possible; use a dry wooden pole or
any other non-conductive material to remove the casualty from
the live wire; administer artificial respiration, if required;
and send for medical aid. |
