Page 152 - Participant Manual

B

APPENDIX

SPECIAL

FIRST AID

SITUATIONS

Abuse

Abuse is the willful infliction of injury or harm on another. People who depend on others for care, such as
children and the elderly, are at the highest risk for being abused. Abuse can take many forms, including
physical abuse (deliberately hurting another person’s body), emotional abuse (degrading, belittling or
threatening another person), sexual abuse (forcing a person to take part in sexual activities of any kind) and
neglect (failing to provide for a dependent person’s basic needs).

Signs and symptoms of abuse could include:

■ An injury whose cause does not fit its ■ Bruises and burns in unusual shapes, such as
explanation. bruises shaped like belt buckles or handprints, or
burns the size of a cigarette tip.
■ Unexplained fractures or dislocations.
■ Bruises, scratches or cuts around the breasts,
■ Unexplained lacerations or abrasions, especially buttocks or genitals.
to the mouth, lips and eyes.
■ A withdrawn or fearful demeanor, especially in
■ Injuries in various stages of healing, especially the presence of the person who is causing the
bruises and burns. abuse.

Signs and symptoms of neglect could include:

■ Lack of appropriate supervision. ■ Signs of malnutrition.
■ Signs of poor personal hygiene. ■ An unsafe living environment.

■ Signs of dehydration. ■ Untreated chronic illness (e.g., a person with
asthma who has no medications).

In a first aid situation, you may have reason to suspect that the person is a victim of abuse. Your priority is to
give first aid care for the person’s injury or illness, according to the conditions that you find and your level of
training. If you suspect abuse, share your concerns with the responding emergency medical services (EMS)
personnel, if possible. You can also report your suspicions to a community or state agency, such as the
Department of Social Services, the Department of Child and Family Services, Child Protective Services, or
Adult Protective Services.

Appendix B Special First Aid Situations | 144 | First Aid/CPR/AED Participant’s Manual Appendix B Special First Aid Situations | 145 | First Aid/CPR/AED Participant’s Manual