Development of Virtual Patient Simulations in First Aid Training The IFRC Global First Aid Reference Centre is partnering up with Body Interact – Virtual Patient Simulator – in order to see how National Societies can benefit from practicing with Virtual Patients in first aid training....
Unresponsiveness Unresponsive and breathing normally Maintain an open airway so the person can continue to breathe normally. Unresponsive and abnormal breathing (adolescent and adult) Immediately start chest compressions and access emergency medical services. Unresponsive and abnormal breathing...
Psychological first aid Save this page as a PDF Psychological first aid is a method of assisting people when they are in distress and helping them feel calm and supported in coping with their challenges. It addresses both the emotional and social needs of individuals, to empower people...
Acute griefSupport the person to experience their grief according to their context. Save this page as a PDF Grief is a normal response to a critical event involving the loss of a loved one. It is often caused by bereavement, or a challenging, devastating, yet perhaps common experience –...
Suicidal ideationEngage the person in conversation, ensure safety and provide empathetic support. Save this page as a PDF Suicidal ideation refers to the situation in which a person thinks about ending their own life. The presentation of suicidal ideation can vary from being fleeting and vague to...
Traumatic event Provide support (through listening, being empathetic, maintaining contact and connecting to other resources) to those who have experienced a traumatic event. Save this page as a PDF A traumatic event involves exposure to a perceived or actual threat of death, serious injury or...
Radiation injuries Remove yourself and others from the area where there is radiation to prevent and reduce injuries from radioactive material. Save this page as a PDF Radiation sources exist in a variety of fields including industry, medicine and research. Radiation injuries can occur when there...
Decompression illnessAccess emergency medical services immediately and administer oxygen (if specifically trained). Save this page as a PDF Decompression illness results from a reduction in the ambient pressure surrounding a person’s body. It is commonly caused by pressure changes that occur...
Motion sicknessStop travelling if possible, to allow the person time to recover and take corrective action. Save this page as a PDF Motion sickness is caused when the brain’s estimate of motion is different from what the person is actually experiencing. The person’s eyes, balance...
Altitude sickness Take the person to a lower altitude as quickly and safely as possible. Save this page as a PDF Altitude sickness occurs when people at a high altitude do not have enough oxygen in their blood because the air pressure is too low. As altitude increases, the air becomes thinner and...
Frostbite Gently immerse the affected area in warm water until it is rewarmed (usually 30 minutes). Save this page as a PDF Frostbite is damage to the skin and other tissues caused by extreme cold. When it is cold (at or below 0ºC) or there are strong winds, the human body tries to preserve...
HypothermiaGradually warm the person using the most appropriate equipment available. Save this page as a PDF Hypothermia is a condition in which the body’s core temperature drops below 35ºC (95ºF) and cannot function properly: the blood circulation reduces significantly, especially...