Online CPR/AED/First-Aid ClassTaking Universal PrecautionsOnce you know that the scene is safe, there are universal safety precautions you should take. Since you won’t know for sure, you should act with the assumption that all blood and bodily fluids contain disease-causing germs Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Your first aid kit should include personal protective equipment (PPE) such as disposable gloves and goggles. These help to keep you safe from blood, saliva, and urine. Some people have allergic reactions to latex, so non-latex gloves should be used if possible. Actions for Universal Precautions Wear personal protective equipment whenever necessary. Protective gloves are to be used whenever you give first aid. Eye protection should be worn if the ill or injured person is bleeding. Place any disposable equipment that has touched blood or bodily fluids in a biohazard waste bag. Dispose of the bag according to company policy After removing your gloves, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Actions for Exposure to BloodYou should wear PPE whenever you can. In the event that the person’s blood makes contact with your skin, or splashes in your mouth or eyes, follow these steps.
Properly Removing Protective GlovesIn addition to wearing protective gloves, you will also need to know how to remove them, in order to protect yourself and others from potential infection. Disposing of protective gloves properly is an important step. To properly remove protective gloves:
Practice Good Hand HygieneWearing gloves is not enough. It’s still important that you wash your hands, just to be sure. It is one of the most important protections you have against infection. After removing protective gloves:
Sometimes you won’t be able to wash your hands immediately. In these cases, you should use a waterless hand sanitizer. Rub it into your hands, thoroughly, before letting them air dry. You should properly wash your hands with soap and water as soon as you can. |
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