minimal response may be both adequate and most
appropriate.
Should direct contact with body fluids occur,
the responder should wash the area of contact
thoroughly (rinse extensively with water if the
eyes or mouth) and promptly seek a doctor’s
advice and appropriate prophylaxis (preventive
measures). Prophylaxis is available to reduce the
risk for contracting infections such as HEPATITISand
TUBERCULOSIS. However, there are currently no
methods to prevent infection with HIV (human
immunodeficiency virus), the virus that causes
AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).
See also ACCIDENTAL INJURIES; BLEEDING CONTROL;
CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION (CPR); HIV/AIDS;
MULTIPLE TRAUMA; PATHOGEN; RESPONDER SAFETY AND
PERSONAL PROTECTION; SITE AND SITUATION ASSESSMENT;
SYMPTOM ASSESSMENT AND CARE TRIAGE.
confidentiality The requirement to maintain the
personal privacy of individuals who require emer-
gency assistance or first aid. Though laws regard-
ing confidentiality apply to people employed in
fields such as health care, law enforcement, and
firefighting, any person who responds to provide
assistance should similarly respect the privacy of
those involved in the situation. Such respect
includes not discussing details of the situation
with anyone, including media or press, other than
those involved in the subsequent care of the per-
son. A good rule of thumb is for the responder to
consider whether he or she would want the infor-
mation divulged were the responder the one who
received assistance. As well, it is possible for there
to be legal repercussions should information made
public turn out to be erroneous.
See also GOODSAMARITAN LAWS.
Good Samaritan laws Legal protections in the
United States that states enact to shelter people
who provide emergency assistance and first aid
from legal liability for outcomes that may result
from their actions. Such laws primarily affect indi-
viduals (other than those who work in public
safety or health care jobs) who stop to help at
MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS, when a person suffers a
HEART ATTACK, or in other crisis situations. The
premise is that the person providing aid is doing
so with good intent and due prudence. These laws
do not prevent legal action, however.
See also CONFIDENTIALITY; FIRST RESPONSE; SITE AND
SITUATION ASSESSMENT; SYMPTOM ASSESSMENT AND CARE
TRIAGE.responder safety and personal protection Items
and methods responders should use when provid-
ing emergency assistance and first aid. The per-
sonal safety and protection of responders is
essential. At a minimum, personal protection
items should include- latex gloves (or medical-grade, latex-free gloves
for people who have latex allergies) - a resuscitation shield or mask when performing
RESCUE BREATHINGor CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITA-
TION(CPR)
Most commercial first aid kits now contain
these items. If the responder does not have them,
the person in need of medical attention might
have them in a home or auto first aid kit. When
these items are not available and the situation is a
dire one in which the person is likely to die with-
out immediate aid that risks exposure to body flu-
ids, the responder can reduce such exposure by
using clothing to establish a barrier.
The other fundamental dimension of responder
safety and personal protection is quick but thor-
ough SITE AND SITUATION ASSESSMENTto determine
what, if any, risks exist that pose hazards for the
responder. Key among these risks are the possibili-
ties of- fire, explosion, or ELECTROCUTION
- drowning, when the person needing assistance
is in or near the water - direct harm, when the situation is one of VIO-
LENCEsuch as a shooting - hazardous conditions such as traffic or unstable
terrain - toxic chemical exposure
When these risks are present or uncertain, they
put the responder at great peril.
See also ACCIDENTAL INJURIES; HEPATITIS PREVEN-
TION; HIV/AIDS; INFECTION; PATHOGEN; SYMPTOM ASSESS-
MENT AND CARE TRIAGE; TUBERCULOSIS PREVENTION.358 Emergency and First Aid