First Aid is the first assistance or treatment given to a person for any injury or sudden illness, before the arrival of an ambulance, doctor, or other qualified help. The main aim of first aid is to prevent the injury from becoming worse.
Everyone should know a little first aid. One day someone may depend on you alone for help. The main aims of first aid are to preserve life, to prevent the victim’s condition from getting worse, and to make them as comfortable as possible while waiting for expert medical
help. First aiders can save lives by maintaining a victim’s vital needs.
The ABC rule
The A (Airway), B (Breathing), and C (Circulation) of any unconscious person must be established within three minutes in order to prevent permanent injury.
A is for Airway
Airway must be opened and kept open. Tilt the head of the injured person back and lift the chin forward to open the airway.
B is for Breathing
Breathing must be established and maintained. If breathing has stopped, then start mouth-to-mouth ventilation by blowing your own expelled air into the injured person’s lungs. If an injured child is unconscious, but still breathing and has a pulse, place her or him in the recovery position.
C is for Circulation
Circulation of blood must be maintained. Check if the heart is beating by feeling for a pulse. If the heart has stopped “chest compressions” can be applied, together with artificial ventilation.
Recovery Position
Unconscious victims often die by inhaling saliva or vomit. Avoid this by placing them in the recovery position and staying with them. Turn them so that their head is to one side, and both the arm and the leg on that side are pulled up till they are at right angles to the body. Pull the chin forwards so the tongue does not block the throat, and loosen clothing around the neck. Clear the mouth of any blockage and, if possible, raise the legs and body above head level. If there are signs of injury to the backbone, do not move the victims at all,
and if they are conscious, tell them not to move.
Shock
A person in shock is pale, with cold and clammy skin, a rapid pulse and rapid shallow breathing. Lay them down in the recovery position. Do not try to warm up or give them a drink without a doctor’s permission.
Choking
Remove any obvious blockage from the mouth, bend the person over, face-down, and slap him sharply between the shoulders up to four times. A small child can be bent face-down over one knee and slapped gently in the same way.
Bleeding
Control bleeding by pressing on the wound by hand or with a clean cloth.
If an arm or leg is bleeding, it helps to raise it above the rest of the body. If you can, wash your hands, then clean the wound and surrounding skin. Cover the wound with sterile gauze and cotton wool, and hold these in place with adhesive tape or a bandage. If blood begins to show through, do not remove but place a new bandage on top. Do not tie the bandage too tightly or you will stop blood circulation.
Dislocations and broken bones
A dislocation happens when the bone of a joint moves away from its normal position. The joint is very painful and cannot be moved as much as usual. A limb with a broken bone has an odd shape and develops a painful swelling.
Support the injured limb in a comfortable position with a sling or by binding the arm to the body, or by binding the injured leg to the good leg, until you can get medical aid.
Burns and scalds
Run cold water over small burns until the pain stops. Do not burst blisters. Cover with a dry, non-fluffy sterile dressing; a clean handkerchief or towel will do. Larger burns must be kept under cold water for longer. Do not touch the burn or pull away anything stuck to
it.
Home Safety Facts
Although most people think of home as the safest place, you are more likely to have an accident in the home than at work or school.
To make the home a safer place:
- Do not use electrical equipment in the bathroom or near water.
- Keep saucepan handles turned inward so they do not hang over the work surface,and use the back rings of a hob first.
- Store dangerous items in a high cupboard, out of the reach of children.
- Do not put toxic substances in a familiar food or drink container.
- Run the cold water into the bath first, and keep testing the temperature as you add the hot water.
- Do not hold a hot drink when you have a baby on your lap
- Do not put an iron on the floor to cool; put it out of reach.
Call an Ambulance or Doctor for:
- Unexplained drowsiness or loss of consciousness
- Severe bleeding
- Unexplained fits of any sort
- Difficulty in breathing
- Severe abdominal pain
- Sudden blurred vision or seeing coloured haloes around lights.
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