POCKET GUIDE ON FIRST AID

INTRODUCTION

          The world is becoming very small quick. We can say the first aid as the simple hospital. It is a life saver in causalities such as burns, snake bite, electrocution and unconsciousness.

          In many cases people loose their life because of lack of quick medical care. The first aid provides or good opportunity of smooth medical care. By its action a person can be kept alive but he should be given proper medical care afterwards.

          However hospitals play a main role in medical care but the first aid operations provides a well base for it. Having a first aid kit is having a life guard in the causalities.

 

FIRST AID

          The Encylopedia Britannica states First Aid as “measures to be taken immediately after an accident not with an idea to cure but in order to prevent harm being done”. It uses the available human and material resources at the site of accident to provide initial care to the victim of injury or sudden illness until more advance care is provided.

First Aid has the following main objectives:

1. To preserve life
2. To prevent the victims condition from worsening
3. To promote recovery

The Goals of First Aid are:

1. To restore and maintain vital functions. The ABC of basic life support (Airway, Breathing, and Circulation) are always the first priority.
1. Airway must be open so that air containing oxygen enters the body.
2. Breathing must take place so that oxygen passes through the lungs into the blood stream.
3. The heart must circulate the oxygen carrying blood.
2. To prevent further injury or deterioration.
3. To reassure the victim and make him or her as comfortable as possible.

FAINTING OR LOSING CONSCIOUSNESS

          Fainting is a brief loss of consciousness and is the result of an interference with the function of the brain. There are many causes of unconsciousness, the most common of which are: fainting, head injury, epilepsy, stroke, poisoning, diabetes and conditions associated with lack of oxygen. If you have seen a person fainting then:

Do’s

v     Catch the person before he/she falls

v     Pinch the person and see if she moves or opens her eyes

v     Examine the injuries and causes of unconsciousness

v     Tilt head back and keep arms at right angle to body

v     Raise the legs 8 – 12 inches. This promotes blood flow to the brain.

v     Loosen any tight clothing

v     Keep the victim warm if it is cold outside

v     Keep a record of the casualty’s condition

BURNS

          A burn is damage to the skin caused by contact with dry heat. It may be caused by fire, flames, steam, hot liquids, hot metal, sunlight, electricity or chemicals.

The degree of burn varies:

1. First Degree (Superficial): Involves only top layer of the skin and is red and dry and the burn is generally painful.
2. Second Degree (Partial-Thickness): Involves both the epidermis and dermis.
3. Third Degree (Full Thickness): Destroys both the layers of the skin with muscles, bones, blood vessels and nerves.

Do’s

v     Immediately immerse the burnt area in cool water or by applying clothes soaked in cool water.

v     Remove jewellery and constrictive clothing before selling or blisters occurs.

v     Cover the area with a dry, sterile dressing and not cotton or other fluffy material.

v     Drop, Cover and Roll if caught fire or cover the person with a blanket immediately.

BLEEDING

          Cuts, scrapes and puncture can result  in bleeding. Severe bleeding can be life threatening. To stop bleeding restore to:

v     Direct pressure

v     Elevation – Lie victim down and raise the injured part above the heart and handle gently if you suspect a fracture.

          The blood gets thicker after bleeding for a few minutes. This is called clotting. Clotting slows down bleeding. Bandaging is done to stop bleeding and to sop dirt infecting the wound. Change the bandage at least once a day and tetanus injection needs to be taken if required.

Warnings:

v     If bleeding from a limb doesn’t stop, apply pressure with hand to pressure point.

v     If embedded object in wound, apply pressure either side of wound and place pad around before bandaging.

v     Wear gloves, if possible to guard against infection.

SNAKE BITE

          Most of the snakes are harmless. It is because of our fear that snakes generally attack us. Snakebites generally occur on the limbs and most often on the legs. Always assume the bite to be form a venomous snake. Suspected snakebite must be treated with a pressure immobilization bandage.

ELECTROCUTION

          When an accident occurs with electricity, the First Aider must remember that it is not safe to touch the casualty until the power has been turned off. The signs and symptoms include surface and internal burns and breathing and heart beat stopped.

         

          The best way to treat the person electrocuted is to cut off the power supply and remove the victim fro the source with non-conductive material.

         

FROST BITE

          Frost bite occurs when body tissues freeze after exposure to below zero temperatures. The signs and symptoms include white, waxy looking skin that is firm to the touch but the tissue underneath feels soft and pain followed by numbness.

Do’s

v     Cover frostbitten toes, ears with warm hands.

v     The area affected can be warmed by breathing on them or placing them in a warm area of the body or by dipping the affected area in warm water (40 degree centigrade)

v     Cover the area affected

DOG BITE

          The aim of First Aid in case of dog bite is to prevent rabies, to reduce the risk of infection and to get medical aid as soon as possible.

v     Wipe the saliva away from the wound using a clean cloth or handkerchief.

v     Do not come in contact with the saliva that gets wiped away.

v     Wash the wound thoroughly with plenty of soap and water.

v     Cover the wound with a dry, sterile dressing

v     Get medical aid or send the patient to the hospital as soon as possible

BIBLIOGRAPHY

v     A Text Book On Disaster Management 

INDEX

SL. No.	TOPIC	PAGE NO.
1.	ACKNOWLEDGEMENT	1
2.	INTRODUCITON	2
3.	FIRST AID	3
4.	FAINTING OR LOSING CONSCIOUSNESS	4
5.	BURNS	5
6.	BLEEDING	6
7.	SNAKE BITE AND ELECTROCUTION	7
8.	FROST BITE AND DOG BITE	8
9.	BIBLIOGRAPHY	9

MAKE YOUR OWN FIRST AID KIT

v     Cotton Wool

v     Adhesive Tape

v     Crepe Bandage

v     Sterile Dressing

v     Triangular Bandage

v     Thermometer

v     Scissors

v     Glove

v     Soap

v     Pain Reliever

v     Antacid

v     ORS Packets

 

Golden Rule of First Aid ……………

BE CALM – DO NOT PANIC