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:
- To
preserve life
- To
prevent the victims condition from worsening
- To
promote recovery
The Goals of
First Aid are:
- To
restore and maintain vital functions. The ABC of basic life support
(Airway, Breathing, and Circulation) are always the first priority.
- Airway
must be open so that air containing oxygen enters the body.
- Breathing
must take place so that oxygen passes through the lungs into the blood
stream.
- The
heart must circulate the oxygen carrying blood.
- To prevent
further injury or deterioration.
- 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:
- First Degree (Superficial):
Involves only top layer of the skin and is red and dry and the burn is
generally painful.
- Second Degree (Partial-Thickness):
Involves both the epidermis and dermis.
- 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
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
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