Basic First Aid
As much as we don’t like to think about it, accidents happen. People close to us can suffer one at any given time.
You might get involved in a car accident, and someone near you can get injured. You might go skiing, and someone nearby might crash. You might be at work, or playing a game of tennis or kicking the footy with your friends, and someone might fall down and badly injure themselves.
Take a quick glance at the newspaper or the local news, and you’ll be met by a myriad of accidents that have happened in the recent days.
So, what do we do? We brush it off and try to convince ourselves that these things won’t ever affect us. After all, it’s human nature.
But, preparing yourself and knowing first aid can be the difference between life and death for someone or even yourself. Of course, it’s better if you never had to use your first aid skills, but should a tragedy strike, you need to be prepared.
A lot of people never bother to learn first aid because they think that it’s very complex. But it’s not. As long as you listen carefully and apply yourself, you can have enough first aid knowledge to make a real difference in an emergency situation.
1.How to make an emergency call
In most cases, making a call to your local emergency number is going to come first. Dial 000. However, there are things you need to keep in mind. Remember that the operator is trained to help you.
a)Take a deep breath and collect your thoughts. You don’t want to be rambling or stumbling over your words during the conversation.
b)Explain the situation carefully and ask for an ambulance.
c)Listen carefully, answer the operator’s questions as well as you can and don’t ever hang up first.
2.How to help someone who is choking
First, asses whether the obstruction of the airway is partial or total. If they can speak, respond to you, cough, and breathe, then the obstruction is partial, and the best thing to do is let them cough it out.
If however, the obstruction is total, the person will not be able to speak, cough, or breathe. They might also grab onto their throat with both hands in the moment of panic.
At that point, the best course of action is to stand behind the person and administer abdominal thrusts. Keep in mind that this maneuver should only be used on adults and children over the age of one.
As you’re standing behind the person:
• wrap your hands around their waist and lean them forward;
• make a fist with one hand, place it right above their navel and place your other hand over the fist;
• thrust both hands hard into their stomach in an upward motion;
• do the movement up to five times and check if they can breathe again;
3.How to stop bleeding
If someone is bleeding heavily, the first thing you should do is put pressure on the wound with a clean piece of cloth. If the piece of cloth soaks up with blood, don’t remove it. Instead, apply another piece on top of the first one and maintain the pressure.
If a limb is bleeding, you can also raise it above the heart level. This could reduce blood flow to the wound.
Once the bleeding stops, you can proceed to treat the wound.
4.How to treat wounds and cuts
Rinse the wound with clean water to get dirt and debris out. After that, take a soft fabric with some soap and clean around the wound. Don’t put the soap directly in the wound as this can cause a lot of pain.
If there is any debris still in the wound, gently pick them with tweezers that are cleaned with isopropyl alcohol.
Then, apply a thin layer of antibiotic cream (such as Neosporin or Polysporin) over the wound to help the body begin the healing process and reduce the risk of infection.
If the cut or wound is significant, place a non-sticking bandage and change it once a day.
Should the wound feel swollen or tender after a day or two, see a doctor.
5 CPR
Chest compressions-only CPR
If you have not been trained in CPR or are worried about giving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to a stranger, you can do chest compression-only (or hands-only) CPR.
Chest compressions are the most important part of CPR. Start chest compressions as soon as possible after calling for help.
To carry out chest compressions on an adult:
Place the heel of your hand on the breastbone at the centre of the person's chest. Place your other hand on top of your first hand and interlock your fingers.
Using your body weight (not just your arms), press straight down on their chest, by one-third of the chest depth.
Repeat this until help arrives or the person recovers.
Try to give 100 to 120 chest compressions per minute.
Chest compressions with rescue breaths
If you are on your own, then do 30 chest compressions (almost two compressions per second) followed by two rescue breaths and repeat.
To give a rescue breath:
Open the airway by tilting the head and lifting the chin.
Pinch the soft part of the nose closed with your index finger and thumb, or seal the nose with your cheek.
Open the patient's mouth.
Take a breath and place your lips over the patient's mouth, ensuring a good seal.
Blow steadily for about 1 second, watching for the chest to rise. Then listen and feel for signs that air is being expelled.
Take another breath and repeat.
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