Introduction
First aid is the first and immediate assistance given to any person with
either a minor or serious illness or injury, with care provided to preserve
life, prevent the condition from worsening, or to promote recovery until
medical services arrive. First aid is generally performed by someone with
basic medical training.
GOLDEN RULES OF FIRST AID
and methodically without panicking, giving priority to the most urgent
situation / condition. Remove the victim from the cause of injury or the
cause of injury from the victim. Resuscitate the victim, if necessary and
carry out general treatment of unconsciousness.
What to do
Assess the situation quickly and calmly. Safety: check whether you or the
casualty are in any danger
Protect yourself and them from any danger
Prevent infection between you and them
Comfort and reassure
Assess the casualty and give first aid treatment
Arrange for help if needed
First aid is as easy as ABC – airway, breathing and CPR (cardiopulmonary
resuscitation). In any situation, apply the DRSABCD Action Plan.
DRSABCD stands for Danger, Response, Send, Airway, Breathing, CPR,
Defibrillation.
What is the 3 principle of first aid?
The PPP acronym in first aid stands for: Preserve Life. Prevent
Deterioration. Promote Recovery.
Types of Basic First Aid
1. CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)
Arguably the most important first aid skill is CPR. Learning CPR is
something many people are somewhat familiar with; it involves providing
artificial ventilation to preserve the life of an unconscious person, who isn’t
breathing. Administering CPR can help a person’s blood circulation, brain
responses, as well as regain consciousness and the ability to breathe.
Learning CPR properly is invaluable and probably the most vital skill you
can have in your repertoire.
2. Seizures
If someone is having a seizure, you should not try and hold them still as it
can cause serious injuries. You should cushion their head, remove any
harmful objects nearby and aid breathing where you can by placing them in
the recovery position, once they stop fitting. Do not try to move them, give
them food or water or bring them round.
3. Treating burns and scalds
There are three degrees of burns, all of which require a different type of
treatment. First and second-degree burns require topical remedies and
may result in light blisters, while third-degree burns should be seen by a
doctor.
4. Sprains
Sprains are common injuries; the injured joint should be wrapped with a
bandage and elevated until a medical professional can take a look. Using
the ‘RICE’ framework (rest, ice, compression, elevation) is the best
methodology here. Failing to do so can cause long-term damage to the
tissue and cartilage.
5. Stitches
You may find yourself having to close up a wound before medical help
arrives. These situations may be rare, but it pays off to know how to stitch
properly and safely.
6. Concussions and head trauma
Concussions are incredibly serious and require immediate attention. Check
for dizziness, pupil dilation, coherence and other symptoms, as leaving a
concussion untreated can have long-term effects on the brain. You should
know how to spot the signs as soon as possible.
7. Broken bones
If someone near you has suffered a broken bone you should learn how to
set a splint. A first aid course will teach you how to do this safely, as a
splint will need to be set before moving the injured individual to minimise
pain.
8. Shock
Someone goes into shock when their brain is not receiving enough blood,
or perhaps because of an allergic reaction, accident, illness or infection.
Someone in shock may look pale or feel dizzy, disoriented or faint. Have
them lie still with their feet elevated, make sure they are warm and do not
give them anything to drink.
9. Choking
Choking happens when someone’s airway is obstructed so they cannot
breathe. If someone cannot clear their airway themselves by coughing or
spitting an object out of their mouth, blows to the back should help dislodge
the object. Severe choking can cause a person to become unconscious if
they cannot speak, cough or breathe.
Abdominal thrusts (sometimes known as the Heimlich manoeuvre) involve
standing behind the person who’s choking, placing your arms around their
waist, bending them forwards, clenching a fist above their belly button (with
your other hand resting on top of your fist) pulling sharply inwards and
upwards. This should only be done as a last resort and should not, under
any circumstances be performed on pregnant women or babies under the
age of 1.
10. Excessive bleeding
If someone is bleeding heavily, it’s important to stop it as soon as possible,
as it could be from an artery or a vein. To help prevent heavy bleeding,
elevate the wound above the heart and apply firm pressure with a clean
compress, using a fabric item like a T-shirt, sock or cloth directly on the
wound.
11. poisoning
If the person inhaled poison, get him or her fresh air right away. If the
person has poison on the skin, take off any clothing the poison touched.
Rinse skin with running water for 15 to 20 minutes. If the person has poison
in the eyes, rinse eyes with running water for 15 to 20 minutes.
12. cuts
Rinse the cut or wound with water and apply pressure with sterile
gauze, a bandage, or a clean cloth. If blood soaks through the
bandage, put another bandage on top of the first and keep applying
pressure. Raise the injured body part to slow bleeding. When bleeding
stops, cover the wound with a new, clean bandage.
13. cold waves
Warm the center of their body first-chest, neck, head, and groin-using an
electric blanket, if available; or use skin-to-skin contact under loose, dry
layers of blankets, clothing, towels, or sheets. Provide warm beverages as
they may help increase the body temperature, but do not give alcoholic
beverages
14. heat waves
Help the person to a cool place and get them to rest lying down with
their legs raised. Give them plenty of water to drink, which will replace
lost fluids. If you have them, isotonic sports drinks will help replace
salts lost through sweating. Even if the person appears to recover
fully, you should seek medical advice.