First Aid for Emergency Cases

A health emergency can knock at your door unannounced. You may be able to avoid minor mishaps, or you could potentially save a life in the case of a catastrophic medical emergency by using basic First Aid. Therefore, it is essential to know basic first-aid skills. Read ahead for an overview. 

What is First Aid?

First Aid is an emergency intervention that generally consists of simple, sometimes life-saving procedures that most individuals can learn with little equipment and no prior medical knowledge. The term primarily relates to providing care to humans, although it can also be applied to animals.

What is the aim of First Aid?

First Aid is meant to save lives, and the primary goals are listed below.

• To save lives: The primary goal of First Aid is to save lives.

• To avoid further harm: The injured individual must be kept stable until medical help arrives. This may involve shifting the person away from danger, administering first aid, keeping them dry and comfortable, and applying pressure to injuries to prevent bleeding from occurring.

• Enhance recovery: One way to enhance recovery is to put a bandage on a wound.

3 First Aid steps for emergency situations

If you notice an emergency circumstance, follow these three fundamental First Aid steps.

1. Examine the situation for possible risks

Search for signs of danger such as fire, falling debris, or violent individuals. If your safety is at risk, evacuate the area and seek assistance. Evaluate the condition of the sick or injured person to determine if the situation is safe. If necessary, shift the person to protect them from any danger.

2. Seek medical attention if necessary

If you feel the sick or injured individual needs emergency medical assistance, dial the local medical emergency number.

3. Provide support 

Try to comfort the injured person and keep them calm. If you have any basic First Aid competencies, try to attend to whatever potentially serious injuries they have.

How to practise First Aid

ABC is the most commonly used word in First Aid. This abbreviation stands for airway, breathing, and circulation. A fourth stage will be added to the protocols for emergencies in some facilities. 

• Airway: Inspect the airway. Choking can be life-threatening

• Breathing: Once you have established that the airways are clear, determine whether the person is able to breathe and, if necessary, offer help with breathing

• Circulation: If the person does not breathe, the First Aid renderer should immediately begin with CPR, which involves chest compressions and rescue breathing. Chest compressions will increase circulation. This saves a lot of time. In minor circumstances that arise, the First Aider has to monitor the pulse.

Some organisations consider treating severe wounds or performing defibrillation on the heart to be a separate fourth stage, but others consider this a component of the circulation process.

Evaluation and maintenance of ABC with a patient is dependent on a First Aider's training and expertise. Once ABC has been established, the First Aider can focus on any additional treatment options. 

Next, the First Aider should conduct a secondary survey, looking for abnormalities, bleeding wounds, and swellings. Place the individual in a recovery position as soon as this is accomplished. At this moment, the First Aider must call for an ambulance.

What are the types of First Aid?

Here’s a list of common types of First Aid.

1. First Aid for burns

The first step in treating a burn is to put a stop to the burning process. Those who have sunburns should wear protective clothing or stay indoors.

2. First Aid CPR

Call the nearest medical emergency if you observe someone collapsing or find someone unconscious. Approach the unconscious person and perform CPR if the area surrounding them is safe. CPR can be performed by applying chest compressions and then providing breaths to keep someone alive until medical aid arrives.

3. First Aid for bee sting

For certain people, a bee sting may be an acute medical condition. If there’s an allergic reaction to a bee sting, call an ambulance. Help them find and apply an epinephrine auto-injector (for example, an EpiPen). Encourage them to remain calm until help turns up.

4. First Aid for nosebleed

To assist someone suffering from a nosebleed, ask them to do the following.

• Sit down and lean forward

• Close the nostrils with their thumb and index finger

• Keep applying steady pressure for five minutes

• Repeat until the bleeding has stopped

If the nosebleed lasts longer than 20 minutes, seek immediate medical attention.

5. First Aid for heatstroke

When your body overheats, you experience heat exhaustion. Exhaustion from heat may lead to heat stroke if left ignored. In such a scenario, remove any excess clothing and wrap a cool, wet towel around the back of the patient’s neck. Sponge them with cool water.

If they encounter any of the following indications or symptoms of heatstroke, immediate medical intervention is required.

• Nausea or vomiting

• Confusion

• Fainting and seizures

• High fever

6. First Aid for choking

Choking is a potentially fatal ailment that can result in unconsciousness if the throat becomes blocked. The Heimlich manoeuvre is a series of abdominal thrusts that can be used to help free someone who is choking. 

The First Aid Kit

The following items should be included in any standard First-Aid kit.

• Adhesive bandages

• Sterilised gauze pads

• Adhesive cloth tape

• Antiseptic wipes

• Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, or Aspirin

• Antibacterial ointment

• Hydrocortisone cream

• Calamine lotion

• Nitrile or vinyl gloves

• Scissors

• Tweezers

• Thermometer

• Blanket

• First-Aid Manual

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some of the FAQs about First Aid.

What is the basic information about First Aid?

First Aid is defined as the initial assistance or support given to an injured or sick person for any accident or unexpected illness before the arrival of a professional that can provide expert medical attention.

What are the First Aid measures in case of a medical emergency?

The First Aid of a medical emergency is as follows:

• Airway: Check the airway for obstructions.

• Breathing: After confirming that the airways are clear, determine whether the person is able to breathe.

• Circulation: If the person does not breathe, the First Aid renderer should immediately begin with CPR, which involves chest compressions and rescue breathing.

• Deadly bleeding or defibrillation: Treating severe wounds or performing defibrillation on the heart.

Sources:

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK222964/

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3273374/#:~:text=Introduction-,The%20Airway%2C%20Breathing%2C%20Circulation%2C%20Disability%2C%20Exposure%20(ABCDE,applicable%20in%20all%20clinical%20emergencies.

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470402/#:~:text=CPR%20is%20a%20means%20of,when%20done%20properly.%5B3%5D

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499899/#:~:text=Introduction,pulseless%20ventricular%20tachycardia%20(VT).

Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. Please consult a doctor before making any health-related decisions.

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