FIRST AID

First Aid

Introduction

 The initial assistance or treatment given to a casualty for any injury or sudden illness before the arrival of an ambulance, doctor, or other qualified person is called first aid’.
 The notion of ‘first’ aid itself signifies that the casualty is likely to be in need of ‘secondary aid’.

Principles of First Aid

 There are certain important principles involved in first aid.
 These are listed as follows.
 The first aid provider must:
 Act calmly and logically;
 Be in control—-both of himself/herself and the problem;
 Be gentle but firm, and speak to the casualty kindly but purposefully.
 Build up trust by talking to the casualty throughout the examination and treatment.
 Explain the casualty what he/she is going to do.
 Never leave the casualty alone but continue to talk to him/her until the ambulance or doctor arrives.
 Continuously reassure the casualty.
 Never separate a child from its parent or guardian.
 Send the casualty to a hospital or doctor by the quickest means of transport.
 Always inform the police about the serious accidents,
 Inform the relatives of the casualty.

Do Not

 Certain things to avoid in first aid are listed as follows.
a. Touch a wound with your fingers or any instrument
b. Put an unclean dressing or cloth over a wound.
c. Allow bleeding to go unchecked.
d. Allow a crowd to gather around the casualty.
e. Move a patient unnecessarily.
f. Take off clothing unnecessarily.
g. Allow a patient with a fracture or suspected fracture
to be moved until splints have been applied.
h. Fail to give artificial respiration when needed.
 Fail to remove false teeth, tobacco, or any other eatables from the mouth of an unconscious person.
 Leave a tourniquet on for over 20 minutes before loosening it.
 Forget to send for a physician.

First Aid Box

 A first-aid box containing medical supplies for emergency use is usually kept in the housekeeping department.
 A minimum variety of certain types of supplies should be ensured at all times.
 A 17 ½ inch x 10 x 6 ½ inch dirt-proof box is ideal.
 The first-aid box must at least contain the following items:
 A first-aid book
 Antiseptic cream-useful for cuts and bruises.
 Savlon or Dettol antiseptic solution- 2 bottles
 Calamine lotion – a medicated liquid containing zinc carbonate, this has a soothing effect on painful sunburn. It can also relieve itching caused by minor insect bites and stings.
 Antacid tablets—give relief from mild indigestion and heartburn, a burning sensation caused by stomach acid irritating the gullet.
 Anti-diarrhea tablets—these are used to relieve diarrhea by slowing down bowel movements.
 Paracetamol—used for relieving pain and lowering a high temperature.
 Aspirin—used for relieving pain and lowering a high temperature. Its use should be restricted, however, as it may irritate the stomach lining.
 Pain Relief spray—gives instant relief in back pain, joint pain, muscular pain, sprains & sports injuries.
 Chloromycetin eye ointment—2 tubes-This can be used in case of bacterial infections of the eye.
 Soframycin skin ointment-2 tubes. This is used in bacterial infections of the skin and in burns too.
 Travel sickness tablets—these can be taken before a journey or as directed on the label.
 Oil of cloves—for an aching tooth, this is used to provide temporary relief.
 Clinical Thermometer—can be used either orally or under the arm. It should be cleaned with antiseptic after each use, even for the same patient.
 Sterilized dressing (No.18)—12 packets; for use on fingers
 Sterilized dressing (No. 24) —12 packets; for use on hands and feet.
 Large sterilized dressing —-12 packets; for use on other parts.
 Sterilized cotton wool —-6 packets; can be used to pad a dressing or to clean an injury with soap and hot water.
 Crepe bandage—6 packets; may be needed to bandage a sprained or strained joint such as wrist or knee.
 Adhesive plaster (Large)—can be used on minor wounds or to secure a dressing.
 Adhesive dressing strip—for small cuts and wounds.
 Roller bandages—various sizes, 18 packets, can be used to secure dressings, to apply pressure to control bleeding, and to give support to sprains or strains.
 Eye-pad—for placing on the eye in case of an eye injury.
 Tweezers—to remove splinters from the skin.
 Dressing Scissors—to use when cutting away dressing or bandages.
 Safety pins—1 packet of 10; to be used for fixing bandages or slings in place.
 Pad and pencil for writing—1 each.