New Delhi, February 21, 2017: We are always eager to provide assistance to people in emergencies but not knowing the correct way to help can lead to severe consequences instead of helping the victim. It is important to understand some basic First Aid methods and avoid common mistakes that we make while assisting emergency victims. Below are few quick first Aid tips which can come handy during emergencies.
1. Call for an Ambulance: Please remember to call immediately for an ambulance on 108 or 1298 if present in your city as a first step before you start giving first aid to any victim.
After giving first aid, always refer the patient to a doctor for medical assessment.
Ensure that your bare skin does not come in direct contact with any of body fluids of the patient such as blood, vomit etc.
2. Rescuing road Accident Victim
One of the most common injuries after a road accident is a neck or spine injury. We often tend to move a person before proper immobilization of neck. This increases the chance of misplacement of broken bones of the spine and may result in paralysis below the neck or waist. One should not move a person unless his/her life is in danger and should wait for trained medical help. Reassure the patient that help is on its way. While the ambulance arrives, the person should be kept warm if he/she is feeling cold due to shock.
3. Treating Burns
It is an age old habit to apply butter or ice to burns and we have been doing it wrong all the way. No greasy substance should be applied on a burn. Covering a burn with a towel or blanket makes the loose threads stick to the skin causing further damage.
Cool the burn area with water till burning sensation stops. . Do not wrap the body in blanket as the heat from burns moves deep into the skin causing severe damage to tissues. . Cover the burn area with sterile gauze piece if available or a clean cloth and consult a doctor immediately. Do not break open the blisters if formed. Do not apply anything on the burn as this will interfere in assessment of the burn injury by the doctor. If the affected areas include eyes, genital areas or mouth, the patient should be immediately rushed to a hospital. Even if you think the burn is minor. For electrical shock, getting medical help is absolutely necessary even if no external injury is visible. Electric shock can cause serious injuries inside the body.
4. Nose Bleeding
Most people tilt the head backwards to control bleeding of the nose. However, while this might seem convenient, it just sends back blood to the throat and the patient starts coughing. The patient should be made to sit in chair and asked to bend little forward.. Both the nostrils should be shut for at least 15 minutes with the help of the thumb and index finger. The patient is asked to breathe through mouth. Consult the doctor after bleeding stops. However, if bleeding does not stop even after 15-20 minutes, patient should be rushed to hospital.
5. Sprains
People often apply heat on sprains to ease pulled muscle. Heat increases blood flow resulting in increase of swelling. One should apply cold or ice and water mixture compresses on the affected part for 15-20 minutes. Care should be taken not to apply ice directly on bare skin. Ice application reduces pain and swelling. The affected area should be immobilized. . Sprains sometimes are more painful than fractures as it can injure ligaments and tendons. Affected part should be supported or elevated if possible. .
6. Heart Attacks
To suspect if the person is developing a Heart Attack-, you should first know the symptoms.. The first sign is a constant pain in the chest especially in the middle of chest which could spread to the jaw, arms or neck. The skin tends to become pale and is accompanied by profuse sweating. Patient may have difficulty in breathing and feeling of uneasinessor light headedness.
If you suspect a heart attack, call a cardiac ambulance immediately before offering First Aid to the patient. As a first step, make sure that the person does not move and remains in a position most comfortable to him/her. Constantly monitor the patient and if he/she becomes unresponsive and stops breathing, CPR (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation) can be administered, provided you are trained to give one. Patient should be moved to a hospital where ICU facility is available.
Corporate Comm India(CCI Newswire)
