How to Administer First-Aid Part 1

First-Aid

Why you need to become a First-Aider 

Accidents are going to happen whether we like it or not & no matter how safety conscious we may or not be. Accidents can rarely be totally eliminated but they can be drastically reduced to the barest minimum. Accidents can occur from human error, faulty equipment/appliances among-st other reasons. You can't spend your life worrying about them or you'd  never get anything done. However, using common sense & taking a few simple precautions is well worth a little of your time.   

First-Aider at work

In cases of accidents having a little knowledge of what to do can actually be the difference between life & death. It is very, very important for everyone to have a basic knowledge of first aid. If you were injured, you'd want someone close to you who doesn't panic & knows what to do. 

You have to make a decision on which person to treat first when dealing with multiple casualties. This process is called 'triage'. One rule of thumb is that a person who is screaming is clearly alive, conscious & in less danger that someone who is motionless & silent.

What should be your Priorities in Administering First-Aid

1. Breathing & heartbeat
2. Stop bleeding

3. Bandage wounds
4. Splint fractures
5. Treat Shock

Keeping yourself safe as a First-Aider

Never put yourself at risk as a first-aider. There is risk of HIV infection when dealing with blood & wounds. Wear gloves if you have them, or put plastic bags over your hands. Never touch your mouth or face with bloody hands & wash them thoroughly as soon as possible. This advice is usually ignored in high stress situations but it could save your life.

How  to Handle an Injured Person as a First-Aider

Approach an injured person with caution & make sure that you won't be hurt by whatever hurt them. If there is an immediate threat, move the patient before applying first-aid. Weigh the risk of spinal injury against the immediate danger. If they have been electrocuted & the current is still running, stand on something dry & non-conducting & use a stick to heave them away from the source.

If you do have to move a victim, avoid twisting motions that could make spinal injuries worse. Pull by the ankles until they are clear. Watch out whether the victim is breathing & whether the heart is beating? 

What to do if the Injured Person is still Breathing?

If they are breathing, turn them on their side and bend one leg up in support. This is called the 'recovery position'. It helps to prevent choking caused by vomit or bleeding. 
Remove any obstructions from the mouth & throat using your fingers if breathing is poor. Pull back their tongue into position if they have swallowed their tongue. If breathing is 

blocked, put them onto their back, sit astride them, place your hands just above their navel & thrust upwards into the ribcage. If this does not work, grasp them around the chest 

under the armpits from behind, joining your hands in front if you can. Then grip hard, compressing their chest. This is the 'Heimlich manoeuvre'. 

Once the blockage is clear, if they are still not breathing, start artificial resuscitation.

Extra care should be taken with babies as they are very delicate. If a baby stops breathing, support them face down on your forearm. The pressure alone is enough in some cases, but if not, press three or four times between the shoulder blade with the heel of your hand. If there is still no response, support the head & turn the baby face up, then use just two fingers to press down on the chest four times. Repeat this action. Finally, cover the baby's mouth & nose with your mouth & breath into their lungs. 

Please watch out for part 2 of our post
Your comments, questions & contributions are highly welcome. Please share the information with your friends as you may be saving a life in the future. Thanks