First Aid Notes

First Aid Notes

What is First Aid?
First Aid is the first treatment given to a casualty with the objective of preserving life and preventing his condition from deteriorating until proper medical treatment /attention is given.
The objectives of First Aid are to save lives and to prevent the injury from becoming worse and to promote recovery.
Contents of First Aid Kit
Every home should have a First Aid Kit which contains:
a. Equipment
  1. Tweezers– to pull out strings
  2. Scissors – for cutting dressing/ bandages
  3. Resuscitation face shield – used as a protective device during CPR ventilation
  4. Thermometer – for measuring temperature
  5. Disposable gloves – for protection from contamination
  6. Safety Pin – to pin bandages
b. Dressings
  1. First Aid dressing (FAD) – to cover wounds (small, medium & large)
  2. Sterile eye dressing – used to cover eye injuries
  3. Adhesive plasters – to cover superficial wounds
  4. Gauze Pad – to clean wounds
  5. Cotton Wool – to clean wounds
c. Medication
  1. Antiseptic wipes – to clean wounds
d. Bandages
  1. Triangular Bandages – used for immobilization of fractures and to cover the wounds
  2. Crepe bandages – for bandaging wounds
  3. Adhesive tape – to tape ends of dressing / bandages
BLEEDING (HEMORRHAGE)
 
What is it?
Bleeding is loss of blood as a result of damaged vessels.

Pretreatment Precautions
Wear protective gloves or place a barrier between you and the person’s blood.
Wash hands with soap and water after providing care.

How to treat it?
  1. Elevate – firm direct pressure (single most effective method)
  2. Apply indirect pressure if necessary.
  3. Cover it with another dressing and bandage firmly.
 
FRACTURES
 
What is a fracture?
Fracture is a break or crack in the bone.

What are the main types of fracture?
  1. Close – covering skin is intact
  2. Open – covering skin is broken
What causes fracture?
  1. Direct Force (e.g. a kick, hit from a car bumper)
  2. Indirect Force (e.g. a twist of the leg, fall on the outstretched limb)
How to recognise fractures?
  1. Pain & tenderness
  2. Deformity
  3. Loss of function
  4. Swelling and sometimes bruising
  5. Open Wound (Open fracture)
What action to take?
  1. Reassure casualty that action is being taken;
  2. Rest injured part;
  3. Immobilise injured part;
  4. Treat other injuries;
  5. Send for medical attention;
  6. Tell the casualty to keep still;
  7. Steady and support injured limb;
  8. Immobilise injured part in most comfortable position;
  9. Stop bleeding and cover exposed bone ends;
  10. Tie bandage firmly (but not very tightly);
  11. Check circulation (every 10 minutes) and treat for shock;
  12. Seek medical attention.
 
BURNS AND SCALDS
 
What are burns and scalds?
Damage to the body tissue caused by heat, chemicals, electricity or radiation. The damage may be extensive or superficial.

What causes it?
a. Presence of heat: naked flame, hot iron, boiling water or hot oil
b. Absence of heat: liquid nitrogen
c. Chemical: acids or alkaline
d. Electrical: electricity or lightning
e. Radiation: sunrays
  • Extent of burn
The palm of the person’s hand represents approximately 1% his/her body surface. Any burn greater than 5% of the body surface is potentially serious.

  • Special Areas
Any burn in the mouth, throat, eyes, ears and / or on the genitals needs medical attention.
What action to take?
a. Stop the burning process.
b. For chemical burn – Wash off the chemicals.
c. Four C’s to remember:
1. Cool the affected part under cold running water or immerse it in cold water for at least 10 minutes.
2. Gently remove any Constriction such as bracelet, ring, watch or constricting clothing from the injured area before it starts to swell.
3. Cover the injured area to prevent infection. Use clean, preferably sterile and non-adherent material. (eg. Handkerchief, dressing etc). A burnt face may be covered with a gauze mask, with holes cut into it to assist the victim in breathing.
4. Consult the doctor or convey to hospital.

DO NOT – apply toothpaste, lotion, ointment or fat to the injured area;
– cover with cotton wool;
­– break blister or remove anything that is sticking to burn.
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