First Aid

Cuts And Grazes 

Slightly bleeding from a cut or graze usually stops within a few minutes as the blood clots.
Treatment 1. Clean area using a gauze or cotton pad.
2. Small cuts heal best if covered by putting on or two strips of surgical tape across the cut.
3. A course of tetanus injections may be necessary if the cut was caused by something dirty (to prevent infection) Watch the Video of First aid for cuts and grazes From Videos TAB   Burns and Scalds Burns are injuries to the body tissues caused by heat, chemicals or radiation. Scalds are caused by wet heat such as steam or hot liquids. Warnings 1. Never put butter or greasy ointments on a burn. They seal heat into the wound and may cause infection. 2. Always seek medical attention if: - Victim is a child or elderly - Burn covers more than one body part. - Burn is located on any sensitive area of the body (hands, face, feet, etc.) - Burn is third degree - Burn is caused by chemicals First Degree Burns First degree burns damage the outer layer of skin. Signs 1. Redness 2. Mild pain 3. Swelling Treatment 1.Plunge the burned area into cold water, or hold it under a cold running tab for 10 minutes or until the pain stops or lessens. 2. Cover with a clean gauze dressing for protection. Second Degree Burns Second degree burns go through to the second layer of skin. Signs 1. Blisters 2. Rough, red skin 3. Swelling 4. Extreme pain Treatment 1. Remove all clothing, jewellery and watches from the burned area unless it is sticking to the skin. 2. Pour copious amounts of cold water over the affected area for at least 10 minutes. 3. Gently blot area dry. Do not rub. Rubbing may break the blisters, opening it to infection. 4. Lightly cover the entire burned area with a clean, dry dressing (sterile if possible). If fluid soaks through, cover with another layer. An arm or leg can be protected inside a clean plastic bag. 5. Raise a burned arm or leg to reduce swelling, but be careful not to burst any blisters. 6. Call a doctor immediately. Third Degree Burns Third degree burns are less painful than second degree burns because the nerve cells in the affected tissue are actually destroyed, but the damage is greater. The burn goes through to the third layer of skin. Characteristics 1. Whitish or charred appearance Treatment 1. Do not remove any clothing near or at the site of the burn. 2. Do not apply cold water or medication to the burn. 3. Place clean, dry cloths (strips of a clean sheet) over the damaged area. 4. If burns are on arms or legs, raise the arm or leg to reduce swelling. 5. If victim has burns on face, check frequently to make sure he is not having difficulty breathing. 6. Get victim to a hospital immediately. Sun Burn Treatment 1. Remove the victim to the shade and cool the skin by sponging gently with cold water. 2. Give sips of cold water at frequent intervals. 3. If the burns are mild, gently apply an after sun cream. 4. For extensive blistering, seek medical help. Watch the Video of First aid for Burns & scalds From Videos TAB Foreign Body In The Eye Or Ear Eye On The Pupil or Embedded in The White of The Eye NEVER try to remove the object. 1. Cover the injured eye with a clean pad. 2. Bandage both eyes. 3. Take the victim to the hospital. Floating on The White of The Eye 1. Advise the victim not to rub his/her eye. 2. Ask him/her to sit down facing a light, so that you will be able to see into the eye clearly. 3. Using your finger and thumb, gently pull the eyelids of the injured eye apart. 4. When you see the foreign body causing the irritation, wash it out with clean water (sterile if available) using a glass. 5. If the foreign body has not moved, try to lift if off with a moist swab, or the dampened corner of a tissue or handkerchief. Under The Eyelid 1. Pull the upper lid over the lower one. 2. The victim may also be able to dislodge the object by blinking under the water. Corrosive Chemicals in The Eye 1. Quickly wash out chemicals or corrosive splashed in the eye by holding the victim's face under a flow of running water for atleast 10 minutes. 2. Tilt the head with the injured side downwards so that the chemical is not washed over the uninjured eye. 3. Keep the eye lids apart with the fingers. 4. If necessary, cover the eye with a pad and get him/her to the hospital. Ear If the foreign body is lodged in place, DO NOT attempt the move it (object may be pushed further in). 1. Sit the victim down. 2. Gently pour tepid water into the ear until it floods, carrying the object out. 3. If this does not work, take him/her to the hospital. Fractures And Dislocations Fractures A fracture is a broken or cracked bone. Signs: 1. Pain and tenderness. 2. Difficulty in moving and breathing. 3. Swilling or bruising. 4. Discolonation of the skin. Simple Fracture Does not pierce through the skin. If it is not cared for properly, it could become a compound fracture. Compound Fracture Pierces through the skin. Serious bleeding may occur with this kind of wound. Do not apply pressure to a compound fracture to stop the bleeding. Treatment 1. Treat any bleeding (see Severe Bleeding, Wounds, and Injuries). Move the victim as little as possible. (Movement may further displace broken bones and damage organs). Cover an open wound with a clean dressing. 2. For firmer support, secure the injured part to a sound part of a body. Fractured arms should always be supported against the body with a sling and a bandage, if needed. 3.Give nothing to eat or drink, because a general anaesthetic may be used when the bones are set and eating may cause vomiting. Keep the person warm and watch for signs of shock. 4. Contact a Doctor immediately. Dislocations A dislocation is a displacement of one or more bones at a joint and most frequently happens at the shoulder, elbow, thump, finger or jaw. signs: 1. Swelling. 2. Deformed look. 3. Pain and tenderness. 4. Possible dicoloration of the affected area. Treatment DO NOT try to force back a dislocated joint yourself (this should only be done by a doctor). 1. Apply a splint to the joint to keep it from moving. 2. Try to keep joint elevated to slow blood flow to the area. 3. A doctor should be contacted to have the bone set back into its socket. Applying a Splint                                                                                                                      Broken Forearm 1. If the victim can comfortably hold a broken arm across the chest, apply a splint and hold it in this position with a sting. 2. If the arm cannot be bent, splint it in the straight position and secure it to the side of the body. 3. Tie the splint in place above and below the break. 4. Support the forearm with a wide sling tied around the neck, so the fingers are slightly higher than the elbow. Splinting Injured Leg To Uninjured Leg 1. Put padding between the legs and splint the broken leg to unbroken leg, using broad bands of cloth (bandages, ties, scarves or belts). 2. Tie the knots above and below the break on the side of the good limp. Watch the Video of First aid for fracture & dislocations From Videos TAB Electric shock Electric shock can cause unconsciousness or stop breathing and heartbeat. Determine what has happened, then perform the appropriate procedure. FIRST AID CANNOT BE PERFORMED UNTIL VICTIM HAS BEEN SEPARATED FROM THE CURRENT. What To Do 1. If casualty has been struck by lightening, perform first aid immediately. 2. Otherwise, turn off the electricity, make sure the victim is no longer in contact with the electric current before you attempt to treat him/her. 3. If you are unable to turn off the current, stand on a dry insulating material (such as a rubber mat or a thick pile of newspaper). 4. Use a wooden broom, stool or chair to push the victim's body away from the electrical appliance or outlet. 5. If the victim is unconscious, perform mouth-to-mouth ventilation (see Absence of Breathing) 6. Get help.   Watch the Video of First aid for Electric shock From Videos TAB   Severe Bleeding, Wounds, and Injuries Blood can be lost very rapidly from a severed or torn artery. Severe blood loss can lead to shock, unconsciousness, or death. External Bleeding If an adult loses more than 1 liter of blood, or a child loses as little as one-third that amount, blood loss is considered severe. Arm or Leg Injury Treatment 1. Lay the victim down and, if possible, raise the injured part (this will reduce the flow of blood from the wound). 2. Press hard on the wound with a clean pad. If the wound is gaping, hold its edges together firmly. 3. If there is a foreign body in the wound (e.g. glass), apply pressure alongside. 4. Take a firm pad and bind it firmly over the whole wound so that pressure is maintained (a scarf or tie can be used). 5. If blood soaks through the bandage, do not remove it. Instead, continue to apply pressure to the wound for 7-10 minutes. 6. Seek medical help. Head Injury Causes 1. Blood or fluid from the ear. 2. Loss of consciousness. 3. Wound 4. Or sometimes there may be no signs. Treatment 1. Very carefully, try to put any flaps of skin back into position. 2. Press firmly on the wound with a clean pad (sterile if possible). 3. Hold the dressing in place with more clean cloth. 4. If victim is conscious, lay him/her down with the head and shoulders raised slightly. 5. If fluid trickles from the ear, cover the ear with a clean pad and lay him/her on that side to allow free drainage of the fluid from the ear. 6. Seek medical help immediately. Chest Injuries Treatment 1. Cover the wound immediately using the palm of your hand, or the victim's if he/she is conscious. 2. Place a sterile dressing or clean pad over the wound, then cover the pad with a plastic bag, kitchen film or foil, held in place with adhesive strapping or firm bandaging to form an airtight seal. 3. If the victim is conscious, support hm/her in a comfortable position. 4. Call an ambulance. Internal Bleeding Internal bleeding results when blood vessels rupture, allowing blood to leak into body cavities. Causes 1. A direct blow to the body, a fracture, a sprain, or a bleeding ulcer. 2. If a victim receives an injury to the chest or abdomen. Signs 1. Pain and tenderness in the affected area 2. Cold, clammy skin 3. Pale face and lips 4. Weakness or fainting 5. Nausea or dizziness 6. Dilated pupils, short of breath, or irregular pulse 7. Swelling or bruising at the site of injury. Treatment 1. Check for an open airway and begin mouth-to-mouth ventilation (see Absence of Breathing) if necessary. 2. Call for medical help as soon as possible and keep the victim comfortable until help arrives. 3. The victim may rinse his/her mouth with water, but DO NOT give a victim of internal bleeding anything to drink.