FIRST AID TREATMENT AND EQUIPMENT

is the provision of initial care for an illness or injury. It is usually performed by non-expert, but trained personnel to a sick or injured person until definitive medical treatment can be accessed. Certain self-limiting illnesses or minor injuries may not require further medical care past the first aid intervention. It generally consists of a series of simple and in some cases, potentially life-saving techniques that an individual can be trained to perform with minimal equipment.

First aid

SHOCK

THE SIGNS OF SHOCK ARE FAINTNESS, SICKNESS, CLAMMY SKIN AND PLAE FACE. SHOCK SHOULD BE TREATED BY KEEPING THE PERSON CONFORTABLE, LYING DOWN AND WARM COVER THE PERSON WITH A BLANKET OR CLOTHING, BUT DO NOT APPLY HOT WATER BOTTLES.

FAINTING

FAINTING MAY OCCUR AFTER A LONG PERIOD OF STANDING IN A HOT, BADLY VENTILLATED KITCHEN. THE SIGNS OF AN IMPENDING FAINT ARE WHITENESS, GIDDINESS AND SWEATING. A FAINT SHOULD BE TREATED BY RAISING THE LEGS SLIGHTLY ABOVE THE LEVEL OF THE HEAD AND WHEN THE PERSON RECOVERS CONSCIOUSNESS, PUTTING THE PERSON IN FRESH AIR FOR A WHILE AND MAKING SURE THAT THE PERSON HAS NOT INCURRED ANY INJURY IN FAINTING.

CUTS

ALL CUTS SHOULD BE COVERED IMMEDIATELY WITH A BLUE COLORED WATERPROOF DRESSING AFTER THE SKIN ROUND THE CUTS HAS BEEN WASHED. WHEN THERE IS CONSIDERABLE BLEEDING IT SHOULD BE STOPPED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. BLEEDING MAYBE CONTROLLED BY DIRECT PRESSURE, BY BANDAGING FIRMLY ON THE CUT.

NOSE BLEEDS

SIT THE PERSON DOWN WITH THE HEAD FORWARD, AND LOOSEN CLOTHING ROUND THE NECK AND CHEST. ASK THEM TO BREATHE THROUGH THE MOUTH AND TO PINCH THE SOFT PART OF THE NOSE. AFTER 10 MINUTES, RELEASE THE PRESSURE. WARN THE PERSON NOT TO BLOW THE NOSE FOR SEVERAL HOURS.

FRACTURES

A PERSON SUFFERING FROM BROKEN BONES SHOULD NOT BE MOVED UNTIL THE INJURED PART HAS BEEN SECURED SO THAT IT IS IMMOBILE. MEDICAL ASSISTANCE SHOULD BE OBTAINED.

BURNS AND SCALDS

ELECTRICAL SHOCK

SWITCH OFF THE CURRENT. IF THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE, FREE THE PERSON BY USING A DRY INSULATING MATERIAL SUCH AS CLOTH, WOOD, OR RUBBER, TAKING CARE NOT TO USE BARE HANDS OTHERWISE THE ELECTRIC SHOCK MAY BE TRANSMITTED. IF BREATHING HAS STOPPED, GIVE THE ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION AND SEND FOR THE DOCTOR.

ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION

THERE ARE SEVERAL METHODS OF ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION. THE MOST EFFECTIVE IS MOUTH TO MOUTH (MOUTH TO NOSE) RESUCITATION AND THIS METHOD CAN BE USED BY ALMOST ALL AGE GROUPS AND IN ALMOST COUNTRIES.