First Aid application during an emergency

Image Source
Emergencies always strike suddenly, without warning. One moment everything is fine; the next, someone is involved in a serious accident. Victims include all ages, from tiny children to elderly folk. Cuts, bruises, lacerations, fractures, and fainting spells are common amid all the bustling activity of life.

Everyday people fall from broken ladders, weakened chairs, and makeshift ways of climbing up to fix something. Others trip over objects or fall down stairs. Some injuries are slight; others are serious and need immediate care.

Accidents are likely to occur at any time (I've been in one before and as a matter of fact, I didn't see it coming. That's the case most times), and one of your loved ones may be involved. What you do now, or fail to do, may make a great deal of difference between a quick recovery or a prolonged illness, perhaps even death.

FIRST AID

First aid is simply the kind of treatment you give while waiting for the doctor to come. It is never intended to replace qualified professional care. First aid is only designed to make the victim comfortable until help arrives.

By carrying out the following simple steps, you will be able to calm the victim's fears and reduce any chance of further injury.

If he is bleeding, you must first try to stop any further loss of blood.
If there is a broken bone, try to immobilize the area and put the patient at rest.
If he is having a convulsion, protect him from injuring himself.
If he has swallowed poison, do your best to remove the poison, or else neutralize it without delay.

These are the general principles of first aid. Any normally intelligent person can carry them out. All it takes is the ability to make definite decisions and the courage to follow them through. Any lack of decision now may be fatal.

Handling an Injured Person

1. Take charge of the situation at once. Send someone to notify the doctor, telling him exactly where the victim will be found.
2. See how badly the victim is hurt. Is he breathing regularly? Is he losing blood? If so, where? Cut or rip the clothing from the injured part, putting pressure over the bleeding points as soon as possible. Be careful not to injure any area where there are broken bones. Always look out for signs of burns, or shock.
3. Keep the victim lying down, his head level with the chest. Don't let him sit up. Calm his fears and keep him comfortable.
4. Avoid all unnecessary movement, especially if there is any possibility of a fracture of the spine. Many an injury has been made far worse because well-meaning people tried to carry a victim to a car. Sadly...
5. Keep yourself calm. Do what must be done as promptly as possible. Avoid all confusion.

Thanks for reading. Stay healthy...keep steeming!