First Aid Tips

First Aid Tips --ABC

This is one of the principle checks in First Aid, and stands for:
A : Airway - The passage from the nose and throat to the lungs, which allows air containing oxygen to enter the body during normal Respiration or Artificial Ventilation. The main causes of an obstructed airway are:
• Conscious: Food or other Foreign Body
• Unconscious: Tongue or Epiglottis

B : Breathing - The casualty needs to be breathing for themselves, or assisted in breathing, in order to maintain oxygen in the body, particularly to the brain. The body and brain in particular can normally only survive without oxygen for a few short minutes before permanent damage or death will result.
C : Circulation - This is when the Heart is pumping blood throughout the body at a sufficient rate to allow for the exchange of gases ( Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide ). The signs of Circulation include Pulse, Coughing, Breathing or any Movement.
Any casualty who does not have A.B.C are in serious difficulty
and require immediate attention

First Aid Tips - Artificial Ventilation / Respiration / Mouth to Mouth

If given appropriately and without delay it can be life - saving.
1. Ensure patients airway is clear by checking the mouth for any obstruction.
2. Pinch the patient's nostrils with your index finger and thumb.
3. Take a deep breath and place your mouth over the patient's mouth.
4. Blow steadily for about 2 seconds and watch patient's chest rising. If it does not rise, check for
o Airway obstruction
o Head Tilt - A.B.C
o Nostrils are firmly closed
5. Remove your mouth and due to elasticity of lungs the air in the lungs is exhaled out which can be confirmed by the
o Falling of the chest
o Breath sounds heard - A.B.C
o Breath felt on face.
6. Repeat till patient starts breathing on his own.
For Babies and Small Children:
• Place your mouth over both mouth and nostrils.
• Breathe gently without over distending the lungs.

First Aid Tips - Bleeding External

• Which can be seen on the outside of the body.
Identification / look out for :
• Bleeding wound.
• Shock
Types of bleeding :
• Capillary bleed
o Oozing, bright red.
• Venous bleed
o Darker red, steady and copious.
• Arterial bleed
o Bright red, spurting as a jet and in wave pattern, rising and falling with arterial pulse.
Most dangerous is arterial bleeding, as the high arterial pressure can cause rapid emptying of blood from the vascular system, resulting in rapid deterioration of patient's condition and early onset of shock.Death can result within only a few minutes, depending on location.

What to do :
1. Apply direct pressure with a gloved hand at wound site, making sure there are no embedded objects.
2. Apply a sterile dressing / pad to the wound with pressure.
3. Raise and support the injured limb.
4. Apply tight bandage over the original dressing.
5. Shock may follow and should be managed accordingly.

If embedded object in wound :
1. Do not apply direct pressure on the object.
2. Do not use a Tourniquet.
3. Do press firmly on either side of object and secure a bandage.

First Aid Tips - Bleeding Internal

• Bleeding which cannot be seen on the outside of the body.
• Due to a precipitating agent / trauma / disease bleeding occurs inside the body.
Identification / look out for:
• Pain
• Cold pale clammy skin
• Weak and rapid pulse
• Thirst
• Confusion
• Loss of consciousness
• Blood
o By mouth
o Urine
o Stool
• Severe bruising.
What to do:
1. Treat for Shock
o Make the patient lie down
o Raise the legs.
2. Phone for an Ambulance
3. Monitor until help arrives
Do not:
1. Over heat the patient.
2. Waste time, which is precious in this case.

First Aid Tips - Burns

Tissue injury resulting from excessive exposure to:
• Heat
• Chemical
• Electrical
• Radioactive agents.
Depending upon the type, duration and intensity of agent and the site and depth of burns, the effects may vary.

Effects can be :
• Local OR Systemic
o Localized to the effected site
o Respiratory burns
o Multiple - organ involvement.
Identification / look out for :
• Identify the agent
o Treatment varies according to agent.
• Skin
o Red
o Blistered
• Pain
• In severe cases
o Dark red, charred.
What to do:
1. The affected area should be immediately kept under cold running water for 10 mins
o Has cooling affects
o Dissipates the localized high heat and reduces further burns.
2. Clothing and jewellery including rings should be removed.
3. Burnt area should be covered with sterile, non-fluffy dressing / cling film.
4. Chemical burns need prolonged washing.
5. Monitor respiration and pulse as patient invariably goes into Shock.
Do not :
1. Burst skin blisters.
2. Remove skin.
3. Apply creams, lotions on the burns.
4. Make the patient move unless you need to for treatment.
5. Waste time, as burns can result into death.
6. Feed by mouth - liquid or solids.

First Aid Tips - Child Choking

Recognition

Partial obstruction.
- Difficulty in speaking and breathing.
- Coughing and distress.

Complete obstruction
- Inability to speak, breathe or cough.

Precautions

- If the infant loses consciousness, give rescue breaths and chest compressions.
- Do not do a finger sweep of the mouth.

Actions

- Encourage casualty to cough.
- Give up to five abdominal thrusts, check mouth.
- Repeat sequence three times then call an ambulance
- Repeat sequence until help arrives

Here is a more detailed explanation of the actions you need to take.

1. ENCOURAGE THE CHILD TO COUGH
- If the child is breathing encourage him to cough.

- If he is beginning to struggle, bend him forward.

- If choking persists proceed to step 2.

2. GIVE UP TO FIVE ABDOMINAL THRUSTS
- Stand behind the child with both arms around the upper abdomen. Make sure he is bending well forward. Place your fist between the navel and the bottom of the breastbone.

- Grasp your fist in you hand. Pull sharply inwards and upwards up to five times.

- If choking persists proceed to step 3.

3. REPEAT THE ENTIRE SEQUENCE
- Repeat steps 1 - 2 until the obstruction clears.

- If after 3 cycles the obstruction still has not cleared CALL AN ABULANCE.

- Continue the sequence until help arrives; the obstruction is cleared from the airway; or the child becomes unconscious - see precautions above.

First Aid Tips - Child CPR (1 -8 years)

1. CHECK RESPONSE
- Ask the child a question such as " Can you hear me?" Speak loudly and clearly.

- Gently tap her on the shoulder.

- If there is a response leave the child in the position found and summon help, if needed. Treat any condition found.

- If there is no response send a helper to CALL AN AMBULANCE then proceed to step 2.

2. OPEN AIRWAY
- Place one hand on the child's forehead. Gently tilt the head back.

- Using your fingertips pick out any obvious obstructions from the child's mouth. Do not do a finger sweep.

- Place the fingertips under the point of the child's chin. Lift the chin.

3. CHECK BREATHING
- Look, listen and feel for breathing: look for chest movement, listen for sounds of breathing and feel for breath on your cheek. Do this for no more than 10 seconds.

- If the child is not breathing do rescue breathing.

4. GIVE RESCUE BREATHS
- Take a deep breath to fill your lungs with air. Place your lips around the child's lips, making sure you form an airtight seal.

- Blow steadily into the mouth until the chest rises. Maintaining head tilt and chin lift, take your mouth away and watch the chest fall. If the chest rises visibly and falls fully, you have given an effective breath.

- Give two effective rescue breaths.

5. ASSESS FOR SIGNS OF CIRCULATION
- Look, listen and feel for signs of circulation such as breathing, coughing or movement for no more than 10 seconds.

- If circulation is absent perform CPR for 1 minute then CALL AN ABMULANCE.

6. GIVE CHEST COMPRESSIONS AND RESCUE BREATHS
- Use the heel of this lower hand only to apply pressure - keep your fingers raised so you not apply pressure to the child's ribs.

- Lean well over the child, with your arm straight. Press down vertically on the breastbone and depress the chest by 1 third of its depth. Release the pressure with removing your hand.

- Compress the chest five times at a rate of 100 compressions per minute.

- Give one rescue breath.

- Continue to alternate 5 chest compressions with one rescue breath for one minute. Then CALL AN ABULANCE.

- Continue CPR, checking for signs of circulation after 1 minute and then every 3 -4 minutes until help arrives.

7. RECOVERY
- If the child starts breathing but remains unconscious, place in the recovery position.

First Aid Tips - Simple Adult CPR

1. CALL

Check the victim for any response. If there is no response, Call 999 / 112 and return to the victim. Ideally send someone else to make the call, so no time is wasted.

2. BLOW

Tilt the head back and listen for 10 seconds for breaths. If not breathing normally, pinch nose and cover the mouth with yours and blow until you see the chest rise. Give 2 breaths. Each breath should take 2 seconds.

3. PUMP

If after a further 10 seconds the victim is still not breathing normally, coughing or moving, begin chest compressions. Push down on the chest 1.5 to 2 inches 15 times right between the nipples. Pump at the rate of 100/minute, faster than once per second.If casualty only has inadequate breathing, less than 10 breaths per minute, continue with Artificial Ventilation.

First Aid Tips - Electric Shock

Very common and mostly fatal.

Identification / look out for:
• Unconsciousness
• Burns
Establish site of entry and exit of electric shock

What to do:
1. Switch off the main switch.
2. Break the contact between electrical source and patient using dry non-conductive object like wooden stick.
3. Call for help.
4. If breathing and heartbeat has stopped begin C.P.R
5. If breathing, but unconscious : Recovery Position
6. Treat any Burns
7. Treat for Shock
Do not:
1. Touch the patient directly.
2. Go near the area if high voltage electricity is suspected and call for immediate help / ambulance.

First Aid Tips - Epilepsy

Identification / look out for:
• Twitching of limbs, shaking or rigid body.
• Abnormal eye movements.
• Confusion
• Unconsciousness
• Unusual breathing pattern.
• Clenched jaw
• Frothing at the mouth.

What to do:
During Seizure:
1. If possible try to ease the patient's fall.
2. Try to protect the head
3. Try to maintain some privacy for the casualty
After Seizure:
1. Remove tight clothing.
2. In unconscious patient use the Recovery Position
3. Usually patient recovers on his own in his own time.
4. If time lapsed is more than 10 minutes or if first convulsion, seek immediate medical help / ambulance.
Do not:
1. Feed (liquid or solid) by mouth.
2. Gag the patient or put anything in the mouth.
3. Restrain the patient during the attack.

First Aid Tips - Fainting

Loss of consciousness due to inadequate blood supply to the brain.

Identification / look out for:
• Loss of consciousness usually temporary.
• Pale, clammy, cold skin.
• Slow pulse.
What to do:
1. Loosen / remove tight clothing.
2. Make patient lie down on his back and raise his legs
3. Ensure fresh / plenty of air.
4. If possible try to ease the patient's fall.
5. If patient does not recover in a few minutes seek immediate medical help / ambulance
6. Monitor breathing pulse and if required use Recovery Position

Do Not:
1. Feed by mouth.
2. Gag or put anything in mouth.

First Aid Tips - Heart Attacks

Any bone which gets broken with or without displacement of broken Fragments.

Identification / look out for:
• Very intense pain increasing on movement of affected area.
• Bruising may or may not be there
• Swelling
• Injured area looks abnormal as compared to opposite side
• Difficulty in moving the injured area.
• Shock
• Unconsciousness may temporarily be there.
What to do:
1. Immobilisation of the affected area is required - Get Help!
2. Keep the patient still and support the injured area.
3. For arm fractures a sling can be made to support and immobilise the affected area, which can be hung around the neck using triangular bandage or cloth.
4. Splints (any long firm object) can be used for support and
immobilisation,but usually splinting to another part of the body is best.
5. In case of leg fractures the patient's both legs can be tied together.
Open fractures - control the bleeding with sterile dressing and pressure if required.
Do not:
1. Give massage to affected area
2. Try to straighten the broken limb
3. Move the patient without support
4. Ask the patient to move on his own
5. Move the joints above and below the fracture

First Aid Tips - Infant Recovery

- Cradle the infant in your arms, with the head tilted downwards to prevent the child from choking on its tongue or inhaling vomit.

- Monitor and record vital signs - level of response, pulse and breathing - until medical help arrives.

First Aid Tips - Nose Bleed

Bleeding by nose is common, especially during summers. Causes can range from local cause to systemic diseases.

What to do:
1. Make the patient sit down with head forward
2. Pinch the nose just below the bridge for about 10 minutes and ask the patient to breathe through his mouth and avoiding speaking, swallowing or coughing.
3. Cold compression can be given by using ice packs over the nose area.
4. If bleeding does not stop, repeat nose pinching for another 10 minutes.
5. If bleeding still does not stop, seek immediate medical help.
6. If bleeding stops ask patient to avoid blowing nose.
Do not:
1. Make the patient exert physically.
2. Insert any object / medication in the nose.
3. Blow nose.
4. Make the patient speak, swallow or cough.

First Aid Tips - Poisoning

Virtually anything taken in large doses can lead to poisoning, even water taken in very large quantities can unbalance the body's water electrolyte balance.Certain poisons can pose a threat to the rescuer

Identification / look out for:
• Nausea and vomiting
• Pain in digestive tract
• Blood from digestive tract
• Drowsiness and faintness
• Confusion
• Difficulty in breathing
• Unconsciousness
• Flushed, damp skin
• Headache
• Fever
• Shock
What to do:
1. Seek immediate medical help / ambulance.
2. Find out the cause of poisoning if possible.
3. If poison absorbed through skin, remove all clothing and wash affected area under running water thoroughly while ensuring your own protection.
4. Any
o Vomited material
o Syringes
o Medications / drugs
o Suicide notes
Should be looked for and retained, to be sent to the hospital along with the patient. This will aid in diagnosis and specific treatment.
5. If patient unconscious - check airway and monitor breathing and pulse and if required start CPR - (protect yourself)
6. Note down exact time of poison ingestion.
Do not:
1. Make the casualty vomit.
2. Do not feed liquid or solid by mouth

First Aid Tips - Sprains and Strains

Trauma to joint or soft tissue that causes pain and disability depending upon the injury.

Identification / look out for:
• Pain.
• Swelling, redness and heat of joint.
• Joint movement restricted.
• Bruising.
What to do:
1. Rest injured area.
2. Ice or cold compression.
3. Compression - bandage for support.
4. Elevate injured area.
5. Remove clothing / shoes of injured area.
6. Do not allow any weight pressure on affected area
7. Support it.
8. Seek medical help.
Do not:
1. Make the patient put weight / pressure on it.
2. Give massage to affected area.
3. Make the patient run walk or stand.

First Aid Tips - Shock

Develop when oxygen delivery to the tissues is inadequate to meet the metabolic requirements of the tissues.It can be caused by Trauma, Fear, Loss of Body Fluids or Allergic Reaction.

Identification / look out for:
• Sweating
• Reduced consciousness or unconscious
• Confused and anxiety
• Unresponsiveness
• Rapid breathing
• Rapid and weak pulse
• Thirst
• Pale cold clammy skin
• Nausea and vomiting
What to do:
1. Loosen any tight clothing.
2. Ensure the patient is kept warm, but no artificial heat.
3. If the cause can be removed such as - bleeding / burns.
4. If no fracture make the patient lie down and raise and support his legs.
5. If unconscious place in Recovery Position.
6. Monitor and reassure the casualty
7. Seek immediate medical help / ambulance.
Do not:
1. Feed the patient by mouth inspite of thirst.
2. Make the patient stand up or walk or run.
3. Allow the patient to smoke.

First Aid Tips - Recovery Position

In unconscious patient with intact breathing and pulse recovery position ensures the prevention of tongue falling back and blocking the airway.
What to do:
• Place the patient on their back.
• Lift the chin to ensure the airway is open.
• Patient's arm on your side should be positioned so as to make a right angle with his body, with elbow bent and palm facing out.
• Patient's other arm on opposite side should be placed across the chest, with back of their hand against the cheek on your side of the patient.
• Pull up the patient's knee joint (side away from you) as it bends with the foot flat on the ground.
• Roll over the patient in this position towards your side.
• By tilting the patient's head back ensure that the airway is open.
• The uppermost leg should be adjusted in such a way that the hip and knee are at right angles.
• Seek immediate medical help / ambulance.
Do not:
1. Move the patient if a spinal injury is suspected.

First Aid Tips - Unconsciousness

• Unconsciousness can be caused by many injuries and medical conditions which include:
• Head Injury
• Asphyxia
• Electrocution
• Certain Poisons
• Duration can vary greatly from minutes to several years, but the first aid treatment

is standard:

What to do:
1. Check for danger to yourself - assess the scene
2. Check responsivness, shake the casualty.
3. Send for an Ambulance
4. Proceed to the A.B.C procedure.
5. If A.B.C is present and there is no Spinal Injury use Recovery Position.
6. If A.B.C. is NOT PRESENT use CPR
7. Try to determine the cause of Unconsciousness and report it to medics.
Do not :
1. Allow any person who has been unconscious to continue without seeking medical help.