First Aid

So in this article of My Health Only, we are going to tell you about first aid, knowing first aid you will be able to treat someone as soon as possible.

First aid can be an important step to save someone’s life. By giving first aid immediately after an accident or injury, the life of the injured person can be saved.

First aid can range from stripping for a common injury to the process of giving CPR. Every person should come to give first aid so that they can use it when needed.

In this article you will learn about the meaning of first aid, its importance, purpose, principles and how to give first aid.

What is First Aid?

The adjuvant treatment that is performed before the person is taken to hospital after an injury is called first aid. First aid is also used to improve the condition of a sick person.

First aid is not a complete therapy, but it can improve the patient’s condition to be taken to the hospital. Giving first aid to a person while going to hospital or waiting for help can save his life.

You do not need special training to give first aid to someone in an emergency using some simple techniques and very few equipment. This can be learned easily.

If you ever need to give a first aid to someone in an emergency, stay away from the injured person’s blood, saliva and other body fluids. If this is not possible, wear gloves to protect yourself. After giving first aid, always wash your hands thoroughly and do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth. Along with this, do not eat food without washing hands after giving first aid.

Importance of First Aid –

First aid not only saves lives, it also reduces the time of recovery and can also save a person from major physical damage. By learning to do first aid you can learn how to remain calm in emergency and the necessary procedures of first aid. This will boost your confidence and in case of emergency you will be able to do more effective therapy.

From the following things you will understand the importance of first aid –

• There is no need to go to the hospital every time an accident or injury occurs, but this does not mean that the injured person is not experiencing pain or discomfort. If a child is crying due to fever or injury, it means that he is having trouble. You can reduce the problem of that child by properly bandaging or cold compress. You can also give emotional sympathy to the child by remaining calm, which will make him feel safe and also reduce his discomfort.

• If first aid is not given to the victim at the right time, then his condition can worsen. While waiting for help, you can improve that person by giving first aid. If the first aid box is not available, you can learn to use other things in the house in case of an emergency.

• If you know how to assess the condition of the injured person, then you will be able to tell the doctor about the exact condition of the victim, which will save time.

• With the right knowledge of first aid, you will help the injured person as well as protect yourself so that you do not need help with the injured person.

Purpose of first aid –

First aid has the following three main objectives –

• Saving lives

The main objective of first aid is to save the life of the injured or the victim. You cannot always depend on a doctor to save someone’s life. It is not possible that a doctor is always present at the scene, so by giving first aid in the right manner, the life of the injured person can be saved.

• To prevent the situation from worsening

The aim of first aid is to prevent the condition of the injured person and the wounds from deteriorating and growing. Giving first aid to someone means that you are protecting that person from danger or reducing their risk. For example, placing a blanket over a person burning with fire will save him from the fire and will act as a first aid for him.

• Helping to recover

In some cases, first aid helps the patient recover. Those who have to do first aid know about the treatment from short cuts to fracture conditions.

Principles of First Aid –

Following are the principles of first aid –

• First aid after the accident as soon as possible without making the condition of the injured person worse.
• Provide only the necessary first aid.
• Immediate treatment of bleeding.
• Correcting respiration and circulation.
• To protect the person from shock and to treat him if he is already in shock.
• Do not allow the affected area to move in the event of fracture or joint movement.
• Healing pain with easy procedures and medications.
• Assuring the injured person to recover quickly and encouraging him.

Rules for giving first aid –

If the person is unconscious after the incident, then you need to keep the following points in order to correct it. They are also called “A-B-C” of first aid.

• A – Airway ( Examine Respiratory Tract )

First check whether the person’s respiratory tract is open or not. The respiratory tube is a tube from which air enters the lungs and comes out. If this tube closes, it becomes impossible to breathe. If this tube is closed, lift the person’s chin so that his head is bent backwards.

• B – Breathing ( Breath check )

After the airway, check the person’s breath for 5 to 10 seconds. Put your ear near his mouth and listen to his breath and see if his chest is moving up and down. If you think that the person is panting, it means that they are not breathing normally.

• C – Circulation (circulation check)

Examine the person for signs of bleeding and shock (eg, faded, moist and cold skin) to check circulation. Bleeding should be stopped immediately and the person’s entire body examined quickly.

How to do first aid –

You can save someone’s life by making the right first aid in an emergency. However, it may be difficult to remember the method of first aid even after taking its training. The correct way to get first aid is as follows –

• Before giving medical treatment to the injured or sick person, check the whole situation and the person and keep the following things in mind –

1. Is the situation and environment safe?
2. What is an accident or problem and how has it happened?
3. How many people are involved in this?
4. What is the state of injury or illness of the injured person?
5. Is the person in a situation that threatens his life?
6. Is anyone else available to help?

• If the person is conscious and is responding, then –

1. If the person tells his name, according to him, explain the cause of the problem and medical treatment for it and seek his permission to do the treatment.
2. Ask someone standing nearby to bring a defibrillator (a device that corrects the irregular heartbeat) and the first aid box.
3. If available, wear gloves and other protective equipment.
4. Ask the person about their symptoms, allergies, medications, other medical problems, the last diet and the cause of the incident.
5. Check for injury on the person’s entire body.
6. First aid according to the problem with complete understanding.

• If the person is not responding, then –

Try calling the person’s name. If the person does not respond, call him again by shaking his shoulder (if the victim is a child or adult) or by shaking his leg (if the victim is very young) and check his breath. Do not check this for more than 5 to 10 seconds.

• If the person is breathing, then –

1. Ask someone to call an ambulance and ask for a first aid kit.
2. Inquire about the incident from people standing nearby.
3. Examine the person’s entire body.
4. If the person is not hurt, place them in a recovery position.

• If the person is not breathing, then –

1. Ask someone to call an ambulance and ask for a first aid kit.
2. Ensure that the injured person is lying upright on a flat spot.
3. Start giving CPR to the person or use a defibrillator if available. Do this only when you know how to give CPR or use a defibrillator.
4. Give CPR until the person starts breathing or getting help.

Note – If the environment is not safe or you are tired, then stop giving CPR.