Why Does Everyone Require Basic First-Aid Training?
You can never know when an accident is about to occur and that’s why having adequate first aid knowledge is key. Learning this skill is not just meant for the adults but is something that cuts across all age groups family, friends, colleagues and the community at large.
Main reasons we require basic first aid knowledge.
- Fast response to help.
They are many injuries that can occur unexpectedly but here are some of the common injures that require quick response and first aid training.
- Fractures: In an event a person breaks a bone:
- Try and not move the affected area so that the broken bone does not impact nerves and arteries causing more damage.
- Stop any bleeding. Apply pressure to the wound with a sterile bandage, a clean cloth or a clean piece of clothing.
- Apply ice packs to limit swelling and help relieve pain. Don’t apply ice directly to the skin. Wrap the ice in a towel, piece of cloth or some other material.
- Treat for shock. If the person feels faint or is breathing in short, rapid breaths, lay the person down with the head slightly lower than the trunk and, if possible, elevate the legs.
- Burns: They can really cause a huge damage ie: blistering of the skin or bleeding. If it’s a major Burn you can treat it as follows:
- Protect the burned person from further harm. If you can do so safely, make sure the person you’re helping is not in contact with the source of the burn. For electrical burns, make sure the power source is off before you approach the burned person
- Remove jewelry, belts and other restrictive items, especially from around burned areas and the neck. Burned areas swell rapidly.
- Cover the area of the burn. Use a cool, moist bandage or a clean cloth.
- Don’t immerse large severe burns in water. Doing so could cause a serious loss of body heat (hypothermia)
- Elevate the burned area. Raise the wound above heart level, if possible.
If it’s a minor burn treat it as follows:
- Cool the burn. Hold the burned area under cool (not cold) running water or apply a cool, wet compress until the pain eases.
- Remove rings or other tight items from the burned area. Try to do this quickly and gently, before the area swells
- Don’t break blisters. Fluid-filled blisters protect against infection. If a blister breaks, clean the area with water (mild soap is optional). Apply an antibiotic ointment. But if a rash appears, stop using the ointment.
- Apply lotion. Once a burn is completely cooled, apply a lotion, such as one that contains aloe vera or a moisturizer. This helps prevent drying and provides relief.
- Bandage the burn. Cover the burn with a sterile gauze bandage (not fluffy cotton). Wrap it loosely to avoid putting pressure on burned skin. Bandaging keeps air off the area, reduces pain and protects blistered skin.
- Scrapes: In an event of a minor cut(S) & scraps you can follow the following guideline.
- Clean your hands to avoid infections.
- Try and stop the bleeding by applying gentle pressure with a clean cloth or bandage and raise the wound till the bleeding stops.
- Clean the wound with water preferably use running water. Remove any dirt or debris and if you are finding difficulties removing them reach out to a doctor.
- Apply petroleum jelly or antibiotic to keep the surface moist and help prevent scarring. Certain ingredients in some ointments my cause mild rash in some people in this case you are advised to stop using it.
- Cover the wound with a bandage or a paper tape to keep it clean. If it’s a minor injury leave it uncovered.
- Change the dressing at least once a day whenever the bandage becomes dirty or wet.
- Get a Tetanus jab if you haven’t had one in the past 5 years and if the wound is dirty or deep.
- See a doctor if you see signs of infections on the skin or near the wound.
Knowing the fundamentals of first aid treatment procedures allows you to alleviate the patient’s discomfort by simply assisting them with their scraped knee or elbow. Your training and calm demeanor can help to alleviate the patient’s anxiety about the injury.
