First Aid

We all need help at times in our lives. Sometimes we may have accidents and we may get hurt. When we are injured or suddenly become unwell, we need some one to help us — someone who knows what to do. It is the temporary and immediate help. This timely assistance, comprising of simple medical techniques, is most critical to the victims and is, often, life saving. Any lay person can be trained to administer first aid. This First Aid can be carried out using minimal equipment. First aid knowledge ranges from taking care of cuts to dealing with an unconscious victim.

CUTS AND SCRAPES

Handling minor accidents at home or on the road develops a sense of crisis management. This may prepare people to tackle with unexpected emergencies with great confidence. Minor cuts and scrapes usually do not need to go to the emergency room. Yet proper care is essential to avoid infection or other complications. Following guidelines can help you to handle crisis and take care of all.

Stop the bleeding

Minor cuts and scrapes usually stop bleeding on their own. If they don’t, apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or bandage. Hold the pressure continuously for 20 to 30 seconds and if possible elevate the wound. Don’t keep checking to see if the bleeding has stopped because this may damage or dislodge the clot that is forming and cause bleeding to resume. If blood spurts or continues flowing after continuous pressure, seek medical assistance.

Clean the wound

Rinse out the wound with clear water. To clean the area around the wound , use soap and a washcloth. But soap can irritate the wound, so try to keep it out of the actual wound. If dirt or debris remains in the wound after washing, use tweezers cleaned with alcohol to remove the particles. If debris still remains, see your doctor. Through cleaning reduces the risk of infection and tetanus.

Apply an antibiotic

After you clean the wound, apply a thin layer of an antibiotic cream or ointment to help keep the surface moist. The product don’t make the wound heal faster, but they can help your body’s natural healing process work fast. Certain ingredients in some ointments can cause a mild rash in some people. If a rash appears, stop using the ointment.

Cover the wound

Bandages can help keep the wound clean and keep harmful bacteria out. After the wound has healed enough to make infection unlikely, exposure to the air will speed wound healing.

Change the dressing

Change the dressing at least daily or whenever it becomes wet or dry. If you are allergic to the adhesive used in most bandages, switch to adhesive -free dressings or sterile gauze held in place with paper tape, gauze roll or a loosely applied elastic bandages. These supplies generally are available at pharmacies.

Watch for signs of infections

See your doctor if the wound is not healing or you notice any redness, increasing pain, drainage, warmth or swelling.

FIRST AID KIT

Every office, factory, home and school should have an accessible first-aid box with the following recommended basic contents:

First Aid Book

Clearly explains how to handle basic problems.

Band-aids (Plasters)

Band aids or sticky plasters are good for dressing small wounds. They come in all shapes and sizes for fingers, legs, and anywhere else you might get little cuts. Make sure the Band aid is big enough to cover the wound. if not you should use a dressing instead.

Elastic Bandages

The elastic bandages are good for wrapping sprained joints or making a sling in the case of a broken arm.

Gauze and Adhesive Tape

Gauze pads or rolls are cloth pads that are placed directly on a wound to protect and control bleeding (for larger cuts and scrapes). You will need adhesive tape to keep the gauze in place.

In an emergency, a clean cloth, hand towel, clean tee-shirt can be used to cover the wound.

Antiseptic Wipes (Alcohol Swaps) and Cotton Wool

Safety Pins and Tweezers

Scissors

A pair of scissors is needed to cut the tape and gauze.

Latex Gloves

Latex gloves are always a good idea, especially if you are dealing with body fluids from a stranger.

Calamine Lotion

Calamine lotion is used for soothing sunburns and stings.

Clinical Thermometer

Analgesic Tablets

Such as aspirin or paracetamol