FIRST AID

FIRST AID: immediate and temporary treatment administered to an injured or sick person before professional medical care is available. FIRST AID KIT: sterile gauze pads of different sizes, roller bandage

adhesive tape (micropore) adhesive bandages in several sizes (Band aid) soap/hand sanitizer spirit + cotton tweezers sharp scissors safety pins antibiotic ointment (soframycin/bactroban) antiseptic solution (like betadine) or antiseptic wipes hydrocortisone cream (1%) calamine lotion thermometer plastic non-latex gloves basic medicines

Different emergencies: 1. Choking and Obstruction of Air Passages

Symptoms: Universal choking sign clutching neck with thumb and fingers, blue discoloration of face, tongue, lips, gasping, weak cough, inability to speak, unconsciousness Treatment: Heimlich maneuver: Stand or kneel behind victim and wrap your arms around the victims waist Make fist with one hand Place thumb side of your fist against the victims abdomen, in the midline, slightly above the navel and just below the ribs Grasp your fist with your other hand and press your fist into the victims abdomen with a quick upward thrust Repeat thrusts until the object is expelled from the airway or the victim becomes unresponsive

Give each new thrust with a separate, distinct movement to relieve the obstruction Encourage victim to cough up foreign objects in throat. For asphyxia caused by gas or fumes, remove victim to a clear atmosphere. 2. Bites and Stings

Symptoms: Wound (animal or human bite) or swelling and pain (insect sting). Treatment: i. For animal bites wash wound thoroughly under running water, cleanse wound with soap and water and apply iodine containing antiseptic, bring to hospital. ii. For dog bite wash wound thoroughly under running water and later with soap and water and antiseptics. See doctor for anti-rabies vaccination. (Watch dog for 10 days. For stray dog bites: both anti-rabies vaccination and rabies immunoglobulin may be given) iii. For snakebite wash wound thoroughly with running water but do not rub. Immobilize affected part. Prevent exertion and taking of stimulants by victim. Bring victim to hospital as soon as possible. iv. For insect stings wash area with soap and water, remove stinger with tweezer, do not squeeze or scratch, apply soothing lotions, or cool compress. 3. Burns Symptoms: Redness (first-degree burns), blistering (second-degree burns), charring of skin (third-degree burns). Treatment: Remove patient from accident site. Remove clothing, depending on site of injury. Run water at room temperature as a continuous stream about 30 minutes. Do not apply tooth paste, oil, puncture the blister or pour ice-cold water to cool the patient. Chemical burns should be washed with large quantity of water. Bring to hospital. 4. Injuries/Wounds - Fractures and Joint Injuries Symptoms: Pain or tenderness, deformity of bones, swelling, discoloration of skin. Treatment: Wounds - Stop bleeding, cleanse wound with soap and water and cover with sterile or clean bandage. Possible fracture - Prevent movement of injured parts until splint is applied; treat for shock; splint entire limb before moving. Sprains - elevate affected part and apply cold compresses. Elastic bandages may be used for immobilization. 5. Severe Bleeding Treatment: Apply pressure over wound with wad of sterile gauze or other clean material. If bleeding continues and no fracture is present, elevate wound. If bleeding still continues, apply pressure to blood vessels leading to area (in arm, press just below armpit; in leg, press against groin where thigh and trunk join).

6. Epileptic seizures Symptoms:

Involuntary jerky movements of a part or whole of the body Treatment: Donts During a seizure, do not hold the victim. Do not place metallic objects in the hand to hold. Do not place table spoons in the mouth to prevent tongue injury as any attempt can lead to temporo mandibular joint dislocation or fracture of mandible. Dos Transfer the victim to a safer place especially if he is near water, fire or on the road. Tilt the head to one side to prevent aspiration or choking (recovery position). Transfer to hospital at the earliest as every recurrent seizure causes injury to the brain cells.

7. Fainting Symptoms: Unconsciousness, paleness, rapid pulse, coldness of the skin, sweating. Treatment: Leave victim lying down, loosen clothing, roll victim to the side and wipe out mouth in the event of vomiting (recovery position). 8. Foreign Body in the Eye Symptoms: Pain, redness, burning, tears. Treatment: Flush the eye with water. If object is suspected to be embedded, apply a dry, protective dressing over eye, and call physician or take patient to hospital emergency room. Keep victim from rubbing the eye. For chemical burns, flood eyes with water. 9. Poisoning Symptoms and signs: Information from victim or observer, stains about mouth, presence of poison container, breath odor, pupils contracted to pinpoint size from morphine or narcotics. Treatment:

Do not induce vomiting. Do not try to neutralize poison by any antidote. If patient vomits, clear airway, put in recovery position. Do not give unconscious person anything by mouth. Bring to hospital. 10. Shock Symptoms: Pale (or bluish) skin (in victim with dark skin examine inside of mouth and nailbeds for bluish discoloration), cool skin, weakness, weak pulse; unresponsiveness and dilated pupils in later stages. Treatment: Keep victim lying down and covered enough to prevent loss of body heat. The body position should be adjusted according to the victim's injuries. Victims in shock may improve if the feet are raised 8 to 12 in. (20-30 cm). For electric shock, cut off current or separate victim from contact with electricity by using dry wood, rope, cloth, or rubber; administer CPR. 11. Nosebleed (Epistaxis) Treatment: Apply firm pressure with thumb and index finger held on either side of the nostrils for at least 5 minutes. CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION (CPR) A Airway B Breathing C Circulation D Defibrillation 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Check victim for consciousness - Sir, are you okay? Call for help (ask someone to call #108) Check for pulse carotid pulse Head tilt & chin lift (Fig. 1) avoid if there is neck injury (Jaw thrust) Chest compressions 30 compressions (100 compressions/min) (Fig. 2) -remove clothing as much as possible -heel of one hand on the center of the victims chest between the nipples -heel of other hand on top of the first hand -straight arms and shoulders directly above hand -push hard and fast (1.5 to 2 inches with each compression) 6. Breaths 2 breaths (Fig. 3) better to use airway (to protect oneself) 7. Repeat 5 & 6 till help arrives

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

Fig. 3