First aid – what everybody should know
Why learn first aid?
WARNING!
This advice is a general guideline for use in an emergency.
It's not intended to replace professional classes in first aid and resuscitation.
First aid is an important skill.
By performing simple procedures and following certain guidelines, it may be possible to save lives by giving basic treatment until professional medical help arrives.Remember, too, that practice makes perfect.
In an emergency there's no time to read instructions. If you've memorised some of the basic procedures, it will help you react quickly and efficiently.
Breathing difficulties
If someone stops breathing, see if the person replies if talked to or touched on the shoulder.
If not, call for help – and immediately begin first aid. Send bystanders for help.
But if you're alone, perform basic life support for one minute before going for help.
- Place the person on his or her back on the floor.
- Tilt the head, so that the chin is pointing upwards. Do this by placing the fingertips under the jawbone, then lift gently while pressing down softly on the person's forehead. This is done to make sure the tongue is not blocking the throat.
- Keep holding the head in this way while checking for breathing. Look if the chest is rising and falling, or place your ear next to their mouth to listen for breathing and feel breath on your cheek. Only check for 10 seconds.
- If there's normal breathing, hold the head as described above until help arrives. If there's no breathing or gasping breaths, start basic life support.
How to give basic life support
In adults, the problem is usually the heart rather than the lungs – so cardiac compressions come first and rescue breaths second.
Do not waste time checking for a pulse, if the patient is not responding.
- Place the heel of your hand in the middle of the chest above the breasts. The heel of your hand should now be positioned on the middle of the lower half of the breastbone (not over the ribs or stomach).
- Now place the heel of your other hand on top of the first. Keep your fingers off the chest, by locking them together. Your pressure should be applied through the heels of the hands only.
- Keep your elbows straight, and bring your body weight over your hands to make it easier to press down.
- Press down firmly and quickly to achieve a downwards movement of 4 to 5cm, then relax and repeat the compression.
- Do this at a rate of about 100 times a minute (which is fast and hard work – you can help your timing and counting by saying out loud 'one and two and three and four ...' etc)
- Do this 30 times.
- Now open the airway by positioning the head with the chin pointing upward.
- Pinch the nostrils shut with two fingers to prevent leakage of air.
- Take a normal breath, and seal your own mouth over the person's mouth, making sure there's a good seal.
- Breathe slowly into the person's mouth – it should take about two seconds to adequately inflate the chest.
- Do this twice.
- Check to see if the chest rises as you breathe into the patient's mouth.
- If it does, enough air is being blown in.
- If there's resistance, try to hold the head back further and lift the chin again.
- Continue with 30 chest compression, then two rescue breaths – and only stop if the victim starts to breath.
Do not stop for any other reason, until someone else can take over form you.
This should happen every couple of minutes, without any interruption to compressions.
If there are two rescuers: one can do breaths and the other compressions.
Bleeding
With all types of bleeding, it's important to stop the flow of blood as quickly as possible.
Small cuts
Small cuts in the veins stop bleeding and clot within a few minutes. The area should then be washed, and a plaster placed gently on top.
Deeper cuts
Deeper cuts in the veins produce dark blood that seeps out slowly and steadily. It can be stopped by gentle pressure on the wound with a sterile or clean cloth, followed by the application of a clean or sterile bandage.
Often, these wounds need sewing or glueing, and therefore medical treatment will be necessary after first aid.
Arterial bleeding
WARNING!
Arterial bleeding must always be treated by a doctor.
Bleeding from an artery can cause death within a few minutes – so urgent first aid is essential.
This type of bleeding pulsates and squirts blood, as the pulse beats. The blood is often a light red colour.
To stop bleeding from an artery:
- apply hard pressure on the wound, and keep this up until the patient receives medical treatment
- press with a sterile cloth or just use your hand, if nothing else is available
- put a bandage on the wound if possible. If the blood soaks through the bandages, press harder until the bleeding stops
- do not remove the soaked bandages, but place another on top if necessary
- do not attempt to clean the wound.
The person must be made to lie down, preferably with their head lower than the rest of their body. This will ensure that enough oxygen gets to the brain.
If possible, position the wounded area higher than the rest of their body – so that the pressure, and therefore the bleeding, will be reduced.
Nosebleeds
Nosebleeds occur when one of the small blood vessels in the mucous membranes of the nose bursts.
Do not bend the head backwards or lie down, because this increases blood pressure in the head and so increases the bleeding.
Blood may also run into the stomach.
To limit the bleeding:
- pinch the nostrils shut with the index and middle finger for 10 minutes. This way, the vein is pressed together, which is often enough to stem the flow
- while the nostrils are shut, the person must breathe through their mouth
- if the bleeding continues, it's important to contact a doctor.
If the person frequently suffers sudden, intense nosebleeds – they should also consult a doctor.
Choking
Choking happens when the passage through the windpipe is blocked. This usually occurs when food that hasn't been thoroughly chewed gets stuck.
If someone looks like they're choking, ask them if they're able to talk.
A person who is genuinely choking can usually only communicate with hand movements, and may place their hand against their throat. In such a case they will definitely need help, so summon assistance for them.
Provided the person is conscious and breathing, you should not interfere. However, be prepared to do so, if the obstruction appears to become complete or markedly worse.
The best way to relieve choking is by using the Heimlich manoeuvre.
The Heimlich manoeuvre
- Stand behind the person, who is choking.
- Place your arms around their waist, and bend them well forward.
- Clench your fist, and place it right above the person's navel (belly button).
- Place your other hand on top, then thrust both hands backwards into the stomach with a hard, upward movement.
- Repeat this until the object stuck in the throat is expelled through their mouth.
If you need to carry out this manoeuvre on yourself, place a clenched hand above your navel (belly button) and your other hand on top. Then thrust your fist hard into your stomach.
Repeat this until the object stuck in the throat is expelled through the mouth.
Shock
Shock occurs when too little blood circulates to the brain.
This means that the brain is not receiving enough oxygen, which leads to a feeling of faintness, disorientation and dizziness.
Shock may occur:
- after an accident involving loss of blood
- after a serious infection, with loss of fluids
- after a serious burn
- after other accidents that cause loss of fluids or blood
- as part of an allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).
When the flow of blood in the body is too slow, the blood pressure drops and too little oxygen is circulated through the body.
When this occurs a person may:
- go pale
- turn sweaty, clammy and cold
- become dizzy
- become anxious or restless
- have a weak, fast pulse
- have low blood pressure
- have slow, weak breathing
- lose consciousness
- become anxious or restless.
What to do if someone is in shock?
- The person must lie on their back – preferably with their feet raised – to ensure enough blood gets to the brain.
- Make sure the person is warm, comfortable and covered by a blanket if possible.
- Do not give them anything to drink because they could run a risk of choking.
- If the person vomits or bleeds from the mouth, he or she must be placed on their side to prevent choking.
- Call for an ambulance. A person in shock must always be treated by a doctor.
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