First Aid

INTRODUCTION

First aid is an instant assistance provided to an immediately sick or injured person. The doctor and the hospital may be always on call but may not be always conveniently accessible. Adverse life situations may happen when you least expect them, at the oddest places, during the oddest time. That is why there is a need to know all about how urgent first aid assistance can be initially applied and provided when needed.

Generally, first aid consists of series of simple, easy and life-saving actions and techniques that anyone can learn to perform. The procedures can be done with bare hands or with minimal equipment. When you suffer from an ordinary paper cut or from a severe burn, you will certainly need first aid. When several people around you incur puncture wounds, choke, suffer from food poisoning or have spurting cuts, of course, you should not just look around and awe yourself in amazement. Such situations call for heroic and noble acts. First aid is the most you could do to help patients while proper and professional medical assistance is on the way.

However, be reminded that first aid should not replace proper medical care. While there are some simple accidents and situations when first aid can completely do—-like minor cuts, splinters, nose bleeds and insect bites—-there are many medical situations and accidents that require professional medical attention. Snake bites, heart attacks, convulsions, high fever, fracture and seizures are just some of the numerous dangerous, yet immediate, situations that can be temporarily relieved by first aid, but are definitely calling for doctors’ intervention.

COLLAPSE

  • Place patient lying on one side, (in lateral position)
  • Loosen tight clothing about the neck, chest and waist.
  • Check for possible bleeding; check if victim is breathing and has clear airway.
  • If breathing is failing, apply Artificial Resuscitation (AR).
    (Apply only if adequately trained to do AR or CPR)

SEVERE BLEEDING

  • Cover wound with clean dry dressing and apply pressure.
  • If blood soaks through, apply more padding without removing original dressing.
  • Elevate bleeding part if injury allows.

BROKEN BONES

  • Do not move the victim.
  • Stop any bleeding.

FOR ANY EMERGENCIES, IMMEDIATELY CALL THE SECURITY AND SAFETY OFFICE FOR ASSISTANCE:
+(632) 815-1506 (Lawton)
+(632) 815-1502 (Cameron)