A disaster or accident requiring first aid can happen at any time. It can happen in the home, yard, car, office or just out shopping. It is a good idea to be prepared with first aid knowledge so you know what to do if something goes wrong. These tips will cover the basics of first aid and how to handle medical emergencies until professionals arrive or simply how to handle minor injuries that do not require professional medical attention.
Two of the best first aid tips a person can get are “learn CPR” and “learn the Heimlich maneuver.” These things should be learned in a class so individuals can get certification. They can save lives in the event that a person’s airway is blocked, a person stops breathing or a person’s heart stops. It is the first line of first aid in heart attacks, drowning, choking and more.
Individuals who are unconscious and do not have obstructed airways should be placed on their sides, if they have suffered injury. This stops them from choking on their tongues or vomit. This is also true for conscious individuals who may go unconscious or are violently ill. This should not be attempted in cases of severe trauma, unless you are a medical professional. An injury like a broken back or bleeding can be made much worse by moving an individual onto his or her side.
In cases of bleeding, whether severe or mild, efforts should be made to stop the bleeding. This is done by putting a clean material such as a clean towel over the wound and applying pressure. In the event that the bleeding is severe, call emergency services whilst applying pressure to the wound. Do not attempt to make a tourniquet, unless you have training to do so. A tourniquet cuts off the blood supply to the wounded area, which will eventually result in cell death. This can cause a person to lose a limb. Pressure is considered the best option for amateur first aid givers.
Small wounds that do not require professional first aid or treatment should be cleaned thoroughly by first aid administrators. Clean water and an antiseptic are usually sufficient for minor wounds. This prevents future infection, which can be very important in a disaster situation where medical professionals may not be minutes away.
Amateur first aid for broken bones typically consists of making sure the broken limb does not move. If it is a broken bone in the torso or head, the injured person should be kept from further injury through movement or other objects. However, if there is no help readily available, a first aid administrator should make a splint. Trying to set the bone with no training could have disastrous results, so do not make a splint for anything that is poking through the skin or bent at an angle. A splint consists of two hard straight pieces of material, like wood and straps to tie them to either side of the broken limb. First aid splints do not help for other broken bones.
The Red Cross and other organizations offer first aid classes to those wanting to learn specific first aid techniques. First aid classes can also be taken all the way up to an almost advanced stage, though most medical attention delivered beyond basic first aid should only be administered by a medical professional. In some cases, something that seems like it would help, such as removing an object from a wound, is the worst thing you can do. Therefore, it is best to leave it to professionals whenever possible.