basic first aide course for the average person

Basic First Aide Course For The Average Person

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An emergency medical situation can occur at any time, so it is important to be prepared. The following is a first-aid guide written in plain language that is easy to understand. It can be used as a start to understanding how to respond to an emergency medical situation for treating either yourself or another person. It is important to note that basic first-aid is not meant to replace care from a qualified physician. Always be sure to transport an injured or sick person to a hospital as soon as they are stabilized with the following first-aid measures. Read on for 20 basic emergency medical situations and information on how to diagnose and treat them.



Bleeding It is important to get bleeding under control as quickly as possible. Most small, superficial wounds stop bleeding on their own, but large wounds or deep punctures require further measures. First, apply a clean piece of gauze or fabric over the area. Then, apply constant pressure with both hands on top of the wound until the bleeding stops. Don’t remove the cloth even if the blood seeps through it. However, you can apply a second piece of clean cloth over the top of the other one to help absorb blood though. Removing the cloth might cause the wound to start bleeding again.

A tourniquet should be used to control bleeding only if blood loss is excessive and can’t be stopped using pressure. Tourniquets can only be used on wounds on the arms and legs. They can be made of a belt or a strip of cloth that is long enough to easily wrap around the affected area. Place the tourniquet directly above the wound, and tighten it as much as possible. If a cloth is used, then a pencil or stick can be wound into the loose cloth at the top to turn it more tightly. Once a tourniquet is used, do not remove it. Mark the person’s forehead with a “T,” so medical staff will know that a tourniquet was used. The pressure has to be relieved in a specific way, so blood clots don’t rush through the body when it is released.

Bleeding

Cuts & Scrapes The biggest concern in even the smallest cuts and scrapes is infection, so they must be treated with care to avoid this from happening. First, inspect the injured area. Remove any debris, such as small rocks or dirt, from it very carefully. Then, flush the area with clean water. If you have any antiseptic, clean the cut or scrape with it. After you are done, dry the area with a clean cloth. Then, bandage it.


Insect Stings and Bites

An allergic reaction to an insect bite or sting can be deadly, so it is important to not only understand how to treat the bite or sting but also know what to do in case of anaphylactic shock. An insect sting is most noticeable from the pain, redness, and swelling at the site. There might also be puncture marks from the stinger of a bee or the fangs of a spider or centipede. Treatment for insect stings and bites is fairly simple. Use tweezers to remove any stinger that is still stuck in the skin. Then, clean the wound with antiseptic wipes, and cover it with a bandage. If the person is allergic to bites or stings from a particular insect, the reaction will be immediate. The area will become swollen and inflamed. The person might also have trouble breathing or start feeling dizzy or confused. If their throat starts to close up, and they have trouble breathing, then a shot of epinephrine should be given immediately. Without it, they could die.

ShockA person can go into shock when trauma occurs. This condition is serious because it reduces blood and oxygen to the organs, which can cause them to shut down. The first symptom of shock is usually confusion or disorientation. They might seem drowsy or even faint. The victim’s skin will appear to be pale, and it will feel clammy and cold. To treat a person in shock, lay them down, and elevate their feet up a few inches. Keep them warm with a blanket if one is available. Do not move them or give them anything to eat or drink. If they stop breathing, then begin performing CPR.


Burns There are four types of burns. A first degree burn is minor. The skin is slightly red, and it might hurt a bit. A second degree burn has blisters, but it is still fairly superficial. A third degree burn goes down deeper through the skin to the muscle tissue. And lastly, a fourth degree burn goes down through the skin and muscle tissue to the bone. It is a rare type and very dangerous. First and second degree burns can be treated with a gentle cleaning and a bandage. However, third and fourth degree burns must be treated by a doctor because significant damage can be caused if a person treats them wrong. Simply wrap the area up loosely with a clean bandage, and transport the victim to the hospital.

Frostbite Areas of the skin exposed to extremely cold environments can cause frostbite. It can destroy skin cells and cause limbs to need amputation if a victim is not treated quickly. Warm up the person as quickly as possible with blankets, towels, or your own body heat. Wrap up the affected area loosely, but do not attempt to treat it. Then, get the person to a hospital immediately.

Fractures and Broken Bones A person with a broken bone or fracture is going to be in a lot of pain, so do your best to keep them calm, so they move as little as possible. Cut or tear the fabric of the clothing that is covering the affected area to check for signs of bone piercing through the skin. This type of break is the most serious because the bone fragments can cut blood vessels and cause bleeding. Make a splint for an arm using your belt and sticks and magazines that are in the vicinity. If a leg bone is broken, then you can simply tie the legs together for a fast splint. However, the victim will have to be carried if this method is used.


Heat Stroke Exposure to hot temperatures with little fluids to drink can lead to a heat stroke. The victim will appear confused and disoriented. They might also vomit or faint. Do not attempt to give them anything to eat or drink. Place a cool cloth on their forehead, and treat them according to the above mentioned methods for a person who is in shock.

Dehydration Though dehydration might not seem like a medical emergency, it can make a person very sick and even lead to death. The body must have a regular supply of water to keep the organs and brain functioning. The symptoms of dehydration include confusion, dizziness, fainting, and dark-colored urine. Give the person water in small sips before transporting them to a hospital.

Dislocations Dislocated limbs are excruciatingly painful. The only way to help the victim is to push the bone back into the joint. Have the person sit or lay comfortably on the ground. Then, pull the limb straight as hard as you can. You might have to brace yourself to do this. Never attempt to pull on any dislocated limbs that have broken bones. Only attempt this method if emergency medical help is too far away for immediate transportation.

Snake Bites Death from a venomous snake bite can occur in a few minutes if it is not treated immediately. Do not attempt to put your mouth on the wound. Use a small plunger to pull the venom out if one from a snake bite kit is available. If one isn’t, then place a tourniquet above the bite, then cut a small incision between the area of the tourniquet and the bite, so the venom can be pulled out using a clean cloth. Do not let the venom touch your bare skin or your mucous membranes. Keep the injured victim still with the affected area elevated until help arrives.


Choking If a person displays signs of choking on their food, quickly check inside their mouth to see if the food can be removed with your hand. If not, stand behind them, and place your hands around their waist directly below the rib cage. Push firmly several times until the obstruction comes up through the mouth. Then, quickly remove it.

Eye Injuries: Rocks, chemical splash-back, and debris can cause a lot of damage to the eye. To help a person with this type of injury, flush the area with water for several minutes. Then, cover the eye loosely with a piece of gauze before taking the victim to the emergency room. Never put any kind of drops or cleaning agents in an injured eye.



Drowning: Victims pulled from the water because of drowning have to be treated fast if they aren’t breathing because the lack of oxygen can cause brain damage. First, lay them on their back. Then, turn the head to the side, so the water can come out if they vomit. Put your hands together into a fist, and press firmly several times in the middle of the rib cage along the center of the breast bone until water comes out of their mouth. If resuscitation is possible, treat the victim as someone in shock afterwards.

Food Poisoning Signs of food poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain shortly after eating a meal. A fever and chills might also be present. To treat a food poisoning victim, give them a spoonful of activated charcoal with a large glass of water but check with your poison control first. Some chemicals can cause more damage if the patient vomits. Also dehydration could become a problem if vomiting happens at a high degree. Usually, food poisoning symptoms go away on their own within a day or two. If the vomiting and diarrhea don’t stop, dehydration is possible though. So, in cases like this, get the person to the emergency room.

Back Injuries A back injury is often caused by lifting or carrying heavy objects that strain or tear back muscles. While it is not usually serious, some kinds of back injuries can affect the spine. Alternately apply hot and cold packs to the injured area, and give the person ibuprofen to reduce swelling, pain, and inflammation. The victim should rest for an adequate period of time to recuperate.

Sprains Sprains of the ankle or wrist are common. They cause pain and swelling, which should be treated with hot and cold packs. Keep the area elevated. The person should rest for two days, but after that, the area must be moved to help the healing process and flexibility. Do not do any of these things if there is a possibility of a fracture. Stabilize the injury, until you can get professional medical attention.

Heart Attack: The symptoms of a person having a heart attack depend on whether or not they are a man or woman. Men usually have crushing pain in the center of their chest along with sweating and numbness in the left arm. They might also faint. Women tend to have pain in the chest, elbow, and jaw, but they also experience numbness in the left arm. Offer a baby aspirin if they are conscious, but do not give the victim any other type of food or drinks. Keep tabs on their heartbeat to be sure the heart doesn’t stop. If it does, begin CPR until the heart beats on its own again or emergency staff arrives at the scene.


Rashes A red, itchy rash from poison ivy or sumac can be treated with calamine lotion or oatmeal baths. Try to get the affected person to avoid scratching the rash by covering it with a clean cloth. Scratching will cause it to spread further.

Head Injuries Head injuries from a bad fall or accident can lead to a dangerous concussion or trauma to the brain. If possible, do not move or jostle a person with this type of injury. Treat them as if they are in shock, and stay with them until help arrives.

Rashes


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basic first aide course for the average person

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