Principles and Practice of First Aid

 First Aid, It's the approved method of treating a casualty until he/she is placed, if necessary, in the care of a doctor or removed to hospital.

First Aid is treatment given to casualty

-to sustain life.

-to prevent his condition from becoming worse.

-to promote his recovery.

[ ] Because of the increasing number and serious nature of accidents of all kinds, the responsibility of the First Aider has become greater.

RESPONSIBILITY OF A FIRST AIDER IN THE MANAGEMENT OF A CASUALTY

[ ] To assess the situation.

[ ] To arrive at diagnosis for each casualty.

[ ] To give immediate and adequate treatment, bearing in mind that a casualty may have more than one injury and that some casualties will require more urgent attention than other.

[ ] To arrange without delay for the disposal of a casualty according to the seriousness of his condition.

ASSESSMENT AND INITIAL ACTION

[ ] Be calm, take charge

[ ] Give confidence to conscious casualty.

[ ] Talk to him, listen to him and reassure him.

Check

[ ] Safety of casualties and yourself.

[ ] The breathing, for bleeding and whether conscious.

[ ] Get others to help.

[ ] Tell them what they should do.

[ ] If necessary, send for ambulance,police,fire services, or other help.

DIAGNOSIS

The history of incident must be taken into consideration, and an examination made to determine the signs and symptoms and level off consciousness.

History

The story of how the accident happened or the illness began obtained from

The casualty: 'I slipped and fell down'

A Witness:' I saw the old man fall and his head strike the wall'.

Signs

Variation from normal, ascertained by the First Aider-Pallor; blueness (cyanosis)of faecalis inner sides of eyelids, or of nail beds of fingers and toes.

There may be evidence of poisoning.

Symptoms

Sensations described by the casualty

[ ] I feel pain

[ ] I am cold

[ ] My arm is numb

LEVEL OF CONSCIOUSNESS

Any change of level is important.

Full consciousness

× Able to speak and answer questions normally.

Drowsiness

× Easily roused, but lapses into unconsciousness.

Stupor

× Can be roused with difficulty. The casualty is aware of painful stimuli,eg pin prick,but not of other external events,eg being spoken to.

Coma

× Cannot be roused by any stimuli.

ACTION

If the cause of the condition is still active ,remove it

* A log of wood on the casualty's leg

* Contaminated clothing or remove the casualty from the cause from traffic,fire,water,poisonous fumes etc.

TREATMENT

Give the treatment you consider essential.

[ ] Sustain life.

[ ] Emergency resuscitation.

[ ] Control bleeding and shock

[ ] Prevent the condition from becoming worse.

[ ] Cover wounds

[ ] Immobilise fractures,large wounds and any injures part

[ ] Place the casualty in a correct and comfortable position.

[ ] Promote recovery

[ ] Reassure.

[ ] Give any other treatment needed.

[ ] Relieve pain

[ ] Handle gently and carefully at all times.

[ ] Move as little as possible.

[ ] Protect from cold.

Disposal

The first Aider will ensure that the casualty is conveyed without delay to his home,a suitable shelter or an appropriate hospital.In serious cases it may be necessary to summon a doctor.

*A brief written report should accompany the casualty.

*A tractful message should also be sent,if necessary, to the casualty's home stating what has happened and where he/she has be taken,Unless this has been done by the police or other authority.

SUMMARY OF ESSENTIALS OF FIRST AID

[ ] Act quickly quietly and methodically,giving priority to the most urgent conditions.

[ ] Ensure that there is no further danger to the casualty or to yourself.

[ ] If breathing has stopped or is failing,clear the airway and,if necessary start emergency resuscitation.

NB If in doubt as to whether or not the casualty is dead,give treatment:

[ ] Until medical aid is available ,or

[ ] Until stiffening of the muscles (rigor mortis) after death commences,or

[ ] To the limits of your own physical capacity.