Definition
of First Aid
of First Aid
The skilled application of the accepted
principles of treatment on the occurrence of an accident or incase of sudden
illness using facilities or materials available at the time of incident on the
spots. It is the immediate skill treatment given to a casualty at the scene of
the accident with any available materials before the attention of the medical
personal personnel.
principles of treatment on the occurrence of an accident or incase of sudden
illness using facilities or materials available at the time of incident on the
spots. It is the immediate skill treatment given to a casualty at the scene of
the accident with any available materials before the attention of the medical
personal personnel.
Also, first Aid is the provision of initial
care for an illness or injury. it is usually performed by non-experts, but
trained personnel to a sick or injured person until definitive medical
treatment can be assessed.
Aims
of First Aid
of First Aid
a)
To
preserve life
To
preserve life
b)
Prevent further harm: Also sometimes called the prevention
control from worsening, or danger or further injury, this covers both external
factors, such as moving a patient from any cause of harm, and applying first
aid techniques to prevent worsening of the condition, such as applying pressure
to stop a bleed from becoming dangerous.
Prevent further harm: Also sometimes called the prevention
control from worsening, or danger or further injury, this covers both external
factors, such as moving a patient from any cause of harm, and applying first
aid techniques to prevent worsening of the condition, such as applying pressure
to stop a bleed from becoming dangerous.
c)
To promote recovery: First Aid also involves trying to start
the recovering process from the illness or injury, and in some cases might
involve completing a treatment, such as in the case of applying a plaster to a
small wound.
To promote recovery: First Aid also involves trying to start
the recovering process from the illness or injury, and in some cases might
involve completing a treatment, such as in the case of applying a plaster to a
small wound.
The
Scope of First Aid
Scope of First Aid
a)
Diagnosis:
The first aider should be able to identify and say in simple terms the problems
of the victims. E.g. bleeding, broken bones etc.
Diagnosis:
The first aider should be able to identify and say in simple terms the problems
of the victims. E.g. bleeding, broken bones etc.
b)
Treatment: Here implies all measure taken to
preserve the life of the victims, to
prevent the condition from getting worse and relief pain. It does not involve
the use of drugs.
Treatment: Here implies all measure taken to
preserve the life of the victims, to
prevent the condition from getting worse and relief pain. It does not involve
the use of drugs.
c)
Evacuation: The First Aider should institute
evacuation procedure as laid down by his organization and if communication
content is impossible, make arrangement to transport victims to the nearest
hospital or clinic as quick as possible.
Evacuation: The First Aider should institute
evacuation procedure as laid down by his organization and if communication
content is impossible, make arrangement to transport victims to the nearest
hospital or clinic as quick as possible.
Golden
Rules of First Aid
Rules of First Aid
a)
Stay
calm, do not panic, do first thing first, quietly, quickly and not confuse.
Stay
calm, do not panic, do first thing first, quietly, quickly and not confuse.
b)
Give
artificial respiration (Emergency Resuscitation) by mouth or by action.
Give
artificial respiration (Emergency Resuscitation) by mouth or by action.
c)
Reassure
the casualty and those around and help to lessen anxiety.
Reassure
the casualty and those around and help to lessen anxiety.
d)
Loosen
tight clothing around the neck, chest and waist.
Loosen
tight clothing around the neck, chest and waist.
e)
Stop
or arrest bleeding.
Stop
or arrest bleeding.
f)
Guide
against or treat for shock by keeping the casualty warm, by moving him as quick
as possible and by gentle handling.
Guide
against or treat for shock by keeping the casualty warm, by moving him as quick
as possible and by gentle handling.
g)
Do
not allow people to crowd around you, as fresh air is essential.
Do
not allow people to crowd around you, as fresh air is essential.
h)
Do
not leave the victim unattended until the doctor take charge.
Do
not leave the victim unattended until the doctor take charge.
i)
Do
not attempt to do too much, if you are unsure of what to do, note that it may
be better not to do anything at all than to do something that will endanger the
life of the victim.
Do
not attempt to do too much, if you are unsure of what to do, note that it may
be better not to do anything at all than to do something that will endanger the
life of the victim.
j)
Arrange
for the removal of the casualty as the care of the hospital as soon as possible
and notify the police on the case of serious accident.
Arrange
for the removal of the casualty as the care of the hospital as soon as possible
and notify the police on the case of serious accident.
Qualities
of a First Aider
of a First Aider
a)
Explicit: He should be able to give précised
detailed and accurate information about the victim and treatment given either
when calling for help or when handling over to the medical crews.
Explicit: He should be able to give précised
detailed and accurate information about the victim and treatment given either
when calling for help or when handling over to the medical crews.
b)
Observant: He must be able to make a quick survey
of the entire scene of an emergency and quickly determine next action to take.
Observant: He must be able to make a quick survey
of the entire scene of an emergency and quickly determine next action to take.
c)
Resourceful: Make the best use of any available
materials.
Resourceful: Make the best use of any available
materials.
d)
Gentle: Careful handling.
Gentle: Careful handling.
e)
Tactful: Act calmly and confidently.
Tactful: Act calmly and confidently.
f)
Sympathetic: Give maximum comfort.
Sympathetic: Give maximum comfort.
g)
Cheerful: Restore state of hope to the casualty
by wearing, encouraging facial expression and using soothing reassuring words
faithfully.
Cheerful: Restore state of hope to the casualty
by wearing, encouraging facial expression and using soothing reassuring words
faithfully.
Principles
of First Aid Treatment
of First Aid Treatment
a)
Remove
the source of danger from the patient, for example a pillow from the face, a
bone from the throat or debris from the chest or remove the patient from the
source of danger, for example remove a gas or smoke filled room or take the
patient out of the water in case of drowning
Remove
the source of danger from the patient, for example a pillow from the face, a
bone from the throat or debris from the chest or remove the patient from the
source of danger, for example remove a gas or smoke filled room or take the
patient out of the water in case of drowning
b)
Undo
all tight clothing round the neck, chest and waist.
Undo
all tight clothing round the neck, chest and waist.
c)
As
far as possible, clean the mouth of any obstruction such as vomit, blood or
saliva.
As
far as possible, clean the mouth of any obstruction such as vomit, blood or
saliva.
d)
If
breathing has ceased, start artificial respiration.
If
breathing has ceased, start artificial respiration.
e)
If
the patient is out of doors, keep the person reasonable warm by making a rug or
blanket on the body, but do not over heat the patient.
If
the patient is out of doors, keep the person reasonable warm by making a rug or
blanket on the body, but do not over heat the patient.
f)
Make
all necessary arrangement and transport victims or casualty to the hospital.
Make
all necessary arrangement and transport victims or casualty to the hospital.
Conclusion
First Aid management cannot be over emphasized,
in the sense that it help to preserve life, promote recovery and prevent
further harm and complication.
