First aid

Definition of First Aid

The skilled application of the accepted principles of treatment on the occurrence of an accident or in case 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

1. To preserve life
2. 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.
3. 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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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

1. Stay calm, do not panic, do first thing first, quietly, quickly and not confuse.
2. Give artificial respiration (Emergency Resuscitation) by mouth or by action.
3. Reassure the casualty and those around and help to lessen anxiety.
4. Loosen tight clothing around the neck, chest and waist.
5. Stop or arrest bleeding.
6. Guide against or treat for shock by keeping the casualty warm, by moving him as quick as possible and by gentle handling.
7. Do not allow people to crowd around you, as fresh air is essential.
8. Do not leave the victim unattended until the doctor take charge.
9. 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.
10. 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

1. 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.
2. Observant: He must be able to make a quick survey of the entire scene of an emergency and quickly determine next action to take.
3. Resourceful: Make the best use of any available materials.
4. Gentle: Careful handling.
5. Tactful: Act calmly and confidently.
6. Sympathetic: Give maximum comfort.
7. Cheerful: Restore state of hope to the casualty by wearing, encouraging facial expression and using soothing reassuring words faithfully.

Principles of first aid treatment

1. 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
2. Undo all tight clothing round the neck, chest and waist.
3. As far as possible, clean the mouth of any obstruction such as vomit, blood or saliva.
4. If breathing has ceased, start artificial respiration.
5. 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.
6. 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.