Accidents could occur to anyone, anywhere, at anytime. It is very
important to be able to help a person in such a situation, by giving
them first aid before medical help arrives. Through this it is possible to
prevent the death of the victim.
Basic principles of first aid
A skilled provider of first aid team examines the patient and identifies
the nature of the ailment.
Airway
First any blockages of the respiratory system must be identified and
cleared. To do this, the victims head and neck should be examined and
if there is no injury the head should be turned downward or to a side
and the blockage is removed. Some instances where the airway should
be examine are listed below,
- Drowning
- Choking
- Fainting
- Falling from a height
Breathing
Check if breathing is occurring normally. To do this keep the back
of the hand near the nose, check if the chest rises and falls or keep
your cheek near the patients nose and feel his breath on your cheek. If
breathing does not occur provide artificial respiration. Some instances
that specifically need to check for breathing are,
- Drowning
- Choking
- Fainting
- Falling from a height
- When burnt
- Electrocution
Circulation
Checking the patient’s pulse is essential. This is done by placing the
fingers on the inner wrist, side of the neck or foot and feeling the pulse.
If circulation has stopped use pressure or heart massage to reactivate
the heart. Instances when the pulse should be checked are,
- Drowning
- Electrocution
- After a fall from a height
- After being run over by a vehicle
- After a snake bite
Deformity
It is important to examine the patient and provide first aid accordingly.
If a fracture has occurred or the spine is injured it is important to keep
that area immobilized.
eg: neck
– roll-up two pieces of cloth and keep them either side of the
neck or use a collar if available
spine
– Keep the patient on a board
limbs
– Tie to a wooden plan
Exposure, Environment
To examine the patient it is necessary to expose the injury, but it is
important to do this without harming the patient. Examination should
be done in a safe environment, if not the patient should be transported
carefully to a safe environment
If the patient can breathe, move him into the recovery ( left - lateral) position
If he cannot breath perform chest compressions and artificial
respiration.
Chest compressions
– place the hands on the chest and
compress to a depth of 5-6cm around 100
times per minute.
Artificial respiration
– after 30 compressions open the patient's
mouth, close the nose and placing your
mouth on his, breathe until the chest rises
Perform this in the ratio 30:2 until the patient responds.
Qualities of a person who provides first aid
1.Skill and knowledge
about first aid
2.Ability to act according
to the situation
3.Patience
4.Calmness
5.Leadership
6.Making correct decisions
7.Observant
8.Kindness and sympathy
9.Ability to not be disgusted
10.Not unnecessarily embarrassed
11.Bravery
12.Treating all equally
13.Being cautious of own safety
Points to considered when providing first aid
• When a person has fallen from a height, or something has struck
his spine or there is any reason to suspect that the spine has been
damaged the person should only be moved on a wooden plank. The
patient should be moved onto the plank by rolling them as if rolling
a log.This is the “log rolling method”. Failing to use this method
could worsen the injury or cause blockage of the respiratory system
• If there is a foreign object embedded in the patient DO NOT remove
it. This could cause internal damage or the patient could bleed to
death.
• Do not give an unconscious patient any food or drink as they could
cause the blockage of the respiratory system.
• Do not provide food or drink until medical help has been received,
because it may need several hours fasting to give anaesthesia given
for surgery.
• If parts of the body have been dismembered wrap them in polythene
and keep them on ice and take them to the doctor as soon as possible.
Instances where first aid should be Given
1. Fainting
Fainting occurs due to the lack of oxygen to the brain, the body then
becomes lifeless. The patient should be made to lie down on the floor or
on a bed. Loosen tight clothing. If a patient feels faintish instruct him/her
sit down and place the head between the legs. If the patient has been
made to lie down, raise the legs above the head level, by this the oxygen
and blood will flow to the brain. Move the patient to a place with more
natural ventilation. After the patient regains consciousness give them
glucose and some warm water.
2. Animal or snake bites
Calm the patient. Wash the site of the snake bite under cold, flowing
water for 10-15 minutes. Minimize the movement of the area of the
bite. Remove all tight items of clothing and accessories such as rings
and watches. It is important to identify the snake and take it to the
doctor. Keep the site of the bite below the level of the head.
Do not try to suck the wound or tie a tourniquet (a band tied above the
bite).
3. Bee or wasp stings
Remove the patient from the environment. Calm the patient. Remove
all rings, bracelets etc. Identify the area most affected. Remove any
remaining stings or other parts using a blade or a fingernail. Use
medicine like paracetamol for pain. If there are multiple stings seek
medical help.
4. Electrocution 
Disconnect the electricity by switching off the fuse or main switch. If
you cannot disconnect the electricity using these methods, do not touch
the appliance using your hands, use a wooden broomstick or piece of
firewood.
If circulation is not functioning, give heart massage and if there is
no respiration give artificial respiration. If there are burns, give the
necessary first aid. Seek medical help.
5. Burns 
Burns can be caused by fires, chemicals and electricity. The way the
fire is extinguished depends on its source. Some methods are include
covering it with a thick cloth, praying water on it and if the clothes are
on fire rolling the person on the floor.
After a burn remove the patient from the situation immediately and
move them to a safe place. Hold the burns under cold running water for
10 minutes.
Remove all rings, bracelets and watches. I
f boiling water or chemicals
have spilt on the clothes, cut them off the patient. If the clothes are
stuck to any wounds, do not attempt to remove them. Calm the patient
and seek medical help.
6. Injuries
There are many types of wounds such as burns, cuts, falls, scrapes and
punctures. First stop the blood flow using a cloth to apply pressure.
Keep the wound above the level of the heart. Ice could be used if
necessary. Seek medical help.
7. Chocking 
Identify the item that could cause the blockage of the airway by opening
the mouth and examining it. If the patient is an adult or a child bend
the torso forward, open the mouth and hit the back. Alternatively, stand
behind the patient and press the upper part of the torso using your
clasped hands. In the case of a small child, turn the child’s face to one
side, holding the head downwards, keep the child bent over your knee
with the upper chest resting on the knee and pat the back. If the object
causing the blockage does not come out seek medical help immediately.
8. Blockage
of the nose
Tickle the nose to induce sneezing. If this is ineffective do not insert
anything into the nose, seek medical help immediately. Do not allow the
patient to lie down as this could lead the object to enter the respiratory
tract, instead arrange for him to sit or stand.'
9. Drowning
You may have heard of many people, both adults and children lose their
lives due to drowning. This is due to the difficulty in breathing caused
by drowning
Use chest
compressions and artificial respiration if necessary.
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