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Introduction
Emergency
first aid is
the treatment of any injury or sudden illness, before professional medical
help can be provided. The aim is to prevent the condition worsening,
protect from further harm, aid recovery and preserve life.
Why
it is necessary
The
knowledge of first aid, when properly applied, can mean the difference
between temporary or permanent injury, rapid recovery or long-term
disability, and the difference between life and death. Deaths due to
accidents and heart attacks account for a high proportion of deaths in the
UK each year.
Heart attack
Coronary heart disease (CHD) accounts for
over 140,000 deaths each year in the UK, and over half the people who have
a heart attack, die before they reach hospital.
Accidents in the home
More than 4,000 people die in accidents in
the home and 2.8 million are injured in the UK every year.
Road Accidents
Approximately 3,500 people are killed on
Britain's roads every year, with approximately 320,000 total casualties of
whom 38,000 are seriously injured.
Burns
Approximately 250 people die from burns and
130,000 require treatment for burns in the UK each year.
Drowning
Approximately 500 people, mainly children die
from drowning in the UK each year.
Electricity
Approximately 50 people die and 4,000 people
require treatment from electricity related injuries.
Poisoning
Approximately 50,000 people require treatment
for poisoning, including accidental poisoning especially in children and
over-doses.
What
to do
Put
your safety first and deal with any danger. If it is safe, apply first aid
and dial 999 for an ambulance if necessary. First aid can involve anything
from dressing a small cut, controlling bleeding in large wounds, or
providing cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for a person who is not
breathing and whose heart has stopped beating. The following advice is not
intended to replace professional instruction in first aid and
resuscitation (CPR).
The Recovery position
The Recover Position ensures that an
unconscious person maintains an open airway that the tongue cannot be
swallowed, and any vomit or fluid will not cause choking. Ensure the person is lying on their
side, supported by one leg and one arm. Keep airway open by tilting their
head and lifting the chin. If the airway is not open and the person is not
breathing, begin: ABC of resuscitation. A-airway B-breathing C-circulation
Airway
To open the airway, lift the chin with one
hand, while pushing down on the forehead with the other to tilt the head
back. Once the airway is open, look for chest movement and listen and feel
for breathing by placing an ear close to the person’s mouth.
Breathing
If opening the airway does not cause the
person to begin to breathe spontaneously, Artificial Respiration must be
started: -
-
Tilt
the head back lift up the chin, and pinch the nostrils together.
-
Seal
mouth over the person’s mouth and take a dead breath.
-
Breathe
slowly into the person's mouth, and check their chest rises.
-
Repeat
until the person starts breathing or assistance arrives.
Circulation
If there is no heart beat and no pulse i.e.
no circulation and if no trained medical help is available: - start,
External Chest Compression, Place the heel of hand on the middle
half of their breastbone, and the heel of the other hand on top of the
first. Lock the fingers and keep off their chest. Keeping elbows
straight, press downwards firmly and quickly with hands then relax and
repeat compression. Press down approximately 2 inches. The rate of
compression should be approximately 100 compressions per minute. Do 15
compressions, and then give artificial respiration twice. Then repeat
until assistance arrives.
Following, is first aid advice on: -
Burns
The burn should be cooled with cold water.
Cover the burn with a sterile dressing of non- fluffy material, cling
film, or a plastic bag. Do not put creams on the burn. Seek medical help
for the burn unless it is very minor.
Poisoning
Put the person in the recovery position if
they are unconscious, call 999 and ask for an ambulance. Do not give the
person anything to drink unless a health professional advises. If there
are no symptoms consult the poisons unit at your local hospital
Electricity Turn the electricity supply off. Initiate resuscitation ABC if
the person is not breathing and call an ambulance. Seek medical help
unless the shock is very minor.
Drowning
Once the person is on land, initiate
resuscitation ABC, if the person is not breathing. If the person is
unconscious put in the recovery position. Call an ambulance immediately.
Bleeding
Apply a clean dressing to the wound with firm
pressure. Raise the wound (if there are no fractures) to decrease the flow
of blood. Seek medical help for the bleeding unless it is minor. Wrap any
severed body part e.g. a finger in a plastic bag or cling film, wrap in
soft material and keep cool. Preferably, place in ice; never put the
severed body part in direct contact with the ice.
Heart Attack
If breathing and heartbeat stop, call an
ambulance and initiate resuscitation ABC immediately. If the person
becomes unconscious, but is breathing, place in the recovery position.
Fractures
If the person is unconscious or has
difficulties in breathing or is bleeding severely these should be dealt
with first. Do not move the person and gently support the injured part by
hand until help arrives.
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