5.2 First Aid

General Principles of First Aid

• Ensure Safety: Check scene for danger to self and injured person.
• Call for Help: Immediately call emergency medical services if serious.
• Assess the Situation: Check responsiveness, breathing, bleeding, other injuries.
• Provide Comfort and Reassurance: Calm presence helps reduce anxiety and pain.

First Aid Cases: Cuts and Scrapes

• Stop the Bleeding: Apply gentle, direct pressure with clean cloth; elevate if possible.
• Clean the Wound: Wash hands, rinse wound with clean running water.
• Apply Antibiotic Ointment: Thin layer to prevent infection.
• Cover the Wound: Use sterile bandage; change daily.
• Seek Medical Attention: For severe bleeding, deep/large wounds, infection signs.

First Aid Cases: Sprains

• R.I.C.E. Approach:
  • Rest: Rest injured area (48-72 hours).
  • Ice: Apply cold pack (15-20 min, 4-8 times/day for 48 hours).
  • Compression: Compress with elastic wrap (not too tight).
  • Elevation: Elevate injured area above heart level.
• Seek Medical Attention: If unable to bear weight, severe pain, instability, numbness, infection signs.

First Aid Cases: Burns

• Stop the Burning Process: Remove clothing/jewelry (unless stuck).
• Cool the Burn: Cool/lukewarm running water for 20 min (no ice/grease).
• Keep Warm: Prevent hypothermia.
• Cover the Burn: Loosely with cling film or sterile dressing.
• Pain Relief: OTC pain relievers.
• Seek Medical Attention: For severe, chemical, electrical burns, or large/critical area burns.

First Aid Cases: Choking

• Encourage Coughing: If person is coughing.
• Back Blows: Up to five sharp blows between shoulder blades.
• Abdominal Thrusts (Heimlich Maneuver): Up to five quick inward/upward thrusts.
• Repeat: Alternate back blows and abdominal thrusts until obstruction clears.
• Unresponsive: Begin CPR.

First Aid Cases: Bleeding (Severe)

• Apply Direct Pressure: Use clean cloth, firm pressure until bleeding stops or help arrives.
• Elevate: Raise injured part above heart level if possible.
• Tourniquet (Last Resort): For severe, uncontrollable bleeding when medical help is delayed.

First Aid Cases: Fracture

• Immobilize: Do not straighten; use splint/sling to prevent movement.
• Apply Cold Pack: Reduce swelling and pain.
• Seek Medical Attention: Transport to medical facility immediately.

First Aid Cases: Object in the Eye

• Do Not Rub: Instruct person not to rub eye.
• Flush with Water: Gently flush eye with clean, lukewarm water for several minutes.
• Seek Medical Attention: If object still present.

First Aid Cases: Unconsciousness

• Check for Breathing and Pulse: If not breathing, start CPR.
• Recovery Position: If breathing/pulse present, place in recovery position to prevent choking.
• Call for Help: Immediately call emergency services.

First Aid Cases: Swallowing Poison

• Call for Medical Help Immediately: Contact poison control or emergency services.
• Do Not Induce Vomiting: Unless specifically instructed by medical professionals.
• Identify Poison: Provide substance information to emergency services.

First Aid Cases: Snake Bite

• Keep Calm and Still: Slow spread of venom.
• Wash the Bite: Gently with soap and water.
• Immobilize: Bitten limb, keep below heart level.
• Seek Medical Attention: Immediately transport to medical facility. Do not apply tourniquet or suck venom.

First Aid Cases: Stings (Insect)

• Remove Stinger: Gently scrape out with fingernail/credit card.
• Clean Area: Wash with soap and water.
• Apply Cold Pack: Reduce swelling and pain.
• Monitor for Allergic Reaction: Watch for difficulty breathing, swelling of face/throat, dizziness; seek immediate medical attention if present.