A basic guide on first aid during an emergency situation.
What to do when an emergency situation during your travel or you see a casualty along the way. Here’s a basic guide on first aid during an emergency situation.
Your priorities
- Assess the situation and never put yourself in danger. Remember that you are here to give help, not to become the casualty.
- Create a safe area, clear obstructions, and keep the airflow available.
- Assess all casualties and attend first to those that need treatment badly or to an unconscious casualty.
- Call for help as soon as possible and do not delay.
Check for response
Gently shake the casualty’s shoulder and ask loudly, “Hey are you Okay? “to check for a response. If there is no response, you should take these actions:
- Shout for help
- Open the airway
- Check for normal breathing
Remember the “ABC”
- A – Airway
Make sure that the casualty’s airway is not obstructed and is free.
- Place your hand on the casualty’s forehead and gently tilt the head back.
- Lift the chin with two fingertips.
2. B- Breathing
Check if the casualty is breathing, look at the chest movement if any, listen to the casualty’s mouth and feel the air on your cheek if he/she is breathing.
If the casualty is breathing normally:
- Place the casualty in the recovery position
- Call for help
- Check and assess for continued breathing.
If the casualty is not breathing normally:
- Call for help immediately
- Start chest compression
3. C- CPR
Start chest compression if the casualty is not breathing.
- Lean over the casualty and with your arms straight, press down on the canter of the breast bone 5-6 cm, then release the pressure.
- Repeat at a rate of about 100-120 times a minute.
- After 30 compressions open the airway again.
- Pinch the casualty’s nose closed and allow the mouth to open.
- Take a normal breath and place your mouth around the casualty’s mouth, making a good seal.
- Blow steadily into the mouth of the casualty while watching for the chest to rise.
- Remove your mouth from the casualty and watch the chest falling.
- Give a second breath and then start 30 compressions again without delay.
- Continue with the chest compressions and rescue breaths in a ratio of 30:2 until qualified help arrives and takes over or the casualty starts breathing normally.
Severe bleeding
If there is severe bleeding from the casualty apply the following;
- Apply direct pressure on the wound.
- Raise and support the injured part ( unless it is broken )
- Apply dressing on the wound and bandage firmly in place.
Broken bones and Spine Injuries
If the casualty is suspected to have broken bones or spinal injuries, get help from an expert and do not move the casualty unless they are in immediate danger
Burns
If the casualty has burns cool the affected area of the body with cold water until the pain is relieved. Cooling may take 10 minutes or more, do not delay the casualty and get to the hospital. Burns can be serious so if in doubt, seek medical attention. Certain chemicals may seriously irritate or damage the skin. Avoid contaminating yourself with the chemicals. Treat in the same way as for other burns but flood the affected area with water for 20 minutes. Continue treatment even on the way to the hospital, if necessary. Remove any contaminated clothing which is not stuck to the skin.
