FIRST AID

First aid sometimes referred to as EMERGENCY AID is the first skilled [acceptable] Assistance given to a victim (sick or injured) on the occurrence of accident or sudden illness in order to preserve life, prevent further injury and relive suffering until qualified medical care is available.

To be effective at any form of true first aid you need to obtain some training or instruction. Think of the first time you applied a plaster, bet you can open them and put it on better now. Bear in mind how basic a plaster in a wrapper is, you get better at using them by experience and maybe reading these instructions. Now think of first aid (or Emergency aid); a bit harder isnt it, and that is why you need instruction. The following basic first aid instructions are designed to assist you in learning the skill. First aid is an application of skills and techniques, in a logical and prioritised sequence. You need to learn first aid as you will not be able to guess the priorities. You can say first aid is just common sense, but it is so much more. A basic first aid manual can literally be a life saver, and will be worth its weight in gold (to coin an old phrase). For a very small cost, you can own a manual that will help in everyday life, and accidents

happen to members of our families, so it would be nice to have your own handy little volume in the house.

With clear laid out instructions, and colour coded for convenience, and speed of reference, this site basic-first-aid-instructions.com will provide compact and concise instructions but will take you through from a minor cut, or headache, through to how to handle the primary stages of a heart attack, or life threatening accidents. With these instructions, you will have an understanding of what is needed, to deal with many emergency situations. It is the responsibility of everybody to learn this vital skill, why always hope someone else will help. BE THE ONE THAT HELPS. BE THE ONE THAT KNOWS. The neighbour cuts their foot, you can give first aid. Your friend faints, you can give first aid. Granny has a heart attack, you can give first aid. Basically, with your timely application of First aid, you can SAVE THEIR LIFE. First aid is vital, and in a few short moments you can start learning this invaluable skill by studying these following basic first aid instructions. 1. 2. 3. To Preserve life To Prevent deterioration To Promote recovery

SCOPE OF FIRST AID The scope of first aid is to apply a consistent set of standards, and treatment, in a logical order. Victim assessment by a first aider is to identify injuries, treat, and transport victims. First aid needs to be methodical, practical and prioritised. In this site, we will go through in a systematic way, starting at the highest priorities and working towards the minor ailments and injuries. ASSESSMENT: This is the way we decide on the primary problems, a victim is suffering from. To do this in a methodical way we use a system known as Primary and Secondary survey. This is vital and should be used in all emergency situations so you will not forget. Victims have to be dealt with in a methodical prioritised fashion. DIAGNOSIS: This is the way of finding out the state of the casually, this is made on the basis of the signs, symptoms and history of the condition. SIGNS: Signs of a condition are the physical variation from normal, which can either be seen, felt, smelt or heard.

Signs that can be seen include; Irregular or unnatural movements Swelling Tenderness Bleeding Discoloration Bleeding and wounds Broken bones in the case of open fracture Deformity etc.

Signs which can be felt include; High or low body temperature Deformity Dampness etc.

Signs which can be smell include Smell of alcohol Odour of Acetone (pear drops) Smell of burns Smell of solvents such as kerosene Smell of fumes, etc.

Signs which can be heard include; Crepitus [grating bones] Noisy breath Speech, etc

SYMPTOMS: Symptoms of a condition are the feelings or sensation which the victim experiences. The victim sometimes may complain of these feelings. Examples of symptoms are: Pain Anxiety Thirst Dizziness Weakness Nausea Heat Cold Headache etc.

HISTORY: History is any information relating to an incident/accident or illness. This information can be obtained by asking questions related to the incident from the victim [if conscious], or from a passer-by or from those who witness the incident. Remember history should include prior to the incident as well. This is important, as if the victim has a pre-existing illness, it may change the treatment regimen you adopt. The sources of history are not only from the victim, victim or those who witness the incident. Other sources of history include; clues such as objects or note found at the spot of incident, medical cards, etc. TREATMENT: This is a method that is intended to Preserve life, Prevent deterioration (further injury), and Promote recovery (relieve suffering). Proper and adequate first aid or treatment should be given to each condition methodically in order of priority. The order of priority of condition when giving first aid in cases of multiple injuries or victims is as follows; Breathing Bleeding Burns scalds and wounds Broken bones [fracture] Other conditions

DISPOSAL: This means the transportation of a victim, after proper and adequate first aid, or treatment has been given. Victims must be properly transported to the nearest medical centre or hospital, if necessary, for definitive treatment. It is not always necessary to transport victims to the hospital, such as in the case of minor injuries or cases, sometimes victim may, just be left alone (at rest) or needed to be escorted home for proper rest. Be careful though, for example, should a person cut themselves in a non clean environment (say the garden) they will need to have their Tetanus immunisation reviewed, and could require a booster injection. No first aid manual or site would be complete without a section on resuscitation. So this will be explored early on, as a person requiring resuscitation is in immediate danger of death. If a person has a severe break to a leg or arm, it is no use to bandage and immobilise this if they are not breathing or do not have circulation. It is therefore necessary to use an order of priorities, consistently, to avoid problems. A nicely strapped up broken limb is no use to a person if they die whilst in your care. We will discuss the primary and secondary survey technique to ensure mistakes are not made. GOLDEN RULES OF FIRST AID Do the first thing first; this includes assessing the situation for any immediate danger, quickly and methodically without panicking, giving priority to the most urgent situation / condition. Remove the victim from the cause of injury or the cause of injury from the victim.

Resuscitate the victim, if necessary and carry out general treatment of unconsciousness. Loosen all tight clothing or materials around the victims neck waist, wrist, etc. Arrest bleeding, cover all wounds, burns or scalds and immobilize all fractures. Do not allow people to crowd a victim and do not move a victim unless you really have to (dangerous environment, risk of falling debris, explosion etc) Reassure the victim and get help as soon as possible Improvise all necessary materials, which are not readily available. Guide against or treat for shock Dispose/transport the victim properly.

IMPORTANT NOTE!!!!!!!!!!!! First aid is an application of skills to Preserve life, Prevent deterioration and Promote recovery. It is a vital skill, that requires learning Golden rules of First aid includes Safety first, perform tasks in a logical order.

Common Ailments/Injuries in Children Across all ages medication poisoning was the single highest cause of injury, peaking at from 18 through 35 months. Back Pain : In a recent study, 1178 school children were surveyed and back pain was found to be cumulatively prevalent in more than 50%. Adolescents who participate in sports experience a higher incidence of back problems due to the excessive spinal loading which accompanies most sports. Similar to adults, chiropractors obtain excellent results treating back pain in children and adolescents. Chiropractic care in children and adolescents is safe, effective, and focuses on treating the cause of their discomfort rather than masking symptoms. Many of our most satisfied patients are children and Headache: Headaches are a common problem in children and adolescents. A study published in the journal Headache reported that the prevalence of headaches in schoolchildren aged 7 was over 50% (forheadaches occurring in the preceding 6 months). Chiropractic spinal adjustments have been compared for effectiveness in treating headaches with the commonly prescribed drug, amitriptyline. The results of the

study identified chiropractic adjustments as providing long term reductions in headache intensity and frequency, as well as lowering the need to take overthecounter medications to treat headache symptoms. Additionally, 82% of those taking amitriptyline reported side effects versus only 4% in the chiropractic group. Scoliosis: is the lateral deviation of the spine and affects not only adults, but more commonly affects children and adolescents. Prevalence 4% of children aged 1014 have detectable scoliosis. 6080% of those affected are girls. Types Infantile Infantile scoliosis is a lateral spine deviation occurring during the first 3 years of life and is twice as common in males. Approximately 7497% resolve on their own but those that do progress do so in a severe and disabling manner. This condition is, however, rare in North America. Juvenile Juvenile scoliosis refers to scoliosis occurring in children aged 3 until the age of puberty approximately 10 years of age. Juvenile scoliosis can continue to progress in severity, and thus, monitoring every 36 months with radiographs is required. Continual monitoring is performed through adolescence because of the high risk of progression. If progression occurs without appropriate treatment severe spinal deformity and cardiovascular compromise can result. Adolescent - Adolescent scoliosis is scoliosis detected in those who have reached puberty but have yet to reach adulthood. This is the most common type of idiopathic scoliosis (unknown cause). Like juvenile scoliosis, adolescents should be monitored until spinal maturity is reached to prevent possible progression and future health problems. Black Eye: The common black and blue mark linked with any bruise is particularly evident when it surrounds the eye. The dark purplish circle, commonly called a black eye, signals a bleeding injury and will last a little more than the discoloration you see in a black eye is actually blood in the tissues beneath the skin. No skin is cut, but tiny blood vessels under the skin break and bleed. As the injury heals, the blood is eventually absorbed by the body. During healing, the bruised area will turn green and then yellow. The bruised area may move down the side of the face, a sign that gravity is pulling on the blood. When a fist causes a black eye, the damage is likely limited and will heal with a little selfcare. When something harder causes the black eye a bat, for example you should be concerned about a more serious injury. Occasionally, a black eye can signal a skull fracture, a broken facial bone, or a serious eye injury; these problems require immediate

medical attention. An eye injury that is not treated by a physician can lead to glaucoma or impaired vision. Bruises: Bruises form when blood cells seep from injured veins into surrounding skin tissue. Basically they are sores that don't break the skin. Newer bruises usually appear black and blue. As they heal they may look green and yellow. Most bruises are caused by a sufficiently hard blow to break blood vessels in the skin and/or deeper tissues (muscles and bone). Some medications, such as anticoagulants and aspirin, can cause people to bruise more easily. Self Care Steps for Bruises Apply ice and firm pressure to the bruised area as quickly as possible. This helps veins constrict, reducing the flow of blood into the skin tissue and minimizing the bruise. Elevate and rest the bruised area. Sprains and Strains Sprains: are stretched or torn ligaments. Ligaments connect bone to bone and bone to cartilage, and help hold joints together. Any joint can be sprained, but sprains occur most commonly at the ankle, knee, finger, or wrist. Symptoms include swelling, pain, and bruising. What to Do - Treat with the RICE method for at least 72 hours, or until swelling begins to decrease. Self care is usually sufficient to treat a mild sprain. However, more severe sprains may require that a health care provider apply a cast or a splint to the joint. Strains: is also known as a pulled muscle or muscle tear, and is caused by forcing a muscle past its normal range of motion. Strains most often occur in the middle of the muscle. Symptoms include pain, swelling, muscle spasm, and limited movement. What to Do - In most cases, you can successfully treat a strained muscle by icing and massaging it and gently stretching it 3 to 5 times a day. However, if a muscle is severely torn, it may need to be repaired surgically. Scrapes and cuts When a child gets a scrape or cut, the flow of blood can make even a minor cut look like an emergency. The most important step in treating and evaluating the seriousness of a wound is stopping the blood flow, says the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Minor injuries should stop bleeding after a few minutes. To treat the injury, press a clean, soft cloth against the wound for several minutes and raise the injured part to stop the bleeding. Then clean the area with warm water. Use a mild soap around the perimeter of the wound to clean dirt and debris off the surrounding skin, which may help prevent infection. You may want to use a cream or ointment containing an antibacterial

medication. Place a small amount on the wound and apply a clean bandage after the bleeding has stopped. Change the dressing periodically. Strains and sprains Muscle strains and sprains may be difficult to assess because the damage is on the inside, the AAP says. Generally, a strain is when the muscle has stretched too far and partially tears. It can appear bruised, and pain, soreness, and swelling can develop several hours after the incident. A sprain is a more serious injury that may involve the tearing of ligaments. With a sprain, the injured area usually swells immediately, and swelling may be accompanied by acute pain. Sprains can take weeks to heal and can feel similar to a broken bone. If your child has a sprain or strain, immediately eliminate weight or pressure from the injured part. For general treatment, follow the RICE rule: Rest the injured part, apply ice or cold compresses several times a day to reduce swelling, wear a bandage or splint to compress the area to prevent swelling, and elevate the injured part so that its above the heart. This may help relieve soreness. Relieving the pain When treating injuries from sports and other activities, pain relievers can be helpful in soothing the child and reducing inflammation. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are pain relievers that are available over the counter and are generally safe with few side effects when given in the correct dosage, the AAP says. Both types of pain relievers come in liquid drops or chewable tablets that children can take easily. Ibuprofen, however, should not be given to children ages 6 months and younger. Be sure to read the directions on the package, and do not exceed the dosage or give doses too close together. Be cautious when giving these medications in conjunction with others. Don't give your child aspirin unless under direction from your child's health care provider. Aspirin may cause a serious condition called Reyes syndrome. For scrapes and cuts, you may want to use a topical antibiotic ointment that contains a mild pain relieving ingredient. Prevention Small injuries, cuts, and bruises are bound to happen to all kids. Although these injuries may be a part of growing up, you can take precautions to help prevent more serious mishaps. To avoid sprains and strains, have your child warm up and stretch before physical activity. This helps prepare the muscles to be more flexible and resilient to injury. To avoid serious cuts and scrapes, have your child wear the appropriate sports gear for the activity, such as a helmet when riding a bike or a helmet, elbow pads and knee pads when skating. It's also a good idea to keep a first aid kit on handjust in case an accident occurs.