Let’s help, until more help is at hand.
Nothing is more agonizing than being a bystander, not being able to do anything to alleviate someone else’s pain and distress. Everything can be confusing and even frightening during an emergency, but a swift response can prevent things from getting worse. A first aider can deal with the situation promptly and effectively before a medical professional can offer treatment. Having some basic knowledge about various medical emergencies and knowing the steps you should take are very useful for everyone.
- How to give CPR
- Automated External Defibrillator
- Road Traffic Accident Victims
- Head Injury
- Heart Attack
- Stroke
- Domestic Fall
- Seizures
- Asthma Attack
- Food poisoning
- Bleeding due to injuries
- Burns
- Drug Overdose
- Epistaxis
- Choking
- Snake Bite
How to give CPR
CPR stands for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. CPR is a combination of techniques that are used when someone has stopped breathing, to try and keep the oxygen and blood flowing through the body. If CPR is given within the first few minutes of cardiac arrest, it can help keep someone alive until medical help arrives and improves the chances of survival. CPR can also be carried out as a first aid for drowning.
Scene Safety |
Check Responsiveness |
If a person is not responsive, Call 044 4000 6000 and Start CPR |
30 Chest Compressions |
Give two rescue breath, if possible |
Repeat Step 4 & 5, until and Ambulance arrives |
How to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
AED is a portable device that sends an electric shock through the heart in order to return it to its normal working state. AEDs are now being kept at airports, malls, and other public places. Knowing how to use a defibrillator can help when someone has a sudden cardiac arrest.
- Complete the CHECK and CALL steps
- As soon as an AED is available, turn it on and follow the voice prompts
- Remove clothing and attach pads correctly
- Remove all clothing covering the chest. If necessary, wipe the chest dry
- Place one pad on the upper right side of the chest
- Place the other pad on the lower left side of the chest, a few inches below the left armpit
- Note: If the pads may touch, place one pad in the middle of the chest and the other on the back, between the shoulder blades
- Plug the pad connector cable into the AED, if necessary
- Prepare to let the AED analyze the heart’s rhythm
- Make sure no one is touching the person
- Say, “CLEAR!” in a loud, commanding voice
- Deliver a shock, if the AED determines one is needed
- Make sure no one is touching the person
- Say, “CLEAR!” in a loud, commanding voice
- Push the “shock” button to deliver the shock
- After the AED delivers the shock, or if no shock is advised, immediately start CPR, beginning with compressions
Road Traffic Accident Victims
Road accidents can cause fatal injuries, and not many people know how to respond after calling for emergency help. Although it depends on the type of accident, First Aid can often mean the difference between life and death for a road accident victim. While waiting for the ambulance to arrive, it is important for citizens to know how to handle a road accident victim during the ‘golden hour’.
- Check the breathing and the pulse and have another bystander call for help immediately
- Check the victim’s mouth for any obstruction and clear the airway
- If the victim is unconscious and not breathing, start CPR right away
- Do not try to move the victim unless they are in any further danger
- Check injuries. Clean wounds by washing them with running water. Profuse bleeding can be stopped by applying direct pressure using a cloth.
- In case of fractures, do not press or move. If possible, use splints to support the fractured bones and joints.
- Reassure the victim and do not allow people to crowd around as fresh air is essential
Head Injury
A head injury is any trauma to the scalp, skull, or brain. It can range from a mild bump or bruise to a serious brain injury. Symptoms may include headache, dizziness, confusion, nausea, and loss of consciousness. Immediate medical attention is crucial, especially if there are signs of severe injury like prolonged unconsciousness or seizures.
Stay calm and encourage them to lie still. |
Check for symptoms like dizziness, headache, nausea, |
Apply ice if there’s a bump or swelling — use a cold pack |
Keep the head slightly elevated to help |
Avoid any vigorous activity. |
Watch for any worsening symptoms |
Heart Attack
A heart attack can happen when the blood supply to your heart gets disrupted. There are many causes and triggers for heart attacks. When you notice the warning signs of a heart attack, it is important to act quickly to improve the person’s chances of recovery.
Know your symptoms of Heart a ack: Shortness of breath, Sweating and Nausea, Rapid or irregular heartbeat Compressive pain or discomfort in upperbody, pain radiating to left
upper limb, jaw or back
Call an ambulance. |
Wait for help to arrive. |
Prepare to give CPR if the heart stops. |
|
Stroke
Seizures happen when there is an abnormal amount of electrical activity in the brain.There are many different types of seizures caused by a number of various health conditions. Severe seizures often result in loss of control, loss of consciousness, muscle spasms and violent shaking.
Know the symptoms of Stroke
Loss of balance |
Eyesight changes |
Drooping face |
Arm numbness or weakness |
Speech difficulty |
Time of onset of symptoms |
Stroke symptoms can come on suddenly, you need to “Act FAST”
- Call an ambulance immediately
- Help the person sit or lie down in a comfortable position
- Support their head and shoulders on pillows
- Loosen tight clothing and wipe away any secretions from their mouth
- Note the time you first saw symptoms and stay with the person until help arrives
Domestic Fall
Stay Calm and Keep the Person Still
Help the injured person stay calm and encourage them to lie still. Moving around can make the injury worse.
Approach the person carefully |
Check for responsiveness. |
Avoid moving the person. |
Look for injuries such as |
Seizures
Seizures happen when there is an abnormal amount of electrical activity in the brain.There are many different types of seizures caused by a number of various health conditions. Severe seizures often result in loss of control, loss of consciousness, muscle spasms and violent shaking.
Ease the person to the ground. |
Clear lots of space around the person, call for help, and time the episode. |
Place something soft underneath their head and support gently so that their head doesn’t bang on the ground. |
If possible, turn the person on his/her left side (recovery position). |
When the seizure ends, keep them in the same position and comfort them until the medics arrive. |
|
Asthma Attack
An asthma attack occurs when the airways in the lungs become inflamed and narrowed, making it difficult to breathe. Triggers can include allergens, exercise, cold air, and stress. Symptoms include shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness. Quick relief with an inhaler is often necessary, and severe cases may require emergency medical intervention.
Stay Calm and Reassure: |
Sit Them Up: |
Use a Reliever Inhaler: |
Call for Help: |
Continue Treatment: |
|
Food poisoning
The symptoms of food poisoning can range from mild to severe. This can be caused by a number of germs, toxins and chemicals in the contaminated food. Treating food poisoning depends on the source of contamination. Stomach cramp, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and general weakness are some common symptoms.
- Conduct an assessment and try to discover what the person ate before they developed signs of illness
- Make them drink adequate water, electral or ORS to avoid dehydration
- Do not use any anti-diarrheal medication without consulting the doctor
- If the symptoms get prolonged or become severe, seek medical help
Bleeding due to injuries
Most bleeding injuries are minor. But it can be life-threatening when a large vein or an artery is injured. The most common causes of blood loss are traumatic injuries like abrasions, cuts, puncture wounds etc
If it is a major or minor cut, wash the wound with clean water. |
Apply direct downward pressure on the wound or the cut to stop bleeding. |
If the injury is on a limb, keep the limb above heart level to help slow bleeding. |
Wash your hands before dressing the wound. Apply antiseptic cream and cover with bandages. |
Seek medical care if the wound continues to bleed or needs stitches. |
|
Burns
Burn or scald injuries can happen in many ways. The three most common causes are hot liquids, hot solids and flames. But there are also other causes like electricity, radiation and contact with chemicals etc.
Cool the burnt area with running tap water as quickly as possible. |
Remove tight clothing, jewellery, and other constrictive accessories before the area begins to swell. |
Cover the burn with a sterile material like cling film. |
Remove any unnecessary or tight clothing and call for emergency assistance. |
Drug Overdose
Overdoses can be mild or serious depending on the type of drug and the amount taken. Whether it is a prescribed medication or a recreational drug, overdose can sometimes prove to be fatal. Immediate attention and prompt care could be crucial in those situations.
- Check the person’s level of Reassure them if they are awake.
- Inquire the victim to identify the drug, the dosage and know the time when it was Look for any containers, syringes or needles that might help with identification and treatment
- Try to keep the patient awake/alert
- Remove any unnecessary or tight clothing and call for emergency assistance
Epistaxis
Epistaxis is bleeding from the nose, which can happen spontaneously or as a result of any trauma to the face. Nosebleeds can be serious and might require emergency care. Knowing the basics can help stop the nosebleed.
Person to sit down and slightly lean forward. This can prevent further bleeding. |
Use the thumb and index fingers to pinch the soft part of the nose and breathe through the mouth. |
Hold the position for 10–15 minutes. |
If bleeding continues or if re-bleeding occurs, seek emergency medical care. |
Choking
Choking can happen when someone’s airway gets blocked due to a piece of food, object or liquid in the throat. Most people would have experienced mild choking at some point in their lives. But choking can also be serious and life threatening.
- If the person is able to speak and cough, encourage them to cough and clear the blockage
- If the choking is severe, the person will not be able to cough it Stand behind them and give five firm back blows between the shoulder blades.
- Check if the blocking is If it persists, wrap your hands around the person’s waist and give abdominal thrusts.
- Perform CPR if the person becomes unconscious and call for emergency assistance
Snake Bite
Although most snakes aren’t dangerous to humans, all snake bites should be treated as potentially life-threatening. Snake bites can also cause severe allergic reactions in some people. So, one should call an emergency number immediately. But additionally, It’s good to know the proper first aid treatment when someone gets bitten by a snake.
Help the person to calm down and be as still as possible. This helps slow down the spread of venom. |
Put a firm pressure bandage over the area of the bite. |
Do not cut the wound or try to suck the poison out — this can be dangerous. |
Make sure that the wound is below heart level and wait for help to arrive. |
