THERE'S been an accident and you're first on the scene. It's the scenario that most of us dread – but we can all learn the basics.
Knowing first aid basics such as putting someone in the recovery position could save their life.
The first few minutes of a medical emergency are always critical, but nearly two thirds of us admit we wouldn’t know what to do.
First aid is something we should all know how to give – so familiarise yourself with these simple steps and you could make the difference between life and death.
A person collapses in the street
DO If they are unconscious, check their “ABC”, says Clive James. Airway – Ensuring there’s nothing in their mouth, lay them on their back, tilt their head backwards and lift their chin to open the airway.
Breathing – listen for breaths and look to see if their chest is moving. If it isn’t, get someone to call 999.
Circulation – If the person is not breathing, start CPR: with the heel of one hand and the other hand on top, press firmly on the breast bone (where the lower ribs meet in the
middle). Depress the chest by one third of its depth, then release.
Repeat 30 times at a rate of two compressions per second, then give two “rescue breaths”. Pinch their nose, take a big breath, cover their mouth with yours and breathe out. When their chest rises, remove your lips and repeat.
Continue with 30 compressions followed by two rescue breaths until they start breathing or help arrives. If they are conscious and have chest pain, sit them up with their back and knees supported in a comfortable position and reassure them until the ambulance arrives.
DON’T lie them down if you think they’re suffering from a heart attack – it makes it harder to breathe.
A toddler is found face-down in the pond
DO carry them out, still face-down, with their head slightly lower than their chest to allow water to drain from the airway – and ask someone to call 999.
“Check ABC and, if necessary, begin CPR. Start by giving five rescue breaths, then do rapid chest compressions with one hand in the centre of the chest,” says Clive James.
If the child is breathing, remove wet clothes, put them in the recovery position and cover them with a blanket.
DON’T assume they have recovered. Always call an ambulance, as they may suffer from “secondary drowning”, which occurs when the air passages swell up.
An elderly relative is slumped in their chair
DO think “FAST” (face, arms, speech and time). Ask them to smile and raise both arms, advises James. “If their face droops, if they can only raise one arm, or if their speech is slurred or hard to understand, call 999 immediately and explain to the operator that you suspect a stroke.
DON’T wait to see if things improve. Prompt action can prevent further damage to the brain.
Ad blocker detected: Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker on our website.
First aid tips for helping someone in an accident
- Kunle Emmanuel
- Webmaster
- Reactions:
- Posts: 3332
- Joined: Mon Jan 09, 2012 5:02 pm
- Years of practice: 20
- Location: Lagos
- Contact:
First aid tips for helping someone in an accident
Unread post by Kunle Emmanuel »
Together We Light Up The Profession one candle at a time.
- Kunle Emmanuel
- Webmaster
- Reactions:
- Posts: 3332
- Joined: Mon Jan 09, 2012 5:02 pm
- Years of practice: 20
- Location: Lagos
- Contact:
Re: First aid tips for helping someone in an accident
Unread post by Kunle Emmanuel »
Someone cuts their hand deeply
DO apply firm pressure with a clean cloth and raise their arm above their heart to reduce the bleeding. Continue to apply pressure until the bleeding is controlled and apply a dressing. If the cut is very deep and blood is flowing heavily, apply an extra dressing. Continue to apply pressure and get someone to drive you both to A&E.
DON’T remove the original dressing if blood seeps through. Just apply another dressing over the top.
On a meal out, a friend starts choking
DO Encourage them to cough, If this doesn’t remove the obstruction and they can’t speak, breathe or are going blue, they’re being deprived of oxygen.
Bend them over and slap sharply between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand up to five times. If that doesn’t work, try abdominal thrusts.
Stand behind them and place your fist between their navel and the bottom of their ribcage. Grasp your fist with your other hand and forcefully press inward and upward.
Repeat up to five times. If the blockage persists, ask someone to call 999 while you alternate back slaps and abdominal thrusts until the ambulance arrives.
DON’T put your fingers in their mouth to try and remove the object – you may push it further down the throat. And don’t make the person drink to try and flush the object down. This will only add to the obstruction.
DO apply firm pressure with a clean cloth and raise their arm above their heart to reduce the bleeding. Continue to apply pressure until the bleeding is controlled and apply a dressing. If the cut is very deep and blood is flowing heavily, apply an extra dressing. Continue to apply pressure and get someone to drive you both to A&E.
DON’T remove the original dressing if blood seeps through. Just apply another dressing over the top.
On a meal out, a friend starts choking
DO Encourage them to cough, If this doesn’t remove the obstruction and they can’t speak, breathe or are going blue, they’re being deprived of oxygen.
Bend them over and slap sharply between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand up to five times. If that doesn’t work, try abdominal thrusts.
Stand behind them and place your fist between their navel and the bottom of their ribcage. Grasp your fist with your other hand and forcefully press inward and upward.
Repeat up to five times. If the blockage persists, ask someone to call 999 while you alternate back slaps and abdominal thrusts until the ambulance arrives.
DON’T put your fingers in their mouth to try and remove the object – you may push it further down the throat. And don’t make the person drink to try and flush the object down. This will only add to the obstruction.
Together We Light Up The Profession one candle at a time.
- Kunle Emmanuel
- Webmaster
- Reactions:
- Posts: 3332
- Joined: Mon Jan 09, 2012 5:02 pm
- Years of practice: 20
- Location: Lagos
- Contact:
Re: First aid tips for helping someone in an accident
Unread post by Kunle Emmanuel »
Someone scalds their hand with boiling water
DO cool the burn under cold running tap water for at least 10 minutes, advises Clive James. Carefully remove jewellery or clothing from the affected area, unless it is stuck to the skin.
After cooling, cover the burn with a clean, non-fluffy dressing (a clean tea towel or freezer bag will do). Any burn or scald bigger than a postage stamp needs medical attention.
DON’T attempt to break blisters or apply adhesive dressings. They may tear the damaged skin when removed.
You witness an epileptic seizure
DO remove all potential hazards from the immediate area and put something soft under the person’s head so they can’t hurt themselves. Call 999, stay calm and simply watch over and reassure them.
Once the seizure is over, put them in the recovery position until the ambulance arrives, advises British Red Cross first-aid expert Joe Mulligan.
Lay them on their side, with one leg higher than the other so they can’t roll back or forwards. Then tilt their chin up to keep their airway open.
DON’T try to restrain them or put anything in their mouth. It could block the airway or damage their teeth and, if the jaw spasms, you could get bitten.
Source: express
DO cool the burn under cold running tap water for at least 10 minutes, advises Clive James. Carefully remove jewellery or clothing from the affected area, unless it is stuck to the skin.
After cooling, cover the burn with a clean, non-fluffy dressing (a clean tea towel or freezer bag will do). Any burn or scald bigger than a postage stamp needs medical attention.
DON’T attempt to break blisters or apply adhesive dressings. They may tear the damaged skin when removed.
You witness an epileptic seizure
DO remove all potential hazards from the immediate area and put something soft under the person’s head so they can’t hurt themselves. Call 999, stay calm and simply watch over and reassure them.
Once the seizure is over, put them in the recovery position until the ambulance arrives, advises British Red Cross first-aid expert Joe Mulligan.
Lay them on their side, with one leg higher than the other so they can’t roll back or forwards. Then tilt their chin up to keep their airway open.
DON’T try to restrain them or put anything in their mouth. It could block the airway or damage their teeth and, if the jaw spasms, you could get bitten.
Source: express
Together We Light Up The Profession one candle at a time.
-
- Similar Topics
- Replies
- Views
- Last post
-
-
Tips for Nurses on Zoom
Replies: 2by Kunle Emmanuel » Wed Sep 08, 2021 4:54 pm » in Nurse to Nurse Discussion - 2 Replies
- 1879 Views
-
Last post by kamsmithgs
Mon Apr 04, 2022 7:44 am
-
-
-
Top 5 tips for resume writing in 2023!
Last post by NurseTogether1 « Mon Jul 17, 2023 12:48 pm
Posted in Nursing Inspirations, Jokes, and Quotesby NurseTogether1 » Mon Jul 17, 2023 12:48 pm » in Nursing Inspirations, Jokes, and Quotes - 0 Replies
- 2444 Views
-
Last post by NurseTogether1
Mon Jul 17, 2023 12:48 pm
-
-
-
Few tips for Passing IELTS (Academic)
Replies: 13by Kunle Emmanuel » Mon Dec 02, 2019 7:39 am » in Continuous Education - 13 Replies
- 18525 Views
-
Last post by Kunle Emmanuel
Mon Jan 23, 2023 4:07 pm
-
-
-
Ten tips for Fresh Nursing Graduates
by Bolatito » Sun Sep 19, 2021 4:01 pm » in Student Nurses Discussion and News - 0 Replies
- 1820 Views
-
Last post by Bolatito
Sun Sep 19, 2021 4:01 pm
-
-
-
Tips To Retired But Not Tired Nurses
by Kunle Emmanuel » Fri Apr 21, 2023 11:34 am » in Retired Nurses - 0 Replies
- 1738 Views
-
Last post by Kunle Emmanuel
Fri Apr 21, 2023 11:34 am
-
Return to “Clinical Nursing Blog”
Jump to
- Announcements, Feedback & Support
- ↳ Welcome Message To All Visitors
- ↳ Announcement & Tutorial
- ↳ Forum Rules - Read Before Posting
- Nursing News
- ↳ Nursing Related News & Articles
- ↳ Nurse to Nurse Discussion
- ↳ General Health News
- ↳ Male Nurses
- ↳ Retired Nurses
- Jobs in Nursing and Healthcare
- ↳ Nursing Job & Recruitment
- MCPDP for Nurses & Midwives
- ↳ MCPDP for Nurses & Midwives
- ↳ Continuous Education
- Nursing Education
- ↳ Student Nurses Discussion and News
- ↳ Nursing Inspirations, Jokes, and Quotes
- Public Health Adviser
- ↳ Public Health Education
- ↳ Maternal & Child Health Education
- ↳ Sexual Health Education
- ↳ Public Discussion Forum
- Clinical Nursing Discussion
- ↳ Clinical Nursing Blog
- ↳ Specialty Nursing Discussion Forum
- ↳ Free Nursing e-Book
- ↳ MEDICAL EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS HD
- Nursing Digital Skill Empowerment Program
- ↳ Nursing Digital Skill Program
- Workplace Safety Forum
- ↳ Safety Health Enviroment SHE Topics
- Marketing Online
- ↳ Marketing Medical Products
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 13 guests