7 Basic First Aid Tips You Need To Know
Knowing these basic first aid tips puts you in a good position to help someone out who is in dire need. The quicker a patient is treated, the better the outcome.
Being prepared, remaining calm, and knowing how to treat the symptoms are essential.
From plasters and bandages to knowing the location of the nearest defibrillator (AED), you should be ready for any emergency.
Whether you’ve received comprehensive training or not, there are still some basic actions you can take.
Basic First Aid Tips
Here are seven basic first aid tips everyone should know in case of emergency:
1. Always Be Prepared
Being prepared for emergency situations will allow you to remain calm and knowledgeable when an issue arises.
Make sure your first aid kit is fully equipped and that you know exactly where it is.
You should also regularly revise what you know about symptoms and how you can best treat them.
The more you know, the more your patient will trust you, and the more confident you’ll feel when faced with an emergency.
2. Assess The Area For Danger
Before helping the injured individual, you should check the surrounding area for danger. Putting yourself at risk won’t help anyone, so safety comes first.
Look for hazards such as moving vehicles or live electrical equipment. Once dangers have been assessed, you can proceed to help the victim.
3. Keep Calm And Seek Medical Help
If the medical issue in hand is a non-life-threatening issue, emergency services may not be required. If an injury requires full medical attention, however, your priority should be calling for medical aid.
The calmer you are, the cleaner and quicker your actions will be. The last thing your patient needs is you feeling obviously scared or incompetent, so offer them reassurance.
Your job is to keep them calm and breathing until an ambulance arrives.
4. Check The ABC
The ABC refers to Airways, Breathing, and Circulation. Making sure that airways aren’t blocked, particularly in unconscious patients, is a priority.
If the patient is conscious, you can put them gently in the recovery position, providing they haven’t suffered something like a spinal injury.
It’s important to check all the symptoms before making any decisions.
5. CPR And Defibrillator Shocks
Knowing how to kickstart a patient’s breathing using CPR could save a life. Being conscious of where the nearest defibrillator is located will also increase a patient’s chances of survival.
Workplaces and local councils can buy defibrillator equipment easily. If you come across an area without one, it’s worth petitioning for one to be purchased.
6. Bleeding, Burns, Scalds, And Sprains
Small burns (1st degree) can be run under cold water and treated with creams. With deep burning (2nd-4th degree), ointments should be avoided. If clothing is stuck to major burns, you shouldn’t attempt to pull it off.
Minor sprains can be eased with an ice pack. If the sprain is more painful, elevate the injured limb, and if you know how to bind it, you can do it.
Cuts and grazes can be quickly treated with disinfectant and plaster. Heavy bleeding can be eased by applying light pressure to the wound. You can also cover the injury with a cloth to prevent infection.
7. Coping With Allergic Reactions
Allergic reactions can be caused by stings, food, and other substances. Some reactions may only be mild, requiring tablets or pills, but some may be more dangerous.
Ask if the patient has an EpiPen on them. If so, you can administer a shot quickly, if you know how to do it.
Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction and an EpiPen is essential to treating the problem.
Now, these first aid tips can help you potentially save a life, but they do not replace professional training.
