FirstAid
Emergency phone: 911
(USA - replace with your own country and/or local emergency)
The 3 main aims of first aid, commonly referred to as the "3 Ps" are:
- Preserve life
- Prevent further injury
- Promote recovery (to the casualty, yourself or others)
First check if the person is responding to shake (ex. tap shoulder or feet) and sound. If there is no response, check the ABC's
The "ABC"s of first aid (or "3 Bs" in some countries):
- Airway (Breathing)
- Breathing (Bleeding)
- Circulation (Bones)
This means any first aider should first evaluate and attempt to treat problems with a casualty's airway. If the airway is open the first aider should then evaluate and attempt to treat problems with breathing followed by circulation (circulation of blood). Some instructors add a fourth step of "D" for Deadly Bleeds or Defibrillation. Variations on techniques to evaluate and maintain the ABCs depend on the skill level of the first aider. Once the ABCs are secured first aiders can begin more advanced treatments, if required.
(this note is part of the default data file)
If you are unsure and don't know what to do: CALL FOR HELP (Usa: 911) !
Most common mistake: people panic !
Second most common mistake: people don't know what to do !
These are related, and I therefore suggest that you do some research, learn basic first aid and create summaries in PpcSoft iKnow. ABC and CPR are the most important to know (and they are included in the FirstAid note).
Topics that should be considered (with example summary):
- heart attack (abc, cpr)
- drowning (abc, cpr)
- poison (call "Poison control center" - USA 1-800-222-1222)
- stop bleeding (direct pressure on wound, layers of gauze/towel etc, elevation)
- treating burns (cool small burn with running water (not ice))
- heatstroke (move person into cold/shade, cool person, drink cool water if possible)
- broken bones (stop bleeding, ice pack (indirect) to limit swelling)
- shock (do NOT leave casualty unattended, reassure constantly, lay down)
Research and copy the most important parts for you (depending on where you live, your environment, whether you have children etc) before an accident happens, and you'll be better prepared if anything happens.
This is also an opportunity to freshen your knowledge about first aid. There is a LOT of information available, and you should therefore try to extract the most useful parts for you in case of an emergency. Chances are that you won't be able to check your notes if an accident happens, but writing a brief summary and refreshing every now and then ensures that you are better prepared if anything should happen.
Either copy all tips into one note, or create a separate note for each (poison, heatstroke, heart_attack etc)
Set aside an hour to do some research, learn and create summaries; it could be the best investments you've ever made !
Links for more information (extract what you find most useful):
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_aid
- http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/accidents_firstaid/index.shtml
- http://firstaid.about.com/
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