IV. FIRST AID AND CASUALTY HANDLING
First Aid is the immediate treatment given to an injured person or someone that suddenly falls ill, before the arrival of medical personnel.
First Aid treatment is mostly rendered in a state of emergency. It involves careful application of accepted principles of treatment. using facilities available to the first Aider and within the short scene to the hospital.
Proper handling of causalities facilitate administration and reduces the chances of complications.
Note- Improper handling can worsen the victim's condition
First Aid treatment is mostly rendered in a state of emergency. It involves careful application of accepted principles of treatment. using facilities available to the first Aider and within the short scene to the hospital.
Proper handling of causalities facilitate administration and reduces the chances of complications.
- Every road user is expected to have basic knowledge of First Aid
- First Aider must have aid kit and be able to improvise when necessary (i.e. getting things from the immediate environment to replace the item needed. E.g. part of clothing for bandages, light woods for splints etc)
- Ensure that you are before proceeding on the First Aid i.e. leave hazardous location, remove battery terminals, put on hand gloves
- Follow the A, B, C categorization of traffic crash victims strictly
- Never assume the role of a doctor, evacuate victims to the hospital
- Make use of by-standers when necessary in transporting victims
Note- Improper handling can worsen the victim's condition
First Aid is aimed at:
- Saving Life
- Preventing injuries from becoming worse
- Promoting recovery by relieving pain as fast as possible
General Rules of First Aid
The first things to do in first aid procedure in order of importance are:
A. Remove the casualty from the danger or remove the danger from the casualty
B. Assess the victim and treat the most urgent casualties at an accident scene.
There are four categories of casualties:
D. Give artificial respiration ( mouth to mouth, or mouth to nose respiration) for casualties with breathing problems.
E. Restore the functioning of the heart by instituting the principle of external cardiac massage (chest compression) if heart has stopped working.
F. Guard against shock by stopping severe bleeding and pains.
G. Reassure the victim to give him confidence of recovery from whatever condition he/she may be in
H. Control the crowd, keep them away to ensure adequate supply of fresh air and prevent them from inciting causalities
I. Do not give the casualty anything to eat or drink
J Handle casualty properly in a case of suspected fracture of the spinal cord . DO NOT LIFT casualty alone until there are enough helpers (four to six persons)
K. Transport the casualty to the hospital or any nearby medical center without delay
A. Remove the casualty from the danger or remove the danger from the casualty
B. Assess the victim and treat the most urgent casualties at an accident scene.
There are four categories of casualties:
- Casualties with life threatening conditions such as cessation of breath, or circulation of blood and the unconscious.
- Casualties with serious injuries, head and spinal cord injuries and casualties with impelled objects
- Casualties with fractures, minor injuries, bruises and scald
D. Give artificial respiration ( mouth to mouth, or mouth to nose respiration) for casualties with breathing problems.
E. Restore the functioning of the heart by instituting the principle of external cardiac massage (chest compression) if heart has stopped working.
F. Guard against shock by stopping severe bleeding and pains.
G. Reassure the victim to give him confidence of recovery from whatever condition he/she may be in
H. Control the crowd, keep them away to ensure adequate supply of fresh air and prevent them from inciting causalities
I. Do not give the casualty anything to eat or drink
J Handle casualty properly in a case of suspected fracture of the spinal cord . DO NOT LIFT casualty alone until there are enough helpers (four to six persons)
K. Transport the casualty to the hospital or any nearby medical center without delay
AIRWAY- is he breathing?
If he does not reply to questions and not breathing, then:
Loosen any tight clothing around his chest or neck
Check to see if there is any blockage in his mouth or windpipe. Clear out if possible
Carefully tip the head backwards placing one hand under the neck and the other under the head.
Bring thejaw forward so that the tongue is not blocking the airway
If the victim does not start to breath normally, you will need to give the "kiss of life"
Loosen any tight clothing around his chest or neck
Check to see if there is any blockage in his mouth or windpipe. Clear out if possible
Carefully tip the head backwards placing one hand under the neck and the other under the head.
Bring thejaw forward so that the tongue is not blocking the airway
If the victim does not start to breath normally, you will need to give the "kiss of life"
The Kiss of Life
Keep his head tilted backwards and pinch his nostrils with your thumb and index finger.
With the other hand, take hold of his chin and open his mouth. Take a deep breath and place your mouth over his.
Breathe out slowly into his mouth, His chest should rise
Take your mouth away, his chest should fall
Take another deep breath.
Repeat about every second until the victim starts to breathe normally.
DONT GIVE UP! It may take some time for him to be able to breathe on his own.
NOTE: Use a clean cloth or handkerchief to cover your mouth while breathing into the victim's mouth.
With the other hand, take hold of his chin and open his mouth. Take a deep breath and place your mouth over his.
Breathe out slowly into his mouth, His chest should rise
Take your mouth away, his chest should fall
Take another deep breath.
Repeat about every second until the victim starts to breathe normally.
DONT GIVE UP! It may take some time for him to be able to breathe on his own.
NOTE: Use a clean cloth or handkerchief to cover your mouth while breathing into the victim's mouth.
BLEEDING
If the victim is bleeding heavily, undertake arterial bleeding control by putting pressure points or by use of tourniquet, which is tying a bandage immediately below the wound, making sure it is only tight enough to allow the insertion of the little finger under it, so as not to restrict ļ¬‚ow of blood to the extremities which could cause gangrene.
owever, if the bleeding is not heavy, use your hand to apply pressure over the wound using a gauze, clean cloth or handkerchief for 5-10 minutes.
Additionally, raise the bleeding site above heart level if it is a limb.
owever, if the bleeding is not heavy, use your hand to apply pressure over the wound using a gauze, clean cloth or handkerchief for 5-10 minutes.
Additionally, raise the bleeding site above heart level if it is a limb.
CONSCIOUSNESS- Is he conscious?
If he is breathing and answers questions, then - Lie the victim on his back and keep him warm.
If he is breathing but does not answer questions, then - Put him in the recovery position to stop him choking on his own blood, tongue or vomit.
Ensure the victim's blood is discreetly handled so that it does come in direct contact with your blood.
If he is breathing but does not answer questions, then - Put him in the recovery position to stop him choking on his own blood, tongue or vomit.
Ensure the victim's blood is discreetly handled so that it does come in direct contact with your blood.