Saving lifes by performing first aid

This is the first intervention given to a casualty during sudden illness/sustained injury or physiological distress due to choking,heart attack,allergic reactions,drugs or other medical emergencies using the available materials before he/she handed over to a more qualified personnel i.e doctor,nurse or E.M.T[Emergency medical technician].It is usually performed by non-experts but a trained personnel to a sick or injured person until definitive medical treatment can be accessed although certain self-limiting illnesses or minor injuries may not require further medical care past the first aid intervention.It generally consists of a series of simple and sometimes potentially life-saving techniques that can be performed with minimal equipment.

Key aims of first aid

The key aims of first aid is generally summarized into three key points namely:

1.To preserve or save life and minimize the threat of of death.

2.To prevent further harm or prevent the condition from worsening or danger of further injury covering both external factors of the patient for example moving a patient away from any cause of harm and applying first aid techniques to prevent worsening of the condition such as applying pressure to stop a bleed becoming dangerous.

3.To promote recovery- First aid involves trying to start the recovery process from illness or injury.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF A FIRST AIDER

1.To assess situation as quickly and safely and summon appropriate help.

2.To protect casualties and others at the scene from possible danger.

3.To identify as far as possible the injury or nature of illness affecting a casuality.

4.To give each casualty appropriate treatment ,treating the most serious conditions first.

5.To arrange casualty`s removal to hospital.

 CONTENTS OF A FIRST AID BOX.

–First aid manual                                                                                                                  

–Sterilized dressings                                                                                                                                                            -Adhesive tape

-Safety pins

-Eye patches

-Antiseptic wipes or soap

-Disposable gloves

-Scissors

-Adhesive bandages/plaster

 Emergency blanket

-Barrier devices such as pocket mask or face shield

-Thermometer

-Plastic tweezers

-Sterile eye and gauze pads

-Goggles

-Apron

-Medication such as painkillers,topical medications