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| Life lessons - Essential First Aid information for the home |
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Would you know what to do if a medical emergency occurred in your home? Cut out this first aid guide and keep it somewhere safe and easily accessible – it could save a life. How to treat burns If someone has burnt themselves… 1 Immediately cool the area under running water for at least ten minutes while gently removing any jewellery, watches or clothing from the area before it begins to swell. 2 Cover the burn with clean, non-fluffy material to protect from infection – a clean plastic bag or loose cling film make good dressings. 3 If you’re at all concerned, you should seek medical advice especially if the casualty is elderly or a child or baby, however small or minor the burn. 4 If it’s severe, call an ambulance while you’re cooling the burn and treat for shock; raise the legs if possible, and keep the casualty warm, comfortable and reassured until help arrives. How to treat poisoning Poisons can be swallowed, absorbed through the skin, inhaled, splashed into the eyes, or injected. Symptoms can develop within minutes, hours or days. In most cases medical aid will be required. 1 In all cases, try to identify what the poison is. Seek medical help and give as much information about the poison as possible. 2 If the casualty has swallowed a poison, never induce vomiting. If their lips are burned, give them small sips of cold water or milk. 3 If the skin has been burnt by chemicals, flood with water for at least 20 minutes while removing any contaminated clothing. 4 If the eye has been affected, flush it gently using running water for ten minutes. Get the casualty to hold a sterile dressing or clean, non-fluffy pad over the injured eye. How to treat nosebleeds 1 Your priority is to control bleeding and make sure it doesn’t affect breathing. 2 Sit the person down and tilt their head forward, allowing the blood to drain, and pinch the soft part of the nose for ten minutes. 3 If bleeding continues, repeat this twice more – but if it hasn’t stopped, then take them to hospital. 4 Stop them from speaking, coughing or spitting, which could make the bleeding worse. Once bleeding has stopped, gently clean around the nose. How to treat fractures 1 Give lots of comfort and reassurance to the casualty and persuade them to stay still. Do not move them unless you have to. 2 Steady and support the injured limb with your hands to stop any movement. 3 If there is bleeding, place a clean pad over the wound to control the flow of blood. Then bandage around the wound to hold the pad in place. 4 If you suspect a broken leg and the ambulance is not expected to arrive quickly, put padding between the knees and ankles. Form a splint (to immobilise the leg further) by gently, but firmly, bandaging the good leg to the bad one at the knees and ankles, then above and below the injury. If it is an arm that is broken, improvise a sling to support the arm close to the body. 5 Call for an ambulance. 6 Do not give the casualty anything to eat or drink in case an operation is necessary. 7 Watch out for signs of shock such as pale, cold, clammy skin, shallow breathing, weakness and dizziness, and nausea. Keep them warm by covering their body with a blanket. How to treat choking 1 Encourage the casualty to cough. If this doesn’t clear the obstruction, support their upper body with one hand and help them lean forward 2 Give up to five sharp back blows between their shoulder blades with the heel of your hand 3 If the obstruction has not cleared, stand behind them and put both arms around the upper part of the abdomen 4 Clench your fist and place it between the navel and the bottom of her breastbone 5 Grasp your fist firmly with your other hand 6 Pull sharply inwards and upwards up to five times 7 If this doesn’t clear the obstruction repeat backslaps and abdominal thrusts up to three times 8 If it still hasn’t cleared, call for emergency help. Continue until help arrives. How to treat bites and stings 1 If a sting is visible, carefully scrape it off sideways with your fingernail or a credit card – but never use tweezers. 2 There will probably be redness and swelling around the sting, so raise the affected part of the body and apply an ice pack wrapped in a clean cloth. 3 After stings to the throat or mouth there’s a chance that swelling could block the airway. To minimise this, give the casualty an ice cube to suck or a cold glass of water to sip. 4 If you notice swelling to the face or neck or difficulty breathing, call for an ambulance immediately. |
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