Life is uncertain. No matter how healthy we apparently are, everything can turn topsy-turvy with a heart attack, a burn, a fracture or a venomous bite. However, before one is taken to a health centre, timely intervention through first aid can minimise danger: Here’s guide on how to play the doctor and save a life :
Heart Attack Symptoms :
l Pain, discomfort or squeezing at the centre of the chest.
l Pain radiating to sholder(s), neck, back, arm(s) or jaw.
l Stabbing chest pain.
l Palpitations
l Shortness of breath.
l Nausea, vomiting or severe indigestion.
l Sweating for no apparent reason.
l Dizziness and weakness.
First Aid
Make the victim lie down.
Call an emergency ambulance service.
Take an Aspirin dissolved in a glass of water.
Place a sorbitrate under the victim’s tongue check whether the victim is breathing. If not, start artificial respiration. The procedure is :
Tilt the head back and lift up the chin. Close nostrils by pinching them together. Take a deep breath and seal your mouth over the victim’s. Breathe slowly into the person’s mouth - it should take about two second to adequately inflate the chest. Do this twice. Check whether the victim’s chest is rising as you breathe in. If there is resistance, try to hold the head back further and lift the chin again. Repeat the procedure untill help arrives or the person starts breathing again.
Burns
Mild burns can be treated with ointment or spray.
Cool the burnt area with running water for several minutes.
Never apply butter or oil on any burn.
Over the counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be used on a mild burn.
Burns on the face and neck can sometimes swell to cause difficulty in breathing and restrict blood flow. In such a case, call ambulance immediately.
While the burn is healing, wear loose natural clothing such as silk or light cotton. Get emergency medical help if the victim experience dizziness, confusion, weakness, fever or chills, shivering or cold sweats.
CUTS
Minor cuts should be cleaned with water avoid soap.
Remove dirt or debris in the wound apply antibiotic ointment.
Dress the wound.
Change dressing daily.
Apply gentle pressure if bleeding persists.
Consult a doctor in case of delayed healing of wounds, pus discharge and fever.
Points to note :
Do not clean a major wound
Do not remove deeply lodged debris
Do not breathe on an open wound
Do not push back exposed body parts.
Fracture
l Find out how the accident occurred and the location of the injury.
l Check the pulse. If pulse is not found on arms or legs, the injury requires immediate surgical care.
l Lightly squeeze the fingers or toes near the injury if you are sure those digits are unaffected. Ask the victim what he feels. Loss of sensation is a sign of nerve or spinal damage. In such a case, do not move the victim, get medical assistance immediately. Do not let the victim move until medical help arrives.
l Check for nerve damage by asking the victim to wiggle fingers or toes near the injured region. If the fingers or toes are injured, do not let the victim move them.
l If bone is protruding, cover with clean cloth once bleeding is controlled.
l Do not massage the affected area or straighten broken bone.
Do not move the victim without supporting the broken bone. Don’t move joints above or below the fracture and avoid giving the victim oral liquids or foods.
Poisons and Bites
Animal Bite :
l Wash area with mild soap and warm water for five minutes to remove foreign matter.
l Use pressure to stop bleeding
l If the wound is swollen, apply ice wrapped in a towel for 10 minutes.
l Cover wound with dressing or bandage.
l Insect bites and stings.
l Move to a safe area.
l Wash the area with soap and water.
Heart Attack Symptoms :
l Pain, discomfort or squeezing at the centre of the chest.
l Pain radiating to sholder(s), neck, back, arm(s) or jaw.
l Stabbing chest pain.
l Palpitations
l Shortness of breath.
l Nausea, vomiting or severe indigestion.
l Sweating for no apparent reason.
l Dizziness and weakness.
First Aid
Make the victim lie down.
Call an emergency ambulance service.
Take an Aspirin dissolved in a glass of water.
Place a sorbitrate under the victim’s tongue check whether the victim is breathing. If not, start artificial respiration. The procedure is :
Tilt the head back and lift up the chin. Close nostrils by pinching them together. Take a deep breath and seal your mouth over the victim’s. Breathe slowly into the person’s mouth - it should take about two second to adequately inflate the chest. Do this twice. Check whether the victim’s chest is rising as you breathe in. If there is resistance, try to hold the head back further and lift the chin again. Repeat the procedure untill help arrives or the person starts breathing again.
Burns
Mild burns can be treated with ointment or spray.
Cool the burnt area with running water for several minutes.
Never apply butter or oil on any burn.
Over the counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be used on a mild burn.
Burns on the face and neck can sometimes swell to cause difficulty in breathing and restrict blood flow. In such a case, call ambulance immediately.
While the burn is healing, wear loose natural clothing such as silk or light cotton. Get emergency medical help if the victim experience dizziness, confusion, weakness, fever or chills, shivering or cold sweats.
CUTS
Minor cuts should be cleaned with water avoid soap.
Remove dirt or debris in the wound apply antibiotic ointment.
Dress the wound.
Change dressing daily.
Apply gentle pressure if bleeding persists.
Consult a doctor in case of delayed healing of wounds, pus discharge and fever.
Points to note :
Do not clean a major wound
Do not remove deeply lodged debris
Do not breathe on an open wound
Do not push back exposed body parts.
Fracture
l Find out how the accident occurred and the location of the injury.
l Check the pulse. If pulse is not found on arms or legs, the injury requires immediate surgical care.
l Lightly squeeze the fingers or toes near the injury if you are sure those digits are unaffected. Ask the victim what he feels. Loss of sensation is a sign of nerve or spinal damage. In such a case, do not move the victim, get medical assistance immediately. Do not let the victim move until medical help arrives.
l Check for nerve damage by asking the victim to wiggle fingers or toes near the injured region. If the fingers or toes are injured, do not let the victim move them.
l If bone is protruding, cover with clean cloth once bleeding is controlled.
l Do not massage the affected area or straighten broken bone.
Do not move the victim without supporting the broken bone. Don’t move joints above or below the fracture and avoid giving the victim oral liquids or foods.
Poisons and Bites
Animal Bite :
l Wash area with mild soap and warm water for five minutes to remove foreign matter.
l Use pressure to stop bleeding
l If the wound is swollen, apply ice wrapped in a towel for 10 minutes.
l Cover wound with dressing or bandage.
l Insect bites and stings.
l Move to a safe area.
l Wash the area with soap and water.