Life is full of uncertainties in everyday activities. People can get hurt by almost anything around them. Some of the accidents can be quite severe. While carrying out the day-to-day operations, accidents such as burns, cuts, choking, heart attacks and dangerous wounds can arise. Someone can also drown in the water while swimming. Situations like this make it necessary for one to have knowledge of the art of administering first aid either to themselves or other people they come across. One can save a life by doing a simple but vital action.
First aid knowledge is paramount for travelers to have since they meet with many new people wherever they go. Some of these people may be suffering from severe conditions which only they know. In case anything happens to them and you happen to be close, your help could come in handy. First aid is intended to control the situation before medical assistance arrives.
Common Incidences that First Aid Can Solve
Burns rank as one of the most common accidents that happen in life. It comes as a result of the skin getting into contact with a hot substance or fire itself. The matter becomes dangerous depending on the affected area, the age of the person and the depth of the burn. After experiencing a burn, the skin develops blisters and is deformed according to the severity of the injury. If it does not get the necessary attention, the damage can result in infection. Other effects that may arise include internal injuries and difficulty in breathing, depending on the affected area. In case you come across a burn victim, the first reaction should be eliminating the source of heat from the person. If the injury is not severe, one should place the burnt part in cold running water to prevent it from spreading. The most important thing during treating wounds is not to break any blister. If the injury is serious, do not cover with cotton since it will stick to the wound.
Coming across a person who is hurt is also a typical incident. A wound is either a scratch or cut that is not bleeding too much and is not near a major blood vessel. There are also severe injuries that may expel a lot of blood. A wound is prone to infection no matter how small it might appear to be. If the person is not bleeding profusely, you should clean the wound with soap after ensuring that your hands are clean. One should then be cover the wound with a bandage and the victim should get tetanus injection if necessary. In case there is an object lodged in the wound, one should ensure they do not move it as it might result into hemorrhaging.
Helping a Person Who is Hurt
Hemorrhages occur when the body loses blood in large quantities for an extended period. Bleeding is a life threatening situation which should be controlled a fast as possible. If one comes across such a condition, it is critical to inform the emergency services immediately. To gain an upper hand on the situation, one should put pressure on the bleeding part using both hands. It is advisable to ensure that they wear medical gloves. If direct pressure on the wound is not working, one should put pressure on locations that guarantee the blood from the heart does not come out since it is high in pressure and oxygenated.
Choking is another accident that occurs many times. It occurs as a result of an unwanted object blocking the normal flow of air in the windpipe. It is common in children although adults at times experience it. It is necessary to carry out first aid as soon as the accident occurs to avoid death. To administer first aid, one should pat the victim with force on the back to make them cough to expel the object. If the victim is a child, the same method is employed but with considerable force.