Saturday, August 11, 2012

Aid Techniques Everybody Should Know

Accidents do not come with a warning sign, they just happen. In situations when there are emergencies and accidents, the situation is usually chaotic and there is a lack of leadership. At such times, taking control of the situation is very tough and more harm is possible if the right steps are not taken at the right time. Be it your workplace, the school you study in, the vacation you are on or just a regular day to the grocery market, emergencies can come up anytime and anywhere and you should have the appropriate know-how to deal with such situations so that the situation doesn't get out of control. One of the most important things you need to know for handling situations better is the knowledge of first aid tips that you can use and how to implement them when the need arises. Here are a few of those techniques people of all age-groups must know.
Burns are very painful and intense and can cause a lot of damage if not handled with proper care. The intensity of the damage depends on the severity of the burn which can be determined by the look of the area. If the burnt part of the body is slightly red with swelling, then it is a 1st level burn, however if the 2nd layer of the skin is also burnt and the color of the skin is deep red, the burn might be more severe. For minor burns, keep the affected area under cold running water for around 5 to 6 minutes. Remember, ice and ointment directly on the wound is a bad idea and cold water is the best first aid. Also, do not try to use things like butter and toothpaste as they can damage the skin further. If the wound is severe, look for medical assistance immediately.
Another very dangerous situation you might yourself into, is the stoppage of breathing and problems in breathing. This can happen due to various reasons and you might have to perform CPR or Cardiovascular Pulmonary Resuscitation on the person to bring back his breathing. It is advisable that you take a first-aid training course for effective CPR technique, but here are the few basic steps that are used in CPR. The first thing you should do when in such a situation is, call for medical help and then get down to work. Start by trying to wake up the victim and see if he or she is breathing properly. IF not, begin the chest compression by keeping your hands by their heels on the person's chest and pressing it to facilitate the blood circulation. When you compress the chest, do it for 2-5 inches and let the chest recoil before you do it again. Do it continuously at regular intervals (100 contractions per min.). Rescue Breathing is the next step but it can only be executed if the person has been trained in CPR.
Bleeding is a common injury that people face in their everyday lives. Bleeding can happen through cuts because of sharp objects or other accidents. When there is bleeding, make sure the person lies down so that the direction of the blood is towards the brain. Place a clean gauge or cloth over the wound and apply pressure on the area till the bleeding stops. If the cut is more than 1.5 inches deep, seek medical help immediately.

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