It pays dividends when people know how to look after their health and well-being. They need to understand what anxiety is and how to manage it, and how to live a healthy lifestyle. In an emergency situation, it’s important to know what to do in order to help yourself or others. There are many advanced techniques in first aid that can save lives. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the most important ones that you should know about.
Helping People Who Can’t Stop Bleeding
If someone has a serious injury and is bleeding heavily, it’s important to control this. There are a few ways to do it:
- Apply firm pressure to this wound with a clean piece of cloth or bandage. If the bleeding doesn’t stop after ten minutes, seek medical help.
- If you can’t apply direct pressure, elevating the limb above the heart level will help slow down the blood flow.
- Only use a tourniquet if absolutely necessary, as it can cause permanent damage if not used properly. Place it about two inches above the wound and tighten it until the bleeding stops – then, seek medical help immediately.
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Whether they’re delivered at your workplace or specialist training venues, you can become qualified, requalified or refreshed in your medical expertise.
Helping People Who Are Choking
The most common cause of choking is food lodged in the throat or windpipe, which blocks the flow of air. Choking can also be caused by liquids, vomit, blood, or small objects. There are a few things you can do to help prevent this:
- Educate yourself and your family on the proper way to eat and chew food.
- Avoid eating while laughing or talking.
- Sit down when you’re dining and take your time.
- Be aware of any medical conditions that may make choking more likely, such as poorly-fitting dentures, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or a history of choking.
Here are a few specific things you can do to assist:
- Encourage them to cough.
- If they’re unable to do so, give them five back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.
- If that doesn’t work, try five abdominal thrusts (also known as the Heimlich maneuver).
- If the person loses consciousness, call 999 and start CPR.
Performing CPR
When someone has a cardiac arrest, their heart stops pumping blood around their body. It’s usually caused by an electrical problem in the heart, and it can happen to anyone at any time. CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) is an emergency life-saving procedure that’s used when someone’s breathing or heartbeat has stopped.
Chest compressions are needed to keep the blood moving around the body and to the brain. Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation is needed to get oxygen into the lungs. CPR can be performed by anyone, even if you have no medical training. It’s only effective if it’s started within a few minutes of the person’s heart stopping. You should call 999 for an ambulance and continue with chest compressions (or take turns with someone else). Do this until an ambulance arrives or the person starts to breathe on their own.
Treating People With Shock
If someone’s body isn’t getting enough blood flow, their tissues and organs won’t receive the oxygen and nutrients they need to function properly. Shock can be caused by things like major blood loss, an allergic reaction, heart attack, or severe infection. Here are some general signs that you should look for:
- Pale, cool, and clammy skin
- Rapid breathing and heartbeat
- Weak pulse
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sweating
- Anxiety or restlessness
Call 999 immediately and try to keep them calm and still. Elevate their feet about 12 inches off the ground, and loosen any tight clothing. Keep an eye on their symptoms and give emergency services any information about what’s happened and what you’ve done.
Treating People With Seizures
These are a sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain. They can cause changes in your behavior, movements or feelings, and in some cases, loss of consciousness or convulsions. It’s important to stay calm, keep them safe, and request medical help if necessary. Don’t try to restrain them, as this can worsen the situation. Instead, clear away any objects that could injure them and cushion their head if possible.
Turn the person onto their side once the seizure has stopped, and carefully remove anything from their mouth. Don’t try to force their mouth open or put anything into it. Once the seizure has subsided, help them sit up and comfort them if they’re confused/upset.
Treating Burns
Burns are a type of injury to the skin or other tissues that result from heat, cold, electricity, chemicals, friction or radiation. First-degree burns only involve the outer layer of skin, while second-degree burns involve the outer layer and the underlying skin layer. Third-degree burns extend through both layers of skin and may also damage muscles, bones and tendons.
Treatment for burns includes cool compresses, over-the-counter pain relievers and, in some cases, antibiotics. More severe burns may require hospitalization and skin grafts. If someone has a burn, seek medical attention immediately, and do the following:
- Cool this burn with cool water for at least five minutes – not using ice, as this can further damage the skin.
- Remove any jewelry or clothing that’s close to the burned area.
- Apply a sterile bandage or wrap to the burn.
- Give over-the-counter pain medication if needed.
- If someone has a severe burn or one that covers a large area of their body, you should call 999. These can lead to shock, and they’re a serious medical emergency.
These have been some advanced techniques for treating urgent medical issues. If you act wisely, you can stabilize a person’s condition and keep them safe until a medical professional arrives. In turn, they’ll have the best possible chance of making a full recovery.
