HCFI raises awareness about essential first aid skills

HCFI raises awareness about essential first aid skills

New Delhi, June 27, 2016: It is not uncommon for each one of us to face a situation where we are required to administer emergency first aid, and we have absolutely no idea what to do. There always exists potential for injury, illness, or sudden health emergency around us making basic first aid knowledge essential. While many situations may require no more than a Band-Aid, others are more serious and may even be life-threatening. Knowing what to do when an accident happens or when someone becomes suddenly ill can help ensure that minor injuries don’t develop into major medical conditions. More importantly, it can save a life. “Each and every person must learn basic and easy to follow first aid techniques for it can help save lives. Most people remain unaware that life-saving techniques such as hands-only CPR can bring a person back to life after suffering from a sudden cardiac arrest if performed up to 10 minutes after their death. Every minute counts and can reduce the chances of a person’s survival so acting swiftly is key. The technique can be learnt by anyone. People also often make injuries worse because they are not aware of how to deal with them. For instance, ice should never be applied on a burn. We at HCFI urge every person to undergo a basic first aid training course,” said Padma Shri Awardee Dr KK Aggarwal – President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Honorary Secretary General IMA. Common First Aid Situations Bleeding - If possible, cover wounds with clean bandages, and then apply direct pressure to the wound to control bleeding. Continue to put pressure on the wound till help arrives. In the case of minor wounds, the cut can be washed to remove dirt. However if the wound is bleeding heavily, do not wash it for if you do, all the clotting agents will get washed away making the wound bleed more. Head injury - If a person suffers a blow to the head, the brain can be shaken inside the skull. This is called a concussion. It tends to result in a short loss of consciousness (a few seconds to a few minutes). Most people make a full recovery from a concussion, but occasionally it may become more serious. If you think someone has a concussion, call an ambulance immediately. Do not also administer pain killers immediately for it may diminish the seriousness of the injury. In the case of a minor injury apply a cold press that will help reduce the swelling and reduce the pain. Burns – In a case of burns the most common mistake that people make is using ice on them. Ice, in fact, can make the burns worse. It is important to put the burnt part under running water till the burning stops. It is also important to never cover the burnt area. In cases of severe burns, the person should be rushed to the nearest medical facility. Ice, lotions, oil and butter, should not be applied to the burn. Shock - Symptoms of shock typically include pale, bluish skin that is cold to the touch, vomiting, and thirst. You cannot reverse shock with first aid, but you can prevent it from getting worse. Help maintain an open airway by keeping the victim on their back with their mouth slightly open, control obvious bleeding, and elevate the victim's legs about 12 inches if possible. Prevent loss of body heat by covering the victim in blankets. Do not administer any food or liquids, as this increases the risk of vomiting. Loss of Consciousness and Breathing Issues - If the victim appears to be unconscious, tap or shake them and ask loudly “Are you okay?” If the victim is breathing but unconscious, gently roll them onto their side (if possible) while keeping the head and neck aligned. If the victim is not breathing, perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) until help arrives. Nosebleed – One should not panic and should make the patient sit in an upright position with his head slightly forward. With one's thumb and index finger, pressure should be applied to the soft part of nostrils below the nose bridge until the bleeding stops. If bleeding persists for over ten minutes, then it is important to seek medical aid Choking Choking occurs when a foreign object becomes lodged in the throat or windpipe, blocking the flow of air. In adults, a piece of food often is the culprit. Young children often swallow small objects. Because choking cuts off oxygen to the brain, administer first aid as quickly as possible. If choking is occurring, first, deliver five back blows between the person's shoulder blades with the heel of your hand. Then Perform five abdominal thrusts. Continue to alternate between 5 blows and five thrusts until the blockage is dislodged. Poisoning – Call for medical help at the earliest Sudden cardiac arrest - The HCFI hands only CPR 10 mantra is extremely simple to remember and can help save a person's life. It does not require mouth-to-mouth breathing unless the victim has died due to drowning or is a small child. What each of us needs to remember is that within 10 minutes of death (earlier the better), for a minimum of 10 minutes (the longer, the better), compress the centre of the chest of the deceased person continuously and effectively with a speed of 10×10 = 100 per minute. Chest compression should be stopped only when the person starts breathing, or the ambulance arrives.