Learn how to save lives
May 16, 2006
WE are losing many lives because of the absence of quick emergency delivery of accident victims to health centres. Yet within this handicap, there is an alternative that could save life, prevent further injury and deterioration of the victims’ health condition; First Aid.
By Sam Lukwago
WE are losing many lives because of the absence of quick emergency delivery of accident victims to health centres. Yet within this handicap, there is an alternative that could save life, prevent further injury and deterioration of the victims’ health condition; First Aid.
First aid is the temporary and immediate treatment given to a person who is injured or suddenly becomes ill, using facilities or materials available at that time before regular medical help is imparted. The victim is made as comfortable as possible to conserve strength as efforts are made to put the injured person under professional medical care.
Lifestyles are changing rapidly, affecting our living and working conditions in such a way that occupational hazards have become an everlasting companion. It is important that every citizen gets sufficient knowledge of rendering first aid to the sick or injured till they reach the safe hands of qualified medical care.
First aid will always be required in accidents, which may take place either along roads, at home, in factories, buildings or as a result of natural calamities, electric shock, burns, snake bite etc.
What you should know
Any of us can be a first aider. All you need is to learn the standard method at application of first aid best suited to your skills.
Example
Let me imagine a traffic accident. You must take charge immediately by exhibiting competence and gain access to the patient as fast as possible.
Observe the accident scene, assess the situation and get somebody among the bystanders to direct traffic, keep bystanders at a safe distance and make essential telephone calls. Turn off all engines that may be still running.
Then find out whether the casualty is unconscious, conscious, alive or dead. Identify the condition of the casualty and give immediate, appropriate and adequate treatment considering priority of first aid measures.
These are ranked as restoring respiration, controlling bleeding, treating shock, fracture or burn and other multiple injuries before or during the transportation of the victim to professional care.
Bear in mind that a casualty may have more than one injury and that some casualties will require more urgent attention than others. So, arrange without delay for shifting of the casualty to a professional care in such a manner as not to complicate the injury or subject the victim to unnecessary discomfort.
Once a first aider has voluntarily started care he should not leave the scene, or stop the care until a qualified and responsible person relieves him.
Warning to the first aider
You must keep in mind that you are not a doctor.
You should not examine wounds by opening those which have already been bandaged by somebody else.
It is not your duty to declare any person as dead.
The writer is a nurse and secretary to Community Ambulance Foundation
Next time we shall see how to assess the situation and the victim
Skills of a first aider
Control the scene of accident.
Gain access to the patient.
Evaluate the scene in terms of safety and possible cause of accident.
Gather information.
Determine vital signs (pulse, breathing, skin temperature)
Determine diagnostic signs and relate those to emergency care requirements.
Perform the necessary ABCs of emergency care (Open airway, make sure the victim is breathing and control bleeding.
Diagnosis and care for shock.
Diagnosis and care for soft tissue and internal injuries including basic dressing and bandaging techniques.
Diagnosis and care for fractures, sprains, strains and dislocations.
Detect and care for poisoning including alcohol and drug abuse.
Diagnosis and care for heart attack, stroke, diabetic, coma, insulin shock, and epileptic or other seizures.
Diagnosis and care for facial, head, neck, spinal and chest injuries.
Diagnosis and care for burns and smoke inhalation.
Diagnosis and care for exposure to heat and cold
Assist in childbirth and care of the newborn.
Psychological and proper emergency care to victims of crises and disasters.
Perform proper transformation techniques.
WE are losing many lives because of the absence of quick emergency delivery of accident victims to health centres. Yet within this handicap, there is an alternative that could save life, prevent further injury and deterioration of the victims’ health condition; First Aid.
First aid is the temporary and immediate treatment given to a person who is injured or suddenly becomes ill, using facilities or materials available at that time before regular medical help is imparted. The victim is made as comfortable as possible to conserve strength as efforts are made to put the injured person under professional medical care.
Lifestyles are changing rapidly, affecting our living and working conditions in such a way that occupational hazards have become an everlasting companion. It is important that every citizen gets sufficient knowledge of rendering first aid to the sick or injured till they reach the safe hands of qualified medical care.
First aid will always be required in accidents, which may take place either along roads, at home, in factories, buildings or as a result of natural calamities, electric shock, burns, snake bite etc.
What you should know
Any of us can be a first aider. All you need is to learn the standard method at application of first aid best suited to your skills.
- Be a good observer.
- Be able to act quickly.
- Don’t get panicky or excited.
- Should have the ability to lead and control the crowd and take help from the onlookers.
- Should have self-confidence and ability to judge injuries to be tracked first.
- Should be able to reassure the apprehensive victims and their anxious relatives by demonstrating competence expressing sympathy and providing good counselling
Example
Let me imagine a traffic accident. You must take charge immediately by exhibiting competence and gain access to the patient as fast as possible.
Observe the accident scene, assess the situation and get somebody among the bystanders to direct traffic, keep bystanders at a safe distance and make essential telephone calls. Turn off all engines that may be still running.
Then find out whether the casualty is unconscious, conscious, alive or dead. Identify the condition of the casualty and give immediate, appropriate and adequate treatment considering priority of first aid measures.
These are ranked as restoring respiration, controlling bleeding, treating shock, fracture or burn and other multiple injuries before or during the transportation of the victim to professional care.
Bear in mind that a casualty may have more than one injury and that some casualties will require more urgent attention than others. So, arrange without delay for shifting of the casualty to a professional care in such a manner as not to complicate the injury or subject the victim to unnecessary discomfort.
Once a first aider has voluntarily started care he should not leave the scene, or stop the care until a qualified and responsible person relieves him.
Warning to the first aider
The writer is a nurse and secretary to Community Ambulance Foundation
Next time we shall see how to assess the situation and the victim
Skills of a first aider