FIRST AID of common
resort injuries
By
Dr Naaz
What is first aid?
First aid is the initial care of a suddenly
sick or injured person.
The aims of first aid are:
– to preserve life
– to prevent the worsening of any injuries
– to promote recovery
– relieve pain and suffering
Bleeding
Amputation
Abrasion
Severe External Bleeding
1. Apply pressure to the wound
* expose the wound
* apply direct pressure over wound.
* if casualty is unable to apply pressure, apply pressure using a
pad
* squeeze the wound edges together if possible
2. Raise and support injured part
* raise injured part above level of heart
Severe External Bleeding
3. Bandage wound
* apply a pad over the wound if not already in place
* secure with bandage-ensure pad remains over wound
* if bleeding is still not controlled, leave initial pad in place and
apply a second pad - secure with bandage
Bleeding
Incisions, Lacerations, Abrasions
cleanse area thoroughly with soap and warm water,
carefully washing away any dirt
immediately apply pressure to stop any bleeding
bring the sides of the wound together and press firmly
apply a non-adherent dressing and a firm roller
bandage
immobilize and elevate the injured limb if injuries permit
Bleeding
Puncture Wound
Let the wound bleed to clean itself out.
Remove the object that caused the puncture
Wash the wound with warm water .
Leave the wound open. Cover it with a bandage
if it is big or still bleeds a little.
Bleeding
Amputation
apply direct pressure to stop any bleeding
apply a large pad or dressing to the wound
rest and elevate injured limb if possible
collect amputated part - keep dry, do not wash or clean
seal the amputated part in a plastic bag or wrap in
waterproof material
place in iced water - do not allow the amputated part to
come in direct contact with ice. Freezing will kill tissue
ensure the amputated part travels to the clinic with the
casualty
Nosebleed
1. Sit with your head leaning forward.
2. Pinch the nostrils shut, using your thumb and
forefinger.
3. Hold for 15 minutes, breathing through your mouth.
4. Apply cold compresses (such as ice in a soft cloth) to
the area around the nose.
5. For the next 24 hours, make sure your head is
elevated above the level of your heart.
6. Wait 24 hours before blowing your nose, lifting heavy
objects, or exercising strenuously.
Burns
First degree burns damage the
outer layer of skin.
1. redness
2. mild pain
3. swelling
Second degree burns go through
to the second layer of skin.
1. blisters
2. rough, red skin
3. swelling
4. extreme pain
Third degree burns go through to
the third layer of skin.
1. whitish or charred
appearance
Burns
First Degree Burns
Place the affected area in a
container of cold water or
under cold running water for
at least 5 - 10 minutes or until
the pain is relieved.
Sun Burn
Try taking a cool bath or shower. Or place
wet, cold wash cloths on the burn for
10 to 15 minutes, several times a day.
Apply a soothing lotion to the skin.
Aloe vera gel is a common household
remedy for sunburns. An over-the-counter
pain medication, such as paracetamol
(Panadol) or ibuprofen may be helpful.
Drink plenty of water
Sun Burn Prevention
Avoid the sun's rays between the hours of 10:00
a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Protect your skin. Use sunblock with a sun
protection factor (SPF) of 15 or more when
exposed to the sun.
Sunscreen should be put on 15 to 30 minutes
before you are in the sun, every hour to hour and
a half you stay in the sun and after swimming.
Wear muted colors such as tan. Bright colors and
white reflect the sun onto the face.
Wear sunglasses that absorb at least 90% of UV
rays .
Burns
Second Degree Burns
Immerse the affected area in cold (not ice) water until the
pain subsides.
Dip clean cloths in cold water, wring them out and apply
them over and over again to the burned area for as long
as an hour. Blot the area dry. Do not rub.
Do not break any blisters that have formed.
Avoid applying antiseptic sprays, ointments, and creams.
Once dried, dress the area with a single layer of loose
gauze that does not stick to the skin.
Burns
Third Degree Burns
Call doctor
Give first aid procedures for second degree
burns.
Choking
A person chokes when the airway is partly or totally
blocked. The casualty usually has trouble breathing
and, if obstruction is complete, cannot breathe at all
indicated by the Universal Distress Signal (hands
clutching the throat).
If the victim can speak, cough or breathe, do not
interfere.
Choking
Heimlich maneuver
(Abdominal Thrusts)
Reach around the victim's
waist.
Position one clenched fist
above the navel and below
the rib cage. Grasp fist with
other hand.
Pull the clenched fist sharply
and directly backward and
upward under the rib cage 5
times quickly.
Choking: Child
Bend victim forward Place one hand in the middle of the back and
and use the heel of the other hand in the centre of his chest. Using
your hand to give 5 the heel of the hand on the chest, perform 5
sharp back blow chest thrusts like CPR compressions but
between the shoulder slower and sharper.
blades. If the child is still choking, alternate 5 back blows
and 5 chest thrusts until emergency help arrives.
If at any point the victim becomes unconscious, commence CPR.
Drowning
Assess your Call the doctor
CPR: or clinic
Safety Give 5 cycles of
30 compressions
and 2 breaths
Continue CPR
Open Airway If not breathing,
Check Breathing Give 2 rescue breaths
even while on water
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If breathing, Take cold, wet clothes The victim may
put on recovery off and cover cough. Keep calm
position with something warm. and reassure
Electric Shock
Do not remove the victim from the electric
source until the power source has been
shut off.
Separate the person from the source of
electric current using a dry broom handle
or other type of non-conducting material
such as wood or rubber.
Or, dry your hands and put on dry gloves
or use a dry cloth.
Check for heartbeat and breathing.
Do CPR if necessary.
Eye Injuries:
Black Eye
Immediately put a cold compress over the injured
area. This helps to slow the bleeding under the
skin and lessens swelling and discoloration.
Take paracetamol, ibuprofen for the pain and
inflammation.
Later, put a warm compress over the injured
area.
Eye Injuries:
Foreign Body on Eye
Hold the affected eye open with your thumb and forefinger. Or remove the foreign
Pour large quantities of warm, not hot, water, from a body slowly using a
pitcher or other clean container, starting at the inside damp cotton tip or cloth.
corner and downward to the outside corner.
Eye Injuries:
Chemical Contamination
Hold the affected eye open with your thumb and
forefinger.
Pour large quantities of warm, not hot, water, from a
pitcher or other clean container, over the entire eye
starting at the inside corner and downward to the outside
corner.
Continue pouring the water for at least 10 minutes, 30
minutes is better.
Or, place the victim's face in a sink or container filled with
warm water. Have him or her move his or her eyelids up
and down. Do this procedure on yourself if you are the
victim and are alone.
Envenomations/Stings:
Stone Fish
* history: sudden excruciating and incapacitating localized
pain noted while walking on coralline areas
Wash the area with fresh water.
Remove any foreign material at the wound site.
Contact the clinic/doctor immediately.
Soak wound in the hottest water the patient can
tolerate for 30 minutes.
Envenomations/Stings
Jellyfish
Rinse the tentacles off with salt water.
Do not use fresh water, it will worsen
the stinging pain.
Use vinegar (acetic acid) to neutralize
the toxin in the nematocysts
Remove any remaining tentacles with
a gloved hand or tweezers.
Involved limb may be soaked in hot
water or applied with ice.
Call the clinic/doctor.
Restrict movement of the affected area
to discourage envenomation.
Heat Exhaustion
Lie casualty down.
Move him in a cool
place with circulating
air.
Loosen tight clothing.
Remove unnecessary
garments.
Sponge with cold
water.
Give fluids to drink.
Heat Stroke
Lie casualty down. Move
him in a cool place with
circulating air. Check ABC.
Loosen tight clothing.
Remove unnecessary
garments.
Sponge with cold water.
Apply cold packs or ice to
neck, armpits, groins.
Cover with wet sheet.
Give fluids to drink only if
conscious.
Fainting
Dos:
Have the person lie down with the head below the level of the
heart. Raise the legs 8 to 12 inches.
Turn the victim's head to the side so the tongue doesn't fall back
into the throat.
Loosen any tight clothing.
Keep the victim warm, especially if the surroundings are chilly.
Don'ts:
Don't slap or shake anyone who's just fainted.
Don't try to give the person anything to eat or drink, not even
water, until they are fully conscious.
Fainting
Do these things when you feel faint:
Sit down, bend forward and put your head between your knees
Lie down and elevate both legs 8 to 12 inches.
Fractures
(Broken Bones)
Splint-
a device for the immobilization
of broken bones.
Fractures
(Broken Bones)
1. Lightly tape or tie an injured leg to
the uninjured one, putting padding
between the legs, if possible. Or,
tape an injured arm to the chest, if
the elbow is bent, or to the side if
the elbow is straight, placing
padding between the body and the
arm.
2. For a broken arm, make a sling out
of a triangular piece of cloth. Place
the forearm in it and tie the ends
around the neck so the arm is
resting at a 90 degree angle.
Sprains & Strains
Sprain results from
overstretching or tearing a
ligament (fibrous tissue that
connects bones), a tendon
(tissue that attaches a muscle
to a bone) or a muscle.
Strain occurs when a muscle or
tendon is overstretched or
overexerted.
Sprains & Strains
R.I.C.E. TREATMENT
Rest the injured area for 24 to 48 hours.
Ice the area for 5 to 20 minutes every hour for the first 48 to 72 hours
or until the area no longer looks or feels hot.
Compress the area by wrapping it tightly with an elastic bandage for
30 minutes, then unwrap it for 15 minutes. Begin wrapping from
the point farthest from the heart and wrap toward the center of the
body. Repeat several times.
Elevate the area to reduce swelling. Prop it up to keep it elevated
while you sleep.
Sprains & Strains
Thermotherapy (applying moist heat) promotes
healing but should not be applied to a muscle or
ligament injury for at least 24 hours because
heat will increase the swelling. After the swelling
has gone, you should alternate applying cold
compresses and moist heat to the injury.
A sprained arm should be placed in a sling.
Take ibuprofen or mefenamic acid for pain and
swelling.
Mini Portable First Aid Kit
– 2 pairs of latex gloves
– 4 dressing (small)
– 2 dressing (large)
– 20 standard or waterproof plasters
– 10 antiseptic swabs
– 2 adhesive tapes
– 1 antibiotic ointment ( wounds , cuts,abrasions etc )
– 1 antiseptic ointment ( wounds , cuts,abrasions etc )
– 1 scissor
– 1 ORS Sachet ( Oral rehydrating solution )
– 10 Cotton buds & Cotton Swabs
– 2 Roll Bandages
– 5 Gauze pieces
– 1 Crepe Bandage
– 1 Mercurocrome
Standard Portable First Aid kit
2 pairs of latex and sterile gloves
4 dressings (small , medium and large )
20 Standard / washproof plasters
20 antiseptic swabs
2 triangular bandages
2 elastic bandages
1 antibiotic and antiseptic ointment( for wounds, cuts , abrasions etc )
1 adhesive tape
1 Burnol Cream ( Use to apply over burns )
10 Gauze Swabs & Cotton Swabs
1 scissor
4 ORS Sachets ( Rehydrating powder )
1 Dettol Solution ( wound cleaning )
Eye Wash Solution ( used for minor irritation & congestion of eyes )
4 Roll Bandages
Dr. NAAZ
