As we learn new skills, we also unlearn the bad habits we may have picked up along the way. For example, if you’ve ever volunteered with an organization by first aid training new members or assisting at events where first aid is needed. When it came time to take those skills home and use them regularly, you probably realized that they weren’t as simple as they had originally appeared. The same goes for any type of skill – from driving to using a computer – it takes practice to get good at it, and it’s important to know what you’re signing up for before diving in headfirst. This article covers everything you need to know about first aid so that you can make informed decisions moving forward, whether you’re a newbie trying to brush up on your skills or an expert looking to tighten up your technique.
What is first aid?
In its most basic form, first aid is a set of skills that can be used to help someone who is injured or experiencing a medical emergency until medical assistance can be provided. There are many different types of first aid, and each one is tailored to a specific purpose for use. For example, there’s first aid for cuts and wounds, burns, allergies, and more. Depending on the type of first aid you are practicing, you may need to follow certain protocols or use specific equipment. For example, while you can use a bandage to cover a small cut, you would use gauze to treat a deep wound or burn. There are different levels of first aid, too, so even if you’ve never used it before, you can always pick up where you left off.
Why should you know first aid?
While you may think that you don’t need to know first aid, there are many reasons why it’s important to get your hands dirty. First and foremost, it’s a good idea to get first aid certification from a certified instructor so that you’re up to date on the latest protocols, but there are a few other benefits to knowing first aid. It’s good to know how to handle certain situations ahead of time and have a plan on what you will do if the unthinkable happens. If you’re volunteering at an event where first aid is needed, you can actually help more people if you have the skills. Knowing first aid allows you to recognize a serious medical situation and take action quickly to help the patient until professional help can be reached. In addition to that, you can use first aid as a way to network and meet new people.
Basics of first aid
As you can probably imagine, there are many different aspects of first aid that need to be covered before you can say that you know it inside and out. But before you get too overwhelmed, try to break it down into these three categories: injury care, communication, and environmental. If you’re working with an injured person, you need to make sure that they have adequate blood flow to the injured area to prevent it from getting worse. Speaking of communication, you need to make sure that you are sending the right messages to the person receiving the aid. Finally, when it comes to environmental care, you need to make sure that you are protecting the person and the surrounding area from infection.
Wounds and lacerations
We all have dealt with at least one wound or laceration in our lifetime, and it can be a scary experience. While you may be able to treat a small cut at home, it’s best to go to a medical facility if you think you may need stitches. The key to treating wounds and lacerations is to stop the bleeding by applying pressure to the injury. You can use a clean towel, gauze, or even your clothing if it’s not too bad. If you need to, you can also use a tourniquet to help stop the flow of blood. Once the bleeding has been stopped, you can clean the wound thoroughly and cover it with a clean bandage.
Bleeding control
Bleeding in certain areas of the body can be dangerous, especially if it isn’t controlled quickly. When you have an injury that is causing bleeding, you have two options for stopping it: direct pressure and tourniquets. When you’re dealing with a lot of blood loss, tourniquets can be very effective, but they should only be used in life-threatening situations. However, many injuries are only treated with direct pressure. Direct pressure can be applied to any open wound to help stop the bleeding. You can use your hands, sandbags, or other items to create a barrier and apply pressure directly to the injury. If you have a large amount of blood loss, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Airway management and breathing
When you’re dealing with someone who is having trouble breathing, the first step is to look for signs of distress. The person may be unable to breath, they may gasp, or they may have a hoarse voice. If there is no sign of distress, you can still help by opening the airway. You can use your hands to push the chin forward and lift the chin, or you can use the heel of your hand to push the top of the head forward. Once the airway is open, you can also use a barrier to cover the mouth and nose and provide supplemental oxygen until help can arrive. If you have a mask or other supplemental oxygen device, you can use that to help the person breathe.
Eye care
Eye injuries are often overlooked, but they can cause a lot of damage if left untreated. Eye injuries can be caused by a wide range of things, including shrapnel, chemicals, and flying debris. The most important thing is to protect your eyes from further injury until medical assistance can be obtained. If you are working with someone who has an eye injury, you should cover their eyes with a cloth to protect them from dust, debris, and chemicals. If you have a small amount of blood on your hands, you can clean them with a cloth before touching the injured eye. If you have a larger amount of blood on your hands, you can use a wet cloth or rinse them with water before touching the eye. If you have an eye injury and have someone with you, make sure that they cover their own eye and don’t look at your eyes.
Conclusion
First aid is a useful skill to have, no matter what your profession is. It allows you to help people in an emergency situation who may not have medical assistance readily available to them. If you’re volunteering at an event that provides first aid training to new members, you can help more people if you have the skills. Knowing first aid also opens up networking opportunities with people who may need your help in the future. Finally, it’s important to note that first aid is not a replacement for medical attention. It’s a way to help people until they can get the help