First aid is the process of helping someone who is injured until professional medical help can be accessed. It’s a good idea to know the most common injuries you may encounter during your first aid training so you can be prepared for these situations. A first aid kit, or basic first aid kit, can come in handy in almost any situation, but it’s important to know what type of injuries would necessitate its use.A first aid kit can help prevent additional injuries, minimize further harm, and aid in the healing process.
Fractures / Broken Bones
A broken bone will always be one of the most common injuries that can be treated by a first aid provider. There are two types of broken bones: a simple fracture and a compound fracture. A simple fracture is when the bone is broken in just one place, while a compound fracture is when the break occurs in two or more places.A compound fracture is much more serious and poses a greater risk of infection and permanent disability compared to a simple fracture. If you encounter someone with a compound fracture, do not apply a splint or attempt to splint the broken bone. Instead, call for emergency assistance as soon as possible.
Concussions / Cranial Injuries
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that results in a temporary loss of consciousness and may cause other short-term effects including headaches and dizziness. A cranial injury is a more severe type of head injury that may cause bleeding behind the eyes or inside the skull.To treat a head injury, first assess the situation and ensure the injured person is not in immediate danger of losing consciousness. If the person is stable, apply external pressure to the head to control and reduce any bleeding. If the person is unresponsive or in danger of losing consciousness, call for emergency assistance.
Lacerations and Cuts
A laceration is a cut that goes through the skin, whereas a cut is a break in the skin that does not go through the skin. Both a laceration and a cut can lead to a steeper course of action if the injury is untreated.To treat a laceration, clean the wound with water and any other materials found in the first aid kit. Bandage the wound with a sterile dressing or gauze. Do not use a bandage that is not sterile.If the cut is deep enough to expose the underlying tissue, apply direct pressure with a clean dressing or gauze to control blood loss.
Abrasions/ Scrapes
A scratch or scrape is usually a surface wound that is not deep enough to cause a laceration. A scratch or scrape can be treated with the same materials found in a basic first aid kit.Abrasions are not as deep as lacerations, so a basic first aid kit can be used to treat them. Clean and bandage the wound with a sterile dressing or gauze.If a scratch or scrape is deep enough to expose the underlying tissue, clean the wound, control blood loss, and cover the wound with a sterile dressing or gauze to prevent infection.
Animal Bites/ Stings
An animal bite is a common injury that is often seen by a first aid provider. Animal bites can be very serious, but they can also be treated with common materials found in a first aid kit. The best way to treat a bite is by washing the wound with warm water. If the bite is too deep to clean with water, you can use a sterile gauze to cover the bite.If the bite is from a poisonous snake, apply pressure to the bite to help prevent poison from entering the bloodstream. Do not try to suck out the venom, and do not inject any substance into the bite.
Exposure- Cold, Heat, and Lightning
If you happen to come across someone who is suffering from hypothermia or frostbite, you can treat them with a few supplies found in a basic first aid kit. If the person is suffering from heat exhaustion, splint their legs or lower body to help them recover from the heat.If a person is suffering from a lightning strike, their condition needs to be evaluated by a medical professional. If you are not sure if someone is suffering from a lightning strike, you can use a basic first aid kit to splint their leg to help prevent blood vessels from being broken.