Introduction to First Aid

[Mod]

First Aid: Is the initial help given to an ill or injured person before he or she receives expert medical attention or is admitted to hospital. It is the prompt care and attention that sometimes means the difference between life and death, or between a full or partial recovery.

The 3 aims of First Aid

* To preserve life

* To limit the effects of the condition

* To promote recovery

Before assisting a casualty, you must make sure that your own safety is not in jeopardy, or the safety of the casualty and bystanders.

ALWAYS LOOK AFTER YOURSELF FIRST, DON'T BECOME ANOTHER CASUALTY!

If the situation is such that you or the casualty is in danger, you must consider this threat against the possible damage caused by early movement. If you decide to move the casualty, do it quickly to a safe area where proper first aid can be given. You cannot help the casualty if you become one yourself. If you are the most experienced person at the scene you must take charge, which would include sending for professional help and keeping calm while working under pressure, and organise others to do likewise. By demonstrating competence and using well selected words of encouragement, First Aiders should win the confidence of others nearby and do everything possible to reassure the apprehensive casualty.

Determine the extent of the illness or injury and how it happened, ask bystanders. If the casualty is unconscious, look for clues. Think about the mechanism of injury - e.g. if the casualty is lying at the bottom of a ladder, suspect that he or she may have internal injuries.

When sending for help you must state how many casualties there are, giving a brief history of the accident or sudden illness. Describe what you see rather than trying to make a diagnosis, as this is not part of the First Aider's responsibilities.

Prioritise treatment and always treat the life-threatening injuries first, which may mean having to leave one casualty to treat the other.

Remember to treat the casualty as a whole person and not just the injury itself, people have feelings and emotions. Appropriate verbal reassurance can go a long way to preventing a casualty's condition from deteriorating.


These First Aid articles are regular feature and are designed to improve the knowledge of all who read them, keep them in a safe place, you never know when you may need them!


Article written by Jackie at www.rigg-access.com
The worlds BUSIEST Rope Access website

**Standard Disclaimer**:-The information provided herein should not be used to take the place of a licensed physician or suggest that any person use the information as a sole resource for diagnostic or educational purposes. Rigg Access does not warrant that the information is in every respect accurate or complete and they are not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information

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[Sageor]

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[Acrobia09]

Hi to all. This is my first time here. I went to Dr. Tuesday, had first dialysis treatment Friday. So much for a gentle introduction to this disease. Tomorrow starts my first day as an outpatient receiving treatment. Needless to say this has sure given me a new disposition on life. I have a long way to go to come to some realizations, but hopefully with the support and encouragement of new friends, we can all get better at getting better. Thanks