first aid

Learning objectives

By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

• Define first aid.
• Explain aims of first aid.
• Explain types of first aid.
• Describe who can give first aid.

First aid is the immediate or first assistance or care provided to a person with an injury or illness. This applies to both minor and serious injuries. In cases where the condition is serious, you should continue offering first aid until more advanced care is available. It includes the first interventions in serious conditions before professional medical help is available. For example, performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation before an ambulance arrives.

First aid also involves full treatment of some minor conditions like bleeding, and small cuts-plastering a cut. First aid is normally performed by a person with basic medical training.  

Aims of first aid

The main objective of first aid is prevention of death and prevention of less serious conditions from worsening. The main objectives of first aid can be summarized as:

• To preserve life. The main objective of all forms of medical care, including first aid, is to preserve life. First aid is aimed at saving lives and minimizing the threat of death. When first aid is done properly, it should be able to help ease the level of pain during the treatment process.
• To prevent further harm. This includes activities like moving the injured from the cause or source of harm, applying first aid techniques in order to prevent the condition from worsening- like applying pressure to stop bleeding.
• To promote recovery. This involves attempting to start the recovery process. In some cases, this involves completing a treatment, like plastering a small wound.

It is important you note that first aid is different from medical treatment. First aid providers cannot be compared to trained medical professionals. First aid involves the application of common sense to make decisions in the best interest of the injured person.

Let us look at some types of first aid that are common and easy to learn;

First aid bandage

You can use a bandage for covering burns, scrapes, or minor cuts. Follow these steps to apply a bandage;

• Hold steady the injured area.
• Gently and firmly wrap the bandage, covering the wound.
• Fasten the bandage using safety pins or with a sticky tape.
• Check that the bandage is firm enough to stay put without cutting off blood flow.

First aid for burns

Burns are grouped into different categories. This is dependent on the depth of the skin that has been affected by the burn. Burns are categorized in degrees. Therefore, a burn can be said to be first, second, third, or fourth degree. The higher the degree of the burn, the more severe it is.

First degree burns affect only the outer skin layer. Your skin may turn red or painful but no blisters appear. For example, sunburn.

Second degree burns affect the outer layer and the dermis of the skin. Some characteristics of this burn include; the skin turns red, swollen, and looks wet and shiny. The skin will also have blisters and will hurt when touched. This burn may leave a scar or change the skin color.

Third degree burns are also called full thickness burns. These burns damages both layers of the skin (dermis and epidermis). The skin may appear brown, black, white or yellow. These burns do not hurt because they damage the nerve endings.

Fourth degree burns are the deepest and most severe burns. Most of these burns are life-threatening. They destroy all layers of the skin, and the bones, tendons and muscles.

Burns can cause complications, including infection. Therefore, they should be treated as soon as possible. 

You should seek professional care for burns that:

• Cover a large skin area
• Are located on the patient’s face, feet, hands, groin, or buttocks.
• Have been caused through contact with electricity or chemicals.

A minor burn can be treated by following these steps:

• Run cold water over the injured area. Avoid using ice on burned tissue.
• Apply an Aloe vera cream or gel to reduce discomfort from the burn.
• Apply an antibiotic ointment to prevent infection.
• Using clean gauze, loosely cover the burn.

First aid cardiopulmonary resuscitation

If you find someone unconscious or see someone collapse, call the emergency number. Approach the person and begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Here’s how to offer cardiopulmonary resuscitation to an adult using just hands:

• Place both your hands on their chest (center). One hand being on top of the other.
• Press straight down their chest repeatedly. You should do this at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute.
• Continue performing these compressions until the patient regains consciousness, or professional help arrives.

First aid for nosebleed

Follow these steps to perform first aid to a nose bleeding person:

• Lean their head forward.
• Using your index finger and the thumb, press the nostrils firmly to close them.
• Continue applying this pressure for 5 minutes.
• Check and repeat until when the bleeding stops.

If the nosebleed persists for more than 20 minutes, seek emergency medical care. If the nosebleed was caused by an injury, the person should seek medical care after the first aid.

Who can give first aid?

The only people allowed to give first aid are first aiders. A first aider is a person who qualifies to offer assistance to sick and injured people. First aiders have the knowledge and are therefore able to perform recommended procedures to address a health problem. The interesting thing is that anyone can train to become a first aider.

It is important for every organization to train a group of first aiders as it is impossible to predict when a health problem might happen at work. Some of the responsibilities of a first aider include;

• Assessing the situation as well as diagnosing an illness or injury.
• Removing external health risks from a situation. This is to protect the patient as well as yourself.
• Preventing infections.
• Comforting the victim.
• Giving treatment where applicable.
• Calling emergency services in severe conditions.

First aid should be conducted by trained persons only. If done wrong, sometimes it can be fatal.

First aid kit

You might be needed to provide first aid anytime and anywhere, that’s why it is a good plan for you to have a well-equipped first aid kit at home and in your car. It is also advisable to have this kit at your place of work. A first aid kit should contain the following:

• Adhesive bandages of different sizes
• Roller bandages of different sizes.
• Sterile gauze pads
• Antiseptic wipes
• Painkillers
• Antibiotic ointment
• Tweezers
• Scissors
• Safety pins

It is advisable to include a list of different health care providers, prescribed medications and emergency contact numbers.