First aid in emergency

There are an estimated 300,000 casualties from road accidents every year in the UK and knowing some First Aid could help save a life. Carrying a First Aid kit in a car or on a motorcycle is highly recommended, so that there is basic equipment available should there be an accident.

It must be stressed that there is no comparison to going on a First Aid training course, and that the following advice must be taken in that context. www.sja.org.uk is the St John’s Ambulance website where more information about going on a First Aid course can be found.

These are some basic tips to help in a road accident situation in which there is a casualty:

1. Make sure the area is safe

It is important to make sure that there is no further danger at the scene of the road accident. Ensure that approaching cars are aware of the hazard and turn off the ignitions of the vehicles involved. Ask a bystander (if there are any) to call the emergency services as soon as possible.

Take a few moments to view the site of the car accident and to look at the casualty to see what kinds of injuries are likely to have been sustained. If it is possible that the casualty has suffered trauma, and may have broken bones, head injuries, neck injuries, or internal injuries, it is essential that they are not moved.

2. Check if the casualty is conscious

See if the road accident casualty is conscious or unconscious by tapping them on their collarbone and shouting to them. If they are unable to talk, ask if they can open their eyes.

If the casualty is a motorcyclist, do not remove the helmet, whether the casualty is conscious or not. Helmet removal must only be carried out by trained medics because if it is done wrongly, it can cause additional injuries.

3. Check the casualty’s airway

First aid authorities recommend the following action to check and clear a casualty’s airway. To check if it is clear, place a hand on their forehead, and gently tilt the head back. Look in their mouth to see if there is any visible obstruction, such as their tongue having fallen back into their throat. Once this is done this, lift their chin using 2 fingers. This helps the airway to clear.

If the casualty has broken bones or other trauma, such as neck or back injuries, avoid moving their head at all, just raise the chin.

20% of the fatalities on Britain’s roads are caused by obstruction of the airway, so making sure it is clear is a priority. If unsure how to go about it, check if any of the bystanders have First Aid knowledge, or speak to the emergency services operator.

4. Check the casualty’s breathing

It is useful to be able to tell the emergency services whether the casualty is breathing or not, and this can be done by:

- Listening to the mouth for sounds of breathing

- Feeling for breathing by placing your cheek over the mouth

- Watching the chest for signs of rising and falling

5. Symptoms and treatment of shock

A road accident casualty who has gone into shock shows symptoms such as cold, clammy skin, rapid and shallow breathing, thirst, and a rapid, weak pulse. Shock is caused by loss of blood, and means that oxygen is not travelling around the body properly.

To help slow down shock until medical assistance arrives, try to keep the person warm with coats or blankets, reassure them, and, if possible, get them to lie on the ground with their legs raised. Slowing the loss of blood is something you may be able to do if it is caused by an external wound, but not if the blood is being lost internally.

6. Slowing an external loss of blood

Wear disposable gloves if possible, and look and feel for blood on and under the casualty. To staunch a bleeding wound that has nothing embedded in it, apply direct pressure to it. Ideally use a dressing, but if a dressing is not available then your hand should be sufficient. If there is something in the wound that should not be there, such as glass for example, do not apply direct pressure to it, but press it together from the sides.

A First Aid course will teach these skills in a lot more detail, as well as teaching additional skills such as CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation). Learning what to do for casualties in a road accident is something that could save lives, and a short course with a First Aid authority is highly recommended.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a road accident and are considering a personal injury claim, George Ide, Phillips may be able to help you. For free advice on claiming compensation, go to www.accident-compensation-solicitor-uk.co.uk or call on 0808 144 0043.

Tags: road accident, car accident, first aid, medical advice

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Angina vs. Heart Attack

In angina one of the coronary arteries “hardens”. This essentially means that sufficient deposits of fat have built up in an artery to prevent the tissues on the other side of the narrowing from getting an adequate supply of blood. When one of the coronary arteries becomes hardened the blood supply the feeds that part of the heart is reduced so that the heart muscle as a whole has to work harder. This in turn causes pain in the chest, which can spread to the neck, jaw, shoulders, and arms. This pain is called angina. It is normally controlled by prescription medications.

A heart attack is caused when the heart’s muscle tissue dies because the oxygen-rich blood supply is cut off. This is usually caused by a blood clot, which gets stuck in a narrowed artery. If enough of the heart tissue is affected then the heart will stop. This is known as cardiac arrest.

In either case the casualty could describe the pain as a heaviness, tightness, or squeezing. They may also just complain of sore arms, an aching jaw, or simply indigestion. Other symptoms may include: denying anything is wrong, fear, pale skin, nausea, vomiting, sweating, shortness of breath, fatigue, shock, unconsciousness, cardiac arrest. (St. John. 5-5. 1996).

There is no way a first aider can determine if a casualty is suffering from angina or a heart attack. Only a doctor can determine this. Because of this the treatment is the same in both cases as far as the first aider is concerned.

Treatment

1. Inform casualty you are first aid trained, and ask if you can assist them.

Everybody has the right not to be touched by others. When you are offering first aid this must be respected. You should always identify yourself as someone who is first aid trained, and then ask if you can help.

Once you have asked the casualty, they can say “Yes” or otherwise indicate their consent, or they can do nothing, but not prevent you from assisting. If a member of the casualty’s immediate family is present they can also give consent. If the casualty is a child, and their parents are not around then you can also proceed. In all these cases you have consent or implied consent to assist.

The casualty also has the right to say “No”, which may sound odd, but they may have reasons, which you must respect. If this is the case make them comfortable if they allow it, and tend to others if necessary.

2. Call for medical assistance

When you recognize the signs and symptoms of angina or heart attack you should call for medical assistance, or have a bystander call for assistance. In today’s world where most people carry cell phones this shouldn’t be a problem, if however you have to leave the casualty make sure they are at rest first.

3. Put casualty in resting position

By putting the casualty in the resting position you reduce the work that the heart has to do. The resting position has the casualty lying on their back, with their head and shoulders raised, and their legs bent at the knees and raised. It is also preferable to cover then with a blanket, coat, etc. to keep them warm.

It is possible that this position may increase the pain so try different positions, but don’t delay calling for medical assistance.

4. Make sure casualty is comfortable

The best way to make a casualty comfortable is to loosen tight and restrictive clothing around the neck, chest, and waist. Also reassure the casualty as this will cause them to relax and this therefore reduces the work the heart has to do.

5. Assist the casualty to take their medication

If the casualty knows they suffer from angina, they likely will carry their medication with them. If the casualty is conscious and specifically asks for your assistance then proceed to do so. In any case always follow the instructions on the container, which includes ensuring the medication is for this patient, and ensuring the medication is administered in the proper way. For example nitroglycerine tablets must be placed under the tongue, not swallowed.

6. If breathing stops start Artificial Respiration (AR). If pulse stops start CPR.

It is not the purpose of this article to teach you either AR or CPR, as both require hands-on training and practise. While no specialized equipment is required for either of these procedures equipment is available to assist you in training and practicing in the form of face shields, CPR training manikins or dummies, and training devices.

Conclusion

The role of a first aider when encountering a casualty suffering from either angina or a heart attack is primarily the same. Extensive training is available through local chapters of the St. John Ambulance, Red Cross, and other organizations.

Citations:

St. John’s Ambulance. 1996. Military First Aid - Safety Oriented. National Defence Headquarters. Ottawa.

Tags: first aid, cpr, ar, heart attack, angina

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Even if you have the perfect first aid kit for you and your family, it might not help when Fiddo or Fluffy gets hurt. To help pets in an emergency, assemble a pet first aid kit.

Just like a human first aid kit, a portable, durable watertight container is needed to hold all the supplies. Assemble all of your supplies first so that you know how big of a container you need. Plastic food containers or tackle boxes make excellent first aid kits.

A pet’s needs in an emergency are similar to your own, so make sure to include gauze pads, adhesive tape, scissors and tweezers, and have a blanket handy.

Be sure to ask the pet’s veterinarian of specific supplies the animal might need like anti-diarrhea medicine, syrup of ipecac to induce vomiting in case of poisoning, and activated charcoal to ease stomach upsets. Include some eyedroppers in the pet first aid kit to give pet medicine. Also make sure the current contact information of the pet’s veterinarian is included in the kit.

If you are taking your pet with you while you travel, be sure to modify the pet’s first aid kit. Do research on the area’s environment. Call a veterinarian or the hotel or friends you will be staying with there to ask if the area has any poisonous plants, snakes, or extreme temperatures.

If a cat or dog is injured, remember that it is an injured animal, not a person. You may need to muzzle your dog so that it doesn’t bite you while you are giving first aid. Never give your cat or dog people medicine like aspirin or acetaminophen. Check with your pet’s veterinarian about what medicines are appropriate in emergencies and what dosages are safe for your pet.

Also check with your local American Red Cross chapter for information pet first aid advice on approaching a sick or injured animal and performing CPR. Other pet first aid kits guides and guides are available for sale online.

First Aid Kits Info provides comprehensive information about travel, pet, industrial, sports, home and discount first aid kits, as well as first aid kits supply. First Aid Kits Info is affiliated with Business Plans by Growthink.

Tags: first aid kits, first aid kit supplies, pet first aid kits

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