First aid - what everybody should know
Reviewed by Dr Stuart Crisp, specialist registrar
Why learn first aid?
WARNING!
This advice is a general guideline for use in an emergency.
It is not intended to replace professional classes in first aid and resuscitation.
Breathing difficulties
If someone stops breathing, see if the person replies if talked to or touched on the shoulder. If not, call an ambulance and then begin first aid.
Place the person on his or her back on the floor.
Tilt the head so that the chin is pointing upwards. Do this by placing the fingertips under the jawbone, then lift gently while pressing down softly on the person's forehead. This is done to make sure the tongue is not blocking the throat.
Keep holding the head in this way while checking for breathing: see if the chest is rising and falling, or place your ear next to their mouth to listen for breathing.
If there is breathing, hold the head as described above until help arrives. If not, start artificial respiration.
How to give artificial respiration
Tilt the head back and lift up the chin.
Pinch the nostrils shut with two fingers to prevent leakage of air.
Take a deep breath and seal your own mouth over the person's mouth.
Breathe slowly into the person's mouth - it should take about two seconds to adequately inflate the chest.
Do this twice.
Check to see if the chest rises as you breathe into the patient's mouth.
If it does, enough air is being blown in.
If there is resistance, try to hold the head back further and lift the chin again.
Repeat this procedure until help arrives or the person starts breathing again.
If an adult is unconscious and has no pulse
If an adult is unconscious, see if there is breathing. If not, start artificial respiration as described above.
Checking for a pulse
If you are inexperienced, you may waste valuable time checking for a pulse.
How to take a pulse
Place your fingers in the groove between the windpipe and the muscles of the side of the neck.
Press backwards here to check for a pulse.
If a baby (up to 1 year) is unconscious and has no pulse
Find the place between the nipples where the ribs meet in the breastbone. Move your fingers about 2cm to the right from this point - just above their heart.
Press firmly, but not forcefully, with your index and middle fingers.
If you can't see the baby's chest rise, the pressure is not correct. But with babies, it is especially important to prevent further injury by taking care not to press too hard.
Bleeding
With all types of bleeding, it's important to stop the flow of blood as quickly as possible.
Small cuts
Small cuts in the veins stop bleeding and clot within a few minutes. The area should then be washed, and a plaster placed gently on top.
Deeper cuts
Deeper cuts in the veins produce dark blood that seeps out slowly and steadily. It can be stopped by gentle pressure on the wound with a sterile or clean cloth, followed by the application of a clean or sterile bandage.
Often, these wounds need sewing or glueing, and therefore medical treatment will be necessary after first aid.
Arterial bleeding
WARNING!
Arterial bleeding must always be treated by a doctor.
Nosebleeds
Nosebleeds occur when one of the small blood vessels in the mucous membranes of the nose bursts.
Do not bend the head backwards or lie down, because this increases blood pressure in the head and so increases the bleeding. Blood may also run into the stomach.
To limit the bleeding:
pinch the nostrils shut with the index and middle finger for 10 minutes. This way, the vein is pressed together, which is often enough to stem the flow.
while the nostrils are shut, the person must breathe through their mouth.
if the bleeding continues, it is important to contact a doctor.
If the person frequently suffers sudden, intense nosebleeds, they should also consult a doctor.
Choking
Choking happens when the passage through the windpipe is blocked. This usually occurs when food that has not been thoroughly chewed gets stuck.
If someone looks like they are choking, ask them if they are able to talk.
A person who is genuinely choking can usually only communicate with hand movements, and may place their hand against their throat. In such a case they will definitely need help, so summon assistance for them.
Provided the person is conscious and breathing, you should not interfere. However, be prepared to do so if the obstruction appears to become complete or markedly worse.
The best way to relieve choking is by using the Heimlich manoeuvre.
The Heimlich manoeuvre
Stand behind the person who is choking.
Place your arms around their waist and bend them well forward.
Clench your fist and place it right above the person's navel (belly button).
Place your other hand on top, then thrust both hands backwards into the stomach with a hard, upward movement.
Repeat this until the object stuck in the throat is expelled through their mouth.
If you need to carry out this manoeuvre on yourself, place a clenched hand above your navel (belly button) and your other hand on top. Then thrust your fist hard into your stomach.
Repeat this until the object stuck in the throat is expelled through the mouth.
Shock and fainting
Shock and fainting occur when only a small amount of blood circulates to the brain. This means that the brain is not receiving enough oxygen, which leads to a feeling of faintness, disorientation and dizziness.
Shock may also occur:
after an accident involving loss of blood
after a serious infection with loss of fluids
after a serious burn
after other accidents that cause loss of fluids or blood.
When the flow of blood in the body is too slow, the blood pressure drops and too little oxygen is circulated through the body. When this occurs a person will:
go pale
turn sweaty, clammy and cold
become dizzy
have a weak, fast pulse
have low blood pressure
have slow, weak breathing
lose consciousness
become anxious or restless.
What to do if someone is in shock or fainting
The person must lie on their back - preferably with their feet raised - to ensure enough blood gets to the brain.
Make sure the person is warm, comfortable and covered by a blanket if possible.
Do not give them anything to drink because they could run a risk of choking.
If the person vomits or bleeds from the mouth, he or she must be placed on their side to prevent choking.
Call for an ambulance. A person in shock must always be treated by a doctor.
The documents contained in this web site are presented for information purposes only. The material is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner. The materials in this web site cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. Conditions for use
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