First Aid Fundamentals

First Aid - consists of the initial support provided to someone in the middle of a
medical emergency. It is an immediate measure involving simple, often life saving
techniques that most people can train to perform with minimal equipment and no
previous medical experience.

Golden Rules of First Aid

A. Use a systematic approach in all medical emergencies

B. Identify and avoid risks o yourself, the person affected and third parties
C. Request support early (first aiders, AED, emergency number 911, Red Cross 143)
D. Be suspicious and primarily assume it is something serious
E. Deal quickly with any chaos and cope with the situation.

Characteristics of a Good First Aiders

-Gentle
-Resourceful
-Observant
-Tactful
-Empathetic
-Respectable

Top 10 First Aid Kit Items

-Gloves/Eye Protection
-CPR Pocket Mask
-Tourniquet
-Roller Gauze
-4x4 Gauze Pads
-Medical Tape
-2 triangular Bandages
-Sam Splint

8 Most Common First Aid Injuries

1. Cut/Scrape
-wash hands
-clean towel
2. Burn
-wet compress
-petroleum jelly
-cover with nonstick bandage
-pain medication
-protect from the sun
3. Insect Bite/Sting
-soap and water
-ice/cold compress for swelling reduction
-paste of baking soda
4. Splinter
-wash hands and area around splinter with soap and warm water
-sterilize tweezers and a needle (put ends into boiling water, wipe off with a
clean cloth
-
5. Sunburn
6. Nosebleed
-sit down and firmly pinch the soft part of nose, above nostrils (10-15 mins)
-breathe through mouth (this will drain blood into your nose instead of down
the back of throat)
7. Sprains, Strains, Tears
-rest injuread area
-ice
Compress the injury using bandages, casts, boots or splints
-put on a pillow
-take medicines to reduce pain
-don’t use adhesive bandage on wound
8. Fractures
- seek medical attention
-do not self diagnose
-go to an orthopedic urgent care clinic
-take pain medicine prescribed by your doctor
-rest, elevate limb if swelling

1. Make sure to have clean hands

2. Sterilize the materials that you will use as a first aid material (such as tweezers
and needles), Materials should be clean before being used as a first aid to the victim
3. Ice or cold compress can be used to reduce swelling
4. Do not self-diagnose on major injuries such as fracture
5. Seek medical attention on injuries or emergencies such as fracture, sunburn,major
cut/scrape to have doctor prescribed medicines
6. Bandages can be used to compress injured areas of the victim
7. Nonstick bandages should be used to wounds

Research further on first aid to injuries and emergencies.

Risk is totally unavoidable. Students must understand the basic first procedures in
addressing minor difficulty or danger. The tips cannot be a substitute for proper first
aid, but at least it can give an idea on what to do during an emergency.