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What is first aid?

First aid is the care given to a casualty before professional help arrives.

It can come from a member of the family, a friend, or a stranger who happens to be on the spot, but the help they give can literally mean the difference between life and death.
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What is first aid?

The aims of first aid are: to preserve life; to prevent the worsening of any injuries; to promote recovery.

Why do I need to know about first aid?

In the time it takes to read this page you could learn enough first aid to save a life. It takes only three to four minutes for a blocked airway to kill someone but it can take more than eight minutes for an ambulance to arrive on the scene. A simple procedure like opening an airway can save someones life while you are waiting for professional help to arrive. Most accidents happen in the home - 2.8 million in 1999 in th UK. In fact, you are 20 times more likely to have a fatal accident at home than win the lottery.* And it means you are more likely to treat someone you know than a stranger.
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Top 10 first aid misconceptions

1. "You should put butter or cream on a burn." The only thing you should put on a burn is water - keep the butter for cooking! 2."If you cant move a limb, it must be broken." "If you can move a limb, or stand up with it, it cant be broken." The only accurate way to diagnose a broken limb is by xraying it. 3. "The best way to treat bleeding is to put the wound under a tap." If you put a bleeding wound under a tap, you will wash away the clotting agents and make it bleed more.
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Top 10 first aid misconceptions

4."Nose bleeds are best treated by putting the head back." If you put the head back for a nose bleed, all the blood will go down the back of the airway. 5. "A tourniquet is the best way to treat serious bleeding." Tourniquets are NOT recommended for first aid - if you stop the blood flow to a limb for more than 10-15 minutes it will die.

6. "If someone has swallowed a poison you should make them sick." If you make someone sick by putting your fingers in their mouth, the vomit may block the airway. 7. "If you perform CPR on someone who has a pulse you can damage the heart." The evidence is that it isnt dangerous to do chest compressions on a casualty with a pulse
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Top 10 first aid misconceptions

8. "You must always call an ambulance if you perform first aid." Sometimes, first aid is all the casualty needs - dont call an ambulance unless its an emergency. 9."To do first aid you need lots of training." You dont. What you mostly need is common sense - and you can learn enough first aid in 10 minutes to save a life. 10."You need lots of expensive equipment to do first aid." You dont need any equipment to do first aid - there are lots of ways to improvise anything you need. For instance, a clean handkerchief will make a good dressing.
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DR. ABC

the letters that save lives!

First aid has a framework - the letters "DR ABC" provide a checklist for every emergency. They are worth remembering. This is how they are used:

D is for Danger Check carefully before going to the assistance of a casualty that it is safe for you - and them - to be there. There may be fast-moving traffic, a chemical spill, or other hazardous material to contend with. R is for Response When you first arrive at the casualtys side, you can check all sorts of things about her condition simply by asking "Are you all right?". If she can answer, you have established that she is conscious, breathing and that her heart is working. If she doesnt answer, move on to:
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First aid has a framework - the letters "DR ABC" provide a checklist for every emergency. They are worth remembering. This is how they are used:

A is for Airway This means establishing an open airway, which is done very simply by tilting the forehead back so that the casualty can breathe easily. B is for Breathing This means checking that the casualty is breathing by listening, looking and feeling for breath. C is for Circulation For this, you apply simple visual checks that the casualtys blood is circulating adequately, by watching for improved colour, for coughing or eye movement.
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Anaphylactic Shock

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Anaphylactic Shock

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Anaphylactic Shock

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Bites

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Bites

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Bites

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Bleeding

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Bleeding

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Bleeding

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Choking (Child)

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Choking (Child)

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Choking (Child)

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Choking (Child)

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Choking (Child)

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Electrocution

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Electrocution

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Electrocution

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Eye Injury

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Eye Injury

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Eye Injury

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Eye Injury

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Minor Cuts & Grazes

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Minor Cuts & Grazes

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Minor Cuts & Grazes

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Opening an Airway

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Opening an Airway

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Opening an Airway

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Rescue Breaths

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Rescue Breaths

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Rescue Breaths

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Rescue Breaths

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Rescue Breaths

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Scalds and Burns

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Scalds and Burns

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Scalds and Burns

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Shock

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Shock

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Shock

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Shock

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Stings

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Stings

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Stings

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Recovery Position

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Recovery Position

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Recovery Position

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Recovery Position

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Recovery Position

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 Choose containers for your kits that are roomy, durable, easy to carry, and simple to open. Plastic tackle boxes or containers for storing art supplies are ideal, since they're lightweight, have handles, and offer a lot of space.

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Include the following in each of your first-aid kits: first-aid manual sterile gauze adhesive tape adhesive bandages in several sizes elastic bandage antiseptic wipes soap antibiotic cream (triple-antibiotic ointment) antiseptic solution (like hydrogen peroxide) hydrocortisone cream (1%) acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) and ibuprofen (such as Advil or Motrin) extra prescription medications (if the family is going on vacation)

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Include the following in each of your first-aid kits: tweezers sharp scissors safety pins disposable instant cold packs calamine lotion alcohol wipes or ethyl alcohol thermometer plastic gloves (at least 2 pairs) flashlight and extra batteries mouthpiece for administering CPR (can be obtained from your local Red Cross) your list of emergency phone numbers blanket (stored nearby)

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After you've stocked your first-aid kits: Read the entire first-aid manual so you'll understand how to use the contents of your kits. (If your children are old enough to understand, review the manuals with them as well.) Store first-aid kits in places that are out of children's reach but easily accessible for adults. Check the kits regularly. Replace missing items or medicines that may have expired
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Essential Skills

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Essential Skills
Accident Scene
Heart Attack Poisoning Electrocution

Drowning

Spinal Injury

Choking Bleeding

Eye Injury Scalds and Burns

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Essential Skills
Choking in Children

Suspected Fractures

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The End

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