Everyone should take a first aid class and know how to respond in an emergency. Basic first aid is not a substitute for medical treatment, but it can keep you or someone you love alive until a nurse or other medical help arrives. The following are examples of first aid lessons that everyone should be comfortable performing.
Bleeding
Someone can bleed to death in as little as 20 seconds. It is critically important that you act as quickly as possible to stop severe bleeding. Have someone else call 911 while you apply apply direct pressure on the cut or wound with a clean cloth if possible. If blood soaks through the cloth or bandage, don’t remove it. Use more cloth and keep applying pressure. If you can raise the wound above heart level (arm or leg wound), that should also help slow the bleeding. Only apply a tourniquet if the bleeding is severe and can not be stopped with direct pressure.
Burns
Minor burns can be easy to address. Begin by removing any tight items from the burned area before the swelling begins. You can then soothe the pain with cool (not cold) water for 10-15 minutes. Moisturizer and Aloe Vera can be applied to provide extra relief, along with taking pain reliever. Remember not to break small blisters; but if they do break, apply an antibiotic ointment and cover with a nonstick gauze bandage. Seek emergency medical help if there are major burns.
Seizures
Even if you don’t suffer from seizures, you should be aware of what to do when someone experiences one. Onlookers should clear the surrounding area to protect the person from getting hurt and try to position their head to the side to allow fluids to leak from the mouth. These fits should only last a minute or so, so remain calm. If the seizure continues for over 5 minutes, or the person is pregnant, call emergency services immediately.
Choking
The universal sign of choking is when someone grabs their neck. Other signs are if they can’t talk, cough, or breath. If someone is forcefully coughing, let them try to work the foreign object out on their own. If they can’t breath, this is an emergency situation and you need to act quickly. The American Red Cross recommends a “5 and 5” approach. Start with 5 sharp blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand. Then apply 5 abdominal thrusts. Alternate between the two until the foreign object is dislodged. (The 5 and 5 approach is for infants and children. The Heimlich is for older children and adults- PGM- I was a CPR instructor for 8 year)
CPR
Basic CPR is something everyone should know and practice. If someone is unresponsive and not breathing, call 911. Then apply chest compressions at the rate of 100 to 120 per minute. Chest compressions should press the chest down from 2 to 2 1/2 inches each time. Alternate with “life breathing” if you are comfortable with it. If not, the chest compressions are the most important element. Performing CPR is exhausting so trade off with another person if possible, but keep going until medical help arrives.
Performing basic first aid can help save a life. While it may be scary for you in the moment to assist in a seizure or perform CPR, you should have the basic knowledge to step forward and help someone in need. Most hospitals and clinics offer first aid classes taught by a nurse or other medical professional. You can also find accredited online nursing program options if you’re interested in learning more than the basics or want to begin teaching first aid classes. If you ever do find yourself in an emergency situation knowing what to do could be a matter of life or death.