First Aid
Handling an Emergency
 

All of us, however careful we might try to be, come across some medical emergency at some point of time in our lives. Every emergency demands urgent action. Although it goes without saying that one should seek immediate medical help, however before it arrives, one should be in a position, both physically and mentally, to administer first aid. The most important point to remember is not to panic when you come across any emergency. Remember to keep the injured calm before attempting to give any kind of first –aid.

Many a times, accidents occur in our own homes. Cuts, Burns, Scalds, Choking, Poisoning, fall and so on. Every house must have a basic first aid kit that is easily accessible in case of an emergency.

Bleeding: Many a time even if you cannot stop the bleeding altogether, reducing the flow of bleeding may be enough to save a life.

When a cut is deep enough to cause the blood to flow:

1. Use water. Running water will not only clean the wound, but help to stop the bleeding. Run cold water over the cut to constrict the blood vessels and stop the bleeding. Doing the same with hot water will cauterize the cut, allowing the blood to clot. Remember not to use both hot and cold water though; just one should work well enough.

2. Lay the victim down If the wound is a little big and bleeding heavily Remove clothing from around the wound if you can without wasting time.

3. If there is no foreign body present in the wound then press down hard upon it with a clean absorbent material or with clean bare hands. If possible raise the level of the wound above the heart level to slow down bleeding. Maintain the pressure for at least five to ten minutes or more and while doing so place absorbent padding and tie a bandage firmly in place.

4. If the first bandage becomes soaked with blood, apply a new dressing on top of the original one. Do not remove the original dressing. The less a wound is disturbed, the easier it will be to stop the bleeding.

5. For clotting the blood in a small cut, try any one of these home remedies first like, a thin film of Vaseline petroleum jelly, sprinkling corn starch, aspirin paste, some sugar or a few drops of Listerine or vinegar. Do not rub into the wound, it may cause abrasions.

6. If the wound is large when there is a foreign body present in the wound. Press the edges together around the foreign body. Do not try to remove the foreign body as it may be plugging the wound. Press firmly and use gauze to bandage diagonally without going over the foreign body.

7. Get the injured person to the hospital as early as possible if the bleeding does not stop.

8. Seek a doctor’s advice before administering any medication.

- Veena Shyam Raja