2. WHAT IS FIRST AID?
• First aid is the provision of immediate care to a victim with an injury or illness,
usually effected by a lay person, and performed within a limited skill range. First
aid is normally performed until the injury or illness is satisfactorily dealt with (such
as in the case of small cuts, minor bruises, and blisters) or until the next level of
care, such as a paramedic or doctor, arrive.
• The key guiding principles and purpose of first aid, is often given in the mnemonic
"3 Ps". These three points govern all the actions undertaken by a first aider.
• Prevent further injury
• Preserve life
• Promote recovery
3. CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION (CPR)
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a lifesaving technique useful in many
emergencies, including heart attack or near drowning, in which someone's breathing or
heartbeat has stopped. The American Heart Association recommends that everyone,
including untrained bystanders and medical personnel alike, begin CPR with chest
compressions.
CPR can keep oxygenated blood flowing to the brain and other vital organs until more
definitive medical treatment can restore a normal heart rhythm.
When the heart stops, the lack of oxygenated blood can cause brain damage in only a few
minutes. A person may die within eight to 10 minutes.
To learn CPR properly, take an accredited first-aid training course, including CPR and
how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED). If you are untrained and have
immediate access to a phone, call 911 before beginning CPR. The dispatcher can instruct
you in the proper procedures until help arrives.
5. TREATING MINOR CUTS AND BLEEDING
Minor cuts and bleeding usually don't require a trip to the emergency room. These guidelines can help you care for such
wounds:
1. Wash your hands. This helps avoid infection. Also put on disposable protective gloves if they're available.
2. Stop the bleeding. Minor cuts and scrapes usually stop bleeding on their own. If not, apply gentle pressure with a
sterile bandage or clean cloth and elevate the wound.
3. Clean the wound. Use clear water to rinse the wound. Also clean around the wound with soap and a washcloth. Keep
soap out of the wound, as it can cause irritation. If dirt or debris remains in the wound after washing, use tweezers
cleaned with alcohol to remove the particles. If debris still remains, see your doctor. Thorough cleaning reduces the
risk of infection and tetanus. There's no need to use hydrogen peroxide, iodine or an iodine-containing cleanser, which
can be irritating to tissue already injured.
4. Apply an antibiotic. Apply a thin layer of an antibiotic cream or ointment (Neosporin, Polysporin) to help keep the
surface moist. These products don't make the wound heal faster. But they can discourage infection and help the body's
natural healing process. Certain ingredients in some ointments can cause a mild rash in some people. If a rash
appears, stop using the ointment.
5. Cover the wound. Bandages can help keep the wound clean and keep harmful bacteria out. If the injury is just a
minor scrape, or scratch, leave it uncovered.
7. WHAT ARE SPRAINS AND STRAINS?
• A sprain is a stretching or tearing of ligaments, the tough bands of fibrous tissue
that connect two bones together in your joints. The most common location for
a sprain is in your ankle.
• A strain is a stretching or tearing of muscle or tendon. A tendon is a fibrous cord of
tissue that connects muscles to bones.
8. HOW ARE SPRAINS AND STRAINS TREATED?
• Treatments for sprains and strains are the same. To reduce swelling and pain in the
first day or two, the patient must:
• Rest the injured area. If the ankle or knee is hurt, the doctor might tell you to use
crutches or a cane.
• Put ice on the injury for 20 minutes at a time. The doctor might say to do this 4 to 8
times a day.
• Compress (squeeze) the injury using special bandages, casts, boots, or splints. Your
doctor will tell you which one is best for you and how tight it should be.
• Put the injured ankle, knee, elbow, or wrist up on a pillow.
• The doctor may recommend taking medicines, such as aspirin or ibuprofen.
10. CLOSURE
1) What is first aid ?
2) What were the main areas of first aid studied in this presentation?
3) What is the difference between a sprain and a strain?
4) How can cuts and bleeding be treated?
5) What are the steps taken when performing CPR?