Emergency First Aid: Techniques and Procedures
First Aid: Essential Techniques and Procedures
First aid refers to the immediate, limited, and temporary techniques and procedures provided by a trainee, professional, or any individual with basic knowledge. It is given to those in need, typically victims of an accident or sudden illness, to preserve life.
Goals of First Aid
- Preserve life
- Prevent physical complications
- Provide psychological support
- Aid in recovery
Understanding Anatomy in First Aid
Anatomy is the branch of biology that studies body structures. In the context of first aid, human anatomy is a fundamental preclinical science.
Vital Signs
Vital signs are a set of physiological variables that include:
- Blood pressure
- Heart rate (the frequency of the heartbeat)
- Pulse (caused by the expansion of arteries due to blood circulation pumped by the heart)
Common Emergencies and First Aid Responses
Shock
Shock results from the heart’s inability to pump an adequate volume of blood at the necessary pressure to reach major organs.
Injuries
An injury is damage to the body, often caused by cracks or tears in the skin. Depending on its severity, medical care is needed. Injuries can be:
- Blunt force trauma: Injuries caused by impact.
- Sharp force trauma: Wounds caused by sharp-edged objects penetrating the skin.
Bleeding
Bleeding is the loss of blood from the cardiovascular system. It can be:
- Internal: Blood leaks from blood vessels inside the body.
- External: Blood exits through a break in the skin or a natural orifice (e.g., vagina, mouth, rectum).
Burns
Burns are lesions produced in tissues by a thermal agent (heat, radiation, electricity, or abrasive chemicals). They are classified as:
- First-degree burns: Affect only the outer layer of the skin, causing redness and pain.
- Second-degree burns: Affect both the outer and underlying layers, causing redness, blisters, and pain.
- Third-degree burns: Extend to deeper tissues, causing whitish or charred skin.
Sprains and Fractures
- Sprains: Injuries that cause tearing of ligaments in joints.
- Fractures: Broken bones. Fractures can be:
- Complete: The entire thickness of the bone is broken.
- Incomplete: Only part of the bone is broken.
- Closed: The skin remains intact.
- Open: The bone breaks through the skin.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
CPR is a series of maneuvers intended to replace and restore spontaneous breathing and circulation in a victim who has suffered respiratory arrest.
Foreign Bodies
Foreign bodies are objects that enter the body from the outside and lodge in the digestive system, eyes, ears, nose, genitals, or skin.
Poisoning
Poisoning refers to the effects of toxins, including bites from poisonous snakes.
First Aid Procedures
Bandaging
Bandaging is the procedure of wrapping a body part that is injured.
Immobilization
Immobilization is the act of holding a body part still to ensure the victim’s welfare.
Asepsis and Antisepsis
- Asepsis: The state of being free of microorganisms that cause disease.
- Antisepsis: The use of chemical agents on skin or other living tissue to eliminate organisms.
First Aid Kit
Every home, workplace, and car should have a first aid kit containing materials necessary to save lives and avoid complications from accidents. The kit should include healing materials and essential drugs.
Transporting the Injured
Moving injured victims can be dangerous. Ensure that movements do not increase existing injuries or cause new ones. Avoid unnecessary or inadequate transportation.