In a recent report, the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) mentioned that injuries caused by accidents are the fifth most important cause of death in all age groups in US. A statistical data shows that accidental injuries, unintentional fall and poisoning are the leading causes of more than 100,000 deaths in 2001. Though not all injuries lead to death, the number of people who sustain serious injuries can be reduced by providing first aid knowledge to more number of people. First aid courses are available online, which teach you how to react to everyday accidents, how to apply first aid techniques in a proper manner and how to cope with the emotional reactions of the patients.

Some Important Things To Know About First Aid

First aid saves lives. It requires knowledge, training and expertise. If you are trained in first aid, you can provide basic treatment and save the life of the victims. It is important to keep a first aid box handy. Some vital things that must be a part of your first aid kit include –

– Gauze pads

– Gauze roller bandage

– Adhesive bandages

– Wound cleaning agents

– Scissors

– Resuscitation equipment like resuscitation bag, masks etc

– Tweezers.

During a medical emergency, you need to follow certain crucial steps:

– Assess the situation before you administer any first aid procedure. It is not advisable to act impulsively. Check for the extent of risk. Make sure you stay safe. Decide on whether emergency help is required. Look for hazards at the scene of the road crash such as leaking fuel, chemicals and broken glass.

– If the victim is quiet, it may be an indication that he/she is unconscious. You must first give priority to quiet casualties. If there are more than one injured, prioritize your first aid treatment according to the severity of injury. Check the airway first as a blocked airway can lead to death. Confirm whether the victim is breathing normally. If you cannot identify any breathing, seek medical help immediately. You can give chest compressions until emergency help arrives. It is crucial to take steps to prevent cross infection between you and the victim.

– In adults, cardiac compressions usually come first followed by rescue breaths. If the casualty is quiet, do not waste time checking for a pulse. Give 30 chest compressions and two rescue breaths. You can breathe slowly into the victim’s mouth for about two seconds to inflate his/her chest.

– If the casualty requires further assistance, make arrangements to take him/her to hospital.

– Artery bleeding can lead to death within a few minutes, so immediate first aid is crucial. Applying hard pressure on the wound can help stop bleeding. Keep applying pressure until emergency help arrives. It is not advisable to attempt to clean the wound. You can make the victim lie down, preferably with head lower than the other parts of the body. This helps the brain get enough oxygen supply.

Emergency situations can arise at anytime. First aid training helps you acquire important skills. Learning first aid techniques can help you respond to emergency situations with confidence and save lives.

For more information, please visit our first aid courses website.

For more information, please visit our first aid courses website http://www.firstaidexams.com

Author Bio: For more information, please visit our first aid courses website.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: Illness,Injury,First aid ,First Aid Guidelines ,First aid training