10 Basic steps & Objective Of First Aid
There are many forms of emergency medical care that go into saving lives. As you will find out, there are very specific rules for each type and sometimes these rules need to be followed. This article is about the fundamentals of first aid and its requirements. For more information about treating injuries like cuts or bruises, read our guide on these topics.
In this post, we will provide some basic basics and examples of first aids. We’ll talk about what these are, their purposes and how they can be applied in real life situations. In addition, we will cover a few steps that can be taken to prepare someone for an accident, whether it’s minor or major.
There are five types of first aid: pre-hospital, hospital, ambulatory, home and transport. You can learn more about them and see if one fits your needs at The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) website. To give you a better idea, here’s a video from NICE on the following subjects:
1. Pre-hospital:
Pre-hospital care includes: first aid kits and equipment. It also includes basic instructions such as ‘stop,’ ‘go slow’ and other things that you should do in the moment and should not repeat later. While most people don’t need paramedics in pre-hospital emergency situations, it is important for you to have contact with trained medical staff in the pre-hospital ambulance.
Most ambulances are equipped with a fire extinguisher or taser if necessary. Other items include gloves, a flashlight, a defibrillator, bandage supplies and so on. Having these materials can help decrease the risk of serious injury. These devices are often available in hospitals and pharmacies when needed. An example of these might be nitroglycerin.
2. Hospital (Proprietary Name):
- When attending a hospital, you should:
- Conduct a quick history – ask questions about your injuries to get more detailed information
- Ask questions about your injuries to get more detailed information Dress appropriately in accordance with the current guidelines provided by the healthcare provider
- In accordance with the current guidelines provided by the healthcare provider Give consent to the health professionals attending to you and to seek treatment
- To consult with the hospital’s records regularly
- Withdraw any blood, medications, medication disposal, pain relief or similar drugs from your body before discharge from the practice
- From your body before discharge from the practice Don’t take prescription or over-the-counter medicines unless prescribed by your doctor – avoid taking stimulants that may cause rapid heartbeat or heart palpitations while traveling abroad. Be sure to check local laws before giving yourself tablets that contain diuretics (e.g., Nexium). Also, be aware that certain medicines may interact with another medicine that you are taking. See Medicines, Interactions, Dosages and Safety Information, under Drugs.
3. Ambulatory:
Ambulatory care involves providing you with basic medical care and resources. At the same time, it’s important to remember that you still need to follow all the proper procedures before getting to the office even if it means leaving the house. Many times, a licensed nurse will deliver some paperwork and tell someone who can meet you in the waiting room to take you back to the parking lot. Then, go over the checklist of tasks that are part of the triage process, which will help the professional assess your condition and decide whether to refer you to a specialist or just let you drive home.
Most ambulances are prepared for emergencies, which mean that you will probably need to know CPR, but these can be taught on the job. However, even non-professionals can practice CPR using self-defibrillators. Here and in this online training course are other good sources. If you’re looking to become certified in the field. Consider becoming familiar with CPR and knowing where to turn if something goes wrong. When dealing with cardiac arrest, try to apply pressure to prevent the fall or collapse.
4. Home / Transfer:
When going to the emergency department to receive treatment, try to stay in your car until it’s safe to leave. Take notes on the following:
- Your own personal space
- Your cell phone number
- Contact details of everyone you come into contact with (e.g., nurse, doctor, family)
- Whether you’re being transferred to be admitted or treated at a different hospital, always make copies of any papers or electronic files that you bring to the emergency department to ensure you’re in the right place. Your address should also be noted. Try to keep your belongings, including items that might be useful for your case. Bring only the necessities: your wallet, shirt and shorts, shoes and socks, eyeglasses, toothbrush, thermometer etc.
5. Transport Services:
Transport services usually include:
- Emergency response vehicles
- Roadside assistance
- Ambulance/health van transportation
- Hospice transport
- Call for an ambulance immediately
If possible, transfer to a safer area when going to an emergency room. Stay away from traffic signals, traffic lights or areas that are potentially dangerous. Do not leave your vehicle if you feel dizzy and disoriented. Watch for signs of heat exhaustion, and take action if you think you are having sudden feelings of nausea and vomiting. Have food and drink readily available to make up for any lost energy or appetite. If you’re unconscious, call 911 or press your hands together tightly when you see a flapping pulse. Make eye contact with the emergency personnel and remain calm. Hold off making a fuss until the next time you call for help. Most ambulances will arrive within 5 minutes after arriving. You may then need to wait for the team that is called in. If you need immediate attention, you may need to travel farther down the road. Ask someone to drive you to the hospital, if you can’t walk, because this is an extremely traumatic experience.
6. Fire Extinguishers:
Fire Extinguishers play a key role in reducing the risks of casualties. They can be found near any exit or waypoint if the building has fire alarms. Some businesses also offer fire extinguishers outside the door. Once they are safely stored and away from children, pets or anyone else that might accidentally light a match is used.
7. Tourniquet:
An appropriate amount of tourniquet (or other anti-inflammatory medicines) might increase the chances for survival for wounds that were caused by blunt force trauma or an acute event. When using ice packs, cold compresses or heated blankets to minimize shock and stop bleeding, always wrap them tightly. Avoid applying pressure unless directed by your patient’s physician. Never put anything wet like a cloth in a tourniquet. Instead, place ice pads on the wound and use tissue packs. Afterward, try to use compression tape if you’ve broken either bone or cartilage.
8. Wound Exercises:
Some common exercises that can help reduce swelling on wounds include:
- Deep breathing exercises – inhale deeply through pursed lips and exhale slowly through pursed lips
- Inhale deeply through pursed lips and exhale slowly through pursed lips Exercise can help burn calories and improve overall cardiovascular health. A study showed that aerobic exercise increased the levels of HDL cholesterol in adults.
- Progressive Muscle Relaxation – Place fingers along the sides of your palms, keeping your index finger near your middle
- Place fingers along the sides of your palms, keeping your index finger near your middle Stretching – stretch both arms across your chest and legs simultaneously
- Stretch both arms across your chest and legs simultaneously Cold compress – use ice packs or a frozen towel to apply pressure to your skin in order to temporarily stop bleeding
- Use ice packs or a frozen towel to apply pressure to your skin in order to temporarily stop bleeding Hydrocortisone – a corticosteroid drug is given to severely injured and ill patients. Corticosteroids work on inflammation and pain.
9. Resting Electrocardiograms:
Resting ECGs are particularly helpful if your patient has had an electric shock or seizure. These tests show clear patterns of electrical activity in the heart. Electrodes are placed in front of the person’s torso. Electrical impulses are passed from the body through the heart to the electrodes. The resulting signal shows normal rhythm. This test is performed in hospital settings, on an outpatient basis. The results are displayed via paper printouts but this method is now used in nursing homes and long term care facilities.
10. Emergency Vehicle Accidents:
For additional information, check out our full list on Trauma and Injury Prevention.