AN INJURY IS NOT JUST A PROCESS OF RECOVERY, IT IS A PROCESS OF DISCOVERY.
Injuries are practically inevitable in life. No matter how alert and cautious you try to be you are bound to get injured throughout your life. You can get injured even without moving an inch. Anyday, anytime, anything can happen and cause you injuries ranging from minor to grave. Any situation or thing seemingly dangerous can alert you however the alertness does not always assure safety.
Sometimes in emergency situations, there is a chance you get hurt by whatever is causing the emergency; for instance, you could get struck by toppling debris during an earthquake or could get burned in a fire. But injuries can also be caused by the panic that ensued in an emergency. In the rush to get away from danger you could sprain your ankle or stumble upon something and hurt your head or suffer an open wound.
Here are some such situations that can use some first-aid in the absence of medical assistance:
ELECTRIC SHOCK
If someone around you gets an electric shock, call for the emergency services and meanwhile perform these steps:
- turn off the source of electricity and if it is not possible, move yourself and the person away from it using a dry, non-conducting object made of wood or cardboard.
- if the signs of circulation like breathing and coughing or movement are missing immediately begin CPR (chest compression).
- try to prevent the body temperature from dropping by rubbing the feet and hands of the person, this increases the blood flow and keeps the person warm.
- if there are any burns, cover them with a sterile gauze bandage. Avoid using towels and blankets as they can stick to the burnt area.
BURNS
In such a situation get the person away from the heat source and follow these steps
- wash the burns with cold water for 20 minutes. Do not use ice, iced water, or any kind of greasy substance.
- remove any clothing or jewelry near the burnt area but do not pull anything that is stuck to the burnt area.
- make sure the person stays warm by covering them but do not cover the burnt area.
- cover the burnt area with clean cling wrap and nothing else as cloth and bandages stick to burns.
- provide the patient with painkillers like ibuprofen and paracetamol.
- if the face and eyes are affected, sit up and avoid lying down.
- in the cases of electric and chemical burns, take the person to the hospital.
DROWNING
Notify a lifeguard if one is near. call emergency services and perform these steps:
- move the person out of the water and to a dry place.
- check for the signs of circulation like breathing and coughing and if none are present start CPR.
- roll the person onto their side and tap on the back to get rid of any stomach content blocking their airways.
- if the person starts breathing, cover them up to keep them warm and avoid hypothermia.
- monitor the patient till the medical assistance arrives.
CUTS AND SCRAPES
These guidelines can help you care for cuts and scrapes:
- wash your hands before touching the wounded area to avoid infection.
- stop the bleeding. Minor cuts and scrapes generally stop bleeding on their own but if that is not the case try to stop the bleeding by gently applying pressure with a clean cloth or bandage and elevate the area till the bleeding stops.
- rinse the wound with water first and then with an antiseptic solution. Do not use hydrogen peroxide and iodine as they can cause irritation.
- apply a layer of an antibiotic or petroleum jelly to keep the surface moist and avoid scarring.
- cover the wound with a clean bandage and change the dressing regularly and do not get it wet and dirty.
- get a tetanus shot if you haven’t had one in the past five years and the wound is deep and dirty.
- for deep and big lacerations visit the hospital.
Follow these procedures according to the situation. First aid is the most important part of the treatment so it needs to be performed carefully. Always seek medical assistance after performing the first aid even if the situation seems under control. Hope the knowledge provided in this article proves beneficial.
