What is a first aider?

What is a first aider? 

First aid refers to the actions taken in response

to someone who is injured or taken ill. A first

aider is a person who takes this action while

taking care to keep everyone involved safe

 and to cause no further harm while doing

so. 

\Using the guidelines set out in theses articles you

should take actions that most benefit the

casualty. Always take into account your own

skills, knowledge and experience.

Thisarticle prepares you for the role of first

aider by providing guidance on responding to

a first aid situation and assessing the priorities

for the casualty. There is advice on the

psychological aspect of giving first aid and

practical guidance on how to protect yourself

and a casualty.  Managing an Incident

, provides guidelines on dealing with

events such as traffic or water incidents or

fires, Assessing a Casualty

 looks at the practical steps to

take when assessing a sick or injured person.

One of the primary rules of first aid is to

ensure that an area is safe for you before you

approach a casualty. Do not attempt

heroic rescues in hazardous circumstances.

If you put yourself at risk, you are unlikely

to be able to help others and you could

become a casualty. If it is not safe, do not

approach the casualty, but call 911/100/999/112 for

emergency help.

Similar to US and many other developed countries, India today launched a pan-India service of the single emergency helpline number '112'. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today launched a pan-India service of the single emergency helpline number '112' for immediate assistance services from police (100), fire (101), health (108) and women (1090). Apart from emergency response service, the government also launched Investigation Tracking System for Sexual Offences (ITSSO) and the safe city implementation

Assessing an incident

When you come across an incident stay calm and support the casualty. Ask him what has happened.

Try not to move the casualty; if possible, treat him in the position you find him.

FIRST AID PRIORITIES

Assess a situation quickly and calmly.

■ Protect yourself and any casualties from

danger – never put yourself at risk 

■ Prevent cross infection between yourself and

the casualty as far as possible .

■ Comfort and reassure casualties at all times.

■ Assess the casualty: identify, as far as you

can, the injury or nature of illness affecting a

casualty 

■ Give early treatment, and treat the casualties

with the most serious (life-threatening)

conditions first.

■ Arrange for appropriate help: call 999/ in India call 112

for emergency help if you suspect serious

injury or illness; in England, call 111 for a less

serious condition; take or send the casualty to

hospital; seek medical advice, or take him

home. Stay with the casualty until the right

care is available.

Kit Inclusion:-
Bandages and Dressings:

• 25 adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes
• 5 sterile gauze pads (4 x 3 inches) and 5 sterile gauze pads (3 x 3 inches)
• An elastic bandage that can be used for wrapping a wrist, ankle, elbow or knee ( approx. 3 to 4 inches wide)
• A roll of gauze
• A roll of medical adhesive tape
• An eye shield or eye pad
• 2 triangular bandages that can be used for wrapping any injuries and making an arm sling
• Sterile cotton balls, cotton-tipped swabs

Other supplies and equipment:

• 2 pairs of latex or non-latex gloves (To be worn any time that you may in contact with blood or a bodily fluid.)
• A thermometer
• 5 safety pins to be used for fastening splints and bandages
• An instant cold pack
• A turkey baster or another suction type device which is used to flush out wounds
• An aluminum finger splint
• A pair of tweezers to remove splinters, ticks and insect stingers
• A pair of scissors for cutting bandages and gauze
• A syringe and/or medicine spoon which is used to give specified doses of medicine
• A bottle of hand sanitizer or sanitizing wipes
• A first aid manual
• A breathing barrier for use when giving CPR
• A blanket
• And a list of emergency numbers including doctors

Medicine for cuts and injuries:

• A bottle of antiseptic solution or antiseptic wipes
• A tube of hydrocortisone cream, lotion or ointment for itching
• A tube of antibiotic ointment
• A bottle of calamine lotion for stings or poison ivy
• A bottle of sterile eyewash or saline, like a contact lens saline solution

Other medicines:

• Medicines for pain and fever, such as acetaminophen or aspirin (Do not give children and teenagers aspirin)
• An anti-nausea medicine for treating motion sickness and other types of nausea
• An antihistamine such as Benadryl for treating allergies and swelling
• Decongestants for treating nasal congestion
• An anti-diarrhea medicine
• A laxative for treating constipation
• An antacid for treating an upset stomach