three P's in first aid

Knowledge of basic first aid can make the difference between life and death.Several studies have shown that effective first aid can be vital in the first few minutes after an emergency. In the first few minutes any casualty found the basic first aid him or her life may be safe. Finally, first aid is an important life skill.

There are three main aims of first aid:

                                               

Three P’s

Preserve life:

 Your first aim is to preserve life by carrying out emergency first aid procedures (for example,

o   Opening a casualty’s airway or

o    Performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation).

Prevent deterioration or further injury: 

Secondly, you should attempt to prevent the casualty’s condition from deteriorating further. This could include asking them to stay still to prevent movement of possible fractures.

Promote recovery: 

Finally, you can promote recovery by arranging prompt emergency medical help. In addition, simple first aid can significantly affect the long-term recovery of an injury.

For example, quickly cooling a burn will reduce the risk of long term scarring.

Incident Management:-

The main principle of incident management is that you are the most important person and your safety comes first! Your first actions when coming across the scene of an incident should be:

§  Check for any dangers to yourself or bystanders

§  Manage any dangers found (if safe to do so)

§  Ensure continuing safety of yourself and bystanders

As a first aider it is important to have a good understanding of infection control. Infection control is an important for two reasons:

üTo protect yourself! Remember you are the most important person

üTo protect the patient

Think about the following situation:

And

Think about the following questions:

•      What would your first action be?

•      What dangers could there be in this situation?

•      How would you manage these dangers?

•      Which other emergency services would be required?

In some situations it may be too dangerous for you to approach the scene. In this situation you should remember that you are the most important person – stay back and call for professional assistance.

In many first aid situations, help from the emergency services may be required.

Ensure you know which number to call!

– Fire & Rescue Islamabad 16

– CDA CARE: 1122

– Punjab Emergency Service: 1122

– Police Rescue Service: 15

– Edhi Ambulance: 115

– All Pakistan Fire Brigade: 16

Give clear, precise information about

•      -The location of the incident

•      – The number of casualties / people involved

•      – The nature of their injuries

•      – In some cases, their age

•      – Any hazards at the incident (e.g: spilt fuel, fire, electricity)

Note: If the area is remote/difficult to access, consider sending someone to meet the emergency services in a known location.
Bleeding and Wounds:

   To stop bleeding, firmly squeeze the sides of the wound together or apply pressure with the thumbs at the sides of the wound. Cleanse around and away from the wound, taking care not to disturb any blood clot. Apply and maintain pressure to bleeding part with dressing, cover with pad and bandage firmly. If bleeding is not controlled, apply more pads and increase pressure with the hand or additional bandages. Immobilize the injured part and treat for shock. 

Shock:

     Symptoms are pale,  cold skin, rapid pulse, shallow breathing, and weakness. Shock itself can be fatal, Reassure the patient and lay him down at absolute rest. Loosen any tight clothing, wrap in blanket or coat but DO NOT OVEREAT, apply artificial heat or rub. Shift the patient to the hospital without delay. 

Broken Bones: 


     Fractures should be moved as little as possible, Immobilize and support the injured part at once. Upper limbs may be gently secured  to the body in the most comfortable position. When a leg is fractured leave the patient lying in as comfortable position as possible and call a doctor or ambulance. if transport is essential the injured limb may be secured to the sound one. 

Fainting:
  Seat a person who feels fain. Fan face or sponge with cool water. Lower head to knees to encourage blood flow. If he faints lay him down, turn head to the side, and wave smelling salts or spirits of ammonia under the nose. if the faint lasts more than a few minutes, call a physician, if person regains consciousness, keep him quite and lying down for 15 minutes. 

Poison: 
    If patient is unconscious, do not attempt to treat except with artificial respiration, if needed. Conscious patients of corrosive poison (which destroy tissue, e.g. acids) should be given large quantities of milk to drink. With narcotics (e.g. sleeping pills) the patient should be made do vomit by touching the back of his throat or giving him two tablespoons of salt in a glass of warm water to drink.

Frostbite:

        Warm froze part in water (102-105 degrees). 

• Don't use heat lamp or 
• hot water bottle. 
• Do not rub.

Heat Exhaustion: 

       Give patient 

• sips of salt water (1 teaspoon of salt per glass, 1/2 glass every 15 minutes for one hour.
• Loosen clothing and 
• Apply cool wet cloths.
• Keeping lying down with feet elevated. 
• Take to hospital

Heatstroke:

• Sponge body with cool water or

• Rub with alcohol.

Insects Bite and Stings:

•  Attempts to remove stinger.
• Cover area with paste of baking soda, calamine lotion may be helpful later to reduce itching.
• If patient faints, collapses or if body swells call  physician immediately.

Artificial Respiration (Resuscitation):

     The "exhaled air" (Mouth to mouth, or mouth to nose) method of artificial respiration is strongly recommended and should be learned by everyone. 

• Lay patient on his back.
• Tilt the head and chin away from the chest to clear airway.
• Making sure that the tongue or foreign matter does not obstruct it.
• Open your mouth and take a deep breath.
• Pinch the patient's nostrils together
• And then seal your lips around mouth.
• Blow into his lungs until the chest rises.
• Then remove your mouth and watch the chest deflate.
• Repeat, giving the first four inflations as rapidly as possible.
• Lung inflation can also be carried out through the nose. 
• The casualty's mouth should be sealed with the thumb holding the lower jaw.

Heart Attacks:

    The American Heart association says that these are the usual warnings of heart attack, although symptoms vary 

• Prolonged, oppressive pain or unusual discomfort in the center of the chest, behind the chest bone. Pain may radiate to shoulder, arm, neck or jaw.
• The pain or discomfort is often accompanied by sweating, nausea, vomiting and shortness of breath may also occur.
• Sometime these symptoms subside and then return.

Minutes count when heart attack strikes. ACT PROMPTLY. Call a doctor and carefully describe the symptoms, if no doctor is immediately available, shift the patient to a hospital emergency at once.