First Aid and Emergency Treatment

First Aid is an immediate and temporary care given to a person who met with an accident or suddenly falls sick. The purpose of first aid is keep the victim alive, to relieve pain and stress, providing confidence and also taking him to the doctor or calling for an ambulance. It is to be remembered that the person giving first aid is not a doctor and is a untrained person.

A German called Esmarch was the originator of first aid. However, first aid was made popular by St. Johns Ambulance Service (England) in 1879. British Red Cross Society and St. Andrew’s Ambulance Service also made significant contribution in popularizing first aid.

Rules for the first Aid:

There are some rules to be followed for giving first aid. Things should be done orderly without panicking. Making the victim breathe. Giving confidence to him. Trying to stop bleeding. Handling the victim gently. Not allowing crowd around him. Calling for an Ambulance or taking the victim to a doctor etc.

First aid for Drowning and Fractures:

The person who knows swimming only can rescue the victim from water. During drowning the water enters into the lungs and obstructs breathing. Hence first aid for drowning victim should aim to restore respiration as quickly as possible. The mud enters into the nose, mouth, throat of the victim which should be cleaned as soon as possible. The person giving first aid should comes out, efforts should be made to restore respiration by giving artificial respiration.

Types of Fractures:

1. Simple Facture: This is also called closed fracture. In this type the bone may be broken completely or partially and there will not be wounds at the site of fracture.

2. Compound Fracture: This is also called open fracture. It is a complete fracture and the broken ends of the bones pierce the skin and protrude out,. Results in bleeding.

3. Complicated Fracture: This type of fracture is associated with damage to important internal organs such as liver, brain, intestines etc.

4. Communicated Fracture: In this type, the bone is broken at several places.

5. Impact Fracture: The broken ends of fractured bone are driven into one another.

6. Greek stick Fracture: The bone bends but does not break. This is usually seen in children.

Symptoms of Fracture:

At side of fracture pain will be there swelling occurs. Site of injury will remain tender to touch. Can not bear a small pressure, bleeding may occur, deformation of bone occurs and grating sound can be heard at the site of fracture.

First aid for Fracture:

• Victim should not be moved unnecessarily.
• Try to attempt first aid for bleeding parts.
• Try to stop bleeding and clean the injured parts with cotton and spirit.
• Bandage should be applied with enough support around the fracture site but not over the fracture bone.
• Try to shift the victim to the hospital and make an arrangement to attend the doctor or call for an ambulance.