Guide for a first-aid provider
Sudden injury or illness can be fatal unless proper care is provided promptly. This prompt care before taking to a hospital is known as first aid. It does not replace the physician, but assists the victim to survive and reduce immediate complications before proper medical care is accessed.
Following steps are applicable in the guidance to first aid.
a) Take charge or follow instructions. If you are first at the scene, instruct someone to obtain medical help and others to assist as directed. Do the opposite thing if you arrive after someone has arrived.
b) Do not let many people gather in case of hazards.
c) Give priorities in treating victims when there are several injured persons.
d) Make a primary survey of the victim.
e) Care for life-threatening condition.
f) Make a secondary survey of the victim.
g) Care for all injuries in order of need.
h) Keep the injured person(s) lying down.
i) Loosen restrictive clothing if necessary.
j) When necessary, improvise first aid materials using whatever is available.
k) Cover all wounds completely.
l) Prevent air from reaching burned surfaces as quickly as possible by using a suitable dressing.
m) Remove small and loose foreign objects by brushing away from the wound with a piece of sterile gauze.
n) Do not try to remove embedded objects.
o) Place a cover bandage over an open fracture without undue pressure before applying splints.
p) Support and immobilise fractures and dislocation.
q) Unless absolutely necessary, do not move the patient until fractures have been immobilised.
r) Test a stretcher before use, carefully place an injured person on the stretcher, and carry the patient without any unnecessary movements.
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