With so many accidents and injuries each year – an estimated 2.7 million hospital admissions in 2002 as a result of home and leisure accidents alone – it makes sense for everybody to have some first aid knowledge. Whilst nothing can replace a first aid training course, even just a little knowledge could help someone.
At SOS Claims we can help you in the aftermath of an accident, providing you with a second opinion regarding a personal injury claim, but we strongly advise you to look into one of the courses provided by the NHS Ambulance Service, St. John Ambulance, or the British Red Cross.
Some of the most common injuries which you might encounter are listed below, along with some first aid tips to help you.
Burns and scalds
Most commonly, burns are caused by heat, although chemical burns can also happen. If you are treating a chemical burn you should wear gloves to protect yourself. Rinse the burn with cold running water, and – if you know – tell the doctors or paramedics what it was that caused the burn.
For burns caused by heat, you should also run the affected area under cold water. You should never apply cream or lotion to burned skin, but something like a sterile dressing, or cling film, can be used to cover the area if necessary.
Bleeding
The NHS website points out that the aim of treating a bleeding wound is to prevent further bleeding and shock. There are a great number of injuries which may lead to blood loss, and not all of them can be treated in the same way. The important thing to remember is to protect your patient – and yourself – from further harm.
When treating a bleeding wound, wear gloves to prevent infection. Applying pressure and raising the area of the body that is wounded will both help to stem the bleeding. Care must be taken if there are any broken bones, or foreign objects in the wound.
Broken bones and fractures
If you are not a health care professional it can be difficult to know whether an injury has broken a bone – if in doubt, treat it as such. It is always better to be cautious. Depending on the extent of the injury, you may be able to take the patient to hospital yourself, but if the patient has a broken leg, or back, you must keep them still and wait for an ambulance.
Heart attack and stroke
The most common sign of a heart attack is chest pain. It often feels like a tight, or squeezing sensation. In some people the pain can also appear in the abdomen or arms.
If you suspect someone is having a heart attack, dial 999 immediately.
The NHS have publicised how to act FAST if someone is having a stroke. Is their Face showing signs of weakness? Do they have weakness in one Arm? Can they Speak clearly, and understand you? You may not have a lot of Time, so call 999 immediately.
If in doubt, always seek medical attention.