3 Points on How to Approach a First Aid Situation

Movies often depict a scene of accident or emergency with a horde of rescue workers arriving in flashing vehicles and running hastily to the victim. Of course this does not happen in real life and nor is it desirable.

If you are the first person on the scene of a certain accident then you must approach the situation in the way as detailed below. Remember that the approach and requirement in an emergency remains fairly the same whether you are a medical professional or just a citizen.

* Assess the Situation: When arriving at the scene, first you must look at the victim before proceeding to look around the sight of the accident. Next you must observe the surroundings and try to ascertain the cause of the accident. Also look out for any signs of danger that may still be present in the area, common among them being falling debris or objects, fire and oncoming traffic. You may also get some information by asking the bystanders. If the situation seems too dangerous to approach then stay away and call for professional help immediately. Remember that the last thing you want is to become a victim yourself. However if the accident scene does seem safe enough to approach then you must carefully reach the victim and try to ascertain the individual's condition. Also see if there more than one victim is on the scene. At times the injuries may turn out to be minor and no further help may be required besides bringing the person to a safe place and cleaning or bandaging the light bruises or minor wounds.

* Call for Help: If you find that the situation is indeed a serious one then you must quickly call up the local emergency number to summon professional help. Inform the officials about the accident and the condition of the victim or victims. Another important thing to remember is to provide the most accurate address possible with a mention of the nearby landmarks for faster location. Also provide the officials with your name and number from where the call is being made, you may even ask them what to do till they arrive and must follow the instructions completely.

* Provide First Aid: Remember that first aid is simply the initial treatment to be given till further help arrives. Thus while waiting for assistance you must do only what is necessary and act according to your level of expertise or knowledge. You may move the victim to a place of safety and look for obvious signs of bleeding and broken bones. But first ensure the victim is breathing and administer Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) to revive the victim. After stabilization you may take steps to arrest bleeding or immobilizing or even providing assurance to the victim.

Since each accident and condition of the victim may vary from another there cannot be set ways to deal with the situation. You must thus use any prior expertise coupled with common sense to approach the accident wisely and do what you can to sustain the victim till the professionals take over.

How to Make a First Aid Kit in 5 Steps

You already know how important first aid can be to provide initial treatment in case of accidents or falling ill. In addition to your knowledge having a well stocked first aid kit can prove to be extremely useful.

You can either purchase readymade kits from stores or can make one to include all the list of medicines as approved by the Red Cross. Alternatively you customize a kit to suit your own particular needs.

The following 5 steps will guide you build a first aid kit for yourself.

* Container: You must choose a suitably sized sturdy plastic container which must be waterproof to protect its contents should it get wet. Choose one that will keep your medical supplies secure and which can be opened easily. Alternatively you can also purchase a water resistant pouch to make your kit.

* Standard Supplies: There are certain standard medical supplies that your first aid kit must contain without fail. These include cotton, medical tape and self-adhesive bandages in different sizes. You must also have an antiseptic and an ointment for treating burns. Next your kit must have a thermometer, tweezers and a pair of scissors. Don't forget to add gloves and face masks which can be very useful in case of more serious injuries.

* Special Medicines: You can stock your kit with commonly used medicines for conditions such as fever, diarrhea, pain killers, cold and even antacids if you need them. To your first aid kit you can also add the specific medications that address particular health conditions that you or your family members might have. For example medications for blood pressure, diabetes and asthma are required urgently in certain situations and should be included if you are suffering from any such ailment.

* Notes: You can also add a few notes to your first aid kit. These notes must contain emergency numbers so you can call for help during problems of a more serious nature. You should also make a note if you or a family member has allergies to certain medicines. Writing down such information will help in better recall as you are liable to forget such crucial details when faced with an emergency. You can also include an instruction manual so you will know the medicines to use in particular situations.

* Size of the Kit: A full size first aid kit containing a comprehensive list of supplies is generally recommended. But for practical purposes you can have a larger kit at home while smaller and more portable ones can be kept in your car. You may also keep a mini kit in your bag at all times if you travel often or are prone to certain health conditions.

Remember to periodically check the contents of your first aid kit to remove expired medications and replace them with fresh supplies so that all the contents of your kit are usable whenever required. Also note that according to the Red Cross you must have enough medical supplies in your kit to last you for a period of seven days.