First Aid

First Aid

Introduction

First aid to sick and wounded has been practiced since ancient times. But an organized world wide effort for giving first aid came only in the year 1877 with the formation of St. John ambulance association of England after the Great apostle of St. John.

In 1920, Red Cross Society of India was established. With more than 400 branches all over India, great success has been achieved in the improvement of health and prevention of diseases. Since then the universal need and utility of first aid has been increasing in this modern mechanized civilization.

Definition of First aid

·           First aid is simple medical treatment given the earliest possible to a person who is injured or who suddenly becomes ill.

·           First aid is the initial assistance or treatment given to a casualty for any injury or sudden illness before the arrival of an ambulance, doctor or other qualified person. First aid is not an end by itself. It indicates that the person is in need of a “Secondary Aid”.

First Aider

The person who is trained to render emergency service on the spot until the medical aid is obtained is called a “First Aider”.

Qualities of a First Aider.

·           Calm

·           Confident

·           Willing to offer assistance whenever necessary

Aims of first aid:

3Ps Preserve life

Prevent injuries /condition from worsening

Promote Recovery

Scope of First Aid

The scope of first aid includes

a)       Diagnosis

b)       Treatment

c)        Disposal of the case.

(a) Diagnosis

Know the possible cause of accident or sudden injury.

Gather information from casualty and bystanders.

Watch for symptoms like faintness, bleeding, thirst, pain or shivering

Watch for abnormal signs like swelling, paleness etc.

(b) Treatment

Remove the causative agent from the casuality eg. falling machinery, fire, electrical wire, poision etc.

(c) Disposal

Arrange for the safe transportation of the casuality to the care of a doctor or hospital as soon as possible.

Inform the family or relatives at once.