Principles and practice of first aid

Home Science Education prepares youth for the greatest of all vocation - Home Making. In the earlier text, we had an over view of the concept and role of Home Science. In this chapter an attempt has been made to review some of the important concepts (hints) from all the chapters and also highlight measures that students can remember through out their life time.

Let us start with first aid and then move on to good health, hints from food and nutrition and other areas of importance.

FIRST AID

Learning first aid is the civic responsibility of each citizen. Even though methods of first-aid have been practiced perhaps ever since a man desired to help another man in sickness or after injury, an organised worldwide effort at giving first-aid came only in the year 1877 with the formation of St. John Ambulance Association England after the great apostle of St. John.

PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF FIRST AID

First-aid is the first assistance or treatment given to a casualty for an injury or sudden illness before the arrival of an ambulance or qualified medical expert. It may involve improvising with facilities and materials available at the time.

The aims of First Aid

to preserve life,

to prevent worsening of the condition

to promote recovery

The responsibility of the first aider

Because of the frequency and serious nature of many accidents, the role of the first aider is very important.

In the management of a casualty, your immediate responsibility as a first aider is to

Assess the situation without endangering your own life.

Identify the disease or condition from which the casualty is suffering (diagnosis)

Give immediate, appropriate and adequate treatment, bearing in mind that a casualty may have more than one injury and that some casualties will require more urgent attention than others.

Arrange, without delay, for the disposal of a casualty to a doctor, hospital or home, according to the seriousness of the casualty's condition.

Your responsibility ends when the casualty is handed over to the care of a doctor, a nurse or other appropriate person. You should not leave the incident until you have made your report to whoever takes charge and have ascertained whether you could be of any further help.

DEFINITION

Medical Aid indicates treatment by a qualified doctor at a hospital or clinic or at the scene.

First Aider is the term, which describes any person who has received a certificate from an authorized training body indicating that he or she is qualified to render first aid. First Aid certificates issued by St. John Ambulance Association are awarded to candidates who have attended a course of theoretical and practical work and who have passed a professionally supervised examination.

The Certificate awarded is valid only for three years thus ensuring first aiders are:

highly trained

regularly examined

kept up-to-date in knowledge and skill.

The three emergency situations where a casualty is especially at risk because of interference with vital needs are :

lack of breathing and / or heart beat,

severe bleeding,

a state of unconsciousness

Skilled first aiders can save lives by maintaining a casualty's vital needs :

ABC rule will help you to identify these needs;

An open Airway

Breathing

Circulation

The best advice to the first aider is Make Haste Slowly and Carefully.