Emergency First Aid

Knowing how to give first aid in emergencies can and does, save many lives. Whenever possible, try and call a doctor or an ambulance.

Did You Know

• A well-stocked first-aid kit can help you respond effectively to common injuries and emergencies.

• It is better to have tetanus shots once every three years.

• Even major injuries benefit from swift first aid treatment

• First aid, also requires at least a modicum of common sense; so apply your knowledge carefully when confronted by an emergency situation.

Artificial Respiration

Mouth to Nose

• Put victim’s face up

• Clear mouth with finger

• Use one hand to hold victim’s chin forwards and mouth closed. place other hand on forehead

• Seal your lips around victim’s nose and breathe into it.

• Remove your mouth and watch the victim’s chest fall

• Breathe into victim’s nose again. Give approximately 12-16 breaths a minute.

Asphyxiation

• Check if the victim is breathing and drag away from danger

• Loosen anything around the neck that might be choking the victim

• Clear the victim’s airway by lying him on his back, supporting chin and removing any debris from mouth with finger

• Check breathing and pulse

• If you cannot see, hear or feel any breathing, give mouth to mouth resuscitation

• Once breathing is normal, turn victim on side in recovery position

• Again make sure the victim’s airway is clear.

• Keep careful watch on breathing and give artificial respiration again if it falters.

• Get medical aid.

Bites and Stings

• Homeopathy experts say that all animal bites must be washed with pure tincture of Hypericum or a dilution in cold, boiled water. For pain and swelling, have Apis 6x

• Conventional treatment- Wash affected area with warm water and soap or milk antiseptic.

• Dry gently, wiping down and away from wound

• Cover with clean dressing. Consult a doctor and have a tetanus shot or a course of antibiotics

• For Bee Stings, in which both sting and poison bag are left in casualty, apply crumbled leaves of plantain

• For Wasp Stings – in which only the poison is left in the casualty- wash the affected area with vinegar

• Naturopathy experts advice to immerse the affected area in cold water containing ice cubes and a tsp of baking soda. This slows circulation and helps prevent poison spreading.

• One can also try holding a fresh slice of raw onion over the area or cover with wheat germ oil. Put a ice bag on top and apply calendula cream to soothe

Blisters

Orthodox treatment-

• Gently wipe blisters with cotton wool soaked in methylated spirit

• Alternatively , wash it with soap and water or antiseptic wipe

• If blister is large and fluid filled, sterilize a sewing needle by passing once or twice through a flame

• Let the needle cool for a second and do not touch or wipe the tip

• Hold the needle flat on skin and press firmly into blister, bursting it.

• Remove the needle and press gently with clean swab, wipe and apply dry dressing.

Alternative treatment

• Biochemic tissue salts- Take 4 tablet of Nat. mur every 30 minutes till pain goes away. For children, try 2 tablets every 30 minutes.

• Aromatherapy- Dab lavender oil on blister.

Chest compression

• It involves providing artificial pump for blood if heart has stopped pumping.

• Give 2 inflations of the casualty’s lungs and then feel for carotid pulse for at least 5 seconds.

• If pulse cannot be detected, and if casualty’s complexion is turning blue, place on firm surface and start chest compression

• Feel for breastbone and place heel of one hand on the casualty’s chest, two fingers up from bottom of breastbone

• Keep thumb and fingers raised and off chest.

• Keep heel of your hand in place and put other hand over it, fingers interlocked, thumb and finger raised.

• Press down about 4-5cm. Repeat until pulse beats unaided.

• Remember that Chest compression should only be used if casualty’s heart has stopped beating and he seems likely to die. Ideally it should be learned from a qualified instructor and should be applied only be someone who has been trained. If applied incorrectly or unnecessarily, it could be fatal

Fainting

Bach Remedies

• As the victim comes around, place a few drops of Rescue remedy on tongue or offer in water or tea

Homeopathy

• Give Aconite after faint from fright.

• Give Arsenicum after faint from exhaustion or cold and carbo vegetalis after faint from lack of air.

Orthodox treatment

• If casualty has passed out , but is breathing normally, lay on back with legs raised above level of head.

• Make sure casualty can still breathe, if necessary by supporting chin

• Hold legs up or prop them on chair or anything else suitable

• Loosen clothing at neck, chest and waist and ensure victim gets plenty of fresh air

• If the victim has difficulty in breathing, ensure that airway is clear and if necessary administer artificial respiration.

Motion sickness

Acupressure

• Press point three fingers width above wrist crease on inner wrist centrally in line with middle finger. Apply pressure towards center of wrist.

• Alternatively, wristbands applying similar pressure can be worn. They can be bought from chemists.

• Travel sickness and seasickness tablets are available from chemists and take one about an hour before setting out on a journey

• If driving, do not take tablets containing antihistamine, which can cause drowsiness

• Fresh air and regular breaks should also help ward off sickness.

Sunburn

Herbal Medicine

• Apply cold water and then add 1 or 2 drops of lavender oil.

• Apply cold compress of marigold infusion. Marigold or comfrey cream may also ease large and mild burns

• Apply fresh leaves of houseleeks or plantain to small burns

• Apply a lotion made from dock roots or mixture of water and vinegar.

• Soothe mild cases of sunburn by applying calamine lotion and witch hazel

• If sunburn is severe, get medical help.

• Have a lot of fluids. Do not drink alcohol or beverages with caffeine because they speed up fluid loss

• Never deliberately burst blisters caused by sunburn

References

• First Aid for Animal Bites
• KidsHealth
• How to Help yourself and Others – Edited by Susan D. Allowitz