ABC’s of First Aid

Face it – accidents happen and they are often impossible to avoid. What you can prepare for is having a first aid kit on hand and knowing the basic first aid procedures in a medical emergency. With these basic ABC’s of first aid, you’ll get an idea of what to put in your very own first aid kit and how to handle certain injuries and health conditions.

• Antiseptic
  Antiseptics, such as rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, iodine, sterile saline and other solutions are commonly used to disinfect minor wounds and are important to have in a first aid kit.




• Bandages
  
  Every first aid kit should include bandages to protect wounds, stop bleeding and provide support to the body. Bandages come in all shapes and sizes, from adhesive bandages, gauze bandages to compression bandages.




• Cold packs
  
  Cold packs are effective for treating muscle and joint injuries, by reducing swelling, inflammation and alleviating pain. Try an instant cold pack that gives immediate relief on the go.




• Disposable gloves
  
  Disposable gloves, whether latex or synthetic, are important for doctoring an open wound and protecting against contamination from blood and bodily fluids.




• Eye wash
  
  Emergency eye wash is a gentle saline solution that is very good to have in your first aid kit when and if you accidentally get chemicals or particles in your eye.




• Fever
  
  The normal body temperature is 98.6 degree Fahrenheit. Anything over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit is considered a fever and usually means you’re ill or have an infection. Some fevers are harmless as it’s your body’s natural defense against infections, but fevers can be treated with a fever-reducer or pain reliever, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen.




• Gauze dressing pads
  
  Gauze dressing pads are multi-purpose bandages that are designed for cleaning wounds and applying medication and antiseptic, as well as layering on a wound to absorb fluid and apply pressure.




• Hydrocortisone cream
  
  Hydrocortisone cream is used to relieve minor skin irritations, itching and rashes from eczema, poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac and other harsh irritants.




• Insect sting relief pads
  
  Insect sting relief pads clean and relieve pain and itching caused by insect bites.




• Joint pain
  
  Joint pain is often associated with arthritis, or inflammation of the joints. This painful condition comes with age, but it can be treated with prescription and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicines, as well as a number of natural remedies.




• Keep emergency numbers on hand
  
  In the event of an emergency, you’ll need the phone numbers of the family doctor, pediatrician, local emergency service, the regional poison control center and other specialists that can assist when you or someone else is hurt or ill.




• Laceration
  
  A laceration is a cut or scrape that has severed the skin. It’s imperative that you clean the laceration with soap and water and other antiseptics to keep the area clean and dry. Deep lacerations and cuts that won’t stop bleeding may require stitches.




• Motion sickness
  
  Motion sickness can occur during any transportation, resulting in uneasiness, cold sweat, dizziness and vomiting. When traveling, you’ll generally want to sit in or near the front of your mode of transportation, as well as take an over-the-counter antihistamine 30 to 60 minutes before you travel.




• Nosebleeds
  
  Nosebleeds are more of a nuisance than a medical concern, but, either way they should be treated with care. To stop a nosebleed, sit upright, lean forward and pinch your nose using your thumb and index finger for five to 10 minutes. If bleeding lasts longer than 20 minutes, seek medical help immediately.




• Open fracture
  
  An open fracture is when the bone protrudes through the skin and is usually the result of trauma. Open fractures are extremely susceptible to local contamination and infection, therefore they deserve immediate emergency care treatment.




• Pain relievers
  
  Over-the-counter pain relievers are medicines used to reduce and relieve pain from headaches, sore muscles, arthritis, menstrual cramps and other minor aches and pains. OTC pain relievers are categorized by two types: acetaminophen (Tylenol) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, such as aspirin, naproxen (Aleve) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).




• Questions
  
  Whenever you’re helping someone who’s sick or injured, it’s important to ask them questions about what their symptoms are, what hurts and where and questions about their medical history. You may be the one talking to the doctor or answering for the patient. If symptoms persist or get worse, don’t hesitate and take them to the hospital.




• Rest
  
  Rest is very important for recovery. The human body goes through a great deal of stress and pain during medical emergencies, both big and small, which is all the more reason to take it easy and rest to prevent further injury and pain.




• Syringe
  
  Syringes are used for giving shots that inject or extract liquid and gases into body tissues. Syringes are important to have on hand when you or someone you know is diabetic or has to get injections for their health condition.




• Thermometer
  
  Thermometers are used to measure the body temperature and determine if a person has a fever or hypothermia. A thermometer is essential for all first aid kits.




• Upper respiratory infection
  
  A URI is any type of infection of the head and chest that is caused by a virus. It can affect your nose, throat, sinuses and ears. It could also affect the tube that connects your middle ear and throat, and your windpipe, voice box and airways. URIs can be treated with over-the-counter medications and self-care items to relieve pain or discomfort.




• Volunteer
  
  If you are certified in CPR or the Heimlich maneuver and see someone in distress, don’t wait for someone else to take charge, volunteer to help them. During a medical emergency, it’s important to help those in need, act quickly and remain calm.




• Water safety
  
  Swimming is a fun activity, but you should always take caution and follow the stated rules to avoid injuries or death. Young children and inexperienced swimmers should always wear a life vest and be closely monitored.




• X-rays
  
  After an injury or persistent pain, an X-ray may be necessary to determine a diagnosis. Before your appointment, try to rest and avoid extraneous activities or putting pressure on the injured area.




• You have to speak up
  
  When you’re hurt, you are the only one who knows what hurts and where. It’s very important to be in tune with your body and be able to vocalize your symptoms, because if you don’t speak up your condition might worsen.




• Ziploc bags
  
  Ziploc resealable bags are great for storing and organizing your first aid supplies, such as bandages, antiseptic ointments, cold compresses and other necessities. Plus, the see-through design makes it easy to find certain items during a chaotic medical emergency.

Filed under: Healthcare Administration

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!