What is First Aid ? What is First Aid ?
by: Pavitra Gautam [itsmepavitra@hotmail.com] | category: Health Articles
What is First Aid ?
Short & sweet meaning of first Aid is the Primary Treatment that is given to a patient. If we tried to acquire a deeper meaning of first aid, it is the first treatment given to a patient generally when the victim has just gone through an accident, this kind of treatment is given to a patient with limited surrounding supplies i.e. with the tools that are available just around the location where the accident has took place. Any person can give a first aid treatment but the thing is, she has to take care of some certain things. According to American Medical Association (AMA) first aid is the immediate care given to a person who has been injured or has become ill until emergency medical services can be obtained.
Objective of First Aid
Major objective of the first aid is to save the victims life. Other secondary objectives are:-
- Contact the emergency medical services system or a doctor.
- If poisoning has occurred, contact the local poison control centre.
- Maintain breathing.
- Maintain blood circulation.
- Prevent continued loss of blood.
- Prevent further injury.
Things to take care:
- Avoid panic.
- Inspire confidence.
- Do only those things necessary to protect life and minimize injury, until trained medical personnel arrive.
- Look for an emergency medical identification signal and or a card to learn about the persons needs or necessary precautions.
A person might need first aid treatment at any place and at any time as accident can occur at any place and at any time. But if we take care of our work at certain place we can minimize the accidents. Such Places are In our Home, walking areas, especially stairways, free of objects like toys. Electric and kitchen appliances, household chemicals etc. In our car, keep the car in good repair, especially lights, brakes and tires. We should use our seat belts. Infants and children should always be kept in the back seat to prevent the larger injury. At work, we should be always aware of the physical and chemical hazards to which we may be exposed and we should learn how to eliminate any exposures. At recreation or play, we should make sure the physical surroundings are appropriate to the activity in which we are engaged. We should wear appropriate clothing or protective devices, including helmets when bicycling.
