Medical emergencies require that you keep calm, so you can tackle them efficiently. These are the top 10 first aid emergencies that you will likely face in your lifetime. Basic first aid skills make it easier for you to deal with any emergency.
Always call for emergency medical help in serious situations.
1. Burns and scalds
Burns can be caused by fire, friction, or chemicals. Scalds are caused by hot moist substances like steam or oil. Burnt or scalded areas usually turn red, and blisters may form. Depending on the level of the burn, you may notice destruction in deeper tissues.
Immediately place the burnt or scalded area under cool running or standing water for a minimum of 10 minutes. If the area is too large to do this, apply a cold, wet towel to it. Do not pop blisters; cover them with a clean bandage or gauze. It is also important not to remove fabric from the burn or apply any lotions.
Chemical burns must be treated differently. Brush dry chemicals off of the skin prior to rinsing under cool water for at least 15 minutes. While rinsing, be sure to keep uncontaminated areas safe from the chemicals. Contaminated clothes should be removed.
If the person complains of feeling cold, cover the patient with a clean sheet or blanket to prevent hyperthermia and get immediate medical attention.
2. Cuts and wounds
You can easily stem a bleed if a cut or wound is small. Rinse with clean water for five minutes then apply an antibiotic ointment and adhesive bandage. However, for bigger cuts with profuse bleeding, you may need to call for help. Stop the bleeding by tightly holding gauze or cloth over the wound. If you need to apply more gauze, do not remove the first one. Keep applying direct pressure and add another gauze on top.
Over the next few days, it is important to watch for signs of infection.
Seek emergency treatment if:
- You cannot control the bleeding
- There is a foreign object in the wound
- You can see tissue or bone
- There are signs of infection
3. Heart attacks
The symptoms of a heart attack differ from person to person and are different in men and women. This is caused by a blocked artery which stops the supply of oxygen to the heart. Heart attacks are a life-threatening emergency. Immediately call for 911/EMS for help.
Until EMS arrives, let the person sit in a comfortable position. In case of an unresponsive person, begin CPR with chest compressions.
4. Sprains and fractures
Sprains are common injuries and can be treated by elevating the affected area and applying ice to them (RICE method). Sprains can be difficult to tell apart from a fracture, so a trip to hospital emergencies may be advisable.
- R = REST: do not move/straighten the injured body part
- I = IMMOBILIZE: splint the injury if you need to move the person or if EMS is delayed. Keep the person still, otherwise
- C = COOL: keep the injured area cool for 20 minutes every hour, up to 48 hours
- E = ELEVATE: raise the injured area above the level of the heart if it does not cause the person any pain
Fractures need immediate medical attention. Immobilize the limb with the fracture to prevent nerve or blood vessel damage. Also, do not attempt to restore the bone into position.
5. Heat strokes and sunburn
Excessive exposure to the sun can cause heat strokes. Heat strokes are a severe illness which is life-threatening. Take the person out of the sun and bring them somewhere cool. From there, you will need to use cooling methods such as immersing them in cool water from the neck down or using ice packs on the chest/armpits. Continue these methods until they improve or EMS arrives. Give the person plenty of liquids to help rehydrate them. It is best to drink something with electrolytes such as Gatorade, coconut water, milk, etc.
Soothe sunburn with cool compresses, aloe vera lotion, and pain relief medication. If the symptoms are severe, including high fever, dizziness, weakness, and oozing blisters, take the person to a doctor.
6. Electrical burns
Electrical burns are important to keep an eye on because they can affect the heart. If the scene is safe, you will need to use caution while working with the person. Look for two burn points (entry and exit points) and care for them as stated earlier in this blog.
Continue to monitor their airway, breathing and circulation. If the person is in severe pain, call 911/EMS immediately.
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7. Bites and stings
Bites from animals can be treated at home if they are small and the animal is not rabid. Wash the wound, apply antibacterial cream and a clean dressing. If the animal is wild or stray, seek medical attention and watch for infection.
Insect stings are also usually harmless unless someone is allergic to bees. In case of an allergy, the person will need to take medication. For severe allergies, call 911/EMS immediately. Otherwise, remove the stinger by scraping it with a plastic card (like a credit card), wash the area with soap and water, and apply an ice pack.
8. Choking
An obstruction in the windpipe causes choking. If the person is unable to cough and cannot breath, this is called complete choking. You can dislodge the obstruction by using two of three options: back blows, abdominal thrusts or chest thrusts. Alternate between the two until the object dislodges.
If the person becomes unresponsive, you will need to begin CPR, checking for the object often.
For those who are able to cough or speak, have them sit up and cough. This is called partial choking.
9. Seizure
Seizures usually involve jerking and twitching of the body, but the person could also be still and unresponsive. Unless the patient is at risk of hurting themselves, do not try to stop the shaking. Move any objects out of the person’s way and protect their head by putting something soft under it. You will want to roll the person to their side. Make sure they are comfortable and do not put anything into their mouth.
If this is the first time a person is having a seizure; they should see a doctor. People who are prone to seizures usually have a medical plan that they follow afterward.
10. Stroke
A stroke is caused by a blood clot or bleeding to the brain and is a serious life-threatening condition. If you suspect someone is having a stroke, call for emergency medical attention. You can recognize strokes by applying the acronym FAST which stands for face, arms, speech, and time:
- F = FACE: changes to the face include a droop to one side of the face, especially noticeable around the mouth and eyes
- A = ARMS: a person who has had a stroke will not be able to raise both arms, usually one is weak and numb
- S = SPEECH: the person cannot understand you, is slow in responding, and their speech has changed
- T = TIME: time is of the essence, if you notice any of these changes, call 911 immediately
Why First Aid and CPR Training is Important
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