First Aid

The first medicament or aid given to a person in case of sudden sickness or injury is called first aid. A person administers care, as per first aid, at utmost earliest situation during sudden accident or sickness. Sometimes it can become question of life and death and of full or partial recovery before the arrival of ambulance when there is delay. In this situation first aid is very significant and should be instant.

The purposes of providing first aid are:
1 Preserving life.
2 Stopping further harm to the casualty.
3 Relieving pain

First aid though is complete treatment, but according to people working in emergency medical field, is the most important treatment provided during emergency. It literally saves lives.

Immediate action

To act immediately is the principle adopted in first aid. Unnecessary chronic diseases and deaths have been added due to timid ness and lack of knowledge of what to do. There should be no panic in that quick action. First aid should be provided carefully and deliberately without too much delay. Confidence comes out to other people when they observe a calm, coucious and controlled hand in work. The conditions are different at different times so there is no one set of rules to provide first aid in a chronological manner. However, proper knowledge, study and experience help one to deal with situations effectively and efficiently.

First aid kit.

Every home, office and institute should have a well-stocked first-aid kit, which is in near most reach. This helps in better dealing in an emergency situation. Portable and easy to handle containers for the kits are best advisable.

Following materials should be there in ideal first-aid kits:
1 first-aid manual
2 antibiotic cream (triple-antibiotic ointment)
3 soap
4 sterile gauze
5 adhesive tape
6 adhesive bandages in several sizes
7 calamine lotion
8 thermometer
9 plastic gloves (at least 2 pairs)
10 Hydrocortisone cream (1%)
11 antibiotic cream (triple-antibiotic ointment)
12 antiseptic solution (like hydrogen peroxide)
13 extra prescription medications (if the family is going on vacation)
14 tweezers
15 safety pins
16 disposable instant cold packs
17 mouthpiece for administering CPR (can be obtained from your local Red Cross)
18 Store first-aid kits in places that are out of children's reach but easily accessible for adults.
19 Check the kits regularly. Replace missing items or medicines that may have expired.

This list depends on the circumstances, conditions and the number of people involved. Periodical checking of kit should be done.

Keep in mind

No person has the legal liability to provide first aid. The duty to provide first aid comes to professionals like park rangers or lifeguards. But once the care has been started it is the responsibility of the aid provider to continue with the process. Also, consent of the victim is of utmost importance to provide aid. But one should not hesitate to provide aid to an unconscious person.

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