First Aid: Essential Procedures Quiz

First Aid: Essential Procedures for Common Injuries

Bleeding Control

When dealing with bleeding injuries, follow these procedures:

1. Pressure: Apply sufficient pressure directly onto the wounded area using a sterile gauge, clean cloth, or a bandage.
2. Elevation: If there is no suspected fracture, raise the injured body part above the level of the heart to minimize blood loss.
3. Immobilization: If needed, utilize a soft splint to stabilize the area above and below the injury to immobilize the affected limb.
4. Additional dressings: If bleeding continues, apply additional sterile dressings to absorb the excess blood.
5. Seek expert advice: If bleeding does not cease, call 911 or your country's equivalent emergency number for further assistance.

Pro tip: Be cautious when removing a foreign object from a wound, as pulling it out may cause more harm.

CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)

CPR involves two primary components: chest compressions and rescue breaths:

1. Chest compressions: Kneel beside the person, locate their breastbone, interlock your hands, and push hard and fast on their chest, approximately 100-120 times per minute.
2. Rescue breaths: Open the person's airway, pinch their nose shut, tilt their head back, and deliver one breath into their mouth, observing the rise and fall of their chest.

Remember, if someone is choking, perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich Maneuver):

1. Stand behind the person, leaning them forward.
2. Clasp your hands together around their waist.
3. Grasp your fist with the other hand and pull sharply upward toward your own chest.

Choking

Recognize choking signs: gagging, gasping, or wheezing, inability to talk or make noise, turning blue, grabbing at the throat, and waving arms. If trained in CPR, you may attempt chest compressions and rescue breathing.

Burns

For minor burns:

1. Cool: Run cool water over the burn for 10 to 15 minutes, or immerse it in a lukewarm bath.
2. Cover: Use a non-adhesive sterile bandage or clean cloth to shield the burn.
3. Prevent shock: Lay the victim down, elevate their legs, and keep them comfortably warm.

For severe burns, seek immediate medical attention.

Fractures

Some key actions for addressing fractures include:

1. Immobilize: Apply a soft or hard splint above and below the fracture to stabilize the affected area.
2. Cold therapy: Utilize ice or cold packs wrapped in cloth to alleviate inflammation and swelling.
3. Compression: Lightly bind the injury with an elastic bandage.
4. Elevation: Elevate the injured area above the level of the heart to reduce swelling.