First Aid :- Awareness / Training

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Chapter : First Aid 

First Aid Awareness / Training 

When an accident happens, a first aid program that meets the requirements of the law and is tailored to the type and size of the workplace can literally make the difference between life and death, or between recovery and permanent disablement.

Supervisors should have information readily available that list emergency contacts in case of a serious injury.  The emergency notice should state the phone numbers of the closest ambulance service, fire/rescue unit, police station, and hospital.  The amount of time it takes to look up one of these important numbers can make a big difference to a seriously injured person.  The location of first aid equipment and rescue equipment should also be posted prominently.

First aid equipment and supplies should be stored where they can be reached quickly and easily in case of an accident.  These supplies should be inspected frequently, making sure they are kept in sanitary and usable condition and re-stocked after use.  Larger workplaces may need more than one, fully equipped first aid kit.

In isolated work sites, emergency supplies and an action plan are especially important.  If first aid is not given properly, it can sometimes hurt rather than help an injured or ill person, or even be harmful to the person giving the first aid.  All workers should know where the emergency first aid equipment is located, and what medical professional or medical facility should be contacted if a medical emergency should occur.

These are simple objectives to administer when providing First Aid to an injured person until professional help arrives.

• Make sure you and the victim are not in any danger.
• Maintain individual breathing
• Maintain blood circulation
• Prevent continued loss of blood
• Prevent or treat for shock
• Contact the nearest Medical Services as soon as possible. 

One of the handy tips for caring for a victim: If the face is red, raise the head.  If the face is pale, raise the tail.

Injury or Illness At Work

When an injury or illness occurs on the job. Use the information in this session to train employees on how to handle medical emergencies when they are the first or only person on the scene.

Instruct employees to take the following steps when injuries happen. Appropriate initial care can go a long way toward recovery. Here's what to do for:

Bleeding:

• Call emergency contact no for medical assistance for heavy bleeding.
• Wear gloves from the first-aid kit.
• Cover the wound with a sterile bandage from the first-aid kit.
• Apply direct pressure.

Suspected heart attack:

• Call emergency contact no for medical assistance.
• Keep the person calm.
• Loosen tight clothing.
• Check for heart medication.
• Keep the victim still.
• Don’t give stimulants.

Eye injuries:

• Chemical splashes: Flush with water for 15 minutes. Cover affected eye(s) with clean cloth. Get medical attention.
• Particles in the eye: Flush with water until object comes out. If it won’t come out, cover the eye, and get medical attention. Don’t rub the eye.
• Blow to the eye: Apply cold compresses for 15 minutes. Seek medical attention.
• Cuts near the eye: Bandage loosely, and get medical attention.
• Penetrating objects: Don’t remove, move, or apply pressure. Immobilize the object, bandage the other eye, and seek immediate medical attention.

Burns:

• First- and second-degree burns: Treat with cold running water for pain relief. Cover burned area with moist, sterile dressing. Don’t break blisters on second-degree burns.
• Third-degree burns: Call emergency contact no for medical assistance, and keep victim comfortable until help arrives.

Chemical exposure:

• Eyes: Flush with water for 15 minutes, cover with clean cloth, and get medical attention.
• Skin: Flush with water for 15 minutes, and get medical attention.
• Inhalation: Move victim to fresh air. Administer CPR, if necessary.
• Ingestion: Call emergency contact no for medical assistance, check MSDS for first-aid information, and/or call local poison center.

Key First Aid Tips 

Prevention is better than cure but sometimes certain accidents may occur that cannot be prevented. In such cases, knowledge of some basic first aid tips can come in very handy for everyone and help in reducing their effects. The first thing to do is not to panic. Depending on the mishap or the accident, here are some common sense first aid tips that you can follow until help arrives to prevent and reduce serious consequences.

A.  Respiration:-
Check to see if the victim is breathing properly and his or her airways are clear. Artificial respiration like Mouth to Mouth or Mouth to Nose can help.

B.  Fainting:-
Lay down the patient and loosen his clothing around the chest, neck and waist. It is advisable to turn their head to one side. Once he/she regains consciousness, give them some fluids. Consult a doctor immediately.

C.  Fracture:-
If you suspect a fracture, immobilize the affected limb and keep it padded with support on either side of the joint.  Consult a doctor immediately.

D. Burns & Scalds:-
If the victim is suffering from burns or Scalds, cool the affected area with cold water until the pain reduces. Cover the blisters with a clean cloth. Give the patient plenty of  fluids. Consult a doctor.

E. Bleeding:-
If the victim has got hurt and is bleeding, the first thing you should do is to control the bleeding and take care of the wound. The wound should be covered with a bandage or a clean cloth. The affected part of the body like the leg or arm should be given rest and kept elevated.

F. Bleeding Nose:-
In the case of a bleeding nose, make the patient sit up with his head slightly forward. The nose should not be blown and the patient should try to avoid breathing from the nose. A cold compress should be applied over the nose . Consult a doctor.

G. Animal Bite:-
Wash the affected area with soap and water. Consult a doctor immediately to find out what to do next. If a dog has bitten the patient, it is usually advisable to identify the dog and watch him for a few days.

H. Bee Bite:-
Remove the stings forceps. Consult a doctor immediately.

Remind this session provides a basic overview of first-aid techniques and priorities. It is not the same as a first-aid or certification course. A certification course is much more detailed and offers the opportunity to practice first-aid and CPR skills as well as providing hours of classroom training.

Encourage your employees to take a course and get certified. Taking a certification course will give them the full knowledge and confidence they need to use first-aid skills on the job, at home, and elsewhere in the community.

Always keep the following numbers handy, such as Doctor’s, Ambulance service, taxi Service, Most reliable person to contact in case of an emergency.

Note: If you are in doubt about what to do, it is better to do nothing. Due to your ignorance, you may do more harm than