FIRST AID - MAKE THE BEST USE OF YOUR FIRST-AID KIT

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MAKE THE BEST USE OF YOUR FIRST-AID KIT 

Are only Band-Aids and Antiseptic lotion taken from the first aid kit most of the time-because you or your coworkers aren't sure how to use the other supplies? First-aid kits can be stocked with a variety of items, but most kits have a common assortment of supplies. As with any tool, you must know how to use these products to get the best results. In this safety meeting, typical supplies and their uses will be described, to help make this helpful "tool kit" most effective for you. 

Absorbent Gauze: Use these to clean a wound or to apply first-aid or antiseptic cream. 

Adhesive Bandages: Different sizes and shapes are provided to protect minor scrapes and cuts after they have been cleaned and medicated. 

Adhesive Tape: For securing wound dressings or giving additional protection over bandages. 

Antiseptic Lotion Soap or Pads: For cleaning skin or wounds. 

Bandage Compresses: Use these for applying pressure to a large wound or scrape that is bleeding. Place the compress over the wound and apply pressure to reduce bleeding. 

CPR Mouth Barrier: (e.g.: Microshield) For use as a mouth barrier in CPR resuscitation. 

Disposable Latex Gloves: The First Responder to an injury should use this protection to prevent contact with an injured person's bodily fluids (blood, saliva, etc.). 

Elastic Bandages: For wrapping sprains and to help hold dressings or cold packs in place. 

Eye Wash: The wash bottles in a fist-aid kit are typically small. Use them to rinse very minor contaminants from the eye. All other eye injuries should seek medical care. 

First-Aid Manual: A brief guide to emergency first-aid care. 

First-Aid Ointment or Antiseptic Cream: Apply this salve to wounds that have been cleaned prior to applying a dressing. 

Gauze Roll: Gauze is used to hold flat, non-adhesive bandages in-place prior to taping. It is not a bandage, because most gauze is not a sterile dressing. 

Instant Cold Pack: Place the pack on a sprain, fracture, or severe bruise to reduce swelling. 

Microbial Hand Wipes: For First Responders' clean-up after providing emergency care. 

Scissors: For cutting clothing, tape or bandages and providing a better fit around the wound. 

Triangular Bandage: Used to create a sling for supporting an injured hand or arm or as protection over a large dressing. 

Tweezers: For removing foreign bodies from minor injuries. Not for use on eye injuries. 

Wound Cleanser Wipes: Use these singlet wipes to clean minor scrapes or cuts before applying antiseptic and adhesive bandages. 

Use first aid kits for minor injuries and during emergencies before medics arrive to treat serious injuries. So, know what supplies are in your kits--and make the best use of them.

GENERAL SAFETY - CUTS AND BURNS 

Nicks, cuts, scratches and burns. Minor injuries that can occur to any one of us no matter how careful we are. Minor injuries to the skin that are often ignored. But it must be remembered that skin is a vital organ; one that should not be ignored. Not only is skin the largest bodily organ, it also keeps the good stuff in and the bad stuff out. So what do you do when you get a minor injury? If you are like many, you realize a doctor's visit is not necessary and try to treat the injury yourself. How do you know when to seek professional treatment? How do you treat injuries that do not require a doctor's visit? 

Cuts: Cuts require immediate professional attention if: 

• There is severe bleeding, especially arterial wounds, which literally pump blood from the body. 
• Puncture wounds, such as those caused by a rusty nail or animal bite. These will require a tetanus booster shot. 
• Cuts more than one half inch long and one quarter inch deep, which will require stitches. 

To treat any cuts, first stop the bleeding and then treat to prevent infection. Place a sterile gauze (or if you do not have any gauze, a clean cloth) over the wound and hold it until the bleeding stops. Apply pressure continuously. If the gauze or cloth soaks through, simply place another cloth over the first and resume the pressure. When the bleeding has stopped, wash the cut with soap and water, followed by a disinfectant. If the bleeding does not stop, get professional treatment. After the cut is clean, look for any foreign object(s) in the cut and remove them. If you do not, a threatening infection may set in. To aid in keeping the wound clean while it heals, you can cover it with a bandage. However, if you use a bandage, remember it will need attention too. Change it twice daily and use an antibiotic cream to prevent further infection. Keep in mind that wounds exposed to air heal faster. But it is also very important to keep a wound clean and dry to prevent infection. 

Treatment for a scrape is the same, except you do not have to worry about stopping blood flow as there is very little. 

Burns: 

Burns are classified as first, second, or third degree. A first degree burn causes redness. Blistering is caused by a second degree burn. Charred, blackened or blanched skin are signs of a third degree burn. Furthermore, burns can be caused by heat (thermal burns) or by contact with chemicals. Seek professional, medical treatment for: 

• All third degree burns. 
• Second degree burns involving more than one fifth of the body or if the burn has affected the face, hands, feet, or genitalia. 

First aid treatment for a burn involves relief of pain, infection prevention and treatment or prevention of shock. If a burn begins to blister, cool it by placing your hand or foot in cold, still (not running) water. You will need to use an ice pack on any other part of the body. Gently clean the burn and cover the area with a sterile, non-stick gauze. Change the dressing twice a day. Never puncture a blister. This just opens the door for infection. Never use butter, oils, or petroleum jelly on burns.

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