SAFETY AND FIRST AID

 It is natural to have accidents in various phases of our life, but it can be prevented. Life is valuable, so safety is necessary. The term ‘safety’ means taking precaution beforehand. Despite all efforts, many accidents happen everyday. Often these accidents happen in places where a doctor is not readily available. In such cases, before the actual medical-aid can be rendered, something has to be done to the injured persons. It helps to prevent the person from the serious injury and possible loss of life. The help which is given before the actual medical-aid is called ‘first aid’. It is the firsthand help to the casualty. First aid is the initial assistance or treatment given to a casualty for any injury or sudden illness before the arrival of an ambulance, doctor, or other qualified people. In fact, ‘first aid’ is the help given at the place of accident before the actual medical help is rendered.

Aims and objectives of first aid

     Each time you fail to follow the rules of safety you may be taking a chance with your life. But sometimes, despite all efforts, many accidents happen. In such a situation, the knowledge of first aid saves the lives of people. In such circumstances, the major aim of a first aider is to protect and save the lives by adopting the artificial respiration, or to make arrangement for disposal of the casualty to the nearest hospital, or by some other means. The objectives of first- aid can be listed as follows:

a)       to limit the effect of the injury.

b)       to preserve life of the casualty by various means, such as

-          providing artificial respiration,

-          arranging the rescue of the casualty,

-          control bleeding,

-          arrangement for the disposal of the casualty to a safe place,

-          giving courage, and confidence, sympathy and support to the casualty,

-          controlling the crowd,

-          disposal of the casualty to the home or to the nearest hospital.

c)       prevent the casualty from the complexity of serious injury and possible loss of life.

d)       to promote recovery.

First aid and safety for various injuries

 Sprain: A sprain is the injury that affects the ligaments, tendons and the muscles. A sprain is an injury to a ligament at, or near, a joint, and is most frequently caused by a wrenching movement at the joint that tears the surroundings tissues. Muscles and their tendons may be overstretched and torn by violent

or sudden movements. Common sites of sprain are ankle, wrist, knee, shoulder and other similar joints.

Safety measures

-          Individual should be careful while walking, stepping and playing.

-          Never lift, hold or move heavy objects they are beyond your capability.

-          Warm up your body before any strenuous physical exercise.

-          Haphazard running, jumping and throwing should be avoided.

Signs and symptoms

        Identifying signs of sprains:

-          Pain, acute tenderness over the injury site,

-          Joint instability in severe cases,

-          Inflammatory reaction,

-          Difficulty with efficiency of extensor mechanism,

-          Evidence of brushing.

First Aid  

a)         Rest and steady, and support the injured part in the most comfortable position for the casualty.

b)         Cool the area by applying an ice pack or cold compress.

c)         Wrap a crepe or elasticized bandage around the injured area.

d)         Raise and support the injured limb, to reduce blood flow to the injury.

e)         Manage the artificial respiration if needed.

f)          Check the bleeding and open wound.

g)         Take or send the casualty to hospital, or if the injury seems very minor, advise the casualty to

                rest the injured part.
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