LIFESTYLE | wellbeing When someone is unresponsive and not breathing Deliver chest compressions 1. Check breathing by tilting their head backwards, and looking and feeling for breaths. 2. Push firmly downwards in the middle of the chest and then release. 3. Push at a regular rate until help arrives. If the person is breathing, simply move them onto their side and tilt their head back before you call emergency services. Choking Deliver back blows 1. Hit them firmly on their back between the shoulder blades to dislodge the object. Drowning Deliver breaths and chest compressions 1. Once the person is on dry land, check breathing by tilting their head backwards and looking and feeling for breaths. 2. If they are unresponsive and not breathing give five initial rescue breaths. 3. Push firmly downward in the middle of the chest and then release. 4. Continue with two rescue breaths then 30 chest compressions until help arrives or they become responsive. Severe Bleeding Put pressure on the wound 1. Put pressure on the wound with whatever is available to stop or slow down the flow of blood. 2. Keep pressure on the wound until help arrives. Burns Cool the affected area 1. Cool the burn under cool running water for at least ten minutes. 2. Loosely cover the burn with cling film or a clean plastic bag. Fractures Immobilise the affected part 1. Encourage the person to support the injury with their hand, or use a cushion or items of clothing to prevent unnecessary movement. 2. Continue supporting the injury until help arrives. Heart Attack Ensure they are sitting and call 999 immediately 1. The person may have persistent, vicewww.womanthismonth.com
The average survival rate for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest cases is only five to 10 per cent. However, with immediate, quality CPR and defibrillation, their chances of survival can be improved dramatically. like chest pain, which may spread to their arms, neck, jaw, back or stomach. Call 999/112 immediately. 2. Make sure the person is in a position that is comfortable for them (on the floor, leaning against a wall or chair). 3. Give them constant reassurance while waiting for the ambulance. Stroke Carry out the FAST test 1. Think FAST. Face: is there weakness on one side of the face? Arms: can they raise both arms? Speech: is their speech easily understood? Time: to call 999. 2. Immediately call 999/112. Heatstroke Remove from heat and cool down 1. Symptoms are hot dry skin, headache and confusion. 2. Quickly move them to a cool place and remove outer clothing. 3. Wrap them in a cold, wet sheet and keep pouring cold water over or fan/sponge down with cold water to keep cool.
It is imperative to have an easily accessible first aid kit at home, work and when you travel, to help you to help others. Contents of a basic first aid box: 1. An easily identifiable watertight first aid container 2. Antiseptic wipes / solution and cream 3. Sterile gauze dressings 4. Adhesive dressings and tape 5. Triangular bandages and crepe roll bandages 6. Sterile eye pads 7. Painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen (for children and adults) and antihistamines 7. Cotton, scissors, tweezers, disposable gloves, thermometer and safety pins. Road Accident Assess/make safe/get help/ give first aid 1. Park safely and put hazard-warning lights on. Consider road safety and look out for dangers such as traffic, leaking petrol and broken glass. 2. Immediately call 999/112. 3. If there is more than one injured person, check on the quiet ones first – they may be unconscious and need immediate attention. 4. Control bleeding with whatever is available, for example, a T-shirt. Keep pressure on the wound until help arrives. In all circumstances, call 999/112 to summon help as soon as possible. August/September 2017
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