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Principles Of
First Aid
FIRST
AID SAVES LIVES! Injuries can be prevented and the concept
teaches you basic first aid when injuries do happen. A set of rules
to help you to recognize, response and manage the emergencies with
confidence.
Everyone should know
something about first aid as you never know when you may be called
upon to use it. At the most unexpected of times, accidents could occur,
involving loved ones, close relatives or total strangers. Knowledge
of first aid enables you to deal with emergencies which can be life-threatening.
Whoever is in need of help, you should be in a position to offer first
aid.
If you call the emergency
medical services to an accident be it the medical centre in the SAF
or Civil Defence, your actions have started the chain of survival.
You have acted to help someone you may not even known.
WHAT
IS FIRST AID?
First aid is the initial
care of the injured or sick. It is the care administered by a concerned
person as soon as possible after an accident or illness. It is this
prompt care and attention that sometimes means the difference between
life and death, or between a full or partial recovery.
First aid is helping, first aid
is making that call, reassuring the victims, putting a plaster on
a small wound, controlling bleeding in a large wounds or providing
CPR for a collapsed person who is not breathing and heart has stopped
beating.
You can help yourself,
your loved ones and the stranger whose life may depend on you being
in the right place at the right time with the right knowledge.
THE AIMS OF FIRST AID
- Preserve the victim’s life
- Prevent complications or keep the condition
from worsening
- Promoted recovery
- Assure the victim by comforting him/her and
relieving pain
IMMEDIATE
ACTION
It is important that any action taken by the
first aid provider is done as quickly as possible. Quick action
is necessary to preserve life and limb. A casualty who is not breathing
effectively, or is bleeding profusely, requires immediate intervention,
and if quick effective first aid is provided, then the casualty's
chances of recovery are improved immeasurably. It should be remembered
though that any action undertaken is to be deliberate and panic
by the first aiders and bystanders will not be beneficial to the
casualty. Try to remain calm and think your actions through.
WILL I HARM THE CASUALTY?
If first aid is administered quickly, effectively,
and with due care, then the casualty will not suffer any additional
harm. Provided that any care and treatment was undertaken for the
good of the casualty, that no deliberate harm was caused, and that
the incident was handled as if by 'a reasonable person', then
the first aiders should have no fear of litigation.
Fear of being sued has deterred some people
from giving first aid. However, this fear is unfounded because it
is extremely rare for first aiders to be sued, and of those who
get sued, the courts generally rule in their favour. In fact, you
should regard it as your duty to provide care to someone in need
of emergency help.
HOW DO I GET HELP?
To get expert medical assistance,
call an ambulance on '995' (emergency
number for local) or the camp Medical Centre.
If you are attending a casualty, get a
bystander to telephone for help - if you are on your own, then you
may have to leave the casualty momentarily to make a call. It's
common sense, the decision is yours!
Provide the following information.
- The location of the incident
- The telephone number of the location
- How many persons involved?
- Condition of the victim(s)
- What had been done to the victim(s)
- Any other information requested
The Caller should hang up last
Call immediately for emergency assistance if:
- The victim is unconscious, has difficulty
breathing, or has extensive burns.
Compiled by MWO JOHNNY LIM
RSAF MEDICAL SERVICES / CAMO’s OFFICE
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