Basic First Aid

Why to know first aid

procedures?

Lives can be saved by the steps anyone can

take until medical help can arrive.

First Aid Kits

Every office, factory, home and school should have an

accessible first aid kit
Every kit should have the following items
First aid book
Band aids of various sizes
Elastic bandages
Gauze and adhesive tape
Antiseptic wipes (alcohol wipes) and cotton wool
Safety pins and tweezers
Scissors
Latex gloves
Calamine lotion
Clinical thermometer
Analgesic tablets (aspirin)

Accidents &
Emergencies
Can & Do Happen!

Severe Bleeding, Wounds and

Injuries

Blood can be lost very rapidly from a severed

or torn artery.
Severe blood loss can lead to shock,
unconsciousness or death
Any injuries that occur in the shop need to be
reported right away to ME!

External Bleeding

If an adult looses more than 1 liter of blood or

a child looses as little as 1/3 of that amount
loss is considered severe.

Arm or Leg Injuries

Treat by

1. Laying the victim down and if possible, raise the injured

part.
2. Press hard on the wound with a clean pad. If the wound
is gaping, hold the edges together firmly
3. If there is a foreign body in the wound (glass, metal, etc)
apply pressure alongside
4. Take a firm pad and bind it firmly over the whole wound
so that pressure is maintained. (A scarf or tie can be used)
5. If blood soaks through the bandage do not remove it.
Instead continue to apply pressure to the wound for 7-10
minutes.
6. Seek medical attention

Head Injuries

Signs
Blood or fluid from the ear
Loss of consciousness
Wound
Sometimes no signs
Treatment
Very carefully, try to put flaps of skin back into position
Press firmly on the wound with a clean, (sterile if possible) pad
Hold the dressing in place with more clean cloth
If the victim is conscious, lay them with their head and shoulders
slightly raised
If fluid comes from the ear, cover the ear with a clean pad and lay
them on that side to allow free drainage of the fluid from the ear.
See medical help immediately

Chest Injuries

Cover the wound immediately using the palm of your

hand or the victims if they are conscious
Place a sterile dressing or clean pad over the wound
then cover the pad with a plastic bag, kitchen film or
foil, held in place with adhesive strapping or firm
bandaging to form an airtight seal
If victim is conscious, support him/her in a
comfortable position
Call 9-1-1

Burns

3 Degrees
Caused by heat, chemicals or radiation
Scalds are caused by steam or hot liquids
WARNING

1. Never put butter or greasy ointment on a burn.

2. Always seek medical attention if:

The victim is a child or elderly

Burn covers more than one body part
Burn is located on any sensitive part of the body
Burn is third degree
Burn is caused by chemicals

Burns

First Degree Burns

Damage the outer layer of skin

Signs

Redness
Mild pain
Swelling

Treatment

Plunge in cold water or hold under a cold running

tap for 10 minutes or the until the pain stops or
lessens
Cover with a clean gauze dressing for protection

First Degree Burns

Second Degree Burns

Go through to the second layer of skin

Signs

Blisters
Rough, red skin
Swelling
Extreme pain

Treatment

Remove all clothing, jewelry, watches from the burned area unless
it is sticking to the skin
Pour large amounts of cold water over the affected area for at least
10 minutes
Gently blot areas. DO NOT rub; rubbing may break blisters
Lightly cover the entire burned area with a clean, dry dressing. If
fluid soaks through cover with another layer.
Raise a burned arm or leg to reduce swelling but be careful not to
burst blisters
Call 9-1-1

Second Degree Burns

Third Degree Burns

Less painful than 2nd degree burns because

the nerve cells in the affected tissue are
destroyed but the damage is greater.
The burn goes through to the third layer of
skin.
Skin appears whitish or charred

Third Degree Burns

Do not remove any clothing near or at the site of the

burn
Do not apply cold water or medication
Place clean, dry cloths over the damaged area
If burns are on arms or legs, raise the arm or leg to
reduce swelling
If burns are on the face, check frequently to make
sure that he/she is not having difficulty breathing
Get victim to a hospital IMMEDIATELY

Third Degree Burns

Cuts & Grazes

Bleeding usually stops within a few minutes

Treat by cleaning the area with a gauze or
cotton pad
Small cuts heal best if covered
Antibiotic ointments may be used

Foreign Body in the Eye

Eye

When on the pupil or embedded in the white of the eye

Never try to remove the object
Cover the injured eye with a clean pad
Bandage both eyes
Take the victim to the hospital
When floating on the white of the eye
Advise the victim not to rub the eye
Have them sit down facing a light so that you can see into the
eye clearly
Using your finger or thumb gently pull the eyelids of the injured
eye apart
When you see the foreign body wash it out with clean water
If the foreign body has not moved, try to lift it off with a moist
swab or the dampened corner of a tissue or handkerchief.