THE FIRST AIDBy Dr. Aftab Alam

MBBS

BITESDog bitesBruise, breaks,puncture,cutsWhat to do?Assure ,wash hand.Wash wound with running water(atleast 5min) and

soap.Puncture wound-irrigate.Alcohol (40-70%) or betadine.Anti-rabies,(0,3,7,14,28) anti-tetanus serum,

antibiotics.Delay suturing.Observe animal.

Snake biteTYPESBITESSYMPTOMS- swelling ,burning ,diarrhea ,blurred

vision, numbness, vomiting, fever ,convulsion .What to do?Assure.Apply pressure on bitten area.Bandage around the limb.Immobilize the affected limb.Wash the wound with soap-water or betadine.Lying on one side DONTS-Incise, suck, apply, elevate, cool.

Insect biteWHAT TO DO ? Remove sting.Wash with soap-water.Place ice wrapped in a cloth in every 10 min.Apply antiseptic cream.Take pain killer.Take antihistaminics.Remove rings from finger ,nose, ear.Check for sudden anaphylactic attack.

SPORTS INJURIESCommon types of injuries:-sprain, fracture,

dislocation.SPRAINWhat ? When ?What to do ?Pain killers.Immobilize till heal.Cold compression -20 min 4-8 times.Elevation.Crepe bandage.Remember always start with warming

exercise.

DISLOCATION & FRACTUREWhat ? When ?What to do ?Medical condition?Pain killers.Immobilize the joint.Ice.Splinting in original position.Don’t-massage ,move without support.

CUTSClean wound with water.Remove debris/dirt .Apply antiseptic ointment.Apply pressure if bleeding don’t stop.Bandage.Take ATT(<5yrs).Consult doctor if –fever ,pus ,healing

delayed.

R.T.A. & INJURYsafeguard ,align & immobilize.

Fracture ,shock ,sever e bleeding ,heart arrest, Spinal injury.

FRACTURESHOCK & SEVERE BLEEDING.What is shock?What to do ?Lie down, elevate leg.Check breathing ,heart rate, consciousness. Severe bleeding - stop bleeding and shock.Spinal injury & head trauma -align limbs,

immobilize spine (carry),check consciousness.

Heart arrest & CPRAssess .Perform CPR.1.Find consciousness ---------------2.Find

pulse ----- -----3.chest compression ------------4.breathing(htcl)

Compression rate -100/min.Compression depth – 2”Compression breathing ratio -30:2.

Burns Categories .What to do ? XFirst degree.Run cool water.Dry gently.Apply sos /silverex cream.Sterile bandage.Pain killers ,ATTSecond degree.(blister & scare)Clean area, apply cream ,pain killers, rehydrate.Third degree.All skin layers, no pain ,dehydration ,eschar severe.CHEMICAL BURNS-wash, ointment, bandage &

consult.

Electric shock Save yourself.Switch off main fuse.Move the victim through insulation.Assess victim for pulse & breathing.Treat if minor burn.

FOREIGN BODIESForeign bodies in ear.If object is protruding use tweezers.If small shake head with ear facing downward

with straight canal and with ear bud.If insect --put baby oil in ear &flush with waterForeign bodies in noseBreath through mouth.Blow gently through affected nostril after

closing the unaffected nostril.Don’t use tweezers if FB is not protruding.

FOREIGN BODIES IN EYESAvoid rubbing the eyes.Flush with normal saline.Remove by wet cotton bud.If not ,cover the eyes.

FOREIGN BODIES IN THROATHEIMLICH MANEUVER

NOSE BLEEDINGSit & Lean forward.Pinch nose for 10 min.If not then for another 10 min.Place ice pack on nose bridge.Drink cold water.Don’t sneeze ,suck or lean backward.

COMMON AILMENTSFeverMonitor temperature .Remove excess clothing.Keep in cool place.Plenty fluid .Sponging.Take needed dose of PCM.Don’t give asprin.Consult doc. If!

Headache Most headaches are treatable.If tension headache take cool shower.Consult doc. If !Gastric problems.If chronic take

DIGENE/Gelusil .Rentac /pantaprozoleTimely food.Gastroenteritis.sufficient fluid & ORS.Take carbohydrates .Take PCM if pain.Avoid dairy products.

Oral problemsToothache Remove any food particle or anything lodge

between teeth.Take any pain killer. (avoid aspirin)Apply clove oil or benzocain containing antiseptic.Tooth loss.Gently hold the fallen tooth by top.Don’t touch the roots.Rinse the tooth gently (avoid running water)Try to replace tooth in socket. If you cant place in whole milk/your saliva/salt

soln.

Bleeding gum.Apply pressure using ice pack.Mouth rinse- pinch of salt in lukewarm

water-twice daily.Massage regularly .Avoid aspirin.Consult DENTIST if bleeding continue.

Poisoning

Identify poison.Check for burning around mouth ,breathing

difficulty.If unconscious position victim on one side.

Incidents Fainting Make him/her sit down or lie down.Position on back.Clear airway .Elevate feet loose collar or belt.Consult doc.Epilepsy. -assessMake person safe.Lie him/her on one side.Don’t put anything in mouth.

Anaphylaxis /allergic attacksame as fainting, but if breathing difficulty sit

up. asthma.Heart attack.