First aid is a catch-all phrase for the different medical responses for different situations. First aid is usually done to help using only the readily accessible items in the proximity of a medical situation. First aid is a vital part of every medical situation as fast response always increases the speed of recovery of a patient. Learning first aid is easy, and it is a skill that can be useful in the most critical situations.
Some of the most common first aid procedures are done for some minor situations such as a bone fracture, dislocation, scratches, minor burns, and poisoning, choking, among others.
For injuries concerning the bone, one of the most common first aid procedures involve the creation of a splint which would help keep the bone straight and unmoved. Splints can be created with the help of a straight and sturdy item like a piece of wood, wrapped around the part of the body that has experienced a bone injury. This helps avoid further damage that can occur if the part of the body with the injury is moved.
Dislocation of the joints can be dealt with the help of a sudden strong force to relocate the joint, and this first aid is something that rarely requires any follow-up medical procedures. Scratches are dealt with by using cleaning agents to disinfect the scratch. Burns are dealt with by putting cold water and cooling gels available on the burn area. There are many small acts that can greatly relive pain and injury with the help of first aid knowledge.
Choking is another medical situation dealt with by using the Heimlich Maneuver. This is done to a patient so that the object that is lodged in the windpipe is forcefully removed, with the help of certain motions and the application of force and pressure. This is one first aid procedure that is a potential lifesaver.
There are also first aid procedures for major medical situations. One of the most common first aid procedure is cardiopulmonary resuscitation, shortened as CPR. This is the widely popular first aid done for victims of sudden cardiac arrest and some forms of arrhythmia. This is a type of CPR that may require training, although there have been instances where untrained people have successfully administered CPR. Unlike most of the first aid procedures stated earlier, CPR does not necessarily cure the problem during its administration. There are recorded incidents where there is a Return of Spontaneous Circulation or ROSC – meaning the patient has successfully regained a stable heartbeat – but the primary function of CPR is to continue the flow of the heart and delivery of oxygen to stop the decay of the heart tissue and the brain.
While most of the minor first aid procedures stated above can be done without proper training, practice can still play an important part in the success of a person’s administration of these first aid. As for CPR, training is a big factor in the success of the administration, as it is truly a critical first aid procedure.
