Injuries can be highly unfortunate, painful, and disturbing. But what makes them worse is the lack of first aid knowledge regarding what should be done right after someone gets injured.
When you have an idea about what to do for someone who just got injured, you can start first aid immediately, while waiting for a medic. That’s why it is important to know basic first aid and what to do during emergency situations.
1. Place the Patient in Recovery Position If The Situation Calls For It
Many times an injured person falls unconscious but is still breathing. However, this doesn’t mean that they are completely out of danger. In cases like this, you want to first assess for any severe injuries that may prevent them from being moved, such as a neck or back injury.
If there are no such injuries, it’s best to get them in the recovery position, until help arrives. This is to ensure that the person gains consciousness and keeps breathing normally.
*Recovery position is a position that is used to keep an injured person from choking. Picture source.
2. Do This If The Person Is Neither Conscious Nor Breathing
Some injury cases can be more severe than others. And in some of these severe cases, the injured person may not be conscious and nor breathing.
The first step should be to call an ambulance that can reach you quickly. For the fastest and most reliable services, you can use Ambulnz. It’s a tool that helps you find and call ambulance vehicles near you.
Once you have called, you must start CPR right away.
The time to learn CPR is now, not during an emergency. Here’s a video that can help you learn more about CPR and how it should be performed.
3. Stop the Blood Flow
If the injured person is bleeding, find a way to stop the loss of blood. Too much blood loss can lead to death.
Make sure that your hands are clean and if possible, put on a pair of gloves. This will help avoid infections and germ spread.
Next, try to find a clean cloth or bandage that can be wrapped around the bleeding wound. Items like paper towels and cotton balls can also help stem the flow of blood.
Once you have wrapped the wound with a bandage or cloth, press on it firmly (but not too tightly) with your hands to stop bleeding. Don’t apply too much pressure as that can cause the blood to rush up and out of the wound. If possible, lay the injured person down.
4. Don’t Wait On Help
Injury and other emergency issues are best treated by a medic, but time is of the essence. Having the knowledge of basic first aid and what to do during emergency situations, including knowing CPR, will help you assess and handle medical situations while you await professional help. Being able to start medical treatment sooner can make the difference between life and death.
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