Basic First Aid Intervention: What to Do in Emergency Situations

Basic first aid intervention is a set of skills and know-how that is beneficial for all individuals to learn, as these can be used for emergencies. These may even one day be used to save the life of someone you care about. Though when it comes to emergencies, it is best to allow trained personnel and medical first responders to take care of the patients. However, if the situation necessitates, you can do your part to alleviate injury and risk while waiting for the emergency medical team to arrive. 

Currently, it is difficult for untrained individuals to acquire first aid training and certification in light of COVID-19. However, it is still possible to learn the basics of first aid by utilizing online resources and getting in touch with Red Cross, which provides first aid courses online.

What is Basic First Aid Intervention?

What is basic first aid intervention? First aid is defined as a form of emergency care given to an injured person with the primary purpose of minimizing injury and future disability. In serious and dangerous cases, first aid may be the deciding factor in keeping a victim alive.

To go into detail and to provide examples, here is a non-comprehensive list of injuries and first aid procedures that may be applied:

Bleeding

Regardless of severity, bleeding must always be considered a serious injury. Each case should be addressed as if when left uncontrolled, the injury will rapidly develop for the worst.

Steps for first aid for bleeding are as follows:

• Cover the wound with a cloth or gauze and apply pressure.
• Maintain pressure to stop blood from flowing out. If you’re capable, you may tourniquet, too. 
• Add more layers if needed to maintain pressure and coverage. Do not remove the layers so that blood clots may form to help stop blood flow.
• After application of pressure bandages, bring the affected person to the nearest clinic or hospital for proper evaluation and treatment.

Cardiac Arrest

If you suspect cardiac arrest, it’s crucial to bring the patient to the emergency room IMMEDIATELY. Initiate or command a call to 911 emergency services to determine the right course of action as you wait for the ambulance or while you’re transporting the patient. 

Burns

Burns require quick treatment by stopping the burning process. This can happen by cooling down the heat by running the affected area under cold water. But remember that ice is not supposed to be applied on burns. The most important step is to stop and remove the cause of the burn.

First aid steps for burns:

• If possible, elevate the affected area.
• Flush and run the burned area under cool water for several minutes, without ice. Note: this is for minor burns only. 
• Apply a light gauze or moist bandage to prevent further evaporation of the burn wound.
• Refrain from applying ointments, remedies that are oily in nature, or items like butter.
• Give medicines for pain relief like ibuprofen and acetaminophen if required AFTER consulting the doctor. 
• If blisters have formed, refrain from touching or breaking them.

Fractures

All injured extremities (arms and legs in particular) should be considered as fractured until proper professional medical assessment is done.

First aid steps for fractures:

• Do not attempt to straighten or move the LIMB.
• Stabilize the limb using padding or a splint (if available) to keep the fractured area immobile. It is best to apply the splint so that it covers the affected limb as well as the joints immediately surrounding it.
• In the event that there’s no splint or padding available, anything straight, flat and sturdy may be used to stabilize the limb to prevent it from moving.
• Apply a cold pack on the injured area indirectly if there is swelling. Avoid placing ice directly on the injury.
• Provide anti-inflammatory medicine AFTER consulting the doctor. 

Sprains

Sprains, sometimes confused with bone injuries, refers to the stretching or tearing of ligaments that connect bones together in the joints. Treatment for a suspected sprain is identical to the treatment of a suspected fracture, given that the symptoms are almost identical. To rule out fracture, the doctor may order imaging tests, like X-ray. 

Learn more about First Aid here.