Ch - Safety and First-aid

IMPORTANT TERMS

First Aid  -  The immediate help given to an injured person.

Fracture  -  A break or crack in a bone.

Rabies - A disease caused in humans due to bites of infected animals.

Fire Extinguisher  - A device used to put off fires.

Antirabies  -  A vaccine given when a person is bitten by an infected animal.

Antivenom - Given to a person bitten by a poisonous animal such as snake.

Splint - A piece of hard material used for supporting a broken bone.

Sprain - When a part of the body gets twisted and swells up.

Infection  -  Germs entering a person's body, multiplying and causing a disease.

Accidents can happen anytime and anywhere but following the safety rules can prevent severe injuries.

First aid is given to a person:

  • To save life: - First aid given to a patient at the right time can save his life even before taking him to the hospital.
  • To relieve pain till a doctor arrives: - First aid given to a person can relieve some pain till the time doctor arrives.
  • To prevent the condition of the patient from getting worse: - A person who has met with an accident needs medical attention immediately. If there is no doctor nearby, the condition of the injured person can become critical so first aid is given to prevent his condition from getting worse.

SAFETY FROM FIRE

  • Faulty gas pipes can cause leakage of gas, further leading into fire. Check regularly and replace, if found faulty.
  • Synthetic clothes catch fire easily; it is safer to wear cotton clothes while cooking.
  • Kerosene and Petrol catch fire easily; they should be kept away from the kitchen to prevent fire.
  • Fire can be put out by using fire extinguishers. Different fire extinguishers are used for different kinds of fire.
  • In case of major fire, the nearest fire station should be informed.

FIRST AID - BURNS

Burns are caused when boiling water falls on the skin or when one touches a hot object. Minor burns cause the skin to turn red with a painful tingling sensation in the affected area.

  • Keep the burnt area under running cold water for some time. Ice can also be applied.
  • Apply an antiseptic cream or a paste of baking soda on the burn.
  • Take the person to the doctor immediately if the burns are severe,
  • Cover the person with a blanket if a person's clothes catch fire. This would cut off the air supply that is essential for fire to remain ignited.

FIRST AID - ANIMAL BITE

Animal bites must be treated immediately in order to prevent infection. The saliva of some animals such as dogs, cats contains germs. When these animals bite someone, they release the saliva into the skin of the victim. This saliva can cause rabies.

  • Wash the wound properly with soap and running water to remove the saliva.
  • Take the victim to the doctor for anti-rabies injection.

FIRST AID - SNAKE BITE

When a snake bites someone, it injects poison into the victim. The poison enters the blood stream and affects the entire body.

  • Don’t move the victim as it causes the poison to spread faster.
  • Tie a piece of cloth on the bitten part to slow down the movement of the infected blood towards the heart.
  • Take the victim to a doctor immediately.
  • Anti-venom injection to be given to the victim.

FIRST AID – FRACTURE

Fracture is caused when a bone in the body breaks. A fracture can occur anywhere e.g. while playing or falling from a tree.

  • Ensure not to move the fractured part.
  • Use a splint to give support and prevent the movement of the fractured part e.g. a piece of cardboard can be tied around the injured part.
  • Take the patient to the doctor immediately.

FIRST AID - CUTS AND WOUNDS  

An injury caused when a knife or a sharp object cuts or breaks the skin or when the skin gets ruptured. Germs can enter the body through cuts and wounds.

  • Wash small cuts with soap and plenty of water.
  • Apply an antiseptic cream on the wounds.

FIRST AID - NOSE BLEEDING

  • Make the patient sit on a chair with head held back.
  • Put an ice pack over the nose; this will ensure that bleeding does not start again.
  • Ask the patient to put a wet handkerchief over the nose.
  • Ask the patient to breathe through the mouth for some time.

INTERESTING FACTS

  • The virus of rabies attacks the nervous system. The patients complain of excessive salivation and develop a fear of water.
  • Charaka is referred to as the father of Indian medicine.
  • The Red Cross Society is a voluntary organization to protect human life. Its mission is to provide relief during disasters and emergencies.
  • Without proper first aid, a simple injury can turn into more severe. Many causalities resulting from accidents and emergency situations arise due to lack of immediate medical treatment.