Did you know that this is one of the BIGGEST obstacle people face when they encounter an emergency situation?
Think about it: You see a road traffic accident, cars stopped by the side, people standing around… yet how many of them are actually helping? Many people hesitate to be the first to step forward in such a situation because stepping in front of a crowd makes one extremely vulnerable. Especially in a life and death situation, no one wants to be the centre of attention!
Unfortunately, this causes delay in helping the casualty and many times lives are lost because people hesitate to help.
The question is, do YOU encounter this as well?

If yes, this is what you can do:

EMERGENCY TIP:

1. Take a DEEP BREATHE and assure yourself that you can do this.
2. Immediately, STEP FORWARD and at the same time call for help – “Someone please assist me!”. When someone comes to you, get him or her to call the ambulance.
3. Quickly ACCESS what needs to be done at once first.
4. Stay with the casualty until the AMBULANCE arrives.

What kind of dressing would you use for BURNS?

Do burns need to be covered? Well, yes. Because the skin is “raw” and exposed to the surrounding, making it susceptible to infections. In fact, in many burn fatalities, the cause of death is usually by secondary infection. As a first aider you will need to cool the burns (or flush for chemical burns) and then cover the burn wounds quickly to prevent further exposure. So what can you use?

EMERGENCY TIP:

1. The most common bandage that you can use is the triangular bandage. Apply it lightly, do not tie too tightly as it might stick onto the burn.
2. Burn sheets are sterile packed sheets which look like a first aid dressing, but some come with a shiny side, especially those used in military organisations.
3. Commercially produced burn sheets such as Water Jel or Burnaid can also be used. These burn sheets are covered with a layer of jel-like substance which helps to reduce the heat and control the burn.

I hope you find this tip useful.

When we hear the word “first-aid”, sometimes an image of person all wrapped up in bandages come to mind. So when should you apply a bandage?

Some people would ask if it was really necessaryto perform a bandage on a wound. Why do they ask? Because for bleeding wound, priority goes to stopping the bleeding first. However, there are advantages of applying a bandage after stopping a bleeding.

Firstly, bandaging is usually used as a secondary treatment – to hold a pad or gauze that was used. Secondly, it limits exposure of the wound to the surrounding, thus lowering the risk of wound infections. Now, aren’t these good reasons to apply a bandage?

So here is an emergency tip on bandaging:

EMERGENCY TIP:

1. First, stop bleeding with gauze or pad while applying direct pressure.
2. Once the bleeding has stopped, get a crepe bandage (the elastic type) of the right sizefor the body area i.e. you need a smaller crepe bandage for areas like the hand and a larger crepe bandage for places like the thigh or abdomen.
3. Make one round, securing one end of the gauze first.
4. The continue to go round covering the gauze completely.
5. Ensure that the whole gauze is covered by the crepe bandage.

In a classroom filled with bored students, a girl sitting in the second row allowed her mind to wander.  Her carelessness is caught by the teacher, who pounced immediately.  Only a millisecond earlier did something alert her.
“Nelly!’  
The girl’s head slipped off from its resting place against her head and the rest of the class tittered at the seemingly exaggerated motion.  She blinked for a few seconds in shock and then cracked a small smile.  

(to be continue)...