Applying basic first aid at home

First aid is a tricky skill that many people may hardly ever need, until, suddenly, you do. While you may know the basics of putting a plaster on a scraped knee or taking out a splinter in a finger, a staggering eight out of 10 people don’t know basic first aid procedures.

From cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to stabilising a suspected sprain or fracture, to stopping bleeding and treating burns, learning basic first aid teaches life-saving skills and gives you the confidence to know what to do and how to act in an emergency.

“Accidents can and do happen despite the best preventive measures and safety practices. Without proper first aid knowledge, a simple injury could become a serious one. First aid does not just promote faster recovery; it helps save lives,” said Murray Hewlett, CEO of Affinity Health. “Every adult should know how to perform CPR whether they have children or not. Every adult should also know how to help someone who is choking, calm a fever, treat poisonings, care for minor cuts and burns, relieve insect stings and bites, and manage nosebleeds. “Every adult should also know what not to do in an emergency, such as move someone with a suspected spinal or head injury.”

Here are steps on how to perform six basic first aid procedures:

• Bleeding: Cover the wound with a towel or cloth and apply direct pressure to stop the blood flow.
• Burns: Flush the area with cool running water for several minutes. Do not use ice, or ointments, butter, or oil. Apply a light gauze bandage.
• Fracture: Never attempt to straighten a fracture. Instead, stabilise the limb using a splint and padding to keep it immobile. Apply a cold pack on the injury and elevate the extremity.

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• Nosebleed: Lean the patient slightly forward (not back) and pinch the nose just below the bridge. Continue pinching and check bleeding after every 10 minutes to see if bleeding has stopped.
• Insect stings: Remove the sting if in the case of a bee by scraping over the sting. Use a cold pack to reduce swelling at the site and monitor the person who was stung by signs of anaphylaxis, including hives, redness or itching in other areas of the body, and shortness of breath.
• CPR: CPR should only be performed when a person shows no signs of life or is unconscious, unresponsive, not breathing, or not breathing normally. Learning CPR is an intensive procedure that requires some training, usually in the form of a day-long class. Numerous CPR training courses, as well as introductory first aid courses, are available across South Africa.

Stocking a first aid kit

A basic kit should include:
• Anti-bacterial wipes
• Painkillers
• Gauze pads
• Sunscreen
• Medical gloves
• Medical instrument kit
• Sling
• Burn gel
• Antibiotic ointment
• Antiseptic wipes
• First Aid instructions
• Tourniquet

The best way to learn basic first aid or brush up on your existing knowledge is to attend a first aid course.

“It’s advisable to choose a course that is accredited with the Resuscitation Council of Southern Africa and approved by the Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority,” concludes Hewlett.