First aid to disaster victims

First aid

Objective: Main Objective of first aid is,

1) prevention of death

2) Preventing deterioration of health

and starting the process of rehabilitation.

• BASIC PRINCIPALS OF FIRST AID:

Life & Resuscitation - ABC

1) AIRWAY

If victim has difficulty breathing,

Head should be held in backward sloping position.

Chin should be raised so that respiratory passage remains open.

2 ) BREATHING 

If breathing has stopped, the victim should be given artificial ventilation by mouth to mouth Resuscitation.

3) Circulation 

Heart should by pressed down hard by pressing the chest with both the palms

These two actions should be repeated alternately about 15 times 

This is called cardio pulmonary Resuscitation ( CPR)

Helps to bring the circulation back to normal.

BLEEDING: 

If the victim is injured & bleeding through the wound 

Then wound should be covered with an antiseptic pad & pressure applied on it for 5 min with either thumb or palm .

FRACTURE AND IMPACT ON VERTEBRAE:

If  any bone is fractured , it is essential that the fractured part be immobilized

BURNS:

If victims have burn injuries  it is beneficial to hold the injured part under clean and cold flowing water for at least 10 minutes.

For injuries like sprains , twisting and contusion , the RICE remedy should be applied:

RICE:

Rest- Allow the victim to sit in a relaxed position 

ICE : 

Apply an ice pack to the injured part

Compression:

After the ice pack  treatment, the injured part should be massaged gently .

Elevate : 

Injured part should bekept in a raised elevated position 

How to transport victims/ patients:

1) Cradle method :

Useful for children and under weight victims

2) Human crutch method :

If one of the legs is injured , the victim should be supported with minimum load on the other leg 

Carriying on four hand chair:

This is useful when support is needed for the part below the waist.

Carrying piggy back :

Useful for carrying patients who are unconscious.

Pulling or lifting method :

Used for carrying an unconscious patient,  through a short distance.

Carrying on two hand chair:

Useful for those patients who cannot use their hands but can hold their body upright .

Stretcher:

In an emergency, if a conventional stretcher is not available, 

Then a temporary stretcher can be made using bamboos  blanket 

✍️ Vaishnavi Nimkar

B.Sc.(Hons) Agriculture