First aid is a vital aspect in every household.

It means the initial or the first action to be done in case of an emergency . In other words, it is the

administration of emergency assistance to individuals who have been injured or otherwise disabled, prior to the arrival of a physician or transportation to a hospital. It may improve the situation or perhaps solving the problem all together. But, first aid should never be the substitution for definitive medical care.

FIRST AID KIT

The kit should contain the following items

!" Sterilized cotton gauze swab. !" Sterilized gauze and cotton wool pad. !" Assorted adhesive plasters. !" Elastic bandages. !" Triangular bandage. !" Clinical thermometer. !" Scissors. !" Pointed tweezers. !" Safety pins or clips. !" External medication anti-itch cream, antiseptic lotion, etc. !" Internal medication antacid, pain reliever, fever reliever, etc.
At home, there are many risks to hazards such as burns, bites and stings, choking, convulsion, fractures and so on.

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BURNS AND SCALDS

Burns are injuries to the tissues caused by heat, chemicals or radiation; scalds are caused by wet heat such as steam or hot liquid. !" Remove the causative factors. !" Gently remove constricting clothes, jewellery, belts and watches from around the injured area unless firmly stuck to skin. !" Cool affected area as quickly as possible by bathing the burnt area in cold water for 10 15 minutes. !" Cover the injured area loosely with sterile unmediated dressing or similar non-fluffy material and bandage. #" NOT apply creams, lotions, ointments, butter or fat to the injury. DO #" NOT break blisters or otherwise interfere with the injured area. DO #" NOT use adhesive dressing or cotton wool. DO

BLEEDING
The principle of controlling blood loss is to restrict the flow to the injured part by pressure and elevation. !" Press a clean absorbent dressing to the wound with constant pressure for up to 20 minutes. Press around edges if foreign body is in it. !" theres no fracture or dislocation, raise the part and support it while If maintaining pressure to decrease the blood flow. !" bleeding continues, press the artery at the next pressure point. If !" Clean around the wound by washing in cold water (10 - 15 minutes) and wiping from the edges outwards with a clean gauze pad. Some minor wounds stop bleeding if washed and dressed firmly. !" Cover and/or dress the wound as soon as possible. !" Wrap any severed part in a bag and place it in ice if possible. !" course of tetanus injection may be necessary. A !" there is bleeding from the nose, pinch bridge just below bone with If fingers and apply firm pressure for at least 5 minutes. Always keep the head up. #" NOT give anything to eat or drink. DO

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#" DO NOT touch any foreign object firmly embedded in wound. Never pull out object that has made puncture as it may be plugging wound.

BITES AND STINGS

The possible signs and symptoms maybe bite mark; swelling or redness; pain at the affected site; nausea and vomiting; difficulty in breathing or swallowing; allergic reaction, i.e. shock, etc. !" Wash affected area with warm water and soap, or mild antiseptic. !" Dry gently, wiping down and away wound. !" Apply calamine lotion to relieve itching if necessary. Cover with clean dressing and fix it with sterile bandage or plaster. !" Apply a cold pack. #" venomous bites, do not wash, cut or suck the bite area. Instead, try For to decrease blood circulation from the affected part. #" Avoid squeezing poison bag as this spreads poison.

CHOKING
Choking occurs when the airway is partially or totally blocked by a swallowed object. A victim usually cant speak, cough or breathe. The aim of treatment is to clear the blocked passage. !" Tell casualty to cough vigorously to get rid of the obstruction. !" the cause is visible and likely able to be removed, dislodge it with If clean fingers. !" victim cannot speak, cough or breathe, try backslaps technique. Give If 3 or 4 sharp, flat slaps between his/her shoulder blades with palm of hand. !" the victim is a young child, turn upside down while giving slaps. If !" Rest older child face down across your thigh while giving slaps.

Abdominal thrust is another resort to handle choking casualties. !" Stand behind the victim and put arms around waist, making fist with one hand.

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!" Place thumb slightly above navel and below rib cage. !" Grasp fist with other hand and give 3 4 quick strong pulls diagonally (upward and inward). !" unconscious victim, turn him/her face up, kneel astride hips and put For hand above navel. !" Push on it with the other, thrusting at an angle downward and toward his/her head. !" Give sips of water once obstruction has been cleared. #" not use abdominal thrust when dealing with pregnant or overweight Do person.

POISONING
A poison is any substance, which causes damage if taken into the body. Poisons can be swallowed, inhaled, injected or absorbed through the skin. Telephone the Poison Information Service (Tel : 04-6570099) and tell them what, how much and when the poison was taken. !" casualty isnt breathing, give artificial respiration with chest If compression. Resuscitation (A.B.C technique) should be done if victim is breathing but the heartbeat stop. !" the casualty is unconscious but breathing, turn on side in recovery If position. !" inhaled poisons, remove casualty from danger and into fresh air. For !" absorbed poisons, flush away any residual chemical on the skin. For !" For swallowed poisons, do not attempt to induce vomiting as thus may harm casualty further.

ELECTROCUTION
The passage of electrical current through the body can cause cardiac arrest, burning and shock. !" Switch off the electrical supply. !" Lever casualty from contact with the electrical source, using nonconductive articles and by standing on dry, insulating material.

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!" Start resuscitation or place victim in the recovery position if required. !" Treat any burns or shock.

FAINTING
Fainting is a brief loss of consciousness caused by a temporary reduction in the flow of blood to the brain. !" the casualty passed out, but breathing normally, lay on back with If legs raised above level of head. !" Loosen clothing at neck, chest and waist to enable easier breathing. !" Casualty should stay lying down for a few minutes after recovery.

SHOCK
Symptoms may include: Grey or pallid skin. Blurred vision Cold and moist skin. Nausea or vomiting Fast and shallow breathing. Thirst. Rapid, weak and thin pulse. Anxiety. Dizziness or faintness.

!" Lay casualty down and treat any obvious injury or underlying condition that has caused shock. !" Reassure casualty. !" Loosen casualtys clothing at neck, chest and waist. !" Lightly cover with coat or single blanket. !" possible, raise casualtys legs to return blood supply to brain. If !" casualty complains of thirst, moisten lips but dont give any to drink. If !" Give hot sweet tea only in cases of emotional shock.

Finally, for all cases get immediate medical aid after doing the first aid. But, never leave the casualty unattended.

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REFERENCES:

1. Malaysia Healthcare Guide; (1996), Medimedia Pacific Ltd., Malaysia.

2. The Readers Digest Family Guide to Alternative Medicine; First Edition (1992),
Readers Digest (Aust.) Pte. Ltd. NSW, Australia.

3. Self-Care Pharmacy Health Information Bulletine.

Self Care Guide, Pharmaceutical Services Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia http://www.pharmacy.gov.my/self_care_guide [ Disclaimer ] [ Acknowledgement ]

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