First aid

First aid is the provision of initial care for an illness or injury. It is usually performed by non-expert, but trained personnel to a sick or injured person until definitive medical treatment can be accessed. Certain self-limiting illnesses or minor injuries may not require further medical care past the first aid intervention. It generally consists of a series of simple and in some cases, potentially life-saving techniques that an individual can be trained to perform with minimal equipment.

While first aid can also be performed on all animals, the term generally refers to care of human patients.

History

The instances of recorded first aid were provided by religious knights, such as the Knights Hospitaller, formed in the 11th century, providing care to pilgrims and knights, and training other knights in how to treat common battlefield injuries.

Aims

The key aims of first aid can be summarized in three key points:[5]

• Preserve life: the overriding aim of all medical care, including first aid, is to save lives
•  Prevent further harm: also sometimes called prevent the condition from worsening, or danger of further injury, this covers both external factors, such as moving a patient away from any cause of harm, and applying first aid techniques to prevent worsening of the condition, such as applying pressure to stop a bleed becoming dangerous.
• Promote recovery: first aid also involves trying to start the recovery process from the illness or injury, and in some cases might involve completing a treatment, such as in the case of applying a plaster to a small wound

First aid training also involves the prevention of initial injury and responder safety, and the treatment phases.

First aid kit

A first aid kit is a collection of supplies and equipment for use in giving first aid, and can put together for the purpose (by an individual or organization, for instance), or purchased complete. There is a wide variation in the contents of first aid kits based on the knowledge and experience of those putting it together, the differing first aid requirements of the area where it may be used, and variations in legislation or regulation in a given area.

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Building and Storing Your First Aid Kits

Get a Container for Your First Aid Kit

First aid kits can be assembled in almost any type of container, and this will depend on whether they are commercially produced or assembled by an individual. Standard kits often come in durable plastic boxes, fabric pouches or in wall mounted cabinets. The type of container will vary depending on purpose, and they range in size from wallet sized through to large rucksacks.

It is recommended that all kits are in a clean, waterproof container to keep the contents safe and aseptic. Kits should also be checked regularly and restocked if any items are damaged or expired out of date.

What You'll Need

Include the following in each of your first-aid kits:

• first-aid manual
• your list of emergency phone numbers

Airway, Breathing and Circulation

First aid treats the ABCs as the foundation of good treatment. For this reason, most modern commercial first aid kits (although not necessarily those assembled at home) will contain a suitable infection barrier for performing artificial respiration as part of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, examples include:

• Pocket mask
• Face shield

Trauma injuries

• sterile gauze pads of different sizes
• adhesive tape
• adhesive bandages in several sizes
• elastic bandage
• a splint
• antiseptic wipes
• soap
• antibiotic ointment
• antiseptic solution (like hydrogen peroxide)
• hydrocortisone cream (1%)
• acetaminophen and ibuprofen
• extra prescription medications (if the family is going on vacation)

Instruments & equipments

• tweezers
• sharp scissors
• safety pins
• disposable instant cold packs
• calamine lotion
• alcohol wipes or ethyl alcohol
• thermometer
• tooth preservation kit
• flashlight and extra batteries
• mouthpiece for administering CPR (can be obtained from your local Red Cross)
• blanket (stored nearby)

Personal protective equipment

• plastic non-latex gloves (at least 2 pairs)
• Goggles
• Surgical mask
• Apron

Advanced first aid kits may also contain items such as:

•   Oropharyngeal airway
•   Nasopharyngeal airway
•   Bag valve mask
•   Manual aspirator or suction unit
•   Sphygmomanometer(blood pressure cuff)
•   Stethoscope

After you've stocked your first-aid kits:

• Read the entire first-aid manual so you'll understand how to use the contents of your kits. (If your kids are old enough to understand, review the manuals with them.)
• Store first-aid kits in places that are out of children's reach but easily accessible for adults.
• Check the kits regularly. Replace missing items or medicines that may have expired.
• Check the flashlight batteries to make sure they work.
• If you're flying, be sure to pack the first-aid kit in your checked luggage. Many of the items won't be permitted in your carry-on bags.

Medical Information for Your First Aid Kit

While not part of your first aid kit, anyone with a medical problem should have that medical information easily accessible at all times. There are several ways to organize medical informationand make it available to rescuers.

For the rest of your first aid kit, you'll need:

Life saving

• Aspirin primarily used for central medical chest pain as an anti-platelet
• Epinephrine autoinjector(brand name Epipen) - often included in kits for wilderness use and in places such as summer camps, to treat anaphylactic shock.

Pain killers

• Paracetamol (also known as Acetaminophen) is one of the most common pain killing medication, as either tablet or syrup
• Anti-inflammatory painkillers such as Ibuprofen, Naproxen or other NSAIDs can be used as part of treating sprains and strains.
• Codeine which is both a painkiller and anti-diarrheal

Symptomatic relief

• Anti-diarrhea medication such as Loperamide- especially important in remote or third world locations where dehydration caused by diarrhea is a leading killer of children
• Oral rehydration salts
• Antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine
• Poison treatments
• Absorption, such as activated charcoal
• Emetics to induce vomiting, such as syrup of ipecac although first aid manuals now advise against inducing vomiting.
• Smelling Salts (ammonium carbonate)

Topical medications

• Antiseptic ointment, fluid, moist wipe or spray, including benzalkonium chloride, Neomycin, Polymyxin B Sulfate or Bacitracin Zinc.
• Povidone iodine is an antiseptic in the from of liquid, swabstick, or towelette
• Aloe vera gel - used for a wide variety of skin problems, including burns, sunburns, itching, and dry skin; used as a substitute for triple-antibiotic gel to keep a wound moist and prevent bandages from sticking
• Burn gel - a water-based gel that acts as a cooling agent and often includes a mild anesthetic such as lidocaine and, sometimes, an antiseptic such as tea tree oil
• Anti-itch ointment
• Hydrocortisone cream
• antihistamine cream containing diphenhydramine
• Calamine lotion
• Anti-fungal cream
• Tincture of benzoin- often in the form of an individually sealed swabstick, protects the skin and aids the adhesion of butterfly strips or adhesive bandages.

Where to Keep Your First Aid Kit

First aid kits have a habit of ending up in the backyard, upstairs, at the curb, out in the garage, etc. Keeping your home first aid kit in a central location helps to keep it accessible during large or small emergencies. It's a good idea to maintain different first aid kits for the home and each car. Different first aid kits mean they will be available at all times. Some places to keep first aid kits:

• bathroom cabinets
• kitchen cabinets
• car (glove compartment is most accessible)
• boat
• workshop
• garage
• playground
• classroom
• mosque