The ABCs Of First Aid

The ABC's of First Aid

The professional rescuers typically practice the so-called universal precautions as they apply the right medical care to the victims. The universal precautions are termed as such because they are meant to lessen the possible risks that the rescuers may get exposed to as they tend to the victims. This means that the use of the personal protective equipment is essential. Some of those that must be used include an eye protection and gloves. If you are a person who is qualified to administer help because of your first aid training, then be sure to pack your personal protective equipment inside your kit.

Safety as a Major Concern

Staying safe may be really hard. After all, you never know when you will be safe and when you can be in danger. However, for someone like you who is trained in giving first aid, you have this instinct of rushing forward whenever a person is in dire need for your help. Meanwhile, it doesn't mean that you will ignore your own need for safety. You should always keep your senses alert and your wits intact. Safety is the concept that points to a person's awareness of the condition in his surroundings as well as the healthy fear for the occurrence of any unstable situation.

Applying what You Know

So there you go with your license that proves you are indeed qualified to perform any first aid remedies. What should you do when the circumstance finally comes? Keep these insights in mind and be prepared to do the right thing.

Get to know if the victim is awake. One of the principal indications that the victim has fallen into a very difficult situation is when you find it hard to keep him awake. If the person whom you are trying to revive shows no signs of responding to your techniques, then you have to call the emergency service team at once. It is always best to keep a record of the emergency hotline.

Apply the ABC's. Take note that A refers to Airway, B is for Breathing, and C is for circulation.

The victim's airway highly depends on his being conscious or unconscious. If the person is wide awake, then let him speak. This will determine if his airway is clogged. To feel for the condition of an unconscious victim's airway, place your ear near his mouth and listen for his breathing. Feel for some air that touches your cheek. You can also take a look at his chest for any rising and falling of the abdomen.

In case when the victim doesn't show signs of breathing, perform CPR immediately. Some of the possible causes of the person's unconsciousness can be related to seizures, diabetes, poisoning, drug intoxication, alcohol intoxication, infection, illness, dehydration, or overdose.

As soon as the victim shows signs of breathing, it is now time to determine is there is sufficient circulation. You can feel for his temperature or look at his skin's color. If there is circulation but no response from the person, start with the CPR once again. If there is some bleeding, perform the steps to control it and then be ready for the coming of the ambulance.

These situations are only to be handled by those who have gone through certified first aid training. So why should you put off this beneficial knowledge when in fact you can save hundreds of lives?