Health and Social Care Level 2
| First aid - what everybody should know | | | Reviewed by Dr Stuart Crisp, specialist registrar | Why learn first aid? | WARNING!This advice is a general guideline for use in an emergency. It is not intended to replace professional classes in first aid and resuscitation. | | |
First aid is an important skill. By performing simple procedures and following certain guidelines, it may be possible to save lives by giving basic treatment until professional medical help arrives.
Remember, too, that practice makes perfect. In an emergency there is no time to read instructions. If you've memorised some of the basic procedures, it will help you react quickly and efficiently.
Breathing difficulties
If someone stops breathing, see if the person replies if talked to or touched on the shoulder. If not, call an ambulance and then begin first aid. 1. Place the person on his or her back on the floor. 2. Tilt the head so that the chin is pointing upwards. Do this by placing the fingertips under the jawbone, then lift gently while pressing down softly on the person's forehead. This is done to make sure the tongue is not blocking the throat. 3. Keep holding the head in this way while checking for breathing: see if the chest is rising and falling, or place your ear next to their mouth to listen for breathing. 4. If there is breathing, hold the head as described above until help arrives. If not, start artificial respiration.How to give artificial respiration * Tilt the head back and lift up the chin. * Pinch the nostrils shut with two fingers to prevent leakage of air. * Take a deep breath and seal your own mouth over the person's mouth. * Breathe slowly into the person's mouth - it should take about two seconds to adequately inflate the chest. * Do this twice. * Check to see if the chest rises as you breathe into the patient's mouth. * If it does, enough air is being blown in. * If there is resistance, try
First aid is an important skill. By performing simple procedures and following certain guidelines, it may be possible to save lives by giving basic treatment until professional medical help arrives.
Remember, too, that practice makes perfect. In an emergency there is no time to read instructions. If you've memorised some of the basic procedures, it will help you react quickly and efficiently.
Breathing difficulties
If someone stops breathing, see if the person replies if talked to or touched on the shoulder. If not, call an ambulance and then begin first aid. 1. Place the person on his or her back on the floor. 2. Tilt the head so that the chin is pointing upwards. Do this by placing the fingertips under the jawbone, then lift gently while pressing down softly on the person's forehead. This is done to make sure the tongue is not blocking the throat. 3. Keep holding the head in this way while checking for breathing: see if the chest is rising and falling, or place your ear next to their mouth to listen for breathing. 4. If there is breathing, hold the head as described above until help arrives. If not, start artificial respiration.How to give artificial respiration * Tilt the head back and lift up the chin. * Pinch the nostrils shut with two fingers to prevent leakage of air. * Take a deep breath and seal your own mouth over the person's mouth. * Breathe slowly into the person's mouth - it should take about two seconds to adequately inflate the chest. * Do this twice. * Check to see if the chest rises as you breathe into the patient's mouth. * If it does, enough air is being blown in. * If there is resistance, try