Introduction
Giving first aid to someone who is injured or ill can be a daunting task, especially if you have no training. However, there are some basic things that you can do to help the person in need, and you may be surprised at how capable you are in a crisis.
Here are some tips on what you can do if you find yourself in a situation where you need to give first aid, but are not trained:
- First of all, try to remain calm. This will not only help you think more clearly, but will also help the person who is injured or ill feel more calm and reassured. If possible, put yourself in a position where you can see the person’s face so that you can gauge their level of consciousness and distress.
- If the person is unconscious, call for emergency medical assistance immediately and then begin CPR if you are trained to do so. If you are not trained in CPR, then simply focus on keeping the person’s airway clear and their breathing regular.
- If the person is conscious and able to speak, ask them what happened and whether they are in pain anywhere. Again, try to remain calm as you speak to them and assess the situation. If possible, have someone else call for medical assistance while you assess the person’s injuries.
- If the person has any obvious injuries, such as bleeding or broken bones, attempt to control the bleeding by applying pressure with a clean cloth or bandage. If there is anything that you can do to splint a broken bone (such as using a stick or belt), then do so. For burns, hold cool water on the affected area for at least five minutes.
- Once medical assistance has been called for, continue to monitor the person’s vital signs (breathing, pulse) until help arrives. If they become unconscious at any point, begin CPR if you are able to do so.
Remember that giving first aid is always better than doing nothing at all, even if you don’t have formal training. By following these tips, you may just be able to save someone’s life!
What is first aid?
First aid is the initial care given to a sick or injured person. It can be given by anyone with basic medical training, even if they are not a healthcare professional. First aid can make the difference between life and death, so it is important to know what to do in an emergency.
Who can give first aid?
Anyone can give first aid if they have had the proper training. It is important to remember that not everyone is able to give first aid and that there are some situations where it is better to not give first aid and instead call for professional medical help.
What are the benefits of giving first aid?
Benefits to the person receiving first aid, as well as to the first aider themselves. Providing first aid can help to:
- mitigate the effects of an injury or illness
- save a life
- speed up recovery
- reduce pain and suffering
- provide reassurance and support
What are the risks of giving first aid?
If you have not been trained in first aid, there is a risk that you could do more harm than good. For example, if someone is bleeding heavily, applying pressure to the wrong area could make the bleeding worse.
It is always best to call for professional medical help if possible, and then follow their instructions. If you are the only person available, there are some basic steps that you can take to help, but it is important to remember that this should only be done if professional help is not available.
Conclusion
If someone is unconscious and not breathing, you should call 911 and begin CPR. If you are not trained in CPR, you can still help by doing chest compressions.