7 Essential First Aid Tips That Could Help You save a Life ...

There are first aid skills everyone should know because it’s never a good thing to be in the middle of a medical emergency. If you do find yourself in one, it’s important to be prepared so that you can help. You might even save a life if you know what to do. If you’ve never taken a basic first aid class, now is the time to sign up. You’ll never know when your skills might be needed and you want to be ready so that you don’t panic (at least not much). Here are some of the most important first aid skills you should know and have in your arsenal.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

Please subscribe for your personalized newsletter:

Use Pressure to Stop Bleeding

This handy skill can be used in many situations, from your kid falling off his bike to your best friend cutting herself slicing limes for margaritas. When someone is bleeding, you should apply gentle pressure to slow it down. Hold a clean cloth over the wound and press down firmly, but not too hard. Check the wound for bleeding every couple of minutes. If it doesn’t seem to be slowing down, call 911 or otherwise seek medical help.

Treating a Burn Doesn’t Involve Ice

It used to be that you’d get burned and you’d slap an ice cube on it. Not anymore. New information in the first aid world says this is not a good idea. The ice can damage exposed nerve cells. Likewise, don’t put butter or petroleum jelly on a burn either. Run the burn under cool water for several minutes. If it blisters or covers a large area of the body, a trip to the ER is in order.

Cleaning and Dressing a Wound for Cleanliness

When someone is injured, the open wound can become infected if bacteria or germs get in. That’s why it’s important to know how to properly clean and dress the wound to prevent this. Start by washing the area with warm water and soap or disinfectant to kill any nasty stuff that got in. Then you need to cover it with an adhesive bandage or gauze and medical tape. If the wound is large or continues to bleed, seek medical help right away.

Caring for a Broken Bone until Help Arrives

In general, you want to call for help if someone breaks a bone, especially if it is protruding from the skin. In the meantime, you can make a temporary sling or splint to keep the bone stationary and prevent further damage. You can use anything long and straight to make a splint and fabric of any kind can create a sling.

Related: 8 Sun Safety Tips You Need ...

Shock is Something You Should Recognize and Be Able to Treat

When blood pressure drops a person can go into shock. Shock can lead to death if left untreated. You’ll want to lie the person down and check for any injuries that need attention. Keep the person still and warm and make sure they have signs of circulation. Call 911 and stay with the person until help arrives.

Famous Quotes

One who gains strength by overcoming obstacles possesses the only strength which can overcome adversity.

Albert Schweitzer

When Someone is Choking, do the Heimlich Maneuver

This is especially important if you have kids or care for an elderly or disabled person. Choking can happen at any age so knowing the Heimlich maneuver can save a life. It basically involves standing behind the person and applying repeated pressure just under the ribcage to remove the object. You must be trained in the maneuver so you know how to do it properly.

Cpr Can Be Lifesaving

A CPR class is pretty short and the info you gain can be lifesaving. You’ll become certified to perform CPR and can use it when necessary. I’ve been trained several times and have never needed it, but I’m glad I’m prepared, just in case. CPR involves chest compressions and mouth to mouth resuscitation to help someone who has stopped breathing.

Can you do any of these things? Have you ever been first aid certified? Have you ever needed to use your skills?

Feedback Junction

Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

Good post, would like to add that it's been discovered that mouth to mouth is counterproductive during CPR. Keep doing chest compressions to the beat of the chorus of Staying Alive, stopping compressions to breath into their mouth reverts all the progress you were making on their heart!

It would be called upward abdominal chest thrusts, the Heimlich family put a royalty (or something like that) on the name so they get paid when someone uses it. Not that they can keep track of everyone though :)

Don't do a heimlich first! When someone is coughing, you should motivate them to get the object out. When you can't hear airflow anymore you should tap on the patients upper back pretty hard 3x. And only then can you do a heimlich 3x, then repeat. After performing a heimlich always send the patiënt to the ER, or the patient could die that night from spleen rupture. I'm a med student.

P10x and Chocoau💕 Great great information😘

I fell and broke my hip a couple of years ago. Whatever you do if you suspect someone has done this then please don't try to " help " them up or move them !

Great article thanks

Keep up on your first aid. It's recommended that you recertify every 3 years or sooner if required.

Mouth to mouth is no longer what to do. Just chest compressions. Also. If someone has a broken bone, unless they absolutely NEED to be moved, don't touch them or make a splint. The broken or dislocated bone won't get worse just sitting there, but the damage caused by moving said bone (for example when a rib breaks and protrudes out of the body, if the person moves, it can puncture a long. Or a wrist break can tear important nerves and ligaments, or even a vital vein. The general rule, cover the wound if it's bleeding, but other than that, don't touch the person, Keep them still and talking until paramedics arrive.

Worthy post! Keep up the good work!

Just redid first aid this year, I really think that everyone should do it, having the knowledge to help save someone is just priceless... I mean, it would be scary having to do CPR on a real person, but I think I could do it!

Categories