Tuesday 21 July 2015

The importance of First Aid

Biokineticists have been asked to update their First Aid to level 2. So whereas previously having a Level 1 was good enough we now have to hold a Level 2 First Aid certificate.

And so I headed to my course.

At the end of these courses you always feel that no matter how equipped you think you are when an emergency presents itself, no one can predict what will happen. Keeping this in mind, here are a few pointers you can take note of if ever you are faced with a bad situation.

1. Never ever administer medication to anyone. You don't know their history or what other medication they are on.
2. Always put your safety first.

3. Who do you call? - If you are certain that the patient is not on a medical aid do not call a private ambulance as this can result in huge costs for the patient .
IMPORTANT NUMBERS :
082911
084124 - This is the Discovery Medical Aid preferred provider
112
10177

4. If a child is choking never turn them upside down and try and shake them.

5. It has been proven that woman are more likely to stop breathing due to choking because they are too embarrassed to cause a scene - so Rule number 1 here is get someones attention and make sure they know you are choking

6. If someone is in shock let them sit or lie down and cover them with a blanket. DO NOT give them anything to eat or drink including sugar water.

7. If someone is having a heart attack , do not let them walk, even if it is just to the car or to the chair as this uses oxygen and they are struggling to to breathe!

8. Signs of a stroke - Face pulls to one side, Arm gets numb, Speech is slurred and sight is blurred. The biggest thing for a stroke patient is getting them medical attention as quickly as possible. We may think so, but most of the time, headaches are unrelated to a stroke.

9. DO NOT put keys into the mouth of a person having a fit.

10. And lastly but most importantly, whatever you do, get help quickly !

Disclaimer : These are only pointers to assist and maybe save a life.
Do not do CPR or administer First Aid if you are NOT TRAINED!