How to save a Drowning Victim? (Drowning First Aid)

photo source: youtube.com

Drowning occurs whether or not the lungs fill up with water. When a person drowns, oxygen does not get to the brain.  Being under water or submerged keeps oxygen from reaching the lungs and other vital organs.  Near drowning happens after a long time under water.

Symptoms

• Near drowning
• Vomiting
• Cold Skin
• Bluish white paleness

What you can do?

• Call an emergency
• Rescue the near drowning person if you are trained in rescue methods and can do it without endangering yourself.  Throw a life preserver or use a pole, towel, or boat to reach the person if you cannot swim to the drowning person safely.  
• If necessary, immediately open the person’s airway and begin artificial respiration even before the person is taken out of the water.

I want to share these 3 videos regarding the First Aid of Drowning. In rescuing a Drowning Victim, you must know the CPR or Cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

When someone has drowned, they might not breathing because of a respiratory problem. Watch this video to fully understand what I mean.

On this video, a good Life saving instructor give demonstrations on how to rescue unconscious drowning victims, and how to keep children safe in water. Watch this video for more details.  I hope the training that shows helps us all have a much safer summer of fun.

Previous: Dehydration | Next: Electrical Shock

How to treat a Nosebleed? (Nosebleed First Aid)

photo source: youtube.com

A nosebleed is bleeding from the internal blood vessels of the nose.  Some individuals are more susceptible to nosebleeds than others if their blood vessels are closer to the surface inside the nose.  Children have nosebleeds on a more regular basis than adults because they are more likely to stick fingers and other objects up their noses.  They also have thinner mucous membranes in the lining of the nose. 

Causes

• Nose picking
• Vigorous nose blowing
• In children, a foreign body lodged in the nose
• Repeated sneezing
• Upper respiratory infection
• Allergic rhinitis
• Barotrauma
• Chemical irritants
• Drugs (e.g., anticoagulants or anti-inflammatory)
• Trauma (eg., a broken nose) or irritation
• Facial and nasal surgery

Complications:

• Shock 
• Infection
• Aspiration
• Death

What you can do?

• Sit down and lean forward lightly, head turned to the side to prevent blood from running down the throat and any clots from blocking the air passages.
• Pinch the lower part of the nose for 10 minutes while breathing through the nostrils just below the bony part of the nose for 10 minutes while breathing through the mouth.  Slowly release the nostrils.  If bleeding continues, repeat the procedure.
• Apply ice pack over the nose
• After the bleeding has stopped, do not touch or blow the nose for about 24 hours.  Do not pack the affected  nostril with cotton or gauze unless you are adept  at it, as you could further damage the blood vessels.
• If bleeding does not stop, if plenty of blood has been lost (about 25ml), or if there is pain and severe swelling the nose may be broken, go to the emergency room of the nearest hospital.
• If nosebleed recurs, consult your doctor.

Prevention Tips

• Avoid excessive nose blowing.
• Avoid picking the nose.
• Avoid trauma, if possible.
• Get treatment for serious underlying causes, if any.
• Limit the use of topical; nasal steroids or nose sprays.
• Use a cool mist humidifier to add moisture to the air.
• Do not use cocaine or other forms of illegal drugs or abused substances especially those that are administered via inhalation.

On this video, a Nurse from Howcast video will show about how to treat a nosebleed.

Did you know that nosebleeds can usually be stopped in about five minutes?  Know how by watching this video.

Previous: Stroke | Next: Poisoning

Poisoning First Aid

Poison can enter the body in many ways. It can be swallowed, breathed in , or injected. It can enter the body by coming in contact with the skin.  Many substances or combinations of substances can produce fumes that can be especially toxic in a closed area, e.g., carbon monoxide.

Different poisons affect the body functions differently some interfere with the blood’s ability to carry oxygen.  Others burn and irritate the digestive tract and respiratory system. If someone suddenly becomes ill for no apparent reason, acts strangely or is found near a toxic substance, you should suspect poisoning.

Symptoms:

• Chills
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Headaches or Irritability
• Dizziness, weakness or drowsiness
• Pain in swallowing or increased saliva
• Abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea or nausea
• Skin rash or chemical burns around the mouth or nose
• Seizures, stupor or unconsciousness
• Double vision or blurred vision
• Muscle twitching

What you can do?

• When poison has been swallowed
• Call emergency and provide Information from label of the container, Person’s age
• Know the name of poison and how much was swallowed
• Know when the poison was swallowed
• Think how long it will take to get the person to a hospital
• If the person is unconscious, keep the airway open
• Do not induce vomiting if you are told to do so by a medical practitioner
• If you have been told to induce vomiting, use syrup of ipecac, if available .  Follow the directions  on the label.  Do not attempt to give it to a person who is not alert enough to swallow it.
• Save a sample of vomit and the poison container for analysis

If poisonous fumes are suspected, observe the following steps:

• Call emergency
• Ventilate, Take a few deep breaths of fresh air, then hold your breath before entering the area.
• Remove the victim from the area before starting treatment.  Drag or pull him to fresh air.
• Quickly shut off any open source of fumes, if possible. Do not flip a switch or light a match
• Either action could produce spark or flame and cause an explosion
• Check the victim’s breathing and pulse.
• If he is conscious and breathing, cover him with a blanket. Regularly check on his breathing until help arrives.
• If the person is not breathing, begin CPR if you  have been trained.

In this video, A Street fighter will give tips on first aid and medical emergencies regarding Food poisoning causes vomiting and diarrhea, and should be treated by preventing dehydration and eating bland, easily digestible foods. Watch this video.

Previous: Nose Bleed | Next: Shock

Stroke First Aid

photo source: youtube.com

Stroke is a leading cause of impairment of brain function in older adults.  When someone has a stroke, the blood  flow to part of the brain is impaired or stops

There are two types of stroke. An ischemic stroke is caused when a blood clot  blocks an artery or vessel in your brain.  Eighty percent of strokes are ischemic. A brain breaks and bleeds in the brain. During a stroke cells in the brain do not get the oxygen and nutrients they need and start to die.

Symptoms

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg especially on one side of the body.
• Sudden confusion or trouble  peaking or understanding.
• Sudden trouble seeing on one or both  eyes.
• Sudden trouble walking dizziness or loss of balance or coordination.
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause.

Causes

• Interruption of blood supply to the brain due to the obstruction or rupture of a brain artery

If the result of an obstruction:

• Embolism - a clump of matter (usually a blood clot) goes to the bloodstream finds its way into a brain artery, usually from carotid arteries or the heart.
• Thrombosis -  a blood that blocks a brain artery that has been narrowed by fatty deposits

If the result of a rupture:

• Hypertension or high blood pressure
• Congenitally (from birth) weak arterial walls, e.g., aneurysm
• Head injury (e.g., strong blow to the head in a traffic accident).  However, the effect of head injury to the brain is generally more global compared to that of a stroke, which causes localized damage.

Complications

• Extended/long-term coma
• Severe physical impairment (like permanent paralysis/weakness of one side of the body)
• Severe mental impairment
• Death

What you can do?

The bystander’s responsibility:

• If you suspect a stroke or if a person vomits  or feels drowsy after a head injury (signs of cerebral bleeding ), call an ambulance or take the person to the nearest hospital
• Give first aid immediately

Prevention Tips

• Have your blood pressure measured. If it is high, take steps to control it
• Keep your blood sugar under control
• If you smoke, stop.
• If you have coronary artery disease, manage it.  Modify your diet be active and take your medications exactly the way they are prescribed
• A transient ischemic attack is a mini stroke, it has the same symptoms as a stroke but lasts only a few minutes.  If you experience these, do not ignore them.  They can be treated with medications or surgery

Watch this video and learn what to do when someone experience a Stroke

Watch this video animation explaining what is Stroke

Learn also how to position a Stroke Patient for rehabilitation and recovery.

Previous: Hyperventilation | Next: Nose Bleed

Heat Stroke First Aid

photo source: youtube.com

Heat stroke is the most serious form of heat injury and is a medical emergency.  Heatstroke is most severe heat related illness, usually as a result of prolonged exposure to or physical exertion in high temperatures.   This most serious form of heat injury, heatstroke can occur if your body temperature rises to 104 F (40 C) or higher.

Heatstroke requires emergency treatment. Untreated heatstroke can quickly damage your brain, heart, kidneys and muscles. The damage worsens the longer treatment is delayed, increasing your risk of serious complications or death.  Schedule vigorous exercise during cooler morning or evening hours.

Complications

Coma

Death

What you can do?

The bystander’s responsibility

• Take the person to an area far from the heat.
• Fan him with a new paper or towel.
• Elevate his feet to direct blood back toward the head.
• If the person is conscious, offer plenty of fluids .
• Apply ice packs to the patient's armpits, groin, neck, and back. Because these areas are rich with blood vessels close to 
• the skin, cooling them may reduce body temperature.
• Call an ambulance or take the person to the emergency room of the nearest hospital. Any delay seeking medical help can be fatal.

Symptoms

• Headache
• Dizziness and light-headedness
• Lack of sweating despite the heat
• Red, hot, and dry skin
• Muscle weakness or cramps
• High body temperature
• Nausea and vomiting
• Rapid heartbeat
• Rapid, shallow breathing
• Behavioral changes such as confusion, disorientation, or staggering
• Seizures
• Unconsciousness

Causes:

Working or when you exercise in hot conditions or weather or places without drinking enough fluids is the main cause of heat stroke. You can get heat stroke by not replacing lost fluids over days or weeks.  Liquids help to cool us down by allowing the body to produce sweat. However, liquids are also necessary for bodily functions, such as keeping up blood pressure. You can lose large amounts of body fluid in the form of sweat without noticing any effects, but at a certain point the body will reserve the remaining fluid for vital functions and stop sweating. The body's core temperature then shoots up, and cells start dying.

If a person becomes dehydrated and cannot sweat enough to cool his body his internal temperature may rise to a dangerously high level causing heat stroke.

Prevention tips

• Wear loose fitting, light weight, light colored clothing
• Avoid Sunburn or Skin expose to sun in a long time  protect yourself outdoors with a wide-brimmed hat or sunglasses and use a sunscreen with an SPF 15 and reapply every 2 hours
• If you have to exercise in the heat, start with brief  workouts and increase them gradually over two weeks or more
• Drink plenty of water before during and after exercise.  Drink more than you need to satisfy your thirst.  If possible, do not take soda and coffee or take them sparingly; both have caffeine and can actually rob your body of fluids.
• Take extra precautions with certain medications. 
• Avoid  alcohol before during and immediately after exercise.  Alcohol causes you to lose more fluid than you take in..

It is said that  Heat Stroke condition is caused by An intense activity in the heat can be the reason of Heat Stroke and according to this video, it is one of the top three killers of athletes and soldiers in training. Watch this video.

Previous: Heart Attack | Next: Hyperventilation

Heart Attack First Aid

photo source: youtube.com and www.personal.psu.edu

Heart Attack occurs when an area of the heart is deprived of oxygen supplying causing that part of the heart to be injured, weaken, or die.  Although a heart attack may appear to come on suddenly especially in an acute myocardial infraction, damage to the heart is usually years in the making.

Symptoms

• Pressure or crushing pain in the chest, sometimes with sweating , nausea, or vomiting
• Pain that extends from your chest into the jaw pit o f the stomach, left arm or left shoulder
• Feeling of tightness in the chest
• Shortness of breath

Complications

• Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmia). If your heart muscle is damaged from a heart attack, electrical "short circuits" can develop, resulting in abnormal heart rhythms, some of which can be serious, even fatal.
• Heart failure.  where there is ineffective pumping of the heart leading to an accumulation of fluid in the lungs.The amount of damaged tissue in your heart may be so great that the remaining heart muscle can't do an adequate job of pumping blood out of your heart. Heart failure may be a temporary problem that goes away after your heart, which has been stunned by a heart attack, recovers.  However, it can also be a chronic condition resulting from extensive and permanent damage to your heart following your heart attack.
• Heart rupture.  Areas of heart muscle weakened by a heart attack can rupture, leaving a hole in part of the heart. This rupture is often fatal.
• Pulmonary embolism is when one or more pulmonary arteries in your lungs become blocked.
• Valve problems. Heart valves damaged during a heart attack may develop  life-threatening leakage problems.
• Pericarditis. an inflammation of pericardium, a double membranous sac that protecting our heart
• Cardiogenic shock- occurs because of the weakened pumping of the heart due to heart disease and especially heart attack.

What you can do?

This is what I did to my Mom when her Blood pressure gets super high.  I place a catapress under her tongue. What you can do is place antiangina medicine as prescribed by your Doctor, unless your blood pressure is low (i.e., below 100 systolic)

Prevention Tips:

• Stop Smoking
• Lower high blood pressure
• Reduce high blood cholesterol
• Aim for healthy weight
• Manage diabetes
• Be a physically active each day

This video is about a person helping someone who is having a heart attack. She helped the person to sit down, and she call an emergency right away.

Previous: Head Injury | Next: Heat Stroke

Head Injury First Aid

photo source: youtube.com

Head Injury described as the “silent epidemic”, is any trauma that leads to injury of the scalp, skull or brain.  Traumatic head injuries are a major cause of death, and disability but it might be best to refer to the damage done as traumatic brain injury.

The purpose of the head, including the skull and face, is to protect the brain against injury.  In addition to the bony protection, the brain is covered in tough fibrous layers called meninges and bathed in fluid that may provide a little shock absorption.

When an injury occurs, loss of brain function can occur even without visible damage to the head. Force applied to the head may cause the brain to be directly injured or shaken, bouncing against the inner wall of the skull. The trauma can potentially cause bleeding in the spaces surrounding the brain, bruise the brain tissue, or damage the nerve connections within the brain.

A head injury can be classified as either closed or penetrating.  In a close head injury, the head sustains a blunt force by striking against an object.  A concussion is a type of closed head injury that involves the brain.. In penetrating head injury, an object usually moving at a high peed, breaks through the skull and enters the brain.

What you can do?

• Use an ice bag to ease the welling of a bump.
• Do not take any medicine without consulting a doctor.
• If the victim is a child, wake him every hour or two to make sure he is responsive.
• If the victim is an adult, wake him every few hours to check breathing and responsiveness. Ask for the person’s name, age, and address to make sure he is not confused.
• Limit activity for 24 hours.
• Call emergency right away if the person has bleeding that won’t stop, confusion, headaches or vomiting or if you are unable to wake the person up.

Prevention tips

• Perform regular safety checks of sports fields, playgrounds and equipment.
• Follow all the warning signs and rules at water parks, swimming pools, and other public places.
• Avoid  participating in sports when you are ill or very tired.
• Be aware of drivers when cycling or skateboarding And obey Traffic Signals
• Never drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol or ride as a passenger with anybody else who is under the influence
• Do not let them Children use sporting equipment or play sports unsuitable for their age. Do not let them use playgrounds with hard surface grounds.
• Wear appropriate clothing for the sport.
• Do not wear any clothing that can interfere with your vision, use blinking lights when driving at nights.
• Do not dive in water less than 12 ft deep. First, check the depth and check for debris in the water before diving.
• Discard and replace sporting equipment or protective gear that is damaged.
• Never slide head-first when stealing a base.
• Make sure younger children at all times, and do not let them use sporting equipment or play sports unsuitable for their age.  Don’t let them use playgrounds with hard surface grounds.

This video shows the first aid of Head Injury, about the symptoms, the causes and the right action.

     





   

Previous: Foreign Bodies | Next: Heart Attack