DONT PANIC

The first thing you should realized in your everydays life is that you could be faced with a medical emergency at any time weither you are ready to it or not. You could be the first person at an accident scene or be present when a health crisis occurs at home, and your actions in those first moments maybe the most important. Knowing just a few simple techniques will assist you to cater basic First-Aid in order to treat and relieve minor injuries and maybe can help you to save one life. The vital key to handle this situations is to stay calm and DONT PANIC !

KNOWING PRIORITIES

1. Call For Help
Wherever possible ask someone to call the emergency services ( ie: 999, 911 or 994 depending which country you are from ) and always make a confirmation that he or she has done so.

2. Assess The Situation
Ensure your own safety first and do not putting yourself in danger as you will be no help to the victim if you get run over and become a casualty too. Be alert to less obvious potential dangers, such as smoke and gas or petrol leakage.

3. Make It Safe For Others
If you are at the scene of a road accident and in a separate vehicle, switch on your hazard warning lights to warn other vehicles and try to ask somebody -if possible- to warn approaching traffics. Turn off your engine and check your handbrake and ask others if any to do the same.

4. Assess The Victim(s)
Is there are multiple victims, you will need to decide who is the most seriously injured and treat those with life-threatening conditions first.

5. Start Treatment
If the victim is unconcious, you will need to apply the ABC procedure. If the victim is not breathing, he or she must be resuscitated immediately in order to maintain heartbeat and breathing. Action may also be required in order to stem major bleeding .

OBSERVATIONS

While waiting for the paramedics, you can run some observation tests about the victim(s) situations. List down some notes and pass it to the doctor or paramedic, or send them to the hospital with the casualty. This practise will help the paramedic to give the immediate attention for what prior to the victim(s). Follow this list :

Eyes
This is the most useful indicator for reaction while checking other responses.
»Open spontaneously.
»Open in response to voice.
»Open in response to stimulus such as pinching.
»No response at all

Speech
Speak clearly to the victim and licten carefully for a response.
»Answers questions coherently.
»Answers questions but confused.
»Answers but words hardly understood.
»No answers at all

Movement
Give verbal instructions or apply physical stimulus such as pinching the skin.
»Follows verbal instructions to move.
»Can point to site of injury or pain.
»Responds to physical stimulus.
»No Response

Pulse
Check an adult or child's pulse at the wrist or neck. If for baby, check on the inner arm. Count the number of beats a minute and note the type.
»Strong or Weak.
»Regular or Irregular

Breathing
Count the number of breaths a minute and note down the type .
»Quiet or Noisy .
»Easy or Difficult