The human body is an amazing combination of different systems that are well coordinated for smooth functioning as a unit. All the systems are equally important for health, and no particular system can be called as more important that other systems, a first aider needs to have knowledge of the structure and function of various systems so as to be able to clearly understand sickness and effects of injury on the body.
Continue reading First-Aid: Structure and Function of Human Body
There are many causes of unconsciousness but you will not be able to sort them out. Leave the diagnosis to a doctor and in the meantime help the patient stay alive.
In certain situations, mouth to mouth respiration cannot be given e.g. when the face is damaged, the lower jaw is fractured, or the lips and mouth have been burned by a poison. In such cases, manual methods are used.
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Mouth to mouth ventilation (Kiss of Life)
After the airway is cleared, listen for five seconds with your ear close to the victim’s nose and mouth. If breathing has not been reestablished, perform mouth to mouth breathing by the following technique.
Resuscitation is a vital emergency technique for the restoration of life or consciousness of the person whose respiration and cardiac activity have ceased. Cessation of these functions results in cessation of oxygenation of blood and pumping of the oxygenated blood to tissues. Since oxygen is essential for survival, resuscitation is done to reestablish tissue oxygenation until respiratory and cardiac functions are restored.
Any wound that has not begun to heal after 48 hours is infected. It contains bacteria, dirt, and may contain a foreign body. The infection may spread elsewhere in the body and cause further damage. Features of an infected wound are as follows.
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A wound is an injury or an abnormal break in the continuity of the skin or other tissues. In an external wound, there is danger that germs will enter the wound and cause an infection. If the wound is deep, severe bleeding may occur or there may be serious damage to structures within the body, such as the bowel, heart, lungs, or brain.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation can be performed in older children just as in an adult, except that the rate must be slightly faster, and the pressure must be lighter. The technique for small children and babies is as follows.
These are due to severe pressure of a heavy object over a part of the body. There may not be much of an external injury. But there can be extensive damage to the tissues underneath, e.g. muscles and bones. Internal hemorrhage is possible. Toxic materials released from the damaged tissue can enter the blood stream and cause failure of the kidneys.
Continue reading First-Aid: How To Treat Crush Injuries and Blast Injuries
These are due to severe pressure of a heavy object over a part of the body. There may not be much of an external injury. But there can be extensive damage to the tissues underneath, e.g. muscles and bones. Internal hemorrhage is possible. Toxic materials released from the damaged tissue can enter the blood stream and cause failure of the kidneys.
Continue reading First-Aid: How To Treat Crush Injuries and Blast Injuries