What Everyone Should Know About First Aid Fundamentals

When we think about keeping our families safe, mastering the basics of first aid should be near the top of the list. 

This matters because accidents in the home are commonplace, whether in the form of a kitchen mishap or a garden scrape – and they can also occur further afield, from the playground tumble to the cycling snafu. And in those critical moments before help arrives, knowing what to do can make all the difference.

So without further ado, here’s an overview of some first aid fundamentals that every parent needs in their locker.

Understanding CPR

CPR – or cardiopulmonary resuscitation – can be crucial in emergencies, and so you need to know how to perform it as a matter of course. 

Here are a few of the main points involved:

• Immediately beginning CPR can double, or even triple, a victim’s chance of survival after cardiac arrest. Given that 436,000 people die from this each year, CPR is a step well worth taking.
• To begin CPR, push hard and fast in the center of the chest to the beat of “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees – a tune that mirrors the recommended 100 to 120 compressions per minute. Follow official steps until help arrives.
• Around 50% of cardiac arrest cases that occur in public result in bystander intervention – and while this represents a gradual improvement over the years, a lack of knowledge often holds people back. So don’t hesitate when disaster strikes, but act with a combination of skill and speed, as it’s better than doing nothing.
• If you’re untrained or unsure about giving mouth to mouth breaths as part of this process, performing hands-only CPR has been shown to be just as effective for adults who have suffered a sudden cardiac arrest.

It’s worth mentioning that as well as being ready and willing to intervene with CPR before medical professionals arrive on-scene, you will also benefit from having the guidance of a seasoned personal injury lawyer in Indianapolis, or wherever you live. 

This is particularly true if you or one of your family members is hurt in a public place, and compensation is subsequently required.

Dealing with Bleeding

After a cut occurs, effective management of bleeding is a must. It’s about stopping the flow and starting the healing. 

Here are some of the main aspects involved:

• Whether it’s a scrape or something deeper, applying direct pressure to the wound is your first line of defense. We see it in the movies all the time – but unlike a lot of stereotypes from the silver screen, it’s truly useful in real life.
• Prop an injured limb higher than the heart when possible. Gravity becomes an ally, reducing blood flow to the wound area.
• Clotting agents and sterile dressings are valuable, but know that even a clean cloth can serve as an interim measure until better supplies are at hand.
• Once taboo in first aid for fear of complications, properly applied tourniquets are now lifesaving tools in controlling severe bleeding – especially for injuries to extremities.

Get familiar with these tactics – particularly if you are worried about what might go wrong in places where sharp edges are present, such as the kitchen. 

So as well as sharpening your cooking skills, keep a keen edge on your awareness of domestic safety issues.

Final Thoughts

We’ve just touched on a couple of the core principles of first aid, so in addition to acquiring this cornerstone knowledge, you also need to have the good sense to call in the cavalry as soon as an injury occurs – as only the pros will be able to help seriously hurt family members live to fight another day.

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