The lack of basic knowledge of first aid among people nearby, sometimes close relatives, acquaintances or friends, can lead to a deterioration in the health of the victim.
The main goal of first aid is to save the life of the victim. The main thing is to learn how to act correctly in the first seconds after discovering a victim in order to save his life until doctors arrive. The following recommendations will help you correctly provide first aid to yourself and others.
Remove the victim from the environment that caused the accident; eliminate life-threatening conditions of the victim (shock, asphyxia, bleeding); establish the degree of damage and the possibility of transportation; move to a protected place convenient for medical care; provide first aid.
Rules for determining pupil reaction to light
Lift the upper eyelid with your thumb and look at the pupil. If the pupil remains wide after light hits it, it should be concluded that the pupil does not react to light. In the dark, you can determine the reaction of the pupils to light using an electric flashlight.
Rule for determining the pulse on the carotid artery
Place four fingers on the victim's neck. Located between the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the cartilage of the larynx, carefully move your fingers deeper, trying to feel the pulse beats.
External bleeding
In case of external bleeding (capillary or venous) on the arm or leg, apply a sterile bandage and bandage it tightly (pressure bandage) or firmly tighten the cotton-gauze swab to the wound using an adhesive plaster. The bandage should consist of several layers of cotton wool and gauze. Be careful not to tighten the limb too much (until the skin below the bandage turns blue). A pressure bandage helps stop bleeding from small arteries.
Arterial bleeding
In case of arterial bleeding, perform digital pressure on the artery, apply a hemostatic tourniquet, or forcefully flex the limb. Pressing the artery with a finger or fist ensures an almost immediate stop of bleeding for 10-15 minutes, then the hands begin to get tired and the pressure weakens. Immediately after pressing the artery, use a hemostatic tourniquet. Do not apply a tourniquet to a naked body. The skin should be straightened (without folds), wrap the area of the limb with a towel (gauze). The direction of the tours (turns of the tourniquet) is from bottom to top; the tours should not overlap. The first two rounds are tightly applied, the subsequent rounds are applied without tension. If bleeding continues, remove the tourniquet and reapply it, moving higher than where it was originally applied. The pressure on the limb should be sufficient to stop bleeding, but not cause complete bleeding of the limb. After applying the tourniquet, securely attach a note to it indicating the time, date of application, name and position of the rescuer. The tourniquet can be applied to the limb for no more than 1.5 - 2 hours, and in the cold season - 0.5 - 1 hour. Periodically, after 30 - 60 minutes, the tourniquet should be loosened, loosened for a few minutes (during this time, pinch the vessel above the tourniquet with your finger), massage (lightly) the groove from the tourniquet. The total time for applying the tourniquet should not exceed two hours.
If there is no factory-made tourniquet, it can be replaced with an improvised one - a rubber tube, tie, belt, belt, scarf, bandage, etc.; do not use wire.
Technique for performing artificial lung ventilation using the mouth-to-mouth method: clasp the chin with your right hand so that the fingers located on the victim’s lower jaw and cheeks can unclench and part his lips; Pinch your nose with your left hand; tilt the victim’s head back and hold it in this position until the end of the inhalation; Press your lips tightly against the victim’s lips and exhale as much as possible into him. Insufflation frequency is 18-20 times per minute. If the second “inhalation” is ineffective, it is necessary to begin chest compressions.
Indirect cardiac massage
Before starting artificial respiration, it is necessary to ensure the patency of the upper respiratory tract by tilting the head back. Place a cushion (roll of clothing) under your shoulders; With a finger wrapped in a cloth, clean the victim’s mouth of blood clots, mucus, and other foreign bodies (teeth fragments, dentures); place your palm above the xiphoid process so that the thumb is pointed at the victim’s chin or stomach; move the center of gravity to the sternum and perform indirect cardiac massage with straight arms; press and push the chest 3 - 4 cm with a frequency of at least 80 - 100 times per minute; each subsequent press should be started only after the chest returns to its original position. The optimal ratio of chest compressions and inhalations should be 30x2, regardless of the number of resuscitation participants.