We are talking about a topic that is related to everyone, but it is not that easy to discuss in an easy way. So, let’s take a look at the 5 principles of first aid.
The word “first aid” was introduced by the American Medical Association (AMA) in 1884. Before that, it was called “the science of medicine”. So, in simple words, first aid is a system of helping the injured person in order to save his/her life.
So, what are the 5 principles of first aid?
- Know the location
- Assess the injury
- Control the bleeding
- Clean and dress the wound
- Evacuate
Let’s discuss each of these five principles in detail:
1. Know the location
If you don’t know the location where the accident took place, then it is a tough job. First of all, you need to check if he is in a public place or in a private place. If it is a public place, then it is difficult to access the location because people are around and it can be very risky.
If it is a private place, then you need to call the emergency number of your area and ask the neighbors to find the location of the accident. Once you find the location, you need to stay there and wait for the emergency service.
2. Assess the injury
After knowing the location of the accident, you need to assess the injury. There are several ways to assess the injury like asking for help, observing the person, feeling the injury, and checking the injury with the naked eye.
If the person is unconscious, then it is difficult to assess the injury. In this case, you need to wait for the help of an expert. If the person is conscious, then you need to assess the injury and provide first aid.
3. Control the bleeding
Once you assessed the injury, you need to control the bleeding. If you can’t stop the bleeding, then you need to prepare the place where you are. You need to clean the area, cover it with a cloth, and apply a bandage.
It is important to note that you shouldn’t waste time while controlling the bleeding.
4. Clean and dress the wound
You need to clean the wound properly. You can use water and disinfectant to clean the wound. You can also use a sterile gauze to stop the bleeding.
The next step is to dress the wound. You need to cover the wound with a sterile dressing. Make sure that you don’t use non-sterile materials for this purpose.
5. Evacuate
Once you have provided the first aid, you need to evacuate the victim. You can take the victim to a hospital if you know the location of the hospital.
Evacuating a person who has been injured is not a simple task. There are different ways of evacuating the victim. You should always try to help the victim if he or she has been injured. Before you begin to assist him or her, make sure that you have the necessary equipment.
You can perform a quick first aid using only what you have with you. You can use a tourniquet if there is a blood flow. Make sure you know the location of the nearest hospital. Make sure that you have a phone on you, so that you can call for help.
Conclusion:
In this article, we discussed the 5 principles of first aid. If you are in a situation where you need to provide first aid