First Aid

Introduction Wounds Bleeding Suffocation Drowning Hanging, Strangling, and Throttling Fainting Nose Bleeds Snake Bites Minor Burns & Scalds Sunburn Heat Exhaustion

| Bleeding | Suffocation | Drowning |

Bleeding

Bleeding (haemorrhage) is classified according to the type of blood vessel that is damaged: artery, vein, or capillary. Arterial bleeding can be very dramatic, but copious venous bleeding is potentially more serious. �
 
Here are the types of bleeding:
 
Arterial bleeding
The blood, richly oxygenated, is bright red and, under pressure from the pumping heart, spurts from the wound in time with the heartbeat. A severed artery may produce a jet of blood several feet high, and can rapidly empty the circulation of blood.
 
Venous bleeding
Venous blood, having given up its oxygen, is dark red in colour. It is under less pressure than arterial blood, but since the vein walls are capable of great distension, blood may "pool" within them; thus blood from a severed major vein may gush profusely.
 
Capillary bleeding
This type of bleeding, characterized as oozing, occurs at the site of all wounds. Although capillary bleeding may at first be brisk, blood loss is generally negligible. A blunt blow may rupture capillaries beneath the skin, causing bleeding into the tissues (a bruise).

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Suffocation

This occurs when air is prevented from reaching the lungs, either because there is a physical barrier that prevents air entering the nose or mouth, or because the air the casualty is breathing is full of fumes and smoke.
 
Aims
To restore a supply of fresh air to the casualty's lungs.
To seek medical aid. �
 
Treatment
1) Remove any obstruction to breathing, or move the casualty into fresh air.
2) If he/she is conscious, reassure her, but keep him/her under observation. Call an ambulance or doctor.
 
If he/she is unconscious, check breathing and pulse, and be prepared to resuscitate. Dial 995 for an ambulance, and place him/her in recovery position.
 
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Drowning

Death by drowning usually occurs not because the lungs are full of water, but because throat spasm prevents breathing. Usually only a relatively small amount of water enters the lungs. The water that often gushes out of a rescued casualty's mouth comes from the stomach, rather that the lungs, and should be allowed to drain naturally. Attempts to force water from the stomach may result in stomach contents being inhaled. A drowned casualty may be suffering the effects of cold as well as asphyxia and may need to be treated for hypothermia. The casualty should always receive medical attention. Any water entering the lungs will cause irritation and, even if the casualty appears to be recover rapidly and fully at the time, swelling of the air passages may still develop some hours later. �
 
Aims
To prevent and treat low blood oxygen.
To arrange removal to hospital. �
 
Treatment
1) If carrying the casualty, keep his/her head lower than the rest of the body to reduce the risk of inhaling water.
2) Lay him/her down on a coat or blanket. Open the airway, checking breathing and pulse rate, and be prepared to resuscitate if necessary.
3) Treat the casualty for hypothermia: replace wet clothing, insulate him/her from the cold, and give him/her hot drinks.
4) Take or send the casualty to hospital, even if he/she appears to recover fully.

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