A fracture is an injury to a bone often resulting in a clean break. Today we do not use a splint on a fracture victim, unless the injured person will have to be moved before emergency help can arrive. Your only other goal when assisting a fracture victim is to assist in easing the pain of the injured party. Encourage the patient to position the … Continue reading First Aid Basics: How to Deal with Fractures
Fever convulsions are similar to epileptic fits. They occur mainly in children under the age of 7 years old. The convulsions are not caused by high body temperatures but the rapid increase in temperature. They can occur at even low temperatures of around 39 degrees. While fever convulsions appear serious they generally are not. The child will require protection from objects that could hurt him … Continue reading First Aid Basics: How to Treat Fever Convulsions
When a person is having an epileptic fit allow him or her to move freely, do not restrain the person. This cannot be reiterated enough. Never restrain an epileptic from cramping. Do not burn material under the patients nose, as this leads to smoke inhalation and poisoning. Protect the person by removing all the objects which could cause harm and cushioning the head with pillows. Do not insert … Continue reading First Aid Basics: How to Treat Epilepsy
All too often people completely misunderstand and irrationally fear epilepsy. Epilepsy is not a disease. It is a condition caused by a chemical and electrical imbalance in the brain. People have the ability to deal with a number of stimuli which trigger electric impulses to our brain, for example light, heat etc. In a nut shell each person cerebral stimuli threshold is unique and allow … Continue reading First Aid Basics: What is Epilepsy?
Poisoning via the skin may happen in a number of ways. It could happen as a result of corrosion, chemical contact, animal bites and stings, or the injection of drugs. When it is chemical, the first step is to check the patients vital signs, once these are established, you should try to clean the affected areas with as much running water as possible. The injuries … Continue reading First Aid Basics: How to deal with poisoning via the skin
When a patient has been poisoned by gas or fumes it is imperative that you consider your own safety first and to carefully assess the scene before any rescue attempts are made. When the patient is removed from the danger zone, check their vital signs and the patient must be treated accordingly. Call rescue services immediately. For more great articles and tips, please subscribe to receive our latest articles or join … Continue reading First Aid Basics: How to Deal with Poisoning Via the Respiratory Tract
An approximated 80% of all poisoning victims in South Africa are under the age of 3 years old. Annually more than 50 000 toddlers are poisoned. 15% are critical and sadly around 8% are fatal. There are 3 main types of poisoning, namely; Poisoning via the digestive tract where substances have been swallowed (click for more info). Poisoning via the respiratory tract when gases or fumes are inhaled(click for … Continue reading First Aid Basics: Different Types of Poisoning
