When an emergency situation occurs, it is best to be prepared. Learning simple first aid and CPR techniques will decrease chaos at the incident scene and will aid the injured person, many times actually saving the person's life.
First Aid
First aid is the care a person receives as soon as they become injured. First aid can concern a variety of incidents. Bites, bruises, choking, falls, fractures, head injuries, nose bleeds, sprains, scrapes or cuts and unconsciousness are among some of the many types of incidents that require first aid, according to the Mayo Clinic.
In general, it is important to remember some safety techniques to be best equipped to deal with injury situations. Keep a first aid kit in your home, car or workplace at all times. The first aid kit should include a care guide for specific injuries, and according to the National Library of Medicine, it is good practice to read the information that comes with the kit, so you are knowledgeable on use the supplies.
According to the National Library of Medicine, when dealing with scrapes or cuts, you can stop the bleeding by applying pressure. The less blood a person looses, the better chances of recovery.
CPR
CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and is a lifesaving technique people use in the event of an emergency, according to the Mayo Clinic. When a person's heartbeat or breathing has ceased, CPR can be used to resuscitate him.
CPR consists of chest compressions as well as mouth-to mouth breathing. A person trained in CPR will provide 30 chest compressions to the person in danger followed by two rescue breaths. Repeat the steps.
According to the Mayo Clinic, if you are not trained in CPR, you can eliminate the rescue breaths and continue with "uninterrupted chest presses," which should be approximately two compressions per second. Continue with the uninterrupted chest compressions until medical help has arrived.
There are important rules to remember during CPR. The acronym "ABC" will help you to remember to A) clear the airway, B) breathe for the person in danger, and C) get the blood to circulate. The Mayo Clinic notes that you should move fast through the first two steps and quickly begin restoring circulation of blood.
If you are alone, begin CPR before calling 911. The Mayo Clinic recommends completing five cycles, or approximately two minutes worth of CPR before calling 911.
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