FIRST AID WORKSHOP AVC 2012 Willeke Gerritsen Source: When there’s no doctor, David Werner

First Aid Workshop Theory Basic cleanliness and protection When something gets stuck in the throat Mouth to mouth breathing How to control a bleeding from a wound Cuts, scrapes and small wounds Large cuts how to close them Burns Broken bones (fractures) Snakebites Practice

Basic cleanliness and protection Always think about your own safety! When someone is bleeding: -Show injured person how to stop bleeding by putting direct pressure on wound -If injured person cannot, protect yourself by wearing gloves or plastic bag before applying pressure on the wound PROTECT YOURSELF FROM HIV AND OTHER BLOODBORNE DISEASES

When something gets stuck in the throat (1) -Stand behind him and wrap your arms around his waist -Put your fist against his belly above the navel and below the ribs -And press into his belly with a sudden strong upward jerk Repeat several time when necessary

When something gets stuck in the throat (2) When person is to big or unconscious: Lay him on his back Tilt his head to one side Sit over him, with the heel of your lower hand on his belly between his navel and ribs (for fat persons, pregnant women, persons in wheelchairs or small children place hands on the chest, not the belly) Make a quick, strong upward push Repeat several time if necessary If he still cannot breathe try mouth to mouth breathing

When something gets stuck in the throat (3)

Mouth-to-mouth breathing 1.Remove anything stuck in the mouth or throat. Pull the tongue forward. If there is mucus in the throat try to clear it 2.Lay the person down with his face up. Till his head back and pull his jaw forward. 3.Pinch his nostrils closed with your fingers, open his mouth wide, cover his mouth with yours and blow strongly into his lungs so that his chest rises. Pause to let air come back out and blow again. Repeat about once every 5 seconds. With small children and babies cover the nose and mouth with your mouth and breath very gently about every 3 seconds

How to control a bleeding from a wound 1.Raise the injured part 2.Put direct pressure on the wound (protect yourself!) 3.Keep pressing until bleeding stops, this may take 20 minutes or sometimes an hour or more. This will stop the bleeding of nearly all wounds!

Cuts, scrapes and small wounds 1.Wash your hands with soap and water 2.If wound is bleeding / oozing wear gloves / plastic bags 3.Wash the skin around the wound with boiled water (cooled down) and soap 4.Wash the wound with boiled water (with a lot of dirt in it also use soap, soap will damage the flesh more so only use when necessary) 5.Remove all the dirt inside the wound! 6.Place a clean gauze on top of the wound, change the gauze every day and look for signs of infection (it is possible to use an antibiotic ointment or bethandine) Signs of infection: when the wound becomes red, swollen, hot and painful, has pus, or begins to smell bad

Large cuts, how to close them Close a deep cut only if all of the following are true (butterfly bandage): The cut is less than 12 hours old The cut is very clean If possible go to a health worker to close it the same day (stitches)

Burns 1st degree, burns that do not form blisters -Put the burned part in (lukewarm) water to ease pain and to loosen the damage -When needed take aspirin (not for children) or paracetamol for pain relief

Burns (2) 2nd degree, burns that cause blister -Do not break blisters or put ice on burn -If blisters are broken, treat as a small wound -At pharmacist ointment available, when there is not, leave burn uncovered -Look for signs of infection Severe or large burns: look medical advice

Burns (3) 3th degree, deep burns -Deep burns destroy the skin and expose raw or charred (black) flesh -Go to a health centre / hospital at once -In the meantime wrap the burned part with a very clean cloth or towel moistened with clean water.

Broken bones (fractures) Keep the bone in a fixed position! -Before going to hospital, prevent the bones from moving with a splint -When upper leg or hip broken, fixate whole body -When back or neck is broken, bring health worker before moving him, if not possible fixate injured person without bending neck or back

Snakebites Get information about snakes in your area (poisonous / not poisonous)! When bitten by poisonous snake: 1.Stay quiet, do not move bitten part. Go for medical help. 2.Remove jewellery (snake bite cause swelling) 3.Wrap the bitten area tightly in elastic bandage or cloth to slow the spread of poison. Keep arm or leg very still. 4.Put on a splint to prevent limb from moving. 5.Carry the person on a stretcher to nearest health center, when possible also take the snake.

Any questions?