First aid care during emergencies

Accidents and emergencies can happen at home, so it is important to have a first aid kit that can take care of these situations. It is advised to have two kits: one in your house and another in your car. A first aid kit can be bought or assembled and should be kept in an accessible place. A basic first aid kit could save a life and prevent some situations from getting worse.

First aid care is important to you and those around you. Basic first aid care helps with the following:

• Treatment of injuries and emergencies like burns and cuts.
• Stopping or reducing bleeding.
• Stopping or reducing skin irritation.
• Preventing allergic reactions from worsening.
• Reducing or stopping pain.
• Reducing symptoms of digestive problems like diarrhoea.
• Reducing and treating high body temperature.

To provide proper first aid care, the following are important points to note:

• Ensure that you wash your hands before and after any procedure to prevent the spread of infections. You can also use alcohol-based hand sanitisers.
• Use protective equipment such as face masks, gloves and eye goggles when you want to help. Using these become essential when you come in contact with blood. Do not forget to dispose of them safely after use.
• Have emergency numbers of your healthcare providers and local emergency contacts written down on a card.
• Make sure the scene where you help someone is safe. Try to remove the person and yourself from any danger.
• Familiarize yourself with how each component in a first aid kit is used so that you can act confidently. To prepare yourself for emergencies, you can read a first aid manual, watch video resources on first aid and attend a course on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). 
• A basic first aid kit should have plasters, a thermometer, gauze (small, medium, and large), crepe bandage, disposable sterile gloves, tweezers, scissors, pain killers, hand sanitisers, cotton wool, antiseptic solution and oral antihistamine. 
• Always keep a check on the medications and other products that have an expiry date in your first aid kit.
• Keep your first aid kit out of reach from children. It is not something they should play with. Also, keep your kit in a cool and dry place.

Applying first aid during emergencies helps make the situation better. Do not forget to call for help during an emergency and contact a hospital close-by for professional care. Learn about first aid because you may find yourself in situations where you need this knowledge.