Things to Consider in First Aid

Points to Consider in First Aid

When you encounter an emergency, seconds are very precious. However, the fundamental rule of first aid is the principle of “first, do no harm.” Unconscious interventions can make the situation worse.

1. First Rule: Ensure Your Own Safety

Conducting an environmental check before intervening is of vital importance.

  • Scene Safety: If it is a traffic accident, use markers; if there is a fire, check the smoke; or look for electrical leaks.
  • Your Own Safety: If you are not safe, you cannot help the injured person.
  • Infectious Disease Precaution: Use gloves if possible or avoid contact with blood.

2. Evaluate the Condition of the Sick or Injured Person

Perform a quick analysis before starting help:

  • Consciousness Check: Gently touch the shoulders of the injured person and ask, “Are you okay?”
  • The ABC Rule:
    • A (Airway): Check the airway patency.
    • B (Breathing): Monitor breathing for 10 seconds using the look-listen-feel method.
    • C (Circulation): Check circulation and pulse.

3. Correct Communication: Call 112

Call for professional help without panicking. When you call 112, clearly state the following:

  • The exact location and address of the incident.
  • The type of incident (accident, drowning, heart attack, etc.).
  • The number of injured people and their general conditions.
  • Do not hang up your phone and do not occupy the line until the teams arrive.

4. Key Tips in Basic First Aid Interventions

Follow these critical rules in different situations:

  • In Bleeding: Apply direct pressure to the wound with a clean cloth. Unless there is a limb loss, avoid applying a tourniquet.
  • In Fractures: Never try to straighten the fractured area. Fix it in a way that prevents it from moving.
  • In Burns: Keep the area under cold water for 15-20 minutes. Never apply foreign substances such as toothpaste or yogurt.
  • In Choking (Heimlich): If the person can cough, do not touch them; encourage them to cough. If there is full blockage (cannot breathe, turning blue), apply the Heimlich maneuver.

5. Common Mistakes Made in First Aid

  • Moving the Patient: Never carry a patient with a suspected spinal cord injury; it can lead to the risk of paralysis.
  • Giving Water: Never give anything to eat or drink to someone who is unconscious or who may require surgery.
  • Intervention in an Epileptic Seizure: Do not try to open the mouth of someone having a seizure; just protect their head and wait for the seizure to end.

Frequently Asked Questions About Points to Consider in First Aid

1- Can one intervene without a first aid certificate?

In emergencies, anyone can call for help and take basic protective measures. However, being trained for basic life support (CPR, etc.) is of vital importance.

2- What must be in a first aid kit?

Bandages, sterile gauze, adhesive plaster, scissors, safety pins, gloves, a flashlight, and a whistle are the basic materials.

3- How many times is CPR performed?

In adults, it is continued as 30 chest compressions and 2 rescue breaths until professional teams arrive.

4- What should I do for someone who is unconscious but breathing?

If the person is breathing but not responding, the “Recovery Position” (Side-Lying Position) should be given to prevent the airway from closing against the risk of vomiting. The patient should never be left alone until professional help arrives.

5- When to start and when to stop CPR?

If the patient is not responding and does not have normal breathing (if the chest does not rise within 10 seconds), it should be started immediately. It should not be stopped until one of the following occurs:

  • When medical teams arrive at the scene and take over.
  • When the patient starts breathing normally or responding.
  • When the first aider becomes too exhausted to continue.
6- What should be done when an object is stuck in the throat (Total Blockage)?

If the person cannot breathe, cannot speak, and puts their hands to their neck, the Heimlich Maneuver should be applied. Stand behind the person, make a fist with one hand and place it just above the navel, and grasp it with the other hand, pressing forcefully inward and upward (as if drawing a letter J).

7- Is it correct to tilt the head back during a nosebleed?

No, this is a very common mistake. Tilting the head back can cause blood to flow into the pharynx and stomach, triggering vomiting. The correct way is to lean the head slightly forward and pinch the nostrils continuously for 5-10 minutes.

8- Should a person be made to vomit in case of poisoning?

Absolutely no. Especially in cases of ingesting acidic or corrosive substances (bleach, petroleum products, etc.), these substances damage the esophagus a second time during vomiting. 112 should be called without intervention and information about the substance should be provided.

9- Should the area be rubbed in case of frostbite or extreme cold?

No, rubbing the frozen area or rubbing it with snow increases tissue damage and leads to the bursting of capillaries under the skin. The area should be warmed slowly at room temperature.

10- How to intervene for a person who has a foreign object in their eye?

The eye should never be rubbed. If the object is embedded (metal, glass, etc.), no attempt should be made to remove it; the eye should be fixed and covered with a clean cup or bandage, and a doctor should be visited immediately. For superficial substances like dust, the eye can be washed with plenty of water.

11- Can a first aider use medication or medical intervention?

First aid is a non-medicated intervention that can be performed by trained (but non-medical) individuals. A first aider does not give medication to the patient, perform injections, or apply a surgical procedure. Their duty is to stabilize the situation with available means and hand it over to the professional team.