An unforeseen accident could strike you or a loved one at any time. You might be able to prevent a minor injury from becoming much worse by administering some basic first aid. You could also potentially save a life. In fact, a study commissioned by the Red Cross found that 59% of deaths from injury could have been averted if first aid was correctly administered.
Whether you’re a parent researching for ways to keep your child safe, a business owner looking out for the welfare of your employees, or just someone who wants to make a difference, it’s essential to become familiar with the fundamentals of first aid. This article will help you learn the basics, but you should still consider taking an actual first aid course.
When you’re dealing with a limb injury, here are seven easy-to-remember tips to help yourself or anyone around you who requires immediate medical assistance.
- Invest In A First Aid Kit
Consider investing in some first aid equipment for your home, car, and office. A first aid kit typically includes adhesive tapes, elastic wrap bandages, hydrogen peroxide to disinfect, and painkillers.
If you spend a lot of time in a high-risk environment, it might also be a good idea to invest in more advanced medical equipment like a medical splint which is engineered and designed to keep the arm or legs in place. If you’d like to know about how splints can be used during an emergency, you can learn here or check out other reliable online sources.
- Inspect The Area For Any Potential Risks
Watch out for anything that could pose a threat, such as fire, falling objects, or hostile persons. Don’t stay where you feel unsafe. Instead, get out of there and dial your local emergency hotline. If it is safe to do so, you should check on the injured individual. Don’t move them unless it’s necessary to save their lives.
- Coordinate With Your Local Emergency Hotline
Call your local emergency hotline if you or someone else in need of immediate medical assistance exhibits the symptoms below:
- There is bone protruding from the skin.
- The bleeding continues despite several minutes of firm pressure.
- The wound bleeds profusely.
- The arm or leg got dislocated or deformed.
If none of the above is present, you may proceed with the next steps.
- Any Minor Bleeding Needs To Be Taken Care Of Immediately
Minor wounds, including scrapes or small burns, may usually be covered with an adhesive bandage. For more severe wounds, a clean gauze pad or roller bandage may be necessary to provide adequate protection.
If there are no available medical supplies, just put firm pressure on the wound with a clean cloth. Note that if the bone is pushing through the skin, you shouldn’t touch it or even try to put it back where it belongs, as it may cause further injury.
- Contain Further Swelling With Ice Or Cold Compress
Applying ice to an injured area could help minimize the discomfort level. An ice pack or cold compress every two hours for 20 minutes may also help reduce the swelling. The arm or leg should ideally be raised above the chest.
A person wrapping his friends injured arm in gauze
- Restrict Any Unnecessary Movement From Your Injured Arm Or Leg
For less severe injuries, resting the limb is recommended. Remove any obstruction from the injured arm or leg. The next step is to apply adequate compression with elastic first aid tape to the limb with a makeshift or medical splint. It may help you restrict any movement from the injured arm or leg. Make sure the splint isn’t preventing proper circulation.
- Seek Medical And Professional Help To Ensure Optimal Recovery
Make an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible after you’ve administered first aid. The doctor will ask for x-rays, CT scans, or ultrasounds of the injured limb. They may also apply a cast or recommend a surgical procedure to fix any damaged bones. Remember that only a medical professional can determine the extent of the injury and provide the appropriate treatment.
Final Thoughts
First aid skills and know-how can mean the difference between life and death. However, first aid isn’t just about saving lives. Timely and proper first aid response can also help reduce a person’s recovery time and determine whether they’ll have a temporary or permanent disability.
However, you should also keep in mind that first aid isn’t a cure-all. It’s only intended to alleviate pain and prevent further injury while the patient waits for a medical professional to examine an injured leg or arm.