FIRST AID

YOUR TOUCH and CARE HEALS ME

Author: USJR Boy Scout Unit || Compiled by: Snr. Sct. 羅伊·阿什莉

First Aid

1.    Cuts and Scratches

·         Wash your hands. This helps avoid infection.

·         Stop the bleeding. Minor cuts and scrapes usually stop bleeding on their own. If needed, apply gentle pressure with a clean bandage or cloth and elevate the wound until bleeding stops.

·         Clean the wound. Rinse the wound with water. Keeping the wound under running tap water will reduce the risk of infection. Wash around the wound with soap. But don't get soap in the wound. And don't use hydrogen peroxide or iodine, which can be irritating. Remove any dirt or debris with a tweezers cleaned with alcohol. See a doctor if you can't remove all debris.

·         Cover the wound. Apply a bandage, rolled gauze or gauze held in place with paper tape. Covering the wound keeps it clean. If the injury is just a minor scrape or scratch, leave it uncovered.

2.    Bruise and Sprains

·         Rest the bruised or sprained area, if possible.

·         Ice the bruise with an ice pack wrapped in a towel. Leave it in place for 10 to 20 minutes. Repeat several times a day for a day or two as needed.

·         Compress the bruised area if it is swelling, using an elastic bandage. Don't make it too tight.

·         Elevate the injured area.

3.    Burns and scalds

Treating major burns

Until emergency help arrives:

·         Protect the burned person from further harm. If you can do so safely, make sure the person you're helping is not in contact with the source of the burn. For electrical burns, make sure the power source is off before you approach the burned person.

·         Make certain that the person burned is breathing. If needed, begin rescue breathing if you know how.

·         Remove jewelry, belts and other restrictive items, especially from around burned areas and the neck. Burned areas swell rapidly.

·         Cover the area of the burn. Use a cool, moist bandage or a clean cloth.

·         Don't immerse large severe burns in water. Doing so could cause a serious loss of body heat (hypothermia).

·         Elevate the burned area. Raise the wound above heart level, if possible.

·         Watch for signs of shock. Signs and symptoms include fainting, pale complexion or breathing in a notably shallow fashion.

Treating minor burns

For minor burns:

·         Cool the burn. Hold the burned area under cool (not cold) running water or apply a cool, wet compress until the pain eases.

·         Remove rings or other tight items from the burned area. Try to do this quickly and gently, before the area swells.

·         Don't break blisters. Fluid-filled blisters protect against infection. If a blister breaks, clean the area with water (mild soap is optional). Apply an antibiotic ointment. But if a rash appears, stop using the ointment.

·         Apply lotion. Once a burn is completely cooled, apply a lotion, such as one that contains aloe vera or a moisturizer. This helps prevent drying and provides relief.

·         Bandage the burn. Cover the burn with a sterile gauze bandage (not fluffy cotton). Wrap it loosely to avoid putting pressure on burned skin. Bandaging keeps air off the area, reduces pain and protects blistered skin.

·         If needed, take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), naproxen sodium (Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others).

4.    Foreign Object in the Eye

·         Wash your hands with soap and water.

·         Seat the person in a well-lighted area.

·         Gently examine the eye to find the object. Pull the lower lid down and ask the person to look up. Then hold the upper lid while the person looks down.

·         If the object is floating in the tear film on the surface of the eye, try using a medicine dropper filled with clean, warm water to flush it out. Or tilt the head back and irrigate the surface of the eye with clean water from a drinking glass or a gentle stream of tap water.

5.    Nose Bleed

·         Sit upright and lean forward. By remaining upright, you reduce blood pressure in the veins of your nose. This discourages further bleeding. Sitting forward will help you avoid swallowing blood, which can irritate your stomach.

·         Pinch your nose. Use your thumb and index finger to pinch your nostrils shut. Breathe through your mouth. Continue to pinch for 10 to 15 minutes. Pinching sends pressure to the bleeding point on the nasal septum and often stops the flow of blood.

·         If the bleeding continues after 10 to 15 minutes, repeat holding pressure for another 10 to 15 minutes. Avoid peeking at your nose. If the bleeding still continues, seek emergency care.

·         To prevent re-bleeding, don't pick or blow your nose and don't bend down for several hours after the bleeding episode. During this time remember to keep your head higher than the level of your heart. You can also gently apply some petroleum jelly to the inside of your nose using a cotton swab or your finger.

·         If re-bleeding occurs, blow out forcefully to clear your nose of blood clots. Then spray both sides of your nose with a decongestant nasal spray containing oxymetazoline (Afrin). Pinch your nose again as described above and call your doctor.

 

6.    Stings and Bites

• ·         Move to a safe area to avoid more bites or stings.
• ·         If needed, remove the stinger.
• ·         Wash the area with soap and water.
• ·         Apply a cool compress. Use a cloth dampened with cold water or filled with ice. This helps reduce pain and swelling. If the injury is on an arm or leg, elevate it.

Bandaging

Carries