No one knows what’s going to happen, and because of that, we need to be prepared. You could cross the street and see someone clutch their chest, or be in a restaurant and see someone choke. Having first aid knowledge is vital, and through our list, you’ll have 15 tips that can help in your life and may help you save someone else’s. So let’s get started.
Swim Parallel
When you’re in the water, don’t fight the waves; you’ll spend your energy too quickly and you won’t be able to save yourself. Instead, you should swim parallel to the shore and escape the rip tide. Feel the dynamic of the wave and try to move in line with it. You’ll save energy.
Fire Extinguisher
Learn how to use a fire extinguisher. Most homes have one, but no one knows how to use it. The easiest way to use one is to remember the pass rule. One tip is to aim the hose at the base of the fire and not the flames themselves. If you have a carbon dioxide extinguisher, keep your hands away from the horn because it’s dangerously cold.
Cabs or Ubers
If your cab driver or Uber driver is acting strangely or making you uncomfortable, make a call to someone and be sure to enunciate the digits of the number plate. Take a picture of the ID on the dash. The driver will have no idea what you’re doing, but it should make them think twice about any bad ideas, and you’ve just made them identifiable.
Assess And Act
When someone needs help, or you think they do, assess the situation and see if you can tell what the problem is. Determine if you need to get an AED (a defibrillator) first or call 911 first. If the person is unresponsive, see if they are breathing and if not, begin CPR.
Learn CPR
Take a course and learn CPR. There are many people who try to mimic what they see on television, and that’s dangerous because if you don’t know what you’re doing, you may end up hurting the person beyond repair. Courses are easy to do. Give up an afternoon of your time and get certified so that you know the proper technique.
Take First Aid Classes
Along that same line, take some first aid classes. Like the CPR, it takes one afternoon, and your card lasts for up to about 3 years, depending on where you live. During the class, you’ll learn what to do if someone is choking, bleeding, some do CPR (others make it a separate class), some explain AED use, and others show you how to inject an epi pen, just to name a few skills. It’s all useful information that would serve you well.
Choking
If you are choking but unfortunately have no one around you, you’re going to have to dislodge it yourself. You need to make yourself fall on something hard. You need a hard edge, not a soft edge, and make sure you hit right below your ribs. It imitates the Heimlich maneuver, but you have to ensure you’re hitting right where you need to.
Don’t Drink Snow
Don’t drink the snow if you are trapped in snow and trying to get help. The energy your body is using to digest it is energy that you need to spend getting help. Instead, realize that your body is dehydrating, and put snow in your water bottle. Place the bottle in your jacket but NOT directly on your skin. There needs to be a layer or two between the bottle and your skin. Additionally, if you notice you’re running out of water when the bottle is half empty, put snow in it. That way, if you need help, you have a little more water.
Look Under The Boat
If your boat capsizes and someone is missing, check under the boat. There have been many occasions where someone on a boat trip with families or canoeing, and the boat has turned over, where the person was underneath the boat. If this ever happens to you, look there first. Chances are, the person may be stuck or trying to get an air pocket.
Always Have A First Aid Kit
Everyone needs a first aid kit, and it should be well stocked. They sell pre-made kits or you can make your own, but the important thing is that it should have everything you might need. If you don’t want to take the time, just get one of the huge ones you see in stores. If you want to build your own, the basics of what you should have include these:
- Band-Aids in all sizes
- Elastic bandages
- Gloves (latex-free)
- Gauze pads
- Gauze rolls
- Adhesive tape
- Alcohol wipes
- Cold packs
- Calamine lotion
- Allergy medicine
- Aloe vera gel
- Antibiotic ointment
- Hand sanitizer
- Pain reliever (like ibuprofen)
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Saline wound wash
Obviously, there are many other things you may need to, so be sure to add things in. Keep it away from children, and replenish items as often as you can to avoid expiration. You should also consider Epi-Pens and other items for allergies or medications you’ll need on hand immediately..
Don’t Tilt Back
When you have a nosebleed, people tend to shoot their head back, and that’s not a good idea. Doing that lets the blood run down your throat, and that can make you choke. Instead, you should lean your head forward, use a tissue, shirt, or washcloth, and press the nostrils together. Be gentle. Hold your nose for a minimum of five minutes if the bleeding hasn’t stopped; do it for another ten. If the bleeding hasn’t stopped after twenty minutes, go to a doctor.
Keep Calm
Now we know this isn’t easy, but in dangerous situations, you need to be calm. If you can’t do this, take a deep breath and try to make your breathing steady. If this doesn’t work, a tip by a famous author suggests that you pretend a hat is on your head and adjust it. The idea is that you’ll focus on something else, give yourself a needed second, and then you can focus.
Apply Direct Pressure
If someone is bleeding, you need to stop it right away. An open wound could cause serious blood loss, and it can end up causing someone to lose their life. What you should do is place a clean piece of cloth (if you can) over the wound and apply direct pressure.
Protect Broken Bones
If someone has broken a bone, protect it until the paramedics arrive. Broken bones can be extremely dangerous, and if you damage them further, it can cause issues later on. This is particularly true of back injuries or something that’s near an artery. You have to be extremely cautious with things like this.
Always Have A Plan
Whether it’s just you and your spouse, or family, or you have kids, always have an emergency plan and make sure everyone knows it and can do it successfully without fail. It could end up being more important than you know. For instance, if you are injured and your husband isn’t home, your child will have to know who to call and what to do. Practice your emergency plan so that your family knows what needs to happen and they won’t hesitate.
Be Safe
You should always understand that learning first aid is crucial for your life and the lives of others. Always have an emergency bag including matches, food, and other items to keep safe. Don’t skimp on a first aid kit either. With our list of tips, you’ll be able to help yourself or others to ensure that everyone has a better chance of getting through whatever situation.
