First Aid: Time for a review

I became interested in health and wellness along time ago when I was in Girl Scouts. I decided to study for a badge on First Aid. First aid techniques change over the years and often what we do is really based on bad information, “old wives tales,” so I decided to check out the Red Cross website and see what is up to date information.

I remember my mother always said put butter on a burn 1st degree burn---Do Not Do This. (I read somewhere oils trap the heat in causing the skin to continue to burn--maybe true.) Sorry Mom, the Mayo Clinic tells us:

For minor burns:

• Cool the burn to help soothe the pain. Hold the burned area under cool (not cold) running water for 10 to 15 minutes or until the pain eases. Or apply a clean towel dampened with cool tap water.
• Remove rings or other tight items from the burned area. Try to do this quickly and gently, before the area swells.
• Don't break small blisters (no bigger than your little fingernail). If blisters break, gently clean the area with mild soap and water, apply an antibiotic ointment, and cover it with a nonstick gauze bandage.
• Apply moisturizer or aloe vera lotion or gel, which may provide relief in some cases.

Major burns:

• Until an emergency unit arrives, take these actions:
• Protect the burned person from further harm.
• But don't remove burned clothing stuck to the skin.
• Check for signs of circulation. Look for breathing, coughing or movement. Begin CPR if needed.
• Remove jewelry, belts and other restrictive items, especially from around burned areas and the neck---burned areas swell rapidly.
• Don't immerse large severe burns in cold water--doing so could cause a serious loss of body heat (hypothermia) or a drop in blood pressure and decreased blood flow (shock).
• Elevate the burned area. Raise the wound above heart level, if possible.
• Cover the area of the burn. Use a cool, moist, bandage or a clean cloth. 

Every home should have a well-stocked first-aid kit.

The Mayo Clinic recommends a basic first-aid kit that includes:

• Adhesive tape
• Elastic wrap bandages
• Bandage strips and "butterfly" bandages in assorted sizes
• Nonstick sterile bandages and roller gauze in assorted sizes
• Eye shield or pad
• Triangular bandage
• Aluminum finger split
• Instant cold packs
• Cotton balls and cotton-tipped swabs
• Disposable nonlatex examination gloves, several pairs
• Duct tape
• Petroleum jelly or other lubricant
• Plastic bags, assorted sizes
• Safety pins in assorted sizes
• Scissors and tweezers
• Soap or hand sanitizer
• Antibiotic ointment
• Antiseptic solution and towelettes
• Eyewash solution
• Thermometer
• Turkey baster or other bulb suction device for flushing wounds
• Breathing barrier
• Syringe, medicine cup or spoon
• First-aid manual

The kit should include medications appropriate to your family such as: Aloe vera gel, Calamine lotion, Anti-diarrhea medication, Laxative, Antacids, Antihistamine, Pain relievers, Cough and cold medications, and Auto-injector of epinephrine, if prescribed by your doctor.

An emergency items kit includes: Emergency phone numbers, contact information for your family doctor, Medical consent forms for each family member, Medical history forms for each family member, Small, waterproof flashlight or headlamp and extra batteries, Waterproof matches, Small notepad and waterproof writing instrument, Emergency space blanket, Cell phone with solar charger, Sunscreen, Insect repellant,

Whistle. I would include a hat or scarf. Check your first-aid kits regularly to be sure the flashlight batteries work and to replace supplies that have expired or been used up.

There are many resources for medical information and advice including the Internet, magazines, and television. The Red Cross tells us to seek health and safety recommendations from credible sources and disregard popular myths. Their website lists some of the most common first aid mistakes They recommend enrolling in a first aid class to learn how to respond correctly in an emergency situation.

• Myth: Soothe a burn by applying butter. 
Reality: If you apply butter or an oily substance to a serious burn, you could make it difficult for a doctor to treat the burn later and increase risk of infection. The right approach: Treat a burn with cool water. If a burn is severe and starts to blister, make sure to see a doctor. Keep the affected area clean and loosely covered with a dry, sterile dressing. 

• Myth: If a child swallows a poisonous substance, induce vomiting with syrup of ipecac. Reality: Inducing vomiting is not recommended for certain poisonous substances and may be harmful. 
The right approach: Never give anything to eat or drink unless directed to by the Poison Control Center or a medical professional. If an accidental poisoning occurs, immediately call the Poison Control Center at (800) 222-1222) or your doctor for advice.

• Myth (bad advice): The best way to treat a bleeding extremity is by applying a tourniquet. 
Reality: Tourniquets stop the flow of blood, which could cause permanent damage to a limb. They should be used only as a last resort in the case of severe bleeding. The right approach: Pad the wound with layers of sterile gauze or cloth, apply direct pressure and wrap the wound securely. Seek medical help if the bleeding doesn't stop or if the wound is gaping, dirty or caused by an animal bite

• Myth: Apply heat to a sprain, strain or fracture. 
Reality: Heat actually increases swelling and can keep the injury from healing as quickly as it could. 
The right approach: Apply ice to reduce swelling for about 20 minutes. Place a thin barrier between the ice and the bare skin.

• Myth: You should move someone injured in a car accident away from the scene. 
Reality: A person with a spinal-cord injury won't necessarily appear badly injured, but any movement could lead to paralysis or death. 
The right approach: Move an injured victim only if 
The scene becomes unsafe (the vehicle is threatened by fire or another serious hazard) or if you have to reach another victim who may have a more serious injury or illness. 
You need to provide proper care (CPR needs to be performed on a firm, flat surface. 
Otherwise, it's best to stabilize the victim, and leave the person in place until paramedics arrive. 

• Myth: Rub your eye when you get a foreign substance in it. Tears will wash the substance out. 
Reality: Rubbing could cause a serious scratch or abrasion to the eye. 
The right approach: Rinse the eye with tap water. 

• Myth: Use hot water to thaw a cold extremity. Reality: Avoid any extreme temperature change- hot water can cause further damage. 
The right approach: Gradually warm the extremity by soaking it in lukewarm water. 

• Myth: To reduce a fever, sponge rubbing alcohol on the skin. 
Reality: Alcohol can be absorbed by the skin, which can cause alcohol poisoning, especially in young children. 
The right approach: Lower a fever by taking ibuprofen. If a high fever continues for several days, see a physician or go to a hospital emergency room for treatment.  

• Myth: Allergic reactions to bee stings can be treated at home. 
Reality: Delaying professional treatment to a respiratory allergic reaction to a bee sting could be fatal. 
The right approach: For symptoms such as breathing problems, tight throat or swollen tongue, call an ambulance immediately.

• Myth: If you get a cut or scrape, apply first-aid ointment, cover it with a bandage, and leave it untended to heal for a few days. 
Reality: Exposure to fresh air is the quickest way to allow wounds to heal, and thus it is generally best not to apply creams or ointments, since they keep the wound moist. Bandages should also be changed to keep the wound clean. 
The right approach: The first and best thing to do with a wound is wash it with soap and cool water. All dressings should be changed twice a day. At bedtime, the bandage should be replaced with a looser dressing so air can circulate around the wound. Upon waking, a slightly tighter bandage should be applied, but not so tight that it cuts off circulation. Bandages should be changed even if it means pulling off a part of a scab that's forming, experts say. Also, try to keep the wounded area dry.

The Mayo clinic tells us for a broken bone or fractured bone, where bone has torn through the skin, this requires emergency medical attention---call for help to come to you. Also call for emergency help if:

• The person is unresponsive, isn't breathing or isn't moving. Begin CPR if there's no breathing or heartbeat.
• There is heavy bleeding.
• Even gentle pressure or movement causes pain.
• The limb or joint appears deformed.
• The bone has pierced the skin.
• The extremity of the injured arm or leg, such as a toe or finger, is numb or bluish at the tip.
• You suspect a bone is broken in the neck, head or back.
• Don't move the person except if necessary to avoid further injury. Take these actions immediately while waiting for medical help:
• Stop any bleeding. Apply pressure to the wound with a sterile bandage, a clean cloth or a clean piece of clothing.
• Immobilize the injured area. Don't try to realign the bone or push a bone that's sticking out back in. If you've been trained in how to splint and professional help isn't readily available, apply a splint to the area above and below the fracture sites. Padding the splints can help reduce discomfort.
• Apply ice packs to limit swelling and help relieve pain. Don't apply ice directly to the skin. Wrap the ice in a towel, piece of cloth or some other material.

According to the Mayo Clinic, shock may result from trauma, heatstroke, blood loss, an allergic reaction, severe infection, poisoning, severe burns or other causes. A person in shock is not getting enough blood or oxygen to their organs. This can lead to permanent organ damage or even death if left untreated. Signs and symptoms of shock vary depending on circumstances and may include:

• Cool, clammy skin
• Pale or ashen skin
• Rapid pulse
• Rapid breathing
• Nausea or vomiting
• Enlarged pupils
• Weakness or fatigue
• Dizziness or fainting
• Changes in mental status or behavior, such as anxiousness or agitation 

Seek emergency medical care if you suspect a person is in shock. Then immediately take the following steps:

• Lay the person down and elevate the legs and feet slightly, unless you think this may cause pain or further injury.
• Keep the person still and don't move him or her unless necessary.
• Begin CPR if the person shows no signs of life, such as breathing, coughing or movement.
• Loosen tight clothing and, if needed, cover the person with a blanket to prevent chilling.
• Don't let the person eat or drink anything.
• If the person vomits or begins bleeding from the mouth, turn him or her onto a side to prevent choking, unless you suspect a spinal injury. 

Now that I have reviewed this basic information, I feel more prepared. I know what I can do and what I should not do. First Aide is HUGE topic. A web search shows there are varieties of online first aide courses. My recommendation would be to contact the Red Cross because first aide is their primary mission.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/search/search-results?q=first%20aide%20basic

http://www.redcross.org/email/safetynet/v1n9/firstaid.asp

http://www.firstaidforfree.com/