First Aid Golden Rules

Injuries are practically inevitable in an emergency.

There’s a chance you could get hurt by whatever’s causing the emergency: it can be as varied as getting burned in a fire, or you could get struck by toppling debris during an earthquake. But injuries are also sustained during the ‘emergency panic’. In the rush to get away from danger, you could sprain your ankle or suffer an open wound.

You never know when you might need some first aid tips. Everyone should be familiar with the 10 first aid “must-knows” that you can use to treat a broad array of injuries:

1. Remember the “Three P’s” (preserve life, prevent deterioration, and promote recovery)

2. Check the scene for danger before you provide help.

3. To treat cuts and scrapes, apply gentle pressure, disinfectant, and bandages.

4. To treat sprains, apply ice and compression at intervals and keep the limb elevated.

5. To treat heat exhaustion, use cool fluids, cool cloths, and shade.

6. To treat hypothermia; use warm fluids and warm coverings.

7. To treat burns, determine the burn type and severity. Cover the wound with loose cloth to prevent infection.

8. Use an EpiPen to treat allergic reactions.

9. To treat fractures, keep the fractured area stable and immobilized, and apply a cold pack.

10. Perform CPR if an injured person stops breathing.

It’s important that you commit the 10 golden rules to memory. Even if you’re not injured, you might encounter someone who is, and who needs treatment.

These simple tips form the basis of good first aid, but the best way to be prepared is to learn from the professionals. For first aid training and supplies, there’s no better place than AWB First Aid First to learn your ABCs of first aid.

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