Page 18 - CITS - Fitter - Trade Theory

FITTER - CITS

Different surroundings require different approach. Hence first aider should study the surrounding carefully. In
other words, one need to make sure that they are safe and are not in any danger as it would be of no help that
the first aider himself get injured.
Do no harm
Most often over enthusiastically practiced first aid viz. administering water when the victim is unconscious, wiping
clotted blood (which acts as plug to reduce bleeding), correcting fractures, mishandling injured parts etc., would
leads to more complication. Patients often die due to wrong FIRST AID methods, who may otherwise easily
survive. Do not move the injured person unless the situation demands. It is best to make him lie wherever he is
because if the patient has back, head or neck injury, moving him would causes more harm.
This does not mean do nothing. It means to make sure that to do something the care givers feel confident through
training would make matters safe. If the first aider is not confident of correct handling it is better not to intervene
of do it. Hence moving a trauma victim, especially an unconscious one, need very careful assessment. Removals
of an embedded objects (Like a knife, nail) from the wound may precipitate more harm (e.g. increased bleeding)
Always it is better to call for help.
Reassurance
Reassure the victim by speaking encouragingly with him.
Stop the bleeding
If the victim is bleeding, try to stop the bleeding by applying pressure over the injured part.
Golden hours
India have best of technology made available in hospitals to treat devastating medical problem viz. head injury,
multiple trauma, heart attack, strokes etc, but patients often do poorly because they don’t gain access to that
technology in time. The risk of dying from these conditions, is greatest in the first 30 minutes, often instantly.
This period is referred to as Golden period. By the time the patient reach hospitals, they would have passed that
critical period. First aid care come handy to save lives. It helps to get to the nearest emergency room as quickly
as possible through safe handling and transportation. The shorter that time, the more likely the best treatment
applied

Maintain the hygiene
Most importantly, first aider need to wash hands and dry before giving and first aid treatment to the patient or wear
gloves in order to prevent infection
Cleaning and dressing
Always clean the wound thoroughly before applying the bandage lightly wash the wound with clean water.

Not to use local medications on cuts or open wounds
They are more irritating to tissue than it is helpful. Simple dry cleaning or with water and some kind of bandage
are best.
• Stop bleeding: Control of bleeding is one of the most important things to save a trauma victim. Use direct
pressure on a wound before trying any other method of managing bleeding.
• Treat shock: Shock, a loss of blood flow from the body, frequently follows physical and occasionally psychological
trauma. A person in shock will frequently have ice cold skin, be agitated or have an altered mental status, and
have pale colour to the skin around the face and lips. Untreated, shock can be fatal. Anyone who has suffered
a severe injury or life-threatening situation is at risk for shock.
• Choking victim: Choking can cause death or permanent brain damage within minutes.
• Treat a burn: Treat first and second degree burns by immersing or flushing with cool water. Don’t use creams,
butter or other ointments, and do not pop blisters. Third degree burns should be covered with a damp cloth.
Remove clothing and jewellery from the burn, but do not try to remove charred clothing that is stuck to burns.
• Treat a concussion: If the victim has suffered a blow to the head, look for signs of concussion. Common
symptoms are: loss of consciousness following the injury, disorientation or memory impairment, vertigo,
nausea, and lethargy.
• Treat a spinal injury victim: If a spinal injury is suspected, it is especially critical, not move the victim’s head,
neck or back unless they are in immediate danger.

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CITS : CG & M - Fitter - Lesson 1 CITS : CG & M - Fitter - Lesson 1