Question

How is first aid provided to victims of disasters who are injured?

Answer 1

Given below are the basic principles of the first aid provided to the victims of disaster who are injured:

Life and Resuscitation -ABC

1) If the victim is finding it difficult to breathe, keep their head in a sloping position and the chin raised, thus leaving the respiratory passage open

2) Give mouth to mouth resuscitation for the victim if their breathing has stopped

3) In case the victim is unconscious, even after giving the mouth to mouth respiration, two times, then press down the heart hard by pressing the chest with both palms. Alternate these actions every fifteen minutes. This process is known as Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). This brings back the blood circulation to normal.

4) In case the victim had been bleeding, apply an antiseptic on the wound, press down an antiseptic pad and apply pressure for 5 minutes using either the thumb or the palm

5) In case of any fracture, the fractured area will be immobilised with the help of wooden rods/batons/rulers. In case of an impact on the back or vertebral column, the victim should remain immobile on a firm stretcher.

6) Hold the injured part under the clean and cold water for ten minutes in case of any burns

7) Finally, if the victim has a sprain or have twisted their leg, then the RICE remedy should be considered. The victim should first sit in a relaxed position, then an ice-pack has to be applied on the injured part and then the injured part has to be massaged thoroughly. Be sure to keep the injured part in an elevated position.

Answer 2

(1) When the victims are injured in a disaster, then the help rendered to him or her before the medical doctor arrives, is called first aid. It is done with the intention of saving a life.

(2) The three main measures which may save the lives are airway, breathing and circulation i.e. ABC of first aid. These are also called the basic principles of first aid.

The following first aid should be provided to victims of disasters:

• Airway: If a person faces difficulty in breathing, raise the chin or hold the head in backward sloping position, so as to keep the respiratory passage open.
• Breathing: If the person has stopped breathing, give artificial respiration mouth to mouth.
• Circulation: If the person is unconscious, first give mouth to mouth respiration. If the person doesn't revives, perform CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) by pressing the heart hard using both palms. Repeat these two steps alternately after every 15 minutes.
• Bleeding: Cover the wound with an antiseptic pad and apply pressure for 5 minutes using thumb or palm.
• Fracture: Immobilise the fractured part using any wooden rods, rulers etc.
• Burns: Hold the burned part under cold and flowing water for at least 10 minutes.
• Sprain, Twisting and Contusion: Let the person rest, apply ice pack on the injured area, then massage it gently and keep the affected area elevated.