Caring for a wound will very much depend on the type of wound, how it was caused and initially treated. So when it comes to wound care, speak to your doctor or local pharmacist for the best
advice. On the other hand first aid is something that we should all be prepared for in advance.
The First Aid Kit
It is important to keep an emergency first aid kit the house, the workplace and the car. It should contain several protective non-powdered latex gloves (sizes medium and large), adhesives/plasters, gauze,
hypo-allergenic tape, a firm bandage (7.5cm), a 10 x 20cm pad, a couple of eye pads, scissors, pointed splinter forceps, safety pins, antiseptic, saline in a sterile bottle for irrigating eyes and wounds, aspirin,
a triangular (sling) bandage, paracetamol, a torch, a notepad and pencil and a concise first aid
reference book.
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Basic First Aid
Everyone old enough to learn needs to know how to perform cardiac massage and mouth to mouth resuscitation. Even if this is not done with the correct number of breaths to chest pumps, it has been proven to be of benefit. It is also wise to have a refresher course every few years. Ensure children that are old enough know how to ring 000 in the case of an emergency and have a family plan practiced in case of fire (Work places should already have such a plan in place for emergencies).
The ‘recovery position’ is the safest position for the unconscious or semi-conscious patient. The patient should be placed on their side with the more accessible arm placed over their side towards the ground, and the arm they are lying on placed out straight in front of their chest and stomach. The more accessible upper leg should be bent at the knee and placed at right angles to the body, in such a way that the knee rests on the ground. This will prevent the patient rolling onto his/her stomach.
The person’s mouth and airway should not be obstructed and if they vomit, the head should be tilted gently downwards to make use of gravity. This way neither vomit nor the tongue will obstruct the airway. |
D - check for DANGER
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to you
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to others
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to casualty
R - check RESPONSE
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is casualty conscious?
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is casualty unconscious?
A - check AIRWAY
B - check for BREATHING
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is chest rising and falling?
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can you hear casualty's breathing?
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can you feel the breath on your cheek?
C - check for CIRCULATION
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The most common places to be injured are in the kitchen and the bathroom – prevention is better
than cure. Here are some basic tips:
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Be sure there is a fire extinguisher and fire blanket near the stove and that all family members
know how to use them.
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Keep sharp knives out of reach of children.
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Fix the hot water thermostat at home at 50ºC, most are fixed at a much higher temperature and
can severely burn children.
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Ensure that water or food spilt is cleaned up quickly so no one slips and falls.
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Young children or adults who are prone to blackouts or epilepsy should never have a bath by themselves or they need to make sure that they keep the bathroom door unlocked in case of
an emergency.
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Do not have electrical appliances in the bathroom.
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Medications and cleaning products at home should be kept in a high place, ideally locked,
where children cannot swallow them. It is useful to have the Poisons Information Number
written by the telephone.
Fortunately, the most common injuries are not usually the most serious ones.
Cuts
Cuts from knives, cans, glass or other sharp objects should be cleaned under water and gentle, firm pressure applied to stop bleeding. Medical advice should be sought if the cut is:
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Deep or gaping.
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Near or over a finger, toe or other joint or on the face.
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Made by something dirty.
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If the person hasn’t had a tetanus shot for over five years or if one is at all unsure about the
injury.
If stitches are needed, they should be kept clean and dry. If the cut is straightforward, avoid plastic plasters/adhesives, as they do not allow the wound to breathe and may increase the risk of infection.
There are many cheap adhesives that are waterproof and allow air flow that are available at
pharmacies. Antiseptic products are usually only needed if the cut is dirty.
Burns
Burns that are on the hands, face or genitals or that cover more than a few square centimetres should
be assessed by a doctor or, if more severe, by the local hospital. Cool the burn by placing it under cold
water (if possible with ice in a bowl or plastic bag). Do not burst any blisters, as the tissue underneath
is sterile until exposed. If the burn is uncomplicated, a non-stick dressing over a burn cream (with a
doctor’s or pharmacist’s advice) is best, secured with low allergy tape. Keep it clean and dry.
Eye Injuries
Eyes are particularly vulnerable to injury. If anything is causing persistent irritation, and especially if
anything could have flown into the eye with force (eg. a child’s finger, a twig on a tree, hammering,
grinding or welding) a doctor or the local hospital should be consulted. Cover the eye with some clean tissues folded into a square and keep the eye shut. Do not drive, as it will compromise insurance arrangements and may even be illegal.
Head Injury
Head injuries are common. The nature of the accident should be part of the guide for seeking advice. Symptoms of concussion are headache, vomiting, feeling fatigued or dizzy and wanting to rest.
Medical advice should be sought urgently, just to be sure. Serious head injuries may include the
following symptoms:
- The patient has had loss of consciousness, drowsiness or confusion after the injury.
- Vomiting.
- Bruising under the skin or a cut requiring attention.
- The patient being on low dose aspirin or having a tendency to bleed from medication or from
a medical condition.
- Blows to the temple or around the ear.
- Blows to the eye or loosening of teeth.
- An obviously high risk cause of injury.
- A head injury occurring due to a blackout, dizzy spell, or due to a fall for which there is no
obvious reason.
Choking
Choking causes the airway passages to be blocked and is therefore immediately life threatening. If a
person is choking, position them leaning forwards and, if it is an adult, go behind them and place your
arm around the area just below where the ribs end and suddenly hug them very hard to produce a
pressure that hopefully will dislodge the object they are choking on. Repeat this whilst calling for
assistance. If this technique is not possible, give a firm slap to their upper back while they are leaning forwards. These techniques may be learned via a recognized first aid course such as St John’s
Ambulance Australia. Choking that causes no airway obstruction such as on a fish or chicken bone is
less urgent, but medical advice should be sought in case of perforation of the oesophagus.
Sprains
Sprains result from twisting or sudden pulling of a ligament or tendon, which is not able to compensate
for the movement causing the injury. Sprains are best treated by ice for 36 hours, rest and elevation for
a couple of days whenever sitting. If the problem is more severe (especially if there is a lot of swelling
or bruising, the person cannot put weight on the leg or bend an affected joint without a lot of pain) a
doctor should be consulted.
Once again, the importance of being trained in first aid and being prepared with a first aid kit
cannot be stressed enough.
© Australian Pharmaceutical Industries Limited 2006
Produced by API, 11 Grand Avenue, Camellia NSW 2142 ABN 57 000 004 320
Disclaimer
Whilst every effort has been made and all reasonable care taken to ensure the accuracy of the
information contained in this booklet, to the extent permitted by API, their agents and employees:
a. will not be held liable or responsible in any way; and
b. expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for any loss (including, without limitation, any
injury, claim, suit, damage, cost and expense) arising out of or incurred in connection with any
reliance on the contents of this booklet by any person and irrespective of whether such loss
arises out of API’s negligence or otherwise.
