First Aid in Emergencies –
1. Asphyxia (दम घुटना)
Definition:
When oxygen supply to blood and tissues is reduced due to breathing problems. Also called Anoxia or Hypoxia.
Causes:
• Suffocation (दम घुटना)
• Strangulation (गला घोंटना)
• Drowning (डूबना)
• Choking (गले में कुछ फँसना)
• Hanging (फांसी)
• Gas or smoke inhalation
Signs & Symptoms:
• Blue face, lips, tongue
• Can't speak
• Unconsciousness
• Fast pulse
• Noisy breathing or not breathing
• Convulsions (fits)
• High BP
Complications:
• Coma
• Brain damage
• Death
Management (प्राथमिक उपचार):
1. Remove patient from danger area.
2. Use Heimlich maneuver for choking.
3. Encourage to cough.
4. Give artificial respiration.
5. Start mouth-to-mouth breathing.
6. Keep in recovery position.
7. Give water when conscious.
8. Send to hospital.
2. Drowning (पानी में डूबना)
Definition:
When water enters the lungs and causes breathing to stop.
Types:
1. Wet Drowning – Water in lungs.
2. Dry Drowning – No water, but throat spasm stops breathing.
3. Secondary Drowning – Death after some hours/days due to brain damage.
4. Immersion Syndrome – Sudden heart stop due to cold water.
Signs & Symptoms:
• Unconscious
• No breathing
• Blue lips
• Hypothermia
• Shock
Management:
1. Remove water from lungs.
2. Turn face down to drain water.
3. Start artificial respiration – may take 2 hrs.
4. Remove wet clothes, keep warm.
5. Give hot drinks if conscious.
6. Shift to hospital quickly.
3. Shock (शॉक – गंभीर स्थिति)
Definition:
A dangerous condition where blood and oxygen don't reach organs properly.
Causes:
• Blood loss
• Burns
• Vomiting/diarrhea
• Heart attack
• Sepsis (infection)
• Allergic reaction
• Trauma/injury
Signs & Symptoms:
• Cold, pale skin
• Rapid breathing and pulse
• Low BP
• Confusion, unconsciousness
• Weakness
• Bluish lips
Stages of Shock:
1. Initial
2. Compensated
3. Progressive
4. Irreversible
Management:
1. Reassure patient.
2. Lay flat, legs slightly raised.
3. Loosen tight clothes.
4. Keep warm – don’t use hot water bottles.
5. Don’t give food or drink.
6. Shift to hospital immediately.
4. Wounds (घाव)
Definition:
Break or injury in skin, mucous membrane, bone or organ.
Types of Wounds:
A. Open Wounds (खुले घाव)
Skin is broken, more risk of infection.
• Abrasion – Scraping of skin
• Incision – Clean cut (knife/glass)
• Laceration – Irregular tear
• Puncture – Needle or nail injury
• Avulsion – Skin or tissue pulled off
• Amputation – Body part cut off
• Gunshot – Bullet injury
B. Closed Wounds (बंद घाव)
Skin not broken, but inner tissues injured.
• Contusion (चोट) – Bruise
• Hematoma – Blood collection inside
• Crushing Injury – Heavy pressure on body
Signs & Symptoms:
• Pain, swelling, redness
• Bleeding or pus
• Fever, foul smell
• Red lines near wound (infection)
Management:
1. Calm the person.
2. Raise the injured part.
3. Remove visible dirt (don’t remove embedded object).
4. For small cuts – wash with soap-water.
5. For big cuts – apply pressure, don’t remove first bandage.
6. Cover with clean bandage.
7. Shift to hospital if needed.
5. Bleeding (रक्तस्राव)
Definition:
Loss of blood from injured blood vessels.
Types:
• Arterial (धमनी से) – Bright red, spurts out
• Venous (शिरा से) – Dark red, flows continuously
• Capillary (सूक्ष्म नलिकाएं) – Slow oozing
Signs & Symptoms:
• Pale, cold skin
• Fast weak pulse
• Dizziness, fainting
• Restlessness, unconsciousness
• Sweating, thirst
Management:
For External Bleeding:
• Allow small bleed to clean wound
• Use RED principle:
R – Rest
E – Elevate limb
D – Direct pressure with cloth
• Use pressure points if needed
• Apply tourniquet (only in severe cases)
• Send to hospital
For Internal Bleeding:
• Lay down, legs up
• Keep warm
• No food/drink
• Monitor vital signs
• Shift to hospital quickly
6. Fracture (हड्डी टूटना)
Definition:
Break or crack in a bone.
Types of Fracture:
• Simple – Closed
• Compound – Open wound
• Comminuted – Bone in many pieces
• Greenstick – Common in children
• Spiral, Transverse, Oblique, Compression, Avulsion, Pathologic, Stress
Signs & Symptoms:
• Pain, swelling
• Cannot move
• Deformity
• Shortening
• Crepitus (cracking sound)
Management:
1. Don’t move the limb.
2. Support the fracture.
3. For open fracture – cover with sterile cloth.
4. Tie to uninjured limb for support.
5. Check for shock signs.
6. Shift to hospital.
7. Sprain (मचकी आना)
Definition:
Tearing or twisting of a ligament.
Common Causes:
• Falling
• Twisting
• Pulling
Common Areas:
Ankle, wrist, fingers, knees
Signs & Symptoms:
• Pain
• Swelling
• Skin discoloration
• Inability to move
• Tenderness
Management (RICE Therapy):
R – Rest (आराम करें)
I – Ice (बर्फ लगाएं, 10 मिनट से ज़्यादा नहीं)
C – Comfortable Support (कॉटन और बैंडेज से सपोर्ट दें)
E – Elevation (ऊंचा रखें, तकिए से)
8. Strain (मांसपेशी खिंचाव)
Definition:
Muscle stretched too much and torn. Also called pulled muscle.
Causes:
• Lifting heavy weight
• Sudden movement
Signs & Symptoms:
• Pain
• Swelling
• Muscle spasm
• Difficulty moving
• Skin discoloration
Management:
Same as sprain – RICE therapy
9. Burns & Scalds (जलना और गरम चीज़ों से झुलसना)
Definition:
Burn – Injury from dry heat (आग, गरम चीज़ें)
Scald – Injury from wet heat (गर्म पानी, भाप, तेल)
Types of Burns:
1. Electrical – बिजली से
2. Thermal – गर्मी से
3. Chemical – तेजाब/क्षार से
4. Radiation – धूप या रेडिएशन से
Degrees of Burn:
• 1st degree – Redness, pain
• 2nd degree – Blisters, more pain
• 3rd degree – Skin black/white, painless
• 4th degree – Burn up to bone
Rule of 9 (बॉडी का % निकालने का तरीका):
• Head = 9%
• Each arm = 9%
• Each leg = 18%
• Front = 18%, Back = 18%
• Perineum = 1%
Signs & Symptoms:
• Redness, blisters
• Pain or numbness
• Swelling
• Dehydration
• Breathing problems in case of smoke
Complications:
• Shock
• Infection
• Kidney failure
• Death
Management:
1. Cool burn with running water (10-20 min)
2. Don’t apply ice directly
3. Don’t break blisters
4. Apply Silverex for small burns
5. Remove jewelry if swelling starts
6. Cover loosely with sterile cloth
7. For major burns – keep NBM (no food)
8. Shift to hospital immediately
10. Poisoning (विषाक्तता)
Definition:
When a harmful substance enters the body and causes illness or death.
Routes of Poisoning:
1. Swallowing (निगलना)
2. Inhalation (साँस से)
3. Injection (सुई, डंक)
4. Absorption (त्वचा से)
Causes:
• Medicines (overdose)
• Chemicals, detergents
• Food poisoning
• Gas leak
• Insecticides
Signs & Symptoms:
• Vomiting, diarrhea
• Seizures, unconsciousness
• Breathing trouble
• Abnormal pulse
• Burns on lips/mouth
• Confusion, pale skin
Management:
If Swallowed:
• Don’t make them vomit unless advised
• Keep in recovery position
• Save vomit sample
• Shift to hospital fast
If Inhaled:
• Open windows, give fresh air
• Do CPR if needed
• Don’t light fire
If Injected:
• Remove sting/needle
• Clean with soap-water
• Ice pack for swelling
• Take to hospital
If Absorbed (on skin):
• Wash skin with running water
• Remove contaminated clothes
• Get medical help
Do Not:
• Give food/water
• Give lemon juice, vinegar, etc.
• Induce vomiting without advice
• Use random antidotes
11. Bites and Stings (काटना और डंक मारना)
A. Insect Bites (कीड़ों के काटने या डंक से चोट)
Examples: Bee, Wasp, Jellyfish, Scorpion, Mite, Tick, Leech, Spider
Signs & Symptoms:
• Sharp pain
• Swelling, redness
• Sting visible
• Allergy, choking (mouth/throat sting)
First Aid:
1. Remove the sting gently (don't press it).
2. Bee sting – use ammonia, soda
3. Wasp sting – use vinegar or lemon juice
4. Apply ice or cold compress
5. For jellyfish – use calamine lotion
6. Shift to hospital if breathing issues occur
B. Scorpion Bite (बिच्छू का डंक)
• Burning pain, numbness
• Vomiting, sweating, restlessness
First Aid:
• Apply ice
• Use potassium permanganate solution
• Apply tourniquet (5–10 mins only)
• Shift to hospital
C. Leech/Mite/Tick (जोंक, कीट)
• Found in forests or rainy season
• Suck blood or spread disease
First Aid:
• Don’t pull manually
• Use salt or fire near the body
• Clean with spirit or ammonia
• Apply calamine lotion
D. Spider Bite
• Pain, bleeding, skin damage
First Aid:
• Wash with soap-water
• Ice pack
• Shift to hospital
12. Animal Bites (जानवरों के काटने से चोट)
A. Snake Bite (साँप का काटना)
Signs:
• Swelling, pain, vomiting, blurred vision, unconsciousness
Do Not:
• Cut or suck the wound
• Use cold compress
• Give anything by mouth
• Use tourniquet (only if trained)
First Aid:
1. Keep person calm and still
2. Tie cloth above wound (if trained)
3. Shift to hospital immediately
4. Inject anti-venom (by doctor)
B. Dog Bite
• May cause Rabies (Hydrophobia)
• Symptoms: Fever, headache, fear of water, confusion
First Aid:
1. Wash wound for 15 mins with soap and water
2. Apply antiseptic
3. Cover with clean dressing
4. Shift to hospital for rabies vaccine
C. Cat & Rat Bite
• Cat: Bite or scratch – may cause fever
• Rat: May spread plague or infection
First Aid:
• Wash the wound
• Apply dressing
• Refer to hospital
13. Foreign Body (बाहरी चीज़ फँसना)
In Eye (आंख में):
• Pain, redness, tears
First Aid:
• Pull eyelid, remove with clean cloth
• Wash with clean water
• If not removable, go to hospital
In Nose (नाक में):
• Common in children
First Aid:
• Ask to breathe through mouth
• Don’t use pin/hook
• Try sneezing or see a doctor
In Ear (कान में):
• Pain, ringing
First Aid:
• For insect: put warm oil
• Don’t use tools – visit doctor
In Throat:
• Difficulty swallowing, breathing
First Aid:
• Do not insert fingers
• Pat back or do Heimlich (if choking)
• Go to hospital
14. Stroke (स्ट्रोक/लकवा)
Definition:
When brain doesn’t get enough blood or oxygen.
Types:
1. Ischemic Stroke – Blockage in brain vessel
o Thrombotic (clot formed)
o Embolic (clot traveled)
2. Hemorrhagic Stroke – Blood vessel burst
o Intracerebral
o Subarachnoid
Causes:
• High BP, heart disease
• Diabetes
• Smoking
Signs & Symptoms:
• Weakness (especially one side)
• Slurred speech
• Confusion
• Headache
• Paralysis
• Difficulty seeing or walking
First Aid:
1. Call ambulance immediately
2. Lay patient on side, head slightly raised
3. Monitor breathing, give CPR if needed
4. Don’t give anything by mouth
5. Shift to hospital urgently
