First Aid in Emergencies

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