It’s always best to try to prevent injuries as much as possible, but it’s inevitable that from time to time you’ll run into an injured person that needs your assistance. Here are 5 of the most important first-aid tips for minor injuries that you should know.
Minor Burns
Rinse burns with cold water before covering them with a sterile dressing. Severe burns or burns showing signs of an infection should be treated by a professional.
Sprains
In most cases you’ll be able to tell that it’s a sprain and not a break by asking the injured party whether he can put some weight on the injury. If you’re dealing with a sprain, elevate the area and use a compress with ice.
Minor Scrapes and Cuts
Apply pressure to stop any bleeding using clean gauze. Once the bleeding has been stopped, clean the area with water and apply antibiotic treatment. A sterile gauze or a bandage should then be placed over the injury to keep it clean.
Bee Stings
Most people trying to take out a stinger left by a bee using tweezers. This can release more toxic substances into the skin, which is especially dangerous if a person is allergic to bee stings. Instead, attempt to flick away the stinger using the edge of a debit or credit card while pulling the skin taut at the sides. Ice can be applied to provide some relief and the area should be covered with a bandage.
Head Bumps
A minor head bump can usually be treated with an ice pack or a cold compress. Watch for warning signs of a concussion that may include vision changes, trouble breathing, vomiting, severe headache or bleeding. If you suspect that the person may have a concussion, have him checked out by medical personnel right away.
These are 5 of the top first-aid tips that you need to know. If you are interested in learning more or have any questions about first-aid, or would like to take one of our courses, please contact us at 1-866-260-2790, or feel free to visit our website today at www.heart2heartcpr.com.
