What is First aid (Module 1 lesson 1)

Background Knowledge

I promised that all Nigeria Nurses will automatically become competent first responder through the knowledge of practical first aid. During our training in school of nursing, we all did first aid and we all passed it yet we can’t say we can handle real life situation. I think we should start by understand what first aid is.

WHAT IS FIRST AID

According to the definition that we all know from foundation of nursing textbook, First aid is immediate treatment given to an individual in the event of accident or sudden illness prior to the arrival of the health team or the transportation of victim to the hospital. This definition is okay for theory but not complete for practical First aid. Let’s see a more comprehensive definition of practical first aid;

First aid is the immediate Assistance that is given to an ill or injured person, using the facilities or materials available, until professional help arrives or the victim is transported to a good health facility. It is concerned not only with physical injury or illness but also with other initial care, including psycho-social support for people suffering emotional distress from experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event.

Note the slight difference in the two definitions.

• Instead of treatment you are giving assistance.

• Accident is a sudden occurrence and most time we are physical unprepared, we depend entirely on our mental preparation. First aid is immediate but temporal treatment so the victim must be transported to a health facility as soon as possible.
• We do not go about with medical supply and equipment, in the event of accident we give first aid using the facilities around. E.g You can use a nylon bag as glove, a piece of clean cloth or handkerchief as guaze/pad to give pressure on bleeding site, pieces of woods as splint, belts as rope etc.
• As a first aider you are not only treating physical injury but you are giving psychological care. Most times it is equally as important as the physical treatment. Some days ago at an accident scene involving two keke, I saw a beautiful girl crying. She had superficial bruises, I quick rushed to her and to my utmost surprise she wasn’t crying due to the pain but that she will no longer look beautiful and she doesn’t want to live again. I spent quality time convincing her that soon the injury will heal and she wouldn’t have a scar on her face. I gave her psychological first aid
• Our Nigerian system doesn’t have an emergency protocol in place- no emergency (ambulance) services in place, so don’t expect any health team to arrive. As soon as you initiate first aid get an onlooker that wants to help to arrange transport immediately

Now we know what first aid is. Our next topic is the legal issues in First aid. Visit our blog daily

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