First Aid module 1 lesson 2; THE BASIC GUIDING PRINCIPLES OR PURPOSE OF FIRST AID

THE BASIC GUIDING PRINCIPLES OR PURPOSE OF FIRST AID

Hope you enjoyed our last lesson on what is first aid. Now that you know what first aid is, let's look at BASIC GUIDING PRINCIPLES OR PURPOSE OF FIRST AID. By this we are looking at why you are giving first aid and what you want to achieve. Whatever you are doing in the name of first aid fall under this three principles and purpose

1.     Preserve Life: This is the most important purpose of first aid since you cannot render first aid to a dead victim. Every action you perform during first aid should be aimed at preserving the life of the victim - preventing death of victim. Actions you can take to preserve life include;

·        Asses the victims overall condition

·        Arrange immediate transportation of victim to a health facility

·        If victim is not breathing, check pulse and if absent start CPR

·        Monitor the victim he/she is transferred to a health facility

·        Position the victim correctly

·        As much as you can stop all heavy bleeding

·        Treat shock

2.     Prevent further injury: This means preventing the victim's condition or injury from getting worse. When faced with an emergency situation, you might think that the injury is too big to handle or you do not have the resources and equipment to help the victim but just precenting the injury from getting worse is a very big treatment. Example, let's consider a victim with simple fracture, if the fracture is not immobilized correctly and immediately it can deteriorate to compound fracture which is more difficult to manage . Actions you can take to prevent further injury include; 

·        Dress wounds. this prevents a lot especially infections and bleeding

·        Splint fracture and dislocation

·        Prevent the victims from been moved unnecessary especially in cases of suspected spinal injury

3.     Promote Recovery: This is actually what we nurses are very good in. This is putting the victim in the best position both physically ,mentally and emotionally to promote recovery. Actions that promote recovery include;

• Calm and reassure the victim
• Maintain body temperature, keep victim warm
• Arrange for immediate transportation to a health facility