EMERGENCY PROCEDURES YOU SHOULD KNOW!

1.CPR
Stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation.It is a procedure that has saved countless and continues to do so everyday! If you live with a patient with known heart or lung problem,or there is a child in the house,please learn this EASY procedure,which can be seen HERE!
a.When to do CPR?
An unconscious patient who is not breathing(put your ear near his/her nose to HEAR breath or put your palm over the chest to FEEL for rise and fall of chest); and has no pulse(put your ear over left side of chest,near nipples,to HEAR heart beats or FEEL for pulse,gently(!), at either side of neck(adam's apple)).This may be an elderly patient who has had cardiac arrest-"heart attack", or in a case of drowning,electrical shock,drug overdose,smoke inhalation etc.
b.how long?
as long as you can,until the called for help arrives,or the victim starts breathing on his own,or his heart starts beating.
In a drowning case,survival chances are good in an 1.older child 2.if drowning happened in cold water.there are examples of survival without brain damage in people rescued after 60 minutes in water,but the usual 'golden period' is 5 minutes.
2. THE HEIMLICH MANEUVER.
This is a method used to help a victim of choking,that is a person suffering with anything stuck in his throat,making it hard for him to breath.,like food(bone),small toys( in children).
see it HERE!
This can be done in a conscious or unconscious person and even on yourself!Be careful not to injure the victim,use 5-6 thrusts,increasing gradually in force, rather than one powerful thrust.
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT! PERIODICALLY PRACTICE THESE METHODS ON LIVE PEOPLE,SO THAT YOU CAN HELP A DYING PERSON!!

LET'S START FIRST WITH FIRST-AID!

FIRST RULE!DO NOT PANIC!SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP AT THE EARLIEST!
A complaint that 'disappeared' is not a complaint that is resolved!!
The first aid box should contain
1.2 to 3 rolls of dressing gauze of 10 cms width.
2.2 to 3 rolls of sterile cotton
3.1 bottle of antiseptic lotion eg;Dettol,Savlon
4.1 tube of antibiotic cream eg;Betadine,Silverex.
wound dressing.
wounds,whether cuts or abrasions(peeled off skin areas),are to be washed first with running water,later with either soap or water(all soaps have mild antiseptic action),or with the antiseptic lotion.
The antibiotic creams are to be applied as a thin layer over the wounds.
Betadine(Povidone Iodine) is a good antibiotic effective against bacteria,fungi and viruses.Do not use it over large areas(eg;burns) as it can cause allergies/itching.
Silverex(silver sulfadiazine) can be used in a wide variety of wounds,such as cuts,abrasions,burns,& can be used to cover larger areas.Do not use in in large proportions if allergic to Sulfa(Co-trim,Septrim).
Place sufficient amount of the cotton pad over the cleaned,'ointmented' wound and wrap('bandage') with the gauze using moderate pressure.Do not use excess pressure in wrapping the wound as it impedes blood flow.If a tingling or numb sensation is felt in the injured limb(hand/feet),loosen the bandage for some time( 5-10mins),and then reapply the bandage.
The bleeding from a wound(cut or abrasion) can be stopped by holding a pad of gauze,dipped in warm water, with slight pressure against the wound.
Bleeding from the nose,so common in children,can be controlled by tilting the head backwards and putting an ice-pack over the bridge of the nose.
seek medical help for all wounds!!!
5.Oral(to be taken through mouth)medicines
a.Tab.Paracetamol(Acetaminophen)-500mgs.use for fever.body aches,pains.(back ache,knee pain,headache )safe in all age groups.
Children are to be treated quickly for high fevers,which if delayed can lead to fits(febrile convulsions),which can be a recurring,life long problem.Give 10mg-15mg per kg body weight...eg; a child weighing 10 kgs should be given 100-150mg of Paracetamol.
Along with paracetamol,all children with high fever should be given tepid sponging....wipe their whole body and forehead with lukewarm water,not ice cold water(though there have been instances when the child had to be placed in a bathtub of water with ice in it....do that only in desperate situations).Do not wrap the child with blankets/clothes even if he is shivering slightly.lots of fluids help a lot.
b.tab.Dicyclomine 10mgs..use in "inner pains" eg;tummy ache,pain of menses.
c.Tab.Cetrizine 10mgs.......use in allergies/rashes/itching caused by insect bite,contact with materials(flowers,hair dyes,food...anything and everything under the sun can cause allergy!)
d.Tab.Prednisolone 10mgs- 40mgs....use either alone or in combination with cetrizine for allergies,of a more serious variety,especially insect bites.seek expert help!
e.tab Salbutamol 2mg-4mgs can be used in sudden attacks of wheeze or Asthma,if needed along with prednisolone(wheeze is noisy,labored breathing,it is NOT "breathlessness").Wheeze can be brought about by insect bite(if so,seek immediate med help),or by 'allergic' things.(allergenic is the 'right word!).
f.Tab.Sorbitrate(Isosorbide dinitrate)5mgs....use ONLY if not able to get immediate expert help...use in severe chest pain,along with sweating,pain in the back and neck,inner side of arm/forearm.Take it along with one tab of Aspirin 300mgs.Usually(not always !)the person needing this will be a long time smoker and/or alcoholic,not given to much bodily(physical)activity(sedentary).Most of the time,a previous similiar event, or feeling breathless when climbing stairs,walking short distances would be present.
The tablet should be put under the tongue,and can be followed by another one tablet,5mins later,if the chest pain has not come down.
Will reduce blood pressure and can cause fainting and headache.
If you live in a remote area,and the nearest hospital is far away,but a trained nurse or paramedic is nearby,have the following Injections in your first aid box.They can mean the difference between life & death!
a.Inj.Adrenaline 0.1 mg/ml- two ampuoles
b.Inj.Dexamethasone 4mgs/ml-two ampuoles
c.Inj.Paracetamol 250mg/ml -two amps.
d.Inj.Atropine.0.6mg/ml-two amps.
e.Inj.Aminophylline 250mgs/2ml
These injections will be given by the paramedic only after calling your family Physician by phone.