The three most common household mishaps are choking, grazes and cuts. Willem Stassen, an ER24 Critical Care paramedic, gives his top tips on how to treat them and when to seek medical assistance.
Choking
In mild cases of choking, encourage the patient to cough and do not interfere with their spontaneous coughing or breathing effort. If the patient is unable to cough or the cough becomes silent, the Heimlich manoeuver should be done for patients who are older than a year.
To do the Heimlich, reach around the patient from behind (almost in a hug) and place your fisted hands below their ribcage, over the diaphragm. Then pull your hands sharply backwards and up a few times to try to dislodge the item. Should the patient become unconscious or stop breathing, start CPR and call an ambulance on 084 124.
If a baby younger than a year old is choking, turn them onto their stomach with the head facing downwards, then place the child on your lap. Administer a few firm back-slaps to dislodge the obstruction. Once again, should the patient become unresponsive, start CPR and call an ambulance.
Grazes and abrasions
Skinned knees and minor abrasions are common, especially if you have adventurous children running around. Treatment is simple: stop the bleeding by applying direct pressure to the wound. When the bleeding stops, clean the wound with fresh water and some disinfectant before covering with a clean, dry dressing or a plaster. You may also apply some antibacterial ointment on the wound before covering it, if required.
Cuts and gashes
The treatment of the cut depends on how deep the wound is and where it’s located on the body. The first thing is to put on surgical gloves (from your first-aid kit) and try to stop the bleeding by applying direct pressure to the wound with a clean cloth. Also check whether the patient is a haemophiliac (bleeder) or on any blood-thinning medication. If they are, you need to call an ambulance on 084 124.
If you can, raise the affected area above the level of the patient’s heart. If the blood is bright red and pulsating out of the wound there’s probably arterial damage, so you will need to apply not only direct pressure, but also pressure above the wound (upstream).
Remember, when you’re applying pressure and the cloth on the wound becomes saturated, avoid the urge to pull it off and replace with a clean one. Even if the bleeding has stopped you may dislodge the clots that have formed and start the bleeding again. Rather place the clean cloth over saturated one and keep applying pressure until help arrives.
If the cut is not too serious and the bleeding stops, clean the wound with fresh water and disinfectant and cover with a clean, dry dressing. The dressing should be changed every time the patient baths or showers.
If the gash is long and deep and the edges are gaping open, it will need to be stitched by a doctor.
When to seek medical attention
Large wounds and ones on the hands or over a joint need stitches and special attention, as the resulting scars can limit movement if not treated correctly. Also watch for infection: If the area becomes warm to the touch, red and swollen or has a yellowish-white discharge, the patient will need antibiotics.
Are store-bought first-aid kits worth the money?
Yes – they take the hassle out of making up a first-aid kit of your own and are very well laid out. Most households require only a very basic to mid-range first aid kit. Remember to inventory it often to replace items you’ve used and to check expiry dates of medications in the kit.
You can also keep important emergency telephone numbers in your kit. Be sure to keep details of you and your family’s chronic illnesses and medications at hand, as well as your medical aid details. These will be required by the ER24 ambulance personnel when they arrive.
Where can I do a first aid course?
ER24 offers first-aid training to the general public. Call 0861 084 124 and ask for training, email training@er24.co.za or visit www.er24.co.za.
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