The Science of First Aid Everyone Should Know

In daily life, mastering essential first aid procedures is essential for both yourself and your family, as this knowledge can save lives in critical moments.

The "Golden Four Minutes" of CPR

Step 1: Confirm the condition and apply pressure

If you see someone collapsed, gently tap their shoulders. If there is no response, call 120 immediately and observe their chest and abdomen for movement. If not, immediately initiate CPR. Starting CPR within four minutes has a 50% survival rate.

At the center of the nipples, clasp your hands together, applying pressure with the base of your palms. Adults should apply downward pressure 5-6 cm vertically, at 100-120 times per minute. After every 30 compressions, perform two artificial respirations.

Step 2: Artificial Respiration

Maintain a firm grip with one hand to push down the victim's forehead and lift their chin with the other to open the airway.

Clear any foreign objects from the victim's mouth. Pinch the nose, cover the victim's mouth with your mouth, and blow rapidly into the victim's mouth until the chest rises and falls slightly.

Precautions:

Pinching the Ren Zhong point is unnecessary; it has no therapeutic value.

Heimlich Maneuver

1. For Adults and Infants over 1 Year Old: Align the tip of your first two fingertips above the victim's navel. With your other hand, hold your fist in place and push rapidly inward and upward until the foreign object is dislodged.
2. Self-Rescue: Find a rounded, blunt chair back, bend over, and press firmly on your abdomen until the foreign object is dislodged.

If there are no objects or people around, hold one fist in place with the other, with the tip of your fist aligned two fingertips above your navel. Press rapidly and repeatedly on your abdomen until the foreign object is dislodged.

3. Infants under 1 year old

Back pats: Place the baby face down with their body resting on an adult's lap. Support their chin with one hand and pat the center of their shoulder blades five times with the base of your other hand.

Chest compressions: Turn the baby over and apply five pressures to the lower center of the chest with your index and middle fingers.

Repeat these back pats and chest compressions until the foreign body is expelled.

Bleeding Control Methods

1. Direct Pressure:

• Apply firm pressure to the wound with clean gauze/cloth for at least 10 minutes.

2. Elevate the Injured Limb:

• Elevate the bleeding area above the heart level.

3. Tourniquet (for severe aortic bleeding only):

• Apply a tourniquet near the heart, record the duration, and loosen it every 15-20 minutes.

Burns

Immediately rinse with running cold water or soak for at least 30 minutes. Cover with a clean towel or gauze and seek medical attention immediately. For smaller wounds, you can apply burn ointment yourself.

Precautions:

· Do not apply ice

· Keep the water temperature for rinsing and soaking below 5°C

· Do not break blisters

· Do not apply toothpaste, soy sauce, or antibiotic ointments, as this may contaminate the wound.

Fractures and Sprains

1. Immobilize the Injured Limb:

• Use a splint or other rigid material to immobilize the fracture site and prevent movement.

2. Apply Ice to Swelling:

• Apply for 15-20 minutes at a time, with an interval of one hour.

3. Elevate the Affected Limb:

• Reduce swelling.

Heat Stroke

1. Transporting the Patient

• Move the patient to a cool, well-ventilated area and loosen their collar or belt.

2. Assisting with Heat Dissipation

• Use a fan or air conditioner, and massage the patient's limbs and torso to promote heat dissipation.
• Wipe the body with cold water or place ice packs on the forehead, neck, armpits, or groin at the base of the thigh.

3. Hydrate Properly

• Drink plenty of light salt water. Drink small amounts of fluids frequently, no more than 300 ml at a time. Avoid binge drinking.

4. Seek medical attention promptly.

• For mild cases, if symptoms worsen after rest, seek medical attention immediately.
• For severe cases experiencing coma, high fever, or convulsions, seek medical attention immediately.

Precautions:

• Do not take fever-reducing medications on your own.
• If ice or ice packs are too cold, they may constrict blood vessels and prevent proper heat dissipation.
• Avoid applying topical medications that have a cooling effect (such as Tiger Balm). Oily substances are not conducive to heat dissipation.