Someone in need of assistance? When you provide First Aid to anyone, you are considered the "first responder"!
You are compelled to respond. You want to assist. You simply must ensure that you respond effectively, appropriately (do not exceed your training), and do not overlook critical elements.
There are numerous reasons why a person may be suffering from a health issue. There are injuries, of course: a fall, a collision, a bleeding wound, a burn, and so on. Then there are the systems in the body that could be in trouble – the heart, brain, lungs, stomach, intestines, and so on.
Next, that person has ongoing health issues, such as diabetes, asthma, heart disease, high blood pressure, seizure activity, and pregnancy, to name a few. And there is always the threat of a frightening problem – someone choking.
Where might someone require First Aid?
Consider how many environments you pass through in a day – and how much first aid may be required in any of them!
Lobby
Grocery Store
Hawker centre
Shopping Malls
Your very own HOME
Who will require First Aid?
You are most likely to look after someone you care about. However, you are also at work, at the locations of organizations to which you belong, in public recreation and garden areas, and walking around your neighborhood – so you may be able to assist unknown members of your community!
In fact, four out of every five cardiac arrests occur at home.
Here are the 5 Steps to First Aid:
Recognize the emergency. Does someone look like they’re in trouble? If so, ask them, “Are you OK?”
Call 995 if you think you should. Remember, you don’t need their agreement to call for help– 995. You only need their agreement to touch them
Ask them questions in case the situation escalates to unconsciousness. “Are you allergic to anything? Are you on a medication?”
Be kind and calm. Your compassionate and gentle smile, your reassurance that they’re “going to be OK” is a type of care! Kindness and reassurance is “care”. You might reduce their blood pressure or ease their frightened breathing.
Be a person's steward. Some people have outdated, incorrect ideas about how to deal with a problem, such as "lift her up and put her on the couch." Nope. Not at all. The key phrase is "Do No Further Harm." "No," you say as you step in. "Don't do it. It may cause them harm."
Keep monitoring his or her situation while actual help comes. that is the best way you could be of help to someone in need.