Лекция: SOME ADVICE ON FIRST AID IN AN EMERGENCY

CHOKING

A foreign object sticking at the back of the throat may cither block the throat, or induce muscular spasm. This is known as choking. Adults may choke on a piece of food that has been inadequately chewed and hurriedly swallowed. Young children like putting objects inside their mouths; boiled sweets are a particular danger.

RECOGNITION There will be:

• Difficulty in speaking and breathing. There maybe:

• Blueness of the skin (cyanosis).

• Signs from the casualty — pointing to the throat, or grasping the neck.

TREATMENT

YOUR AIM IS:

• To remove the obstruction and restore normal breathing.

FOR AN ADULT

1 Reassure the casualty. Bend her forwards so that her head is lower than her chest.

2, Give up to five sharp blows to her back, between the shoulderblades, with the flat of your hand.

3. If backslaps fail, try abdominal thrusts. The sudden pull up against the diaphragm compresses the chest, and may expel the obstruction.

IF this does not free the blockage, try again four times, then alternate five back blows with five thrusts.

IF the casualty becomes unconscious, treat as described opposite.

FOR A CHILD

Place the child over your knee, head down. Slap him between the shoulder-blades, using less force than for an adult.

IF back blows fail, use the abdominal thrust only if you have been trained to do so on a child. Otherwise begin resuscitation.

FOR A BABY

Lay the baby along your forearm. Slap her between the shoulder blades, using less force than for a child.

IF the baby becomes unconscious, begin resuscitation.

DO NOT use the abdominal thrust.

FOR A CASUALTY WHO BECOMES UNCONSCIOUS

1. Loss of consciousness may relieve muscle spasm, so check first to see if the casualty can now breathe. If not, turn her on her side and give 4-5 blows between her shoulder blades.

2. If back blows fail, kneel astride the casualty, and perform abdominal thrusts.

Put the heel of one hand below the ribcage, and cover it with the other hand. Press sharply inwards and upwards up to five times.

IF she starts to breathe normally, place her in the recovery position and call an ambulance. Check and record breathing and pulse rate every 10 minutes.

IF she does not start tobreathe again, dial 999 for an ambulance and start resuscitation

FEVER

A sustained body temperature above the normal level of 37«C (9§.6°F) is known as fever, and is usually, though not always, caused by infection (by bacteria or viruses). Conditions associated with a high temperature include influenza ('flu), chicken pox, measles, meningitis, and local infections (for example, an abscess).

When to call a doctor A moderate fever is not harmful, but a temperature of above 40 C (102°F) can be dangerous, and may trigger fits in infants and young children. Call a doctor, even if only for advice, if in doubt about the casualty's condition.

RECOGNITION

There will be:

• Raised under-the-tongue temperature. In the early stages, there may be:

• Pallor.

• A „chilled“ feeling — goose pimples, shivering, and chattering teeth. As the fever advances there may be:

• Hot, flushed skin, and sweating.

• Headache.

• Generalized „aches and pains“.

• Raised armpit temperature

TREATMENT

YOUR AIMS ARE:

• To make the casualty comfortable.

• To bring down the fever.

To seek medical aid, if necessary.

1. Make the casualty comfortable in surroundings that are evenly warm, preferably in bed, and let her rest.

If the fever is very high, or if the casualty is a young child, cool by sponging with tepid water.

2. Give the casualty plenty of bland fluids to drink. A small „hot toddy“ may comfort an adult and may induce restful sleep. Give no more than one double measure of spirits.

3. An adult may take two paracetamol tablets. A child may be given the recommended dose of paracetamol syrup (not aspirin), and should be sponged with tepid water to lower the temperature.

HEADACHE

A headache may accompany any illness, particularly a feverish ailment such as 'flu, but may be the most prominent symptom of some serious condition (for example, meningitis or stroke). Mild „poisoning“ by a stuffy or fume-filled atmosphere, or by unwise consumption of alcohol or other drugs, can induce a headache in an otherwise healthy person. Headaches may develop for no apparent reason, but can often be traced to tiredness, nervous tension, stress or emotional upset, or undue heat or cold.

TREATMENT

YOUR AIMS ARE:

• To relieve the pain.

• To seek medical aid if necessary.

1. Help the casualty to sit or lie down comfortably in a quiet place.

2. If possible, deal with any likely cause of the headache, such as loud noise, bright light, or lack of fresh air.

Headaches range from constant low-grade discomfort to „blinding“ pain that is completely incapacitating.

When to call a doctor

Always seek urgent advice if the pain:

• Develops very suddenly.

• Is severe and incapacitating.

• Is recurrent or persistent.