When someone is hurt or has a medical condition that requires medical attention we call 911. Unfortunately, most of these accidents take place very far from a medical institution, and it takes about 8 to 10 minutes for help to arrive.

Emergency Situations that will need Administration of First Aid

Some cases may be so dire that every minute brings the victim closer to losing their life.

This is where the administration of first aid comes in.

What are some of the conditions that require administration of first aid?

Let us explore some of them and what to do in such emergency situations.

1.Cardiac arrest

When most people think of first aid, CPR comes to mind. CPR is given to a person who has had a cardiac arrest.

Cardiac arrest usually causes the victim to stop breathing. Administration of first aid, in this case, is imperative because it only takes 4 minutes for brain death to occur after a person stops breathing.

A person who is having a cardiac arrest may exhibit signs of dizziness, palpitations, shortness of breath, and vomiting. In the worst case scenario, the victim will faint or blackout.

If you see someone in this situation, you should first ask if they are okay, ensure they are on a firm flat surface and start the administration of first aid with hands-only chest compressions.

But as you do this, have someone else call 911 or call 911 before starting.

2. Chocking

Chocking occurs when a foreign object which in most cases is food, gets stuck in the esophagus. This usually causes the victim to be unable to talk and breathe properly.

Chocking obstructs the airway and requires fast administration of first aid.

A choking victim will usually gesture towards their throat as they try to talk. In the most severe cases, they may black out but will produce wheezing sounds as they struggle to breathe.

If you are alone, you can administer the Heimlich maneuver before calling 911, and if you are in company, you can have someone else call as you proceed with the administration of first aid.

3. Nose bleeding

These are very common among both children and adults. Sometimes they are caused by irritation or injury. If you have a nosebleed, you can administer first aid on yourself.

To do this, sit up and make sure your head is upright. If you have any clothing that is tight on the neck, make sure you loosen it.

Proceed to pinch the end of the nose near the nostrils and hold the position for 5 to 20 minutes or until you feel bleeding has stopped.

If the bleeding does not stop after 20 minutes, you should call a doctor or go to the emergency. The prolonged bleeding may be as a result of a severe medical issue, and you may need a doctor to stop it.

4. Burns

Burns can happen anywhere and to anybody. The burn injuries may cause damage to your skin and other tissues.

 If the burn you have is small, chances are it will heal on its own. All you will need to do is run cold water over the burn areas for 10 to 20 minutes. Do not add anything such as eggs on the wound; they may only worsen the situation.

In case you have a burn-related blister, and it pops, cover it with a gauze.

When the burns are more severe for instance when a car blows up, and the victim’s clothes catch fire, help them to drop, and roll to put out the fire. Also, help them out of the clothes.

If they have any tight clothing and any jewelry, also help them remove it.

If the burns are severe, call for help and cover the wounds with a clean cloth.

Do not apply butter or anything else on the wound.

The patient can use ibuprofen, Tylenol or Aleve for the pain.

Final thoughts

Anyone can get into an accident and accidents can also occur anywhere. It is essential for everyone to learn basic first aid techniques that can help them turn emergency situations into lifesaving situations.

You are probably thinking, “But I don’t have the time?” “I can’t stand exams,” “How much studying do I have to do?”

The good news is that basic first aid is very easy to learn and you can even find classes online. Some of these administration of first aid techniques are very simple you can learn them in a day.

You also don’t need to study a lot, and most sites will allow you to do tests at your own time when you feel ready.

So what are you waiting for?