first aid
Introduction
first aid, immediate and temporary treatment of a victim of sudden illness or injury while awaiting the arrival of medical aid. Proper early measures may be instrumental in saving life and ensuring a better and more rapid recovery. The avoidance of unnecessary movement and over-excitation of the victim often prevents further injury. Conditions that require immediate attention to avert death include cessation of breathing ( asphyxia), severe bleeding, poisoning, strokes, and heart attack. The essentials of first aid treatment also include the correct bandaging of a wound; the application of splints for fractures and dislocations; the effective methods of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and artificial respiration; and treatment of shock, frostbite, fainting, bites and stings, burns, and heat exhaustion.
Sections in this article:
- Introduction
- Shock
- Frostbite
- Fractures and Joint Injuries
- Foreign Body in the Eye
- Heatstroke
- Asphyxia and Obstruction of Air Passages
- Drowning and Near-Drowning
- Wound
- Severe Bleeding
- Fainting
- Heat Exhaustion
- Poisoning
- Burns
- Bites and Stings
- Bibliography
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
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