FIRST AID (Spinal Cord Injury )

Overview
• Spinal cord injury is otherwise called 'myelopathy'
• It results in an injury to the nerve fibers in the cord
• Can cause loss of physical sensation and mobility
• Spinal cord remains intact in most of the injuries
• Complete injury causes no movement/sensation below injury
• Incomplete injury-retains some movement/sensation below injury
• Physical therapy, ventilators, wheel chairs often required
Causes
• Automobile accidents
• Diving accidents
• Falls
• Shot by a gun
• Conditions like
a. Polio
b. Tumor
c. Spina Bifida
d. Friedreich's Ataxia
Symptoms
• Loss of sensation
• Loss of motor functions
• Loss of bowel/bladder functions
• Sexual function can get affected
• Loss of involuntary functions, like breathing
• Inability to control rate of heart beat
• Inability to sweat
• Chronic pain
Treatment
Seek medical help or call for an ambulance as soon as possible. Meanwhile-
• Move the person, if surrounding is not safe
• Immobilize the head, neck and body on both sides
• Movements may dislocate vertebra and cause further injury
• If there is no sign of breathing, perform CPR
• Do not tilt head backward during CPR
Prevention
• Always wear a seat belt while driving
• Use special seat belts for children and babies
• Do not drink and drive
• Do not dive into a shallow pool area

FIRST AID (Snake Bites )

Overview
• Thousands suffer from snake bites, globally, every year
• People who live near wilderness/trekkers - more prone
• Even bite from a harmless snake can cause allergic reaction
Causes
Some common venomous snakes include -
• Viper
• Cobra
• Rattle snake
• Water moccasin
• Coral snake
• Copper head
Symptoms
• Fang marks
• Swelling/severe pain at the site
• Bloody discharge from wound
• Burning
• Diarrhea
• Excessive sweating
• Blurred vision
• Numbness/tingling sensation
• Increased thirst
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Loss of muscle co-ordinations
• Convulsions
• Rapid pulse
• Weakness/Dizziness/Fainting
Treatment
a. Seek Medical help as soon as possible. Meanwhile -
• Wash wound with soap/water
• Immobilize the affected area
• Keep area slightly elevated
• Apply cool compress/wet cloth to affected part
• Apply a firm bandage 2-4 inches above bite to
i. Prevent venom from spreading
ii.Take care of any bleeding
b. Monitor for pulse, respiration and blood pressure
Prevention
• Do not attempt to kill a snake.
• If you spot a snake, leave it alone
• While hiking or in the woods, stay out of tall grass
• Do not put your hand into pits/crevices during treks
• Exercise caution while climbing rocks

FIRST AID (Tooth Ache )

Overview/Causes
• Tooth ache is primarily caused by tooth decay
• Bacteria flourishes on sugar/starch in food particles inside mouth
• A sticky plaque is then formed on teeth surface
• The bacteria in the plaque produces acid
• This acid erodes the enamel or hard covering of the teeth
• This creates a cavity
• The first sign of tooth decay is tooth ache
• This occurs on eating something very cold/very hot/sweet
• Tooth ache can also be caused by injury/trauma
• Tooth ache can occur in children and adults
Symptoms
Pain in the tooth radiates to jaw, cheek, ear
• Pain while chewing
• Increased sensitivity to hot/cold things
• Swelling in the jaw
• Discharge/Bleeding from tooth or gums
Treatment
• Use a floss to remove any particle lodged between teeth
• Learn flossing from a dentist
• Take a pain relieving tablet
• Apply benzocaine containing antiseptic
• Applying clove oil also might help
• Do not place aspirin directly against the gums
• This might lead to burning of gum tissue
Consult a Doctor
If
• Tooth ache persists
• Fever occurs with the ache
• Difficulty in breathing occurs
• Difficulty in swallowing occurs
Prevention
• Brush teeth after every meal
• Floss regularly
• Visit your dentist twice a year
• Wear a mouth gear while playing
• Avoid smoking as it worsens dental conditions
• Eat a balanced meal with reduced starch/sugar content

FIRST AID (Foreign Object In The Nose )

Overview
• Any outside object inserted into nose
• Usually children are the affected ones
• During play, they insert small objects into nostrils
Causes
• Food particles
• Erasers
• Dried seeds
• Objects, like crayons
• Beads
• Buttons
Symptoms
• Irritation
• Infection
• Foul smelling / bloody discharge from nose
• Breathing difficulty
Treatment
• The person must be urged to breathe through mouth
• The person should avoid breathing with force
• Close the unaffected nostril
• Blow out gently through the affected nostril
• Get medical aid if this method fails
Steps to Avoid
• Do not probe an object which is not seen
• Do not probe an object that is not easy to grasp
• Do not blow nose too hard
• Do not use sharp instruments to remove the object
Consult a doctor
• When the object cannot be removed
• When the victim suffers from infection
Prognosis
• No problem expected once the object is removed
Prevention
• Children must be trained not to put objects in body openings
• Small objects must be kept out of reach of children

FIRST AID (Foreign Object In The Skin )

Overview
• When object is lodged in the skin layers
• It may be embedded superficially or deeply
Causes
• Caused by glass
• Wood splinters
• Fiber glass
Symptoms
• Irritation
• Pain
• Abscess
Treatment
• Wash hands well
• Clean the affected area using soap, water
• If object is visible above skin, squeeze the area around
• When object pops out, remove using sterile tweezer
• If embedded under skin, use a sterile needle
• Sterilize needle by flaming/wiping with alcohol
• Use needle to break skin over affected area
• Lift tip of the object
• Use a small tweezer to pull it out
• Gently squeeze the area and let bleed
• Clean the area with soap, water. Pat dry
• Apply an antibiotic
Steps to Avoid
• Do not wet if the object is of wood
• Wet wooden objects swell- becomes difficult to remove
Consult a doctor
• If the object is difficult to remove
• If the object is close to a sensitive body part, like the eye
• In case of infection

FIRST AID (Foreign Object When Swallowed )

Overview
• Most objects swallowed will be eliminated naturally
• Sharp objects/objects like battery are dangerous
• Sharp objects should be removed
• Can happen to all ages
• Common in children of 1-3 years
Causes
• Certain food like popcorn
• Coins
• Small toys
• Small objects like buttons, beads
Symptoms
• Coughing
• Difficulty in breathing
• Wheezing
Treatment
• If breathing is difficult, do Heimlich maneuver
• Seek medical help as quickly as possible

On someone else
• Stand behind the person
• Wrap your arms around victim's waist
• Tilt the person a little forward
• Make a fist with one hand
• Place it just above the navel
• Hold the fist with the other hand
• Give a hard upward thrust into the abdomen
• Repeat if required

On Oneself
• Make fist with one hand
• Place fist above navel
• Hold it with other hand
• Bend over a hard surface like a chair
• Give hard upward thrust
• Repeat if required
Prevention
• Do not give potentially dangerous food to children
• Give small pieces of food to children
• Avoid laughing / talking when eating

FIRST AID (Fracture )

What is fracture?
• A broken or cracked bone
• Occurs when pressure is applied to bone
• Occurs with / without displacement of bone fragments
Types
• Open fracture: Skin breaks causing open wound
• Closed fracture: Skin not broken
• Complicated fractures: Damage of adjacent organs
• Stress fracture: Hairline crack due to repeated stress
• Greenstick fracture: In children's flexible bones
Symptoms
• Severe pain
• Difficulty in movement
• Swelling/ bruising / bleeding
• Deformity / abnormal twist of limb
• Tenderness on applying pressure
First-aid
• Depends on type & location of fracture
For open fractures
• Control bleeding before treatment
• Rinse and dress the wound
For open / closed fractures
• Check the breathing
• Calm the person
• Examine for other injuries
• Immobilize the broken wound
• Apply ice to reduce pain / swelling
• Consult a doctor
DO NOT
• Massage the affected area
• Straighten the broken bone
• Move without support to broken bone
• Move joints above / below the fracture
• Give oral liquids / food
Prevention
• Wear protective pads / helmets when driving
• Teach children / practice, safe habits

FIRST AID (FAINTING )

About Fainting
• Fainting occurs due to decreased blood supply to brain
• A fainting spell is usually very brief
• It may or may not have medical significance
Common Causes
• Anxiety
• Emotional upset
• Stress
• Severe pain
• Skipping meals
• Standing up too fast
• Standing for a long time in a crowd
• Some medications
• Diabetes
• Blood Pressure
Symptoms

Before fainting, a person may experience the following:
• Nausea
• Giddiness
• Excessive sweating
• Dim vision
• Rapid heart beat or palpitations
Treatment
• Fainting is a medical emergency, till proven otherwise
• When a person feels faint-
Make them sit down or lie down
• If sitting, position head between knees
• When a person faints, position him on his back
• Check to see if airways are clear
• Restore blood flow by
Loosening clothing/belts/collars
• Elevate feet above head level
• Patient should become normal within a minute
• If not, seek medical help
• Check if breathing/pulse is normal
• If not, do Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
Prevention
• When symptoms appear, lie down
• Try do avoid stress and anxiety
• Carefully evaluate your medications
• Take care of underlying medical conditions

FIRST AID (Dislocation )

About Dislocation
• An injury which forces bones out of their sockets
• Dislocation is a common sports injury
• It temporarily deforms or immobilizes the joint
Causes
• Usually caused by a trauma like a fall/blow
• Rheumatoid arthritis also causes dislocation
Symptoms
• Pain
• Tenderness
• Difficulty to move injured part
• Swelling
• Discoloration
Treatment
• Call medical help as soon as possible
• Do not move the joint or try to place it back
• Place ice to control swelling
• If skin is cut, clean gently and bandage with sterile gauze
• Sling or splint the injury in its original position
• If injury is serious, check for breathing
• If not breathing, provide Cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
Elevate the feet up to 12 inches
• Cover the patient with a blanket
Prevention
• Wear protective gear while sporting
• Make home environment safe
• Teach safe habits to children
• Do not stand on chairs or other unstable objects
• Exercise care while using bath oils
• Make use of hand rails while using the stairs