Injuries are among the top causes of death worldwide. These can also be accidental or intentional self-harm.
Dealing with life-threatening injuries is quite challenging not only for you but even for well-trained hospital staff. With injuries wherein it’s a matter of life and death, you may need to initiate effective and efficient treatment immediately.
Such injuries can occur anywhere on yourself, your friend, or your family. Hence, it’s best to be prepared to handle the situation before medical professionals can come to your rescue. With the wide use of the internet, you can also access medical training there for first aid. Ensure the websites are legitimate before you peruse their training info. The following are some tips you can use to deal with various life-threatening injuries:
Stabilize The Spine
A spine injury can result from accidents involving vehicles, diving, falls, sporting events, and other physical activities. When this occurs, you need to protect the spine from further injury. Once injured, the spine becomes unstable, and you must restrict the person’s movements to prevent permanent paralysis. You can prevent this by:
- Avoiding bending, flexing, or turning the neck and head
- Placing your hands on their neck to stabilize the head
- Ensuring they’re breathing regularly to prevent clots
Ensure you maintain stabilization until a trained medical practitioner arrives.
Control Bleeding
Bleeding is very easy to spot. Before you start dealing with it, asses the person to make sure there are no other fatal injuries. Once this is done, get protective clothing to cover yourself up.
The simplest way you can stop bleeding is by applying direct pressure. Get a clean dressing or gloves and apply direct and firm pressure on the wound. Hold down until the bleeding stops. If there are multiple wounds, prioritize the worst, and deal with the lesser ones later. The injured person can also help you hold the pressure on some areas. You can use an antibiotic salve for small injuries, but ensure you ask the person about any allergies before you use it.
For extreme bleeding resulting from deep lacerations or open fractures, direct pressure may not work. You can use a tourniquet for this. It doesn’t have to be purchased from the shop. You can make it using a stick-like object and a piece of cloth.
Care For Bone And Joint Injuries
Bone and joint injuries will be a common occurrence if you live with physically active people, the elderly, or the disabled. Breaks, strains, and sprains can easily occur. The following are the first aid care you should do:
- Secure the scene to ensure it’s safe, and use protective equipment.
- Use an ice pack on the area for 15 minutes.
- Clean and cover open wounds.
- Get a further evaluation of the injury from healthcare providers.
You should call for professional help if you see an open wound over a joint, an abnormal bent or extremity of the bone, or any visible joint dislocation.
Manage Electrical Injuries
In an electric shock, you need to switch off the electric current at the mains so that the contact between the person and the electrical supply is broken. If you can’t access the main supply, don’t touch the person until the electrical supply is switched off. Call the emergency lines for help unless the shock is minor.
Protect Head Injuries
The following are the signs of a head injury:
- Memory loss
- Seizure
- Confusion
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Unconsciousness
Head injuries can occur alone or from a traumatic event. Such injuries can result in decreased productivity, functioning, and lifelong consequences. If you’re dealing with a person with such symptoms, contact a physician immediately.
Meanwhile, you can stabilize the neck and back to protect the person from further head injury, get ready for transport, and observe closely for any changes in their condition so that you can report to the responding officers.
Manage Poisoning
Poisoning happens from consuming a toxic substance like fungi, a medical overdose, or bleach. This is quite life-threatening. Some poisoning symptoms include a burning sensation, vomiting, or loss of consciousness. If you suspect poisoning, contact the paramedics or doctor immediately.
Meanwhile, you can do the following:
- Look around to determine what was ingested so that you can tell the doctor.
- Don’t let the person eat anything or drink unless advised by a doctor.
- Don’t induce vomiting.
- Don’t leave the person alone in case they lose consciousness.
In case the person is unconscious, check for breathing. If need be, perform CPR, but ensure you don’t come in contact with the poison as well.
Conclusion
Death caused by injuries can be prevented with enough preparedness to give first aid as the doctor gets to the patient. While these injuries vary in severity and type, the list above is just a few common steps you should be prepared to perform.
