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Some knowledge of basic
first aid could mean the difference between life and death.
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Consider doing a first aid
course, so that you will be able to manage if someone is injured or becomes
ill.
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CPR is a life-saving skill
that everyone should learn.
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Keep a range of first aid
kits handy at home, in the car and at work.
1. Stop
Bleeding. Apply direct pressure on the cut or wound with a clean cloth, tissue, or piece
of gauze until bleeding stops. ...
2. Clean Cut or Wound. Gently clean with soap and warm
water. ...
3. Protect
the Wound. Apply antibiotic cream to reduce risk of infection and cover
with a sterile bandage. ...
4. Get
a small Ice Pack and keep it in the freezer, use over cuts or injuries
5. Keep
2 finger plasters in your wallet or purse.
The DRSABCD action plan
If you have completed a first aid course, you will be familiar with the DRSABCD action plan.
Each letter is a prompt for the actions to take when first aid is needed.
DRSABCD ACTION PLAN
A
basic first aid kit may contain:
ð Plasters in a variety of different sizes and shapes
ð Small, medium and large sterile gauze dressings
ð At least 2 sterile eye dressings
ð Triangular bandages
ð Crpe rolled bandages
ð Safety pins
ð Disposable sterile gloves
ð Tweezers
ð Scissors
ð Alcohol-free cleansing wipes
ð Sticky tape
ð Thermometer (preferably digital)
ð Skin rash cream, such as hydrocortisone or calendula
ð Cream or spray to relieve insect bites and stings
ð Antiseptic cream
ð Painkillers such as paracetamol (or infant paracetamol for children), aspirin (not to be given to children under 16), or ibuprofen
ð Cough medicine
ð Antihistamine cream or tablets
ð Distilled water for cleaning wounds
ð Eye wash and eye bath
It
may also be useful to keep a basic first aid manual or instruction booklet with
your first aid kit.
Medicines
should be checked regularly to make sure they're within their use-by dates.
Medications are
very unpredictable. Many medications or illicit drugs have dangerous side
effects, particularly if they are mixed together or taken with alcohol.
If you are aware or suspect that someone you
have found has overdosed on drugs or medications, do not leave them to Ôsleep
it offŐ. A doctor or ambulance paramedic should assess any person who overdoses
on any medication.
It is very important that you call triple zero
(000) if you are aware or suspect that someone you have found has overdosed on
drugs or medications, as many overdoses cause death.
Open wounds are prone to infection. Suggestions to reduce the risk of infection include:
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Wash your hands if possible
before managing the wound. You could also use an antibacterial hand sanitiser.
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Put on the disposable gloves
provided in your first aid kit.
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Try to avoid breathing or
coughing over the wound.
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Cleaning of the wound
depends on the type and severity of the wound, including the severity of the
bleeding. You may just clean around the wound.
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Cover the wound with a
sterile dressing. Try not to touch the dressingŐs surface before applying it to
the wound.
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Seek medical advice or call
triple zero (000) for an ambulance.
In an emergency, these suggestions may not be
practical. If the injured person is bleeding heavily, donŐt waste time. For
example, cleaning the wound might dislodge a blood clot and make the wound
bleed again or bleed more.
Immediately apply pressure to a heavily bleeding
wound (or around the wound if there is an embedded object), and apply a bandage
when the bleeding has slowed down or stopped. Call triple zero (000)
immediately.
After being bandaged, an injured forearm or wrist may require an arm sling to lift the arm and keep it from moving. Steps include:
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Arrange the personŐs arm in
a ÔVŐ so that it is held in front of their body and bent at the elbow, with the
hand resting in the hollow where the collarbone meets the shoulder.
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Open a triangular bandage
and place it on top of the injured arm. The longest edge needs to be lengthwise
along the personŐs body and the point of the bandage should be towards the
personŐs elbow on their injured side. You only need enough material to tie a
knot at the fingertip end.
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Create a cradle (hammock)
around the injured arm by folding the upper half of the long edge under the
injured arm.
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Gently gather the material
together at the elbow and pull it tight without pulling the bandage off the
injured arm. Twist the material into a long spiral.
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Bring the long spiral around
and then up the personŐs back.
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Tie the two ends together
firmly at the personŐs fingertips.
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In an emergency, always call
triple zero (000)
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Your doctor
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The emergency department of
your nearest hospital
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St John Ambulance Australia
(Victoria) for first aid and CPR courses Tel. 1300 360 455
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Australian Red Cross for
first aid and CPR courses Tel. 1300 367 428