In daily life, accidents are always unexpected. As the main place where we live, the home may also face various sudden situations, among which asphyxia and burns are relatively common and dangerous. Mastering correct home first aid methods is crucial for saving lives in a timely manner and reducing injuries. This article will introduce in detail the first aid measures for asphyxia and burns, hoping to provide practical guidance for everyone.
First Aid for Asphyxia
1. First Aid for Adults and Children Over One Year Old with Asphyxia
When an adult or a child over one year old is found to have asphyxia, the Heimlich maneuver should be immediately adopted. The rescuer stands behind the patient, with feet separated front and back. The front foot is about one foot away from the patient, and the heel of the back foot is raised. Let the patient sit on the rescuer’s arched thigh, keep the patient’s body forward, head slightly lowered, and mouth open. The rescuer’s arms surround the patient’s abdomen, with one hand making a fist. The thumb of the fist is placed two finger widths above the patient’s navel, below the xiphoid process, and the other hand grasps the fist. Then, quickly and forcefully pull the arms, making an inward and upward impact on the patient’s upper abdomen at a rate of about 1 time per second. Repeat this operation until the foreign body is expelled or the patient resumes breathing. It should be noted that the movements should be rapid and forceful, but avoid excessive force that may cause harm to the patient.
2. First Aid for Infants Under One Year Old with Asphyxia
For infants under one year old, a combination of back blows and chest compressions is required. First, place the infant face down on the rescuer’s arm, supporting the infant’s head and neck with the hand to ensure that the head is slightly lower than the body. Use the heel of the other hand to give 5 quick and forceful blows between the infant’s shoulder blades on the back. Then, turn the infant face up, and at the midpoint of the line connecting the two nipples, use two fingers to quickly and vertically press the chest 5 times. The depth of compression is about one-third of the thickness of the infant’s chest. Alternate between back blows and chest compressions until the foreign body is expelled or the infant resumes breathing. During the operation, be sure to be gentle and accurate to adapt to the delicate body of the infant.
First Aid for Burns
1. Flushing and Cooling
Once a burn occurs, immediately place the injured area under running cold water. The water flow should not be too rapid to avoid secondary damage to the wound by the impact. Flush for at least 15 to 30 minutes. This can quickly reduce the temperature of the burned area, prevent the heat from continuing to penetrate into the tissue, and relieve pain and the degree of injury. For example, if the hand is burned, it can be directly placed under the faucet for flushing. If the leg is burned and conditions permit, it can be soaked in cold water in the bathtub.
2. Remove Clothing from the Injured Area
While flushing and cooling, carefully remove the clothing from the injured area. If the clothing is adhered to the wound, do not tear it forcefully to avoid aggravating the injury. You can use scissors to carefully cut the clothing, leaving the adhered part and waiting for professional medical staff to handle it after seeking medical treatment.
3. Cover the Wound
After flushing, cover the burned area with a clean gauze, towel, or plastic wrap. Avoid using items with fluff to prevent the fluff from sticking to the wound. The purpose of covering is to protect the wound, reduce the risk of infection, and also reduce the external stimulation to the wound. For example, a small burn can be gently bandaged with a Band-Aid or sterile gauze; for a large burn, it needs to be covered with a clean bed sheet or towel and rushed to the hospital as soon as possible.
4. Seek Medical Attention Promptly
After initial treatment, take the injured person to the hospital for further treatment as soon as possible. Even if the burn surface does not seem serious, there may be deep tissue damage, which requires professional doctors to evaluate and treat. During the process of sending the patient to the hospital, pay attention to keeping the injured person comfortable and avoid pressing on the wound.
When emergencies such as asphyxia and burns occur at home, correct and timely first aid measures can greatly reduce the degree of injury. Everyone should learn and remember these first aid knowledge so that they can respond calmly at critical moments and protect the health and safety of family members. At the same time, it is also crucial to regularly check the home environment, eliminate potential safety hazards, and prevent accidents.
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