The vast majority of Canadians say they haven't taken a CPR course recently.
CPR is just one type of first aid that people might require in an emergency. However, first aid and CPR can be confusing for those without much experience.
The good news is that we're here to help. Keep on reading for some tips on how to properly perform first aid and CPR.
First Aid
First aid refers to any urgent medical care that does not require much technical training and should be administered immediately. It's important to administer first aid correctly, which means following standard procedures as often as possible. Broken Bones The first step to treating any injury is to identify what's wrong. If you can't see any obvious signs of injury, there is a chance the person has a broken bone.
If possible, ask the person where the pain is. Once you've located the broken bone, immobilize the area. If the injury is in one of the limbs, you’ll need to make a splint. Finally, apply a cold press wrapped in a washcloth or towel to the area.
If someone is bleeding or has passed out, immediately call emergency medical services. The most important thing you can do is to ensure that person gets to the hospital as soon as possible.
CPR
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, is probably the most well-known first-aid procedure. However, much of what we see on TV is outdated and inaccurate.
Performing CPR Correctly
CPR is a technique in which an individual uses a combination of chest compressions and artificial respiration to keep a person alive. CPR is used when someone has stopped breathing or is not breathing adequately and may be used to keep oxygenated blood flowing to that person's vital organs until advanced medical professionals can take over care. Chest Compressions Chest compressions are a vital part of the CPR procedure and are used to push oxygenated blood throughout the body and into the heart, which is especially important when circulation is compromised. It is important to keep your arms straight and avoid bending your elbows when performing the procedure. By keeping your arms straight, you can compress the victim's chest more effectively and get more blood flowing to their brain. If you bend your elbows, you are putting a lot of stress on the muscles in your arms and shoulders. This can cause you to fatigue faster and make it more difficult to continue performing the compressions. Using full force while performing the procedure also means that it's not uncommon to break ribs in the process. That is why it’s important to push down hard and fast near the center of the chest. Performing CPR near the bottom of the ribcage can break the lower sternum, which often breaks off along a sharp edge inside the body and can cause internal bleeding.
First Aid and CPR: Do's and Don'ts
In an emergency situation, it is common to panic and feel overwhelmed. This is why the knowledge of first aid and CPR are crucial. When performing first aid and CPR, you'll need to follow certain crucial steps and avoid a few costly mistakes. We've discussed a few of the do's and don'ts of both techniques here, but it is still vital to be properly trained on and know the correct guidelines when administering these life-saving techniques.
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