Prevention, they say, is better than cure but with the best will in the world you can’t always escape risks so it is important to know the required first aid treatment for these accidents. Often time people it was discovered that people around do not know what to do to treat the affected person because people often think they won’t need it or it won’t happen to them and some parents are reluctant to learn because they don’t want to confront the idea that they may need to use it on their own children. Such parents only realize the need to know the appropriate first aid to apply when they’ve had the scar.

Choking: It is estimated that every single day, 40 under-five-year-olds are hospitalized after choking. The British Red Cross advises the following for any under one year old that is choking.

• Give five back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand

• Check the mouth quickly after each one and remove any obvious obstruction

• If the obstruction or swallowed item causing the choke and making it uneasy to breathe is still present, give up to five abdominal thrusts by placing a clenched fist between the navel and the bottom of the breast bone and pull inwards and upwards. Check the mouth quickly after each one. If the obstruction does not clear after three cycles of back blows and abdominal thrusts call an ambulance. (9ja people you had better not wait for any ambulance and take that person to the nearest hospital)

• Continue cycles of back blows and abdominal thrusts until help arrives.


Burns: cool the affected area by holding it under running cold water for at least 10 minutes. If the pain continues, put it back. This calms swelling and stops the area continuing to burn. Remove clothing, but if the cloth is stuck to the burn, leave it on. Use either a clean, non-fluffy cloth or cling film for a dressing and if the patient is a child, you must get it checked out no matter how small the burn may seem because a child’s skin is far more sensitive than an adult’s.


Nose bleeds: this is the particular occurrence that necessitated this precautionary write-up as my younger sister began to bleed in the nose at the thick of the night. This event woke every breathing thing in our house. If a child is bleeding in the nose you should lean the child’s head forward to allow blood to drain, and pinch the bottom part of the nose (not the bridge) to encourage the blood to clot. Continue for 10 minutes, reapplying for two further sessions of 10 minutes if the bleeding doesn’t stop. If there is still bleeding after 30 minutes, get the affected child to the hospital.


Broken, Strained or Sprained bones: now you will agree with me that this accident is rampant and common. Well to man the situation if the bone is broken, keep the person still, in the same position you found them and get help. However if it is a sprain or strain, use RICE- Rest, Ice, Compress (using a form of bandage) and Elevate. If you can’t tell, assume the bone is broken and call for help.


Electric Shock: never make the mistake of touching the affected person if they are still in conduct with the electric source as you could get electrocuted through them (I know you will feel like “of course I know” but some don’t so I have to mention it). Switch or cut off the electric current if you can. If you can’t move the person by standing on some dry insulation material and then take something made from non-conductive material (something like wooden broom or newspaper will do) and push the electric source away. Check the person’s breathing and apply CPR if necessary. Call an ambulance as even small electric shocks can cause internal damage.


Seizures: People usually assume this is epilepsy and panic, but any child whose temperature rises too high can get a febrile seizure. Place soft things around the person so they won’t hurt themselves and don’t try to restrain them. Once they have stopped being stiff, they will start to shake and feel very tired. Now remove their clothing and fan them down. Visit the hospital after this.
With the little precautionary steps I have been able to gather, I hope you won’t find this piece too long and read till the end as it could be the only you need to know to save a life. Share to save a life.

Arrange it properly please!
Good write-up!!

lecturerdabo:
Arrange it properly please!

Good write-up!!

thanks. I will see to that

lecturerdabo:
Arrange it properly please!
Good write-up!!

I think I've done something to it now. Thanks man