First aid Essays - Medicine, Health Care, Clinical Medicine

First aid First aidis the assistance given to any person suffering a suddenillnessorinjury, HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_aid" \l "cite_note-1" [1]with care provided to preserve life, prevent the condition from worsening, and/or promote recovery. It includes initial intervention in a serious condition prior to professional medical help being available, such as performingCPRwhile awaiting anambulance, as well as the complete treatment of minor conditions, such as applying a plaster to acut. First aid is generally performed by thelayperson, with many people trained in providing basic levels of first aid, and others willing to do so from acquired knowledge.Mental health first aidis an extension of the concept of first aid to cover mental health. There are many situations which may require first aid, and many countries have legislation, regulation, or guidance which specifies a minimum level of first aid provision in certain circumstances. This can include specific training or equipment to be available in the workplace (such as anAutomated External Defibrillator), the provision of specialist first aid cover at public gatherings, or mandatory first aid training within schools. First aid, however, does not necessarily require any particular equipment or prior knowledge, and can involve improvisation with materials available at the time, often by untrained persons.[2] First aid can be performed on all mammals, although this article relates to the care of human patients. History Early history and warfare [ HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=First_aidaction=editsection=2" \o "Edit section: Early history and warfare" edit ] Skills of what is now known as first aid have been recorded throughout history, especially in relation towarfare, where the care of bothtraumaticand medical cases is required in particularly large numbers. The Ancient Egyptians (aka people of KMT) were the first to use bandages including the high genius doctor HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imhotep" \o "Imhotep" Imhotep. They not only used them to createmummiesbut also as part of the treatments for surgical patients. Most ancient Greek doctors, philosophers, etc studied in ancient Egypt and then returned to Greece. Thebandagingof battle wounds is shown onClassical Greekpottery from circa 500 BCE, whilst theparable of the Good Samaritanincludes references to binding or dressing wounds.[3]There are numerous references to first aid performed within theRoman army, with a system of first aid supported by surgeons, field ambulances, and hospitals.[4]Roman legions had the specific role of capsarii, who were responsible for first a id such as bandaging, and are the forerunners of the moderncombat medic.[5] Further examples occur through history, still mostly related to battle, with examples such as theKnights Hospitallerin the 11th century CE, providing care to pilgrims and knights in theHoly Land. Aims The key aims of first aid can be summarised in three key points, sometimes known as 'the three P's':-[12] Preserve life : The overriding aim of all medical care which includes first aid, is to save lives and minimize the threat of death. Prevent further harm : Prevent further harm also sometimes called prevent the condition from worsening , or danger of further injury , this covers both external factors, such as moving a patient away from any cause of harm, and applying first aid techniques to prevent worsening of the condition, such as applying pressure to stop a bleed becoming dangerous. Promote recovery : First aid also involves trying to start the recovery process from the illness or injury, and in some cases might involve completing a treatment, such as in the case of applying a plaster to a small wound. Key skills Certain skills are considered essential to the provision of first aid and are taught ubiquitously. Particularly the " ABC "s of first aid, which focus on critical life-saving intervention, must be rendered before treatment of less serious injuries. ABC stands for Airway , Breathing , and Circulation . The same mnemonic is used by all emergency health professionals . Attention must first be brought to the airway to ensure it is clear . Obstruction ( choking ) is a life-threatening emergency. Following evaluation of the airway, a first aid attendant would determine adequacy of breathing and provide rescue breathing if necessary. Assessment of circulation is now not usually carried out for patients who are not breathing, with first aiders now trained to go straight to chest compressions (and thus providing artificial circulation) but pulse checks may be done on less serious patients. Basic principles,