What are the first aids? For Asphyxia (suffocation), Sun stroke, Electric shock and Electric burns.

Asphyxia (suffocation)

Asphyxia (suffocation) is a condition in which there is continuous want of oxygen in the circulating blood and as such the tissues are starved of oxygen.

Causes for Suffocation

• External and internal obstruction to the wind pipe eg. hanging, foreign body.
• Other causes,eg. drowning, chest injuries, injury to brain which control the respiratory activity like poisons, etc.

Signs & symptoms

Respiratory rate increases, Shallow breathing, Lips, tongue, face, fingers become blue (cyanosis), Froth may appear at the mouth, May become unconscious

Management

Remove the cause, if possible, Make air passages clear, and give artificial respiration

Read more on World health organisation’s tips on  Medical kit and toilet items

Artificial respiration

• Place the casualty face upwards. Lift the jaw upwards thus straightening the neck.
• Open the air way with the head tilt/chin lift manoeuver
• Maintain backward tilt of the head; pinch the patient’s nostrils together using the thumb and index finger.
• Open the patient’s mouth widely, take a deep breath, make a tight seal with your mouth around the patient’s mouth, and exhale into it
• Then remove the mouth and allow the patient to exhale passively.
• Watch for movement of the patient’s chest.
• Breaths are given slowly each lasting 1 to 1 l/z seconds.
• Adequate ventilation should be ensured, with every breath the patient’s chest rise and fall.

Sun stroke

• Arises as a result of direct sun light and heat rays of the sun.
• Mild case of sun stroke give superficial burns and blister formation, headache and temporary blindness as a result of glare.
• Aggravated sun stroke causes severe headache and vomiting.

Prevention

• Wear suitable clothing
• Wear Sun Helmets/ caps/ use umbrella
• Wear Tinted spectacles & protect the eyes.

Active treatment

• Use cooling Lotion
• Use Cold Cream
• If Vomiting & Headache – Shift to Doctor.

Electric shock

Management

• Stop the current by switching ‘off ‘
• If there is no way to switch ‘off ‘, stand on dry insulating material such as a thick layer of newspaper, a rubber mat and push the victim’s limbs away from the source with a broom or wooden stick, plank/ batten
• Can use looping a rope
• Do not touch the victim
• Do not use any wet items such as damp towel/mat.
• If the victim is unconscious and breathing put her / him in the recovery position.
• If victim is not breathing & heart is not working start Cardio
• Pulminory Resuscitation (CPR)

Electric burns

These are caused by high current & voltage at the point of contact passing through the body.

• When you see a casualty with electric burns, put the switch ‘off’, because high voltage industrial current can throw the First Aider to 16-18 meters away.

The voltage current not only cause local damage but affect respiratory and cardiac centre also.

Therefore, it may stop breathing and heart beat – Cardio Pulmonary — — Resuscitation (CPCR)

Management

• Separate
• Cover the burns
• Treat the shock
• Evacuate the casuality speedily to the hospital

To know more about first aid click here

K K Pradeep
Tejus crisis and Trauma Foundation

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