FIRST-AID SERVICE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 66, 19 March 1942, Page 3

FIRST-AID SERVICE

SIM PI,E METHODS IN EMERGENCY As any person might be called on ,o perform first-aid service some jractical advice on simple methods to >e used in an emergency was given )y Dr. G. H. Robertson in a talk at he weekly luncheon of the Wangaiui Rotary Club. First-aid had to be given quickly md there wore some fundamental hings to be known and done thornighly. How the first-aider acted •ould have a great effect on the moale of the patient and those who night be in the locality at the time if lhe mishap. The first duty, therefore, was to ndeavour to calm the injured person .nd those around. Rest was most ssential in all treatment, for the nind, the body, and the injured part like. Any treatment which accomlished that was correct. People who missed serious injury .ere often more scared than those adly hurt. Explosions were often esp.msible for much dust. The tirstider was following a good lip if he ,’ashed the eyes, ears, and nose to emove all dust, and gave l the patient Tmc'thing to drink. A badly-wounded person should be ut under some kind of shelter, the leeding stopped and the wounds andaged. The patient should also e kept warm by being rolled in a lanket. Any sort of a shelter was etter than none at all. as it gave l a ?rla;n amount of confidence. Hot] )ffeo and tea sweetened with sugar' as better than giving spirit as the Tect of the latter passed off quickly. Shock was a form of collapse iiised by pain, fear, loss of blood nd cold. These had to be overcome, io pain and bleeding by splinting id bandaging, and lhe fear and cold c keeping the patient calm and arm. Three or four Aspirin tablets jouid bo given. Wounded people wuld not be unduly handled. The ain thing was rest to give the paent. time to recover from shock. Bleeding should be stopped at ice. If it could not be stopped in iv other way lhe first-aider shouid :’oss his fist into the wound and stop that way. Broken bones were not easy to ■eat, but. as far as possible a broken mb should be put back into its atural position. Edges of broken mes wore extremely sharp and ould cut arteries, so that handling lould be cautious. A patient. sulTerig from broken limbs, after being lade comfortable, was better left lone until removed to a casualty .ation. Burns should be handled as little as ).ssible. The first-aider should treat atients for shock and keep them arm. It a lotion was required apply lid, strong tea or slightly salt water