Knowing first aid techniques is simply not enough if you have to get the maximum benefits from your knowledge. Having first aid skills go hand in hand with having a first aid kit for the most part. There are different types of first aid kits, and this article focuses on the family oriented first aid kit. Different types of first aid kits have different contents depending on the type of first aid kit available. To put this in perspective, a camping first aid kit would differ remarkably from any other kit seeing as the injuries likely to be encountered are those in an outdoor setup.

What should you consider when choosing a family oriented first aid kit? The first thing that you must keep in mind when you select such a kit is the injuries that are likely to be encountered at the home. some of the most common injuries include cuts, bruises, burns, nose bleeding, sprains and swellings just to name a few. For this reason, the typical home first aid kit should contain bandages to be able to cover the affected regions. Gauzes should also be included in such a kit for the same reason. The kit should also have a pair of scissors to cut the bandages and make them to size. The pair of scissors will also be used to shape the bandages in the outline of the injured area.

Following exposure of the skin to the external environment, it becomes imperative to include an antibiotic cream into the kit. The purpose of the cream is to prevent infection of the open wound. The family oriented first aid kit must also be cleaned well prior to dressing to facilitate for sterility of the area as well as to allow for precise treatment. It is impossible to talk about a first aid kit without making mention of painkillers. Painkillers, also known as analgesics, are a must have in a first aid kit. They come in handy when one needs to manage pain and inflammation. Some of the painkillers that can be used include aspirin, paracetamol and ibuprofen.

What is the difference between a family oriented first aid kit and an outdoor first aid kit? Having mentioned some of the contents of the former, what constitutes a first aid kit designed for the outdoors? In addition to what a home first aid kit contains, an outdoor kit will contain extra supplies as well as a pair of tweezers to get any small splinters out of the body. Such a kit should also be placed in a waterproof container for the simple reason that the outdoors are likely to come into contact with elements of the weather. Bandages may be damaged by water so it is best to keep them dry. It is also advisable to make sure that the first aid kit is fireproof to safeguard the supplies available.

Knowing what to look out for when choosing a family oriented first aid kit is key to using the same correctly.

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By definition, a tourniquet is a device that is used to provide constriction at the point of use with the aim of controlling the flow of blood in the veins and arteries to a specific site and over a given period of time. In the context of bleeding, the use of tourniquet in first aid procedures comes in quite handy. Typically, first aid for bleeding involves the application of direct pressure at the site of the injury. Granted, there are instances where this may not work, therefore making it important to know how to handle such cases when giving first aid. Some common examples include when a victim has had their flesh caught in a meat mincer or when there is extreme trauma to the leg. In such severely traumatic cases, what does one do when multiple blood vessels are damaged and it is almost impossible to apply direct pressures? The solution lies in the use of tourniquet in first aid procedures.

It is interesting to note that the use of tourniquets in first aid emergencies has, for a long time, been discouraged. Ideally, the use of a tourniquet involves tying a band at the injured extremity and making it very tight until bleeding comes to a halt. There are two schools of thought as far as this technique is concerned. There are those who are of the opinion that the procedure is risky, while the second school of thought believes that the benefits of using a tourniquet in first aid procedures far outweigh the risks of the same. So, what is the reality of using a tourniquet?

–          When a tourniquet is used in an appropriate manner, it serves to restrict blood flow to the affected region.

–          The result is that over a period of time, tissue in the affected region starts to die. This leads to the accumulation of metabolites and electrolytes in the tissue.

–          The ph of the blood also starts to decrease, creating an acidic environment within the particular extremity.

–          The longer the period which during which the tourniquet in first aid procedures is used, the greater the concentration of the toxic metabolites and the lower the pH.

–          When the tourniquet is removed, there are high chances that these toxic metabolites will be circulated to the heart, creating a more critical situation.

–          More often than not, the only other viable solution in this regard is to perform an amputation.

It is for these reasons that medics do not advocate for the use of tourniquet in first aid procedures. It is very important, however, to make it clear that it is better to undergo amputation than for a victim to die following massive blood loss. Lastly, the use of tourniquets must only be taken up as a last resort when the application of direct pressure is not enough. At the end of the day, the reason for first aid is to help save the victim’s life.

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Proper first aid treatment of minor injuries can help prevent infection and promote recovery. Most of these injuries can be treated at home without any further medical advice. However, further medical assistance may be  necessary if: a foreign object gets embedded in the wound; the wound becomes infected; the wound is due to animal bite; there is a potential for tetanus and the child is not properly immunized.

First Aid for Minor Wounds

Calm down the child and place him in a position of comfort. Wash your hand before providing first aid treatment.

• Inspect the wound carefully and check if there are any foreign bodies embedded on it.
• If the affected part or the wound is dirty, flush it under running water.
• Gently pat dry the area using a piece of clean, non-fluffy cloth.
• Use antiseptic wipes or gauze swabs to clean the wound. Start from the center going out in circular direction. Make sure you use a fresh swab for every wipe.
• Once the wound is thoroughly clean, place an adhesive dressing to apply pressure and protect the wound from infection.
• If the wound is bleeding, elevate it to help minimize bleeding.

If there is any loose debris, try flushing it off with water or gently dabbing it with clean gauze. If this is unsuccessful or the debris embedded on the wound and removing it is not possible, consider it as a foreign body. Gently cover the wound with clean dressing and secure in place using bandage but do not press on the embedded debris. Elevate the affected part and seek medical assistance.

First Aid for Bruises

A bruise often results from direct impact and is a sign of internal bleeding. Minor bruise can cause pain and discomfort but normally heal fast without any medical treatment.

As the bruise heals, it goes through several physical changes, eventually disappearing after a few days. Initially, the bruise is color red because of the injury to the blood vessels; then becomes blue as the blood is absorbed by the surrounding tissues; then turns brown; and finally fades to white or yellow before it completely disappears.

• Inspect the bruised area for possible sprains or broken bones.
• Apply cold compress to affected site to minimize swelling.
• Elevate the injured part, if necessary.

While most bruises are minor and do not pose any danger, severe bruising may indicate serious internal bleeding – a medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention. If you notice extensive bruising or if the bruising gradually spreads accompanied with deterioration of the child’s condition, then consider the presence of a serious internal bleeding. Provide first aid treatment for shock, if necessary. Seek medical assistance or bring the child to the emergency department right away.

Further Education

Every mother should have a basic knowledge in first aid and the ideal place to get this training is by taking either a one day or two day first aid course through the Canadian St Mark James. Visit our locations page for more information about finding a provider near you.

Related Video

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Bruises are classified into three types:

1. Subcutaneous bruise: Bruises beneath the skin
2. Intramuscular bruise: Within an underlying muscle
3. Periosteal: Bruises in the bone (most severe)

Causes

• You are susceptible to bruises if you take blood thinning medications such as aspirin or warfarin
• Sports injuries
• Falls
• Automobile accidents
• Physical assault

Symptoms

• Pain
• Swelling
• Skin discoloration (color changes from purple to greenish brown after which normal skin color is recovered)

Treatment

Things to remember:

• Do not pierce the bruise using a needle to drain the blood out
• Do not continue running or playing using the bruised part of your body if it hurts a lot
• Do not try to ignore the swelling and pain

Call for medical help, if:

• The bruised part covers a large area of your body and you feel extreme pressure and pain on the affected area. The pressure may be due to a condition called compartment syndrome which results due to extreme pressure on the soft tissue and other contents lying beneath your skin. This can drastically reduce the oxygen supply to these tissues which can lead to severe, life threatening problems if prompt help is not sought.
• Bruises appear on your body without any possible cause such as injury, accident or fall.
• The bruised area is showing signs of infection such as pus, fever, drainage of any form of liquid or red streaks.
• Abnormal bleeding starts from other, unaffected parts of your body such as your gums, nose, eyes, and mouth or in your stool or urine.

First aid

• Wrap some ice with a clean piece of cloth and place it on the affected area to reduce swelling and pain. Do NOT directly place bare ice on the skin as this may lower the body temperature and lead to shock. Apply pressure using the wrapped ice for 15 minutes per hour.
• If it is possible, elevate the bruised area above heart level as this may allow blood to flow with the help of gravity.
• Allow the affected part of your body to rest and do not try to overwork it.
• If prescribed by the doctor, take acetaminophen in case of severe pain. Do NOT take aspirin or ibuprofen as they may aggravate the condition.

If you feel increased pressure on your wound, it may be due to compartment syndrome. Call for prompt medical help immediately as surgery will be needed to reduce the pressure build up.

Prevention

• Wear seatbelts when you are riding in vehicles
• Teach children safety precautions
• Stay safe and try to be careful and less clumsy around the house to prevent falls and accidents
• Wear padded safety equipment while engaging in sports activities

Managing Bruising with First Aid

To learn to recognize and manage basic first aid situations such as bruising and other injuries take a St Mark James training class with a provider near you. Check out the top Canadian providers here.

Related Video to Bruising for Children

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