FIRST AID
First Aid is temporary emergency measures serving to assist the victim of sudden illness or injury until more skilful treatment is available. The purpose of first aid is to ease the victim's pain and anxiety and to prevent deterioration of his or her condition. In extreme cases first aid may be required to prevent death before medical assistance can be obtained. Achilles, was the protector Saint of the first aiders. The Greek stamp shows him by fixing the broken arm of a soldier in Trojan War.
The emergencies most frequently
requiring first aid are caused by accidents involving asphyxiation, cardiac
arrest, fainting and coma, poisoning, severe bleeding, burns, heatstroke, and
heat exhaustion, sprains and fractures, and animal bites.
First-aid measures vary according to
the needs of the victim and the knowledge and skill of the person giving the
treatment. Knowing what not to do in an emergency is as important as knowing
what to do, because a first-aid measure misapplied may lead to serious
complications. In an acute attack of appendicitis, for example, even a mild
cathartic (laxative) or the application of heat to relieve pain will endanger
the patient.
Despite the wide variety of possible
injuries, several principles of first aid apply in general to all emergencies.
Avoiding panic or undue haste is important. Unless the position of the victim
exposes him or her to further harm, the victim should not be moved until the
nature of the injury has been determined. A competent person trained in first
aid may examine the victim for wounds, burns, and fractures. The victim, if
conscious, should be reassured that medical aid has been summoned.
The first aiders by
carrying a wounded soldier
Double moon and
perforation error of the 5th edition of
Fist aid of injured
person, first day cancellation of Romanian Post Office in 1907
Booklet of French Red
Cross with “First aid” theme
The letter
was sent from
First Aid
of Red Cross Organization
