Basic first aid in evacuation situations
🩹 Why master first aid?
– In an emergency evacuation situation, injury or discomfort may occur. Precise knowledge of first aid is essential to ensure the safety and survival of you and your family, while waiting for professional help to arrive.
– Don’t hesitate to take part in first aid training sessions, and if we can make you more aware of this subject, let us tell you two related things:
– Out of 10 emergency situations, 9 will involve a member of your family or a close friend.
– In a context of poor access to care, tell yourself one thing: while you’re waiting for help, you’re the help!
1. Quickly assess the situation
🔸 Assess your safety
– Make sure the environment is safe before giving assistance.
– Move away from any immediate danger (fire, gas, water, structural instability).
🔸 Check the victim’s condition
– Is he/she conscious or unconscious?
– Is he/she breathing normally?
– Is there serious bleeding or visible injuries?
For a complete and reassuring method, consult Bilan vital XABCDE
2. First aid for common injuries
🔸 Wounds and heavy bleeding
– Apply firm, constant pressure to the wound with a clean compress or cloth.
– If bleeding persists, add a new compress on top without removing the previous one.
– If possible, elevate the injured limb to limit blood loss.
🔸 Burns
– Immediately cool the burn with lukewarm water for at least 10 to 20 minutes. If you don’t have abundant water available, use a Cold Pack supplied in the first-aid kit in your EVAKIT bag (pressing on the bag triggers a chemical reaction that provides intense cold for about fifteen minutes).
– Remove clothing carefully, unless it sticks to the skin.
– Cover the burn with a clean, dry, non-adhesive cloth (sterile compress supplied in your EVAKIT first aid kit).
3. Recognizing and responding to life-threatening situations
🔸 Unconscious but breathing victim (Lateral Safety Position)
– Place the victim on his side to avoid suffocation.
– Tilt his head back slightly to clear the airway.
– Monitor his breathing regularly.
🔸 Unconscious victim who is no longer breathing (cardiopulmonary resuscitation – CPR)
– Lay the victim down on a firm surface.
– Immediately call the emergency services (112).
– Immediately perform 30 chest compressions (center of chest, arms outstretched, push in chest 5-6 cm).
– If you are trained, alternate with 2 breaths.
– Continue without interruption until the emergency services arrive or until the victim is breathing.
4. Managing frequent discomfort
🔸 Heart attack or suspected heart attack
– Immediately call for help.
– Place the person in a comfortable position (half-sitting).
– Calm the person down, loosen their clothing and do not let them move.
– It is important to address the victim by their first name, as this has a reassuring psychological effect.
🔸 Hypothermia or hyperthermia
Hypothermia: Protect the victim from the cold, warming him gradually with a survival blanket.
Heat stroke: Move the victim into the shade, cool him down gradually and keep him hydrated if conscious. You can also use the survival blanket the other way round:
The silver side reflects body heat, while the gold side reflects the sun’s heat. So, if you want to stay warm, wrap up with the silver side facing you.
If you want to protect yourself from the sun’s heat, use the gold side facing you.
5. Treating joint injuries or fractures
– Immobilize the wound with an improvised splint (sticks, rolled-up magazine, sturdy cloth). If the injury is on an arm, use the sling and counter-sling supplied in your Evakit first-aid kit.
– Restrict movement and pain by immobilizing the affected limb.
– Apply cold if possible to reduce swelling and pain. (use an Ice Pack supplied in the first-aid kit in your EVAKIT bag (pressing on the pack triggers a chemical reaction that provides intense cold for about fifteen minutes).
6. Effective management of chemical burns or poisoning
– Rinse the affected area thoroughly with clear water if possible.
– Immediately remove the victim from the dangerous product.
– Quickly call for help, clearly specifying the nature of the product or substance involved.
Mistakes to avoid
– Unnecessarily moving a seriously injured person (unless in immediate danger).
– Do not call for help immediately if in doubt about severity.
– Neglect essential hygiene measures (clean hands, clean compresses).
IN SUMMARY:
Mastering essential first aid techniques enables you to quickly stabilize critical situations, save lives and effectively manage the stress of an emergency. Knowing the right reflexes and avoiding common mistakes will ensure the best possible care until help arrives.
Your responsiveness in an emergency is essential to your safety and that of your loved ones.
WHILE WAITING FOR HELP, YOU ARE THE HELP!
