Knowing basic first aid can save a life. Knowing the basics can save the life of someone you know or love, so everyone should know how to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR. Once the heart stops, the brain and other organs have just minutes before they suffer permanent damage and failure to maintain blood flow is fatal.
Manually pumping the heart for the body is CPR and it can save the person's life. Do not hesitate to begin chest compression even if you have never done so before and do not have any training. The risk of the loss of blood flow is greater than the risk of incorrectly administering chest compressions.
Typically, you would stop any arterial bleeding before attempting to clear the airway. Wounds to arteries will be spurting bright red blood because the blood is coming from the heart and is under pressure. Direct pressure to the wound is the only way to stop the loss quickly. Apply pressure using a clean compression bandage until the bleeding has slowed or stopped and then bandage tightly but do not completely restrict blood flow to the injured limb. Leave the dressing in place even if it becomes blood soaked.
You may be presented with a stopped heart, no breathing and arterial blood flow. You should attempt to stop the bleeding quickly and then administer CPR. Arteries pulse or spurt bright red blood because the blood is coming from the heart and is under pressure. The victim has only minutes before they bleed to death. Apply direct pressure to the wound to staunch the flow and then wrap tightly with a pressure bandage and do not remove the bandage. It must be tighter than a typical wrapped bandage but if you completely restrict the blood flow, to the limb and tissue permanent damage will occur.
Another way to stop blood loss quickly if you must perform CRP is by using a tourniquet, which completely constricts the vessel stopping blood flow, but only use when necessary to save a life because it can cause permanent tissue damage. Apply the tourniquet 2 to 4 inches or 5 to 10 centimeters above the wound between the wound and the heart. Loosen for 1 to 2 minutes every 20 minutes to allow blood flow to the tissue, but if you are alone, and have applied one to yourself, do not loosen every 20 minutes.
Tie off the tourniquet 2 to 4 inches above the injury and between the heart and the wound. Leave for 20 minutes then loosen for up to two minutes and do this every 20 minutes. Repeat this until medical treatment is available. If you are the only survivor, leave in place and do not loosen. Tourniquets left in place to long will damage tissues, which can result in amputations. If you have to leave the victim with a tourniquet in place write the letter "T" on the forehead along with the time, you tied the tourniquet, so others know when to loosen.
Shock is a condition typically caused by a traumatic injury because the heart cannot pump blood with sufficient pressure to the organs. You must treat for shock after stopping blood loss. Lay the victim on their back on a level surface if they are conscious and elevate their legs 6 to 8 inches. If they are unconscious, lay on their stomach or side making sure the head is turned so they do not choke on blood or other fluids.
Even with limited to no training, you can save a life in a medical emergency. However, it is recommended you learn CPR and basic medical aid because you may be called upon one day to administer first aid to your child, other loved one, friend or even a stranger. Remember even if you do not have any training always do chest compressions, if nothing, on anyone without a heartbeat to keep the blood flowing to the brain.
Manually pumping the heart for the body is CPR and it can save the person's life. Do not hesitate to begin chest compression even if you have never done so before and do not have any training. The risk of the loss of blood flow is greater than the risk of incorrectly administering chest compressions.
Typically, you would stop any arterial bleeding before attempting to clear the airway. Wounds to arteries will be spurting bright red blood because the blood is coming from the heart and is under pressure. Direct pressure to the wound is the only way to stop the loss quickly. Apply pressure using a clean compression bandage until the bleeding has slowed or stopped and then bandage tightly but do not completely restrict blood flow to the injured limb. Leave the dressing in place even if it becomes blood soaked.
You may be presented with a stopped heart, no breathing and arterial blood flow. You should attempt to stop the bleeding quickly and then administer CPR. Arteries pulse or spurt bright red blood because the blood is coming from the heart and is under pressure. The victim has only minutes before they bleed to death. Apply direct pressure to the wound to staunch the flow and then wrap tightly with a pressure bandage and do not remove the bandage. It must be tighter than a typical wrapped bandage but if you completely restrict the blood flow, to the limb and tissue permanent damage will occur.
Another way to stop blood loss quickly if you must perform CRP is by using a tourniquet, which completely constricts the vessel stopping blood flow, but only use when necessary to save a life because it can cause permanent tissue damage. Apply the tourniquet 2 to 4 inches or 5 to 10 centimeters above the wound between the wound and the heart. Loosen for 1 to 2 minutes every 20 minutes to allow blood flow to the tissue, but if you are alone, and have applied one to yourself, do not loosen every 20 minutes.
Tie off the tourniquet 2 to 4 inches above the injury and between the heart and the wound. Leave for 20 minutes then loosen for up to two minutes and do this every 20 minutes. Repeat this until medical treatment is available. If you are the only survivor, leave in place and do not loosen. Tourniquets left in place to long will damage tissues, which can result in amputations. If you have to leave the victim with a tourniquet in place write the letter "T" on the forehead along with the time, you tied the tourniquet, so others know when to loosen.
Shock is a condition typically caused by a traumatic injury because the heart cannot pump blood with sufficient pressure to the organs. You must treat for shock after stopping blood loss. Lay the victim on their back on a level surface if they are conscious and elevate their legs 6 to 8 inches. If they are unconscious, lay on their stomach or side making sure the head is turned so they do not choke on blood or other fluids.
Even with limited to no training, you can save a life in a medical emergency. However, it is recommended you learn CPR and basic medical aid because you may be called upon one day to administer first aid to your child, other loved one, friend or even a stranger. Remember even if you do not have any training always do chest compressions, if nothing, on anyone without a heartbeat to keep the blood flowing to the brain.
About the Author:
Your disaster preparation plans should include building up your first aid skills. Doomsday preppers learn these and many more valuable emergency preparedness skills at The Smart Preppers Website.
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