Nuggets

1st Aid – Allergic reaction

get immediate medical help & transfer by ambulance to the local hospital, as anaphylaxis is a life-threatening situation
if the patient is carrying an adrenaline injection, give it into front & outer side of patient’s mid-thigh, if you are trained to do so or help the patient give it
lie the patient down gently & put the feet higher than the hips, only if it can be done without forcing it; if large tummy, lie them on the left side, but if struggling to breathe, sitting them up slowly instead is better

1st Aid – Burns

rinse with cool running water at least 20 mins or till pain settles
get immediate medical help
remove clothing or jewellery over burnt area unless stuck to skin, using gloves if it’s a chemical burn, before the area swells
if it’s not a chemical burn, once it has cooled, cover loosely with cling film or clean dry dressing, go at once to the local hospital

1st Aid – Choking

encourage coughing – patient may not be able to breathe, cough or talk; do not put fingers in the mouth if you can’t see an object, as you could push it down
bend the patient forwards, with the flat of your hand give – 5 back blows– hitting firmly in the centre of the upper back
if it fails & patient is over 1-year-old, stand behind the patient, put your arms around them, join your hands to form a fist at the upper part of their tummy & give – 5 abdominal thrusts – by pulling in & up sharply
if it fails, get immediate medical help
till help arrives or blockage is cleared, repeat 5 back blows & 5 abdominal thrusts
for a baby less than 1-year-old, turn & put baby face down in your lap with head lower than the body, with the flat of your hand hit in the centre of the upper back up to 5 times

1^st Aid – Collapsed patient

gently shake the patient’s shoulders & call out – can you hear me, can you hear me …, if no response, call for immediate medical help
if the patient is flat & facing up, push the patient’s chin up to tilt the head back
look, listen & feel for breathing for 10 seconds by putting your cheek next to the patient’s nose / mouth & looking along their chest to see if it’s moving up & down
if breathing, put a hand on the side of the face near you & your other hand under the opposite knee to gently pull that knee towards you, bending it slowly – but keeping their neck & back straight – so the patient is rolled to lie on his/her side in a recovery position & gently tilt their head back
if not breathing, start chest compressions, putting one palm in the middle of the patient’s chest, your other hand on top of it, interlocking your fingers, keeping your elbows straight – push down firmly on the chest then release – repeat twice every second – till help arrives
if the patient is on a very soft mattress & only if you have help to safely & quickly move them (whilst supporting the head & neck) onto a firm surface or to lay them flat on the floor – it will be better for effective chest compressions (do not do this if it’s not safe)
for a baby under 1 year old, use 2 fingers & for a child aged over 1, use 1 hand only to do chest compressions
if you have help – change the person doing chest compressions – after each minute
if a “bag-valve-mask” is available, use it to give 2 rescue breaths after every 30 compressions in adults or after every 15 in children, using one hand to hold the mask firmly over the patient’s mouth & nose – so no air leaks, keeping the head tilted back & squeezing the bag with other hand. If you don’t have this & if you feel able to, you can pinch the patient’s nose closed, make a seal between your & the patient’s mouth & blow in twice instead
if an “automated external defibrillator (AED)” is available, ask someone to get it straightaway, open it i.e., switch it on & do what the machine asks

1^st Aid – Drowning

throw a float or reach out with a pole – don’t go into the water yourself to save someone who’s drowning, unless you are 100% sure you will not be at risk of drowning yourself
call for help straightaway
get the patient completely out of the water & do 1^st aid as for collapsed patient & if not breathing start with 5 rescue breaths
if the patient starts breathing, roll him/her into the recovery position & transfer to a hospital

1^st Aid – Seizure

if someone collapses, stiffens then shows jerky movements &/or frothing at the mouth, protect by removing anything that can hurt them, putting a cushion or rolled blanket under the head & do not try to stop their movements
get immediate medical help
once jerky movements stop, gently roll the patient into the recovery position

1st Aid – Snake Bite

stay calm & still – don’t panic or the poison will spread faster
do not cut, ice, suction the wound or put a tourniquet; Do not try to catch the snake, just remember what it looked like & move away
remove tight items or clothing, as the site may swell
gently wash the bite with soap and water, cover with clean dressing & keep it at or just below the heart level
don’t take aspirin, ibuprofen, etc., as it may increase bleeding; paracetamol can be taken
get immediate medical help for transfer to a hospital for anti-venom treatment

Anxiety can be conquered & mental health improved by preparing:

write a Will, no matter your age / how little you may have & if possible, sign it with notaries as witnesses (do not tell those who’ll benefit)
have a “flight” backpack ready with bank cards, keys (house & vehicle), laptop, mobile (chargers), medicines, passport & vital papers
paste a list of emergency contact numbers where you can easily see it – at home & at work – for Ambulance, Doctor, Fire service, local hospital’s A&E dept., Police & trusted family member or friend. Save those as favourites in your phone as well
ensure you have access to a 1^st aid kit, blood pressure monitor, pulse oximeter, contactless thermometer, automated external Defibrillator, fire blanket & a compact dry powder fire extinguisher usable on A, B, C class fires, at all times, where you live, study & work
1^st aid kit should have sterile plasters & gauze pads, triangular & roller bandages, medical tape, antiseptic wipes, eyewash, disposable non-latex gloves, tweezers, scissors, paracetamol, antihistamines, foil blanket & first aid guidance leaflets
buy equipment (such as toaster, blender, stove, microwave, refrigerator, TV, washing machine, vehicle, etc) of a brand which offers the longest period of warranty, least reported breakdowns and lowest input & running costs, do not just go on appearance or the cheapest

Flooding – if imminent:

turn off gas, electricity & water supplies, if it’s safe to do so, but do not touch an electrical switch if standing in water
move everyone, important items & vehicles to higher ground
flood barriers or other protection can be used
leave the area if advised to do so by the Emergency services, taking your “flight” backpack with you
do not walk, swim or drive in “moving flood waters” (6 inches of water can knock you off your feet, 1 to 2 ft. can float a car)

Gas leak

open all doors and windows for fresh air
any spark can cause an explosion – so, do not switch anything electric on or off, do not use a mobile or doorbell; do not light a match. Extinguish all flames
turn gas control valve off, if it’s safe to do so, but do not enter a basement
get everyone out of the premises, taking your “flight” backpack with you & call Emergency gas services from outside the property

Health is wealth and prevention is better than cure:

so, brush teeth twice a day, exercise daily, eat fruits, nuts, vegetables
avoid smoking, over-eating (excessive sugar, salt & junk food), drugs, alcoholism
use stainless steel lunch boxes, utensils & water bottles, with a wide mouth so it’s easier to clean & refill, since re-using plastic ones is not a good option
stainless steel cookware especially with an encapsulated bottom having an aluminium core, is a better option than aluminium, cast iron, copper, ceramic or non-stick coated ones

Heatwave

drink plenty of cool water with oral rehydration salts, throughout the day, even if not thirsty & carry this wherever you go
stay in the shade, go indoors closing windows / blinds in rooms that face the sun & open them at night; avoid sun exposure when it is hottest
wear loose-fitting, light-coloured cotton clothes, a wide-brimmed hat & sunglasses with wide arms
apply sunscreen with SPF 30 or above & 4 or 5-star UVA rating, 30 mins before & just before going out + 2-3 hourly if exposed to the sun
have a cool shower, use cool water sponges or cold packs wrapped in cloth on the neck or in armpits if heating up
use electric fans, water coolers or air conditioners if required; turn off electric equipment & lights not in use
if you do not have an air conditioner, but have a refrigerator with a freezer compartment – buy reusable, free-standing ice packs, put it in the freezer before you go to bed, then during the day when a room is very hot, put one ice pack out, at a time, under a fan, which will provide cooling
avoid physical activity, hot drinks, caffeine & alcohol – especially in hottest periods
do not leave children, older people or pets alone / in closed spaces, ensure good ventilation & get immediate medical help if anyone feels unwell, as heat-stroke can be deadly
roof & walls of your house / school / workplace that face the sun should be painted white to reflect sunlight & reduce temperature inside

Phone Theft

dial *#06# on your mobile now & note the IMEI number, as the phone company & police ask for it, if a phone is stolen
call your sim provider, ask for the sim’s default pin, go to “Settings” on the mobile, search “SIM card lock” enter the default pin, change it to one you will never forget & turn the SIM card lock on
remote locking can also be activated through “Settings”
if its stolen: call the police, phone company, bank/s & insurer (if you’re insured), give the IMEI number, report it stolen, get it blocked &/or removed from your bank a/cs at once