Knowing first aid is a valuable skill which can help your family as well as others. This guide offers an overview of both basic and emergency first aid for different conditions and circumstances, and lets you know how to be of assistance until professional help arrives.
Basic first aid
Bee stings
Brush the sting away, do not pull it out
Raise the affected limb and apply a cold compress
If the person whose stung is known to be allergic, seek urgent medical assistance
Burns and scalds
For burns, flood with cold water for up to 10 minutes
For scalds, remove saturated clothing before cooling
Cover the area with a clean, non-stick dressing or wrap in plastic cling film
Loosen any tight clothing and remove jewellery if possible
Seek medical advice unless the burn is very minor
Do not break blisters
Do not pull away burnt clothing
Electric shock
Always disconnect power before administering first aid
If the person is unconscious, place them in the recovery position and clear the airway
If the person is not breathing, start resuscitation immediately – remember: airway, breathing, circulation
Epileptic seizure
Avoid injury by removing hard objects near the person and protecting their head
Do not restrict movements or place padding between teeth
When the seizure ends, turn the victim promptly into the recovery position and clear the airway
Observe the victim and allow them to rest until fully recovered
Fainting
Assist the person to lie down and raise their legs slightly
Loosen any tight clothing at their neck and waist
Ensure a supply of fresh air
Allow them to rest until fully recovered
Foreign body
In a wound:
Only remove the object if it is on the surface and easy to do
If embedded, pack around it and avoid direct pressure
Cover with a dressing and bandage
Seek medical advice promptly
In an eye:
Do not attempt to remove it from the coloured part of the eye
Only attempt removal if it is on the surface of the white part of the eye, but not if embedded
Either wash the eye with running water or gently lift object from the surface with a moistened swab
If in doubt, or pain persists, cover with a pad and promptly seek medical advice
Grazes
Clean with soapy water or saline (a weak salt in water solution)
Cover with a clean dressing
Change the dressing daily and leave open once the wound is dry
Infant seizures
If feverish, remove clothes and allow air to cool the skin
If unconscious, turn them into the recovery position and keep the airway open
Promptly seek medical advice
Nose bleed
Keep the person sitting down with their head tilted slightly forward
Pinch nostrils shut for at least 10 minutes
Do not blow nose for several hours
Poisons
Call the Poisons Information Centre for specific advice on 0800 POISON or 0800 764 766
Take the container with you to the phone and read off the label or if the poison is unknown, save some vomit if possible
Describe any stomach pains, vomiting, drowsiness, burning or staining of lips or mouth
If unconscious, give nothing by mouth, turn victim promptly into the recovery position and call 111 for an ambulance
Sprains and bruises
When in doubt, treat as you would for broken bones. Otherwise:
Apply a firm, supporting roller bandage
Support in a raised, comfortable position
Apply a cold compress for up to 10 minutes
If pain persists, seek medical advice
Emergency first aid summary
Danger
Assess the whole situation for safety
Move the person only if in immediate danger
Response
Check if the person is conscious or unconscious
Check for response to speech and touch
If there is no response, turn the person into the recovery position
Send for help
The emergency number in New Zealand is 111
Call for an ambulance as soon as possible but do not leave the person unattended
Airway
Clear and open their airway by:
Clearing the mouth of any foreign matter such as blood, vomit or food
Tilting the head back and supporting the lower jaw
Checking for breath. If the person is not breathing, begin chest compressions (30 fast compressions followed by two quick breaths)
Bleeding
If the person is bleeding, apply a sterile, clean pad over the wound and maintain firm pressure for at least 10 minutes
If bleeding from a limb, raise the injured part
Secure the dressing with a bandage
Try to avoid contact with another person’s blood by using a dressing or piece of clothing
Broken bones
If there are any broken bones:
Cover any visible wounds with a clean dressing
Support and immobilise the injured part in the most comfortable position
Avoid moving the person unnecessarily
Build a basic first aid kit
Building a basic first aid kit will help you respond quickly to emergency situations in your home or while travelling.
It’s a good idea to customise your first aid kit to include items relevant to specific family members, but here’s a list of what a basic first aid kit should include. You’ll find these items at your local Unichem.
First aid kit checklist
Directions on how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
Adhesive tape
Alcohol-free cleansing wipes
Antibacterial cream or ointment
Antihistamine tablets
Disposable gloves (at least 2 pairs)
Cotton buds
Crepe-rolled bandages of several widths
Eye pads (2)
Gauze swabs
Instant cold packs
Non-stick dressings and wound pads
Pain relief tablets
Plasters of various sizes
Plastic bags for the disposal of contaminated materials
Safety pins
Scissors and tweezers
Skin rash cream (eg hydrocortisone 0.5% cream)
Sterile saline and water
Digital thermometer
Triangular bandage
Wound closure strips
If you are travelling include additional items such as:
Anti-diarrhoea medicine
Insect repellent
Sunscreen