FIRST AID KIT: First Aid Kit is a small box which contains first aid items used to

give help to sick or injured person.

FIRST AID MANNUAL: First Aid Manual is the booklet which provides guideline on

how to use the items in the first aid kit.

The main items in a first aid kit and their uses are:

ITEM

DIAGRAM

FUNCTION/ USES

First aid

Contains guidelines on how to use

items in the first aid kit.

manual/guide

Liniment

Reducing muscle pains

Antiseptic

Cleaning wounds to kill germs

Washing hands, wounds and

equipments

Soap

Cotton wool

Cleaning and drying wounds

Disposable sterile

gloves

Covering hands to prevent direct

contact with victim’s body fluids

Adhesive bandage

(plaster)

Covering small cuts or wounds to

protect them from dirt and germs

Bandage

Keeping dressings in place and

immobilizing injured limbs

Pain killer

Relieving pain

Clinical thermometer

Sterile gauze

Measuring the body temperature

Covering wounds to protect them

from dirty and germs

Safety pin

Securing bandages or dressings.

Cutting dressing materials

Scissors and razor

blades

Whistle

Blown to call for help

Petroleum jelly

Smoothing dry, cracked and sore skin

Torch

Source of light

Gentian violet

1. Treating fungal infection of the

skin and mouth

2. Also used for treatment of

serious heat burns

Preventing infections in fresh cuts,

burns and scrapes

Iodine tincture

Tweezers

Used for removing thorns, insect stings

left behind and debris such as pieces of

broken glassware or dirty from a

wound.

Medical tape

Holding bandages which cover wounds.

FIRST AID PROCEDURES

The following are some of the situations / conditions that may require First Aid and

the procedures to follow in giving help.

(i) Burns

(ii) Suffocation

(iii) Choking

(vii) Fainting

(iv) Bruises

(v) Shock

(ix) Poisoning

(vi) Electrical shock

(x) Vomiting

(viii) Bleeding

1. SUFFOCATION

Suffocation is a condition in which the lungs are not getting enough oxygen causing

difficulty in breathing. This can be caused by some chemical such as sulphur dioxide

and nitric acid vapour when inhaled leading to breathing difficulties. Foam can also

appear in the mouth and nostrils and victim may eventually lose consciousness.

PROCEDURE

(i) Remove the cause or remove the victim from the cause of suffocation

(ii) Ensure the victim’s airways are open for air to reach the lungs by placing the

victim on his or her back. Tilt the head backwards in order to open the airways.

(iii) Blow air into the victim’s airways using a clean material such as piece of cloth or

paper and compress the chest with both hands. Don’t use mouth to mouth

resuscitation as this may cause infections.

(iv) Keep the victim warm by using a light blanket

(v) Take the victim to nearby health care for medical help

2. BURNS

Burns are injuries resulting from the body coming into contact with heat or harmful

chemicals. Scalds are burns caused by hot liquids or vapour.

Effect of burns

Burns cause blisters on skin and if severe the skin becomes charred and peels off

PROCEDURE

(i) Lay the victim down avoiding the burnt area to touch the ground

(ii) Gently pour cold water on the burnt area for 10minutes to cool it and reduce pain.

(iii) Check breathing and pulse and be prepared to blow air into the victim’s airways if

necessary.

(iii) Gently remove any jewellery, shoes or burnt clothing from the injured area.

Loosen any tight clothing. Do not remove sticking cloth to the skin

(iv) Cover the burn with a sterile gauze and wrap it loosely to avoid pressure on skin

(v) Give the victim a pain killer

(vi) Take the victim to a nearby health Centre for treatment.

CAUTION

(i) Do not break any blisters as that can cause infections.

(ii) Do not use ice as it can further damage skin.

(iii) Do not apply ointment or butter to the burn since this prevent proper heling.

(iv) In case of burns to the face and mouth or throat seek medical help immediately

since they are very serious.

3. CHOKING

Choking is the blockage of the upper part of the airways by food, drink or other

objects which prevent proper breathing. Signs of chocking include difficulty in

speaking and breathing.

PROCEDURE

(i) Encourage the victim to cough up the object

(ii) If the object remains stuck give firm but gentle taps between the shoulder blades

(iii) Perform Heimlich manoeuvre when the object is still stuck. The Heimlich

manoeuvre involves the following:

(a) Make the person lean forward slightly and stand behind him or her.

(b) Make a fist with one hand and put your arms around the person. Grasp your

fist with the other hand near the top of the victim’s stomach.

(c) Press your fist into the victim’s abdomen and make quick upward thrusts to

dislodge the object.

(d) Repeat the thrusts until the object comes

(e) Take the victim to nearby health centre for further treatment.

4. BRUISES

A bruise is a skin injury that causes a change in the colour of the skin. It is caused by

a blow (hard hit) or impact that damages the blood vessels that are below the skin.

PROCEDURE

(i) Apply a cold compress such as a cloth dipped in cold water or ice wrapped in a

cloth to the injury. Keep on compressing the injury for 20 to 30 minutes to reduce

swelling.

(ii) If the bruise is on the leg or foot and it covers a large area, keep the leg elevated

as much as possible for the first 24hrs

(iii) After 48 hrs apply a warm clean cloth to the bruise for 10 minutes, three times a

day so as to increase blood flow to the affected area hence speeding recovery.

5. SHOCK

Shock is a condition in which the body system is unable to take enough blood to the

vital organs such as heart, lungs and brain.

Shock is common with many injuries regardless of how severe they are.

Symptoms of shock

(i) Fast pulse rate

(ii) Pale skin, lips and fingernails

(iii) Skin becomes cool and moist

(iv) Limbs may tremble and become weak

(v) Nausea and vomiting

(vi) Become restless, anxious, aggressive and finally unconscious.

PROCEDURE

(i) Control any cause of shock that can be put right such as external bleeding.

(ii) Lay the victim down then put him/her in a shock position

(iii) Loosen tight clothing, laces and belts

(iv) Maintain victim’s body temperature by using warm covering but don’t over heat

(v) Blow air into the victim’s airway (Resuscitate) if necessary.

(vi) Take the victim to the nearby health centre for medical help immediately

ELECTRIC SHOCK

It occurs when a person comes into contact with electric current and may cause

injury or death. Injuries may be burns or physical injuries that results from being

shocked by electric current.

PROCEDURE

(i) Break the contact between the electrical source and the victim by switching off

the power source (main switch).

(ii) If it is not possible to switch off the current, break contact between the electrical

source and the victim using a dry wooden stick or material which does not

conduct electricity.

(iii) If the breathing has stopped blow air into the victim’s airways using clean

material.

(iv) If the victim is breathing but unconscious put him or her in the recovery position

(v) Perform First Aid for burns and shock if any.

(vi) Take the victim to nearby health Centre for medical help

CAUTION: Do not ether touch a person who is still in contact with electric current or

go near the area if high voltage electricity is suspected. Instead call for

help immediately.

6. FAINTING

Fainting is a sudden loss of consciousness caused by lack of sufficient blood and

oxygen to the brain. Victim feels weak, sweats and then falls down.

PROCEDURE

(i) Loosen or remove any tight clothing from the victim.

(ii) Lay down the victim on his or her back

(iii) Raise the legs of the victim (shock position) to increase the flow of blood to the

brain.

(iv) Keep a victim in an open place with plenty of air.

(v) Take the victim to the nearby health centre for medical help immediately if a

victim dos not recover in a few minutes.

7. BLEEDING

Bleeding is the loss of blood occurring from visible wound or internal organ. Excessive

bleeding can cause death.

LIGHT BREEDING

PROCEDURES

(i) Wear protective gloves for prevention of any infections

(ii) Place a victim in a comfortable resting position

(iii) Elevate the injured part

(iv) Gently clean the wound using clean water and antiseptic or salt solution, cover

the wound with sterile Gauze.

(v) Dress the wound and bandage it.

(vi) If bleeding continues take the victim to a nearby health Centre for medical help

SEVERE BREEDING

PROCEDURES

(i) Wear protective gloves for prevention of any infections

(ii) Using fingers apply direct pressure onto the breeding point for five to fifteen

minutes.

(iii) Rise the injured part and support it in a comfortable position that does not cause

pain.

(iv) Clean the wound without removing object stuck in the wound

(v) Dress the wound and bandage it.

(vi) If bleeding continues take the victim to a nearby health Centre for medical help

NOSE BLEEDING

PROCEDURE

(i) Loosen clothing around the neck and chest

(ii) Let the victim sit with his/her head tipped slightly forward.

(iii) Let the victim pinch in the nose and ask him or her to breathe through the mouth

for a few minutes.

(iv) Place a wet piece of cloth at the back of the victim’s neck

(v) When bleeding stops gently clean the nostrils

(vi) Take the victim to health centre for medical help if bleeding continues.

8. POISONING

Poison is any substance that can harm the body if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed

into the body through the skin. Poisons include laboratory chemicals, drugs and

medicines.

SIGNS/ SYMPTOMS OF POISONING

(i) Nausea

(ii) Vomiting

(v) Diarrhoea

(iii) Abdominal cramps or pain

(vi) Abnormal skin colour

(iv) Difficulty in breathing

PROCEDURE

(i) Call for medical assistance immediately

(ii) Meanwhile, find out what caused the poisoning

(iii) If poison is in the eye:

(a) Wash the eye with a lot of clean water

(b) Ask the victim to blink as much as possible

(c) Do not rub the eye

(iv) If poison is on the skin

(a) Remove any clothing from the affected part

(b) Wash the affected area thoroughly with a lot of water, do not apply any

ointment

(v) If the poison has been swallowed:

(a) Induce vomiting if the poison is non-corrosive example, medicines. You

should put your finger in the victim’s throat to induce vomiting.

(b) Do not induce vomiting if the poison is corrosive. Corrosive substances

include kerosene, bleaching agents, detergents, laboratory acids, bases,

disinfectants, pesticides and certain toiletries.

(vi) If the poison has been inhaled, move the person to an open space where there is

plenty of fresh air. Make sure you protect yourself from inhaling the poison.

(vii) Take the victim to health centre for medical help.

9. VOMITING

Vomiting is the forceful removal (discharge) of the contents of the stomach through

the mouth. It can be caused by food poisoning, drinking contaminated water, inhaling

poisonous fumes or overheating.

PROCEDURE

(i) Give the victim lots of clear fluids, including an oral rehydration salt (drink)

(ii) Get medical assistance to a nearby health Centre if:

(a) There is persistent vomiting

(b) The victim vomits blood

(c) The victim has high fever

(d) The victim is very dehydrated. This may be observed when the mouth and the

skin become very dry.

EXERCISE 1

1. Differentiate between First Aid and First Aid Kit.

2. Name ten components of the First Aid Kit and state their uses.

3. List five possible causes of accidents in school laboratory.

4. How can you help a fellow student who has been burnt with chemicals in the

laboratory? Explain

5. Explain five importance of giving First Aid to a victim of accidents.

6. How can you help a person who is bleeding severely? Explain

7. How will you give First Aid to a person who has fainted? Explain

8. If your family member has a burn, how can you help him or her? Explain

9. Who is responsible to receive reports of all accidents occurring in the laboratory?

10. If chemicals get into your eyes, what first thing will you do? Explain

11. In which other areas do you find safety warning sign? Give any four

12. Why the laboratory exits open outwards? Explain

13. Why are the safety signs very important? Explain

14. Explain the importance of shock positioning a person suspected to be in shock.

15. Why is it necessary to take precautions while working in the laboratory? Explain

16. Describe six possible causes of accidents in the laboratory

17. Mention the types of burns and how would you provide appropriate First Aid for

each.

18. Why should a laboratory contain a First Aid Kit with all necessary items?

19. What are the precautions for preventing infections when providing First Aid?

20. Describe how you would assess and provide the First Aid to the victim who is

Fainting.