Talk:First aid

Former Content
At the moment, this page is just some suggested headings.

Travellers First Aid Kit
Don't pack necessary medication in hold baggage, and make sure you have a doctor's letter if you need to carry syringes on planes (e.g., diabetics or allergy sufferers who carry an Epipen).

Wherever you go

 * Basic medication should be carried by everyone: painkillers such as apsirin, paracetamol, or ibuprofen. Note that codeine is commonly used in over-the counter medicines in the UK but is a prohibited drug in the US.
 * Any necesary medication for yourself, along with copies of the prescription in case of loss.
 * Anti-histamine tablets can be effective at reducing the discomfort from insect bits, as can ammonia pens.
 * Not strictly a first aid item, but don't forget sunscreen if you're going somewhere hot.
 * A supply of self-adhesive plasters for dealing with minor injuries - small cuts and blisters are the most common.
 * It's also good to pack some alcohol free antiseptic wipes as well to prevent infection - smaller wounds get infected more easily than large ones.
 * A crepe bandage will help if you sprain or strain a joint.

Additions if you're off the beaten track

 * Additional dressings and bandages if you're away from the cities.
 * Sterile kit if you're travelling to areas where you can't be sure of sterile needles being used.

Good Samaritan Laws in various places
Many countries have specific laws designed to protect people who help out in an emergency from facing criminal or civil legal proceedings to justify their actions.
 * The United Kingdom has a "Good Samaritan" law that protects First Aiders who are acting competently. This means that if a qualified person cracks someone's rib while doing CPR (a common occurance) they can't be prosecuted/sued for assault.  On the other hand, if the same person did something outside the scope of their training, they would still be liable.
 * France requires that drivers stop at the scene of an accident.

Emergency Services
The number to contact the emergency services varies from place to place, as does the manner of operation. For example, in the UK, British Telecom dispatches will route your call to the Police, Ambulance, Fire Service, or Coastguard as appropriate. In the UK, the initial dispatch is done by the Police.

Article Goal
I see this as a companion article for the First aid kit for travellers. However it is also a slippery slope. Rather than the general heading First aid, I think it should be called First aid tips for travellers or something similar. The article should be an introductory article about how to render first aid when travelling, either to yourself or others. It should not become a full blown first aid manual. There are several well known organisations (e.g. Red Cross, St John) out in the big wide world who specialise in training people in first aid'. They have standardised manuals that run to 100+ pages and just scratch the surface of the topic. -- (WT-en) Huttite 07:11, 18 Jul 2005 (EDT)

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I (broadly) agree.

I originally started writing this from scratch when I found an empty link to First Aid. Then I realised I'd jumped the gun and there was already a lot of information under some other topical articles. I think the better approach is to modify the articles that are there already, hence my moving this lot to the talk page and making the main page a redirect.

I think this article should be about preparation (and that might include going on a First Aid course if you're planning a month trekking in Darkest Peru) and what you should know.

(WT-en) AndyCunningham 13:59, 19 Jul 2005 (EDT)

BASIC First Aid
In my view, basic first aid can be rendered with the eyes, mouth, the lungs, and hands. You might find a belt, handkerchief or bandanna, and a bottle of water helpful. Anything else is good luck. If you cannot render first aid with this equipment, learn the ABC of First Aid.


 * A = Always ensure your own safety first. Avoid trying to rescue someone else without first making sure you will not need to be rescued too. Rescuing two people is twice as hard as rescuing one person. Get help, or at least call for help.
 * A = Ascertain conciousness. Shake, shout, call for help, if the victim is unconcious.
 * A = Airway - ensure an open airway. Tilt the head back or lift the chin forward if tilting the head is not possible/risky.  Place in the recovery position if unconcious but breathing.
 * B = Breathing - monitor breathing. If the victim is not breathing breath for them using rescue breathing.
 * C = Circulation - monitor the blood circulation. If there is no heartbeat/circulation, start CPR or Cardio-pulmonary resusitation. If there is a heart beat, check for bleeding. If there is bleeding, plug the leak. Use your fingers to apply direct, or indirect, pressure to stop the bleeding. If your fingers are not large enough try your hand. A belt or handkerchief can be improvised as a dressing and bandage to assist. Real bandages and dressings can also be used - if you have them. Once bleeding is contained, maintain core body blood volume by raising the legs and lowering the head to allow blood to drain back to the heart and brain. This counteracts the effects of shock. Also try to keep victim warm by using a blanket to insulate from cold air and cold ground but avoid overheating, so shelter from hot sun and use cold packs, cold water or wet compresses to reduce excessive body temperatures.

If you do not know how to perform rescue breathing, CPR (Cardio-pulmonary resusitation), place someone in the recovery position, or check someone's carotid pulse or their breathing, then take a First Aid or Basic Life Support course.

If you cannot use your:
 * eyes to watch and observe,
 * mouth and lungs to call for help, breath for someone, talk to and reassure them,
 * and hands to open the airway, do heart compressions, plug bloody leaks, examine a person's body, manouver them into in suitable positions, dial phone numbers, point to others and get them to help.

Then you are probably not in a position to use anything else in a first aid kit and you should use that bottle of water to wash the guilt of your hands because you did not learn when you had a chance. -- (WT-en) Huttite 07:11, 18 Jul 2005 (EDT)