ESL Blogs

Dear friends every one of us should learn at least some first aid techniques. We never know when we might need them. At home, school, college, university, work or may be when enjoying our holidays. No matter what is our background, skill or level we should have little bit knowledge about first aid. First aid is a necessary skill, If we follow simple procedures and we are able to save lives and many deaths can be prevented before the emergency services arrived or the person taken to hospital.

Recently while I commuted to work I had an experience, A young mum and her two little children next to me seems very happy. The older child is holding a jelly sweet packet in her hand eating and sharing with the younger one. Suddenly when the bus travelling through the bumpy road, the children were bounce and one of the little one accidentally  swallowed the sweet. She was choking. The mum try to put her fingers and try to take the sweet from the child's mouth but she couldn't. I turn around and asks the mum Is she OK? The mum told me she cant breathe she is choking. I told mum to stop put your finger in her mouth and asked the child to 'cough'. The little one cough loudly and the red jelly sweet flying in the air. The mum gave me a big hug and said 'Thank you'. I told that mum ,if your child is choking please don't try to take it and poke it blindly you may be make it worse to push it further down and it will block the air way. I also said you should watch some first aid videos in the internet and get more knowledge. She said I will do.

Any one at the scene can give first aid, but obviously the more knowledge you have the better you can give and save life. The main aim of first aid is  keep that person alive, that is preserve life, prevent worsening and promote recovery.

Choking:

If a person is choking, ask them to 'cough it out'

If its doesn’t work use your heel of your hand to give five black blows or slaps between the shoulder blades

If they still struggling link your hands between their belly button and the bottom of their chest give up to five abdominal thrusts.

If they still struggling you have to call for ambulance or take them to hospital

First Aid is the first help given to a person injured or taken suddenly ill. Usually at the scene or at the time. It may be the only help given to that person before ambulance paramedic arrived or from the hospital. Friends be aware and be sensitive to people's specific need and save life.

Thank you for your precious time to read. Please do correct mistakes. I appreciate it.