First aid is simple attention provided immediately following an injury. It is usually performed by a non-expert person to a sick or injured person until appropriate medical treatment can be accessed in a hospital or by going to a doctor.
The overriding aim of all medical care is to save lives and minimize the threat of death. First aid done correctly should help reduce the patient’s level of pain and calm them down during the evaluation and treatment process. Prevention of further harm includes addressing both external factors, such as moving a patient away from any cause of harm, and applying first aid techniques to prevent worsening of the condition, such as applying pressure to stop a bleed from becoming dangerous. First aid also involves trying to start the recovery process from the illness or injury, and in some cases might involve completing a treatment, such as in the case of applying a plaster to a small wound.
First Aid for Burn Injuries
The aims of first aid should be to stop the burning process, cool the burn, provide pain relief, and cover the burn. The cause of injury and depth and extent of burn should be assessed in the same way as for more major burns and recorded. Cooling the burn will reduce pain, swelling and the risk of scarring. The sooner and longer a burn is cooled with cold running water, the less the impact of the injury. After the burn has been cooled, cover it with cling film or a clean plastic bag. Burns will often be painful even after cooling them. You can give an appropriate dose of painkillers and reassure the person who has been burned to help them remain calm. Burns can be very dangerous, depending on the age of the child and the size, depth and location of the injury. Even small burns can be potentially life-threatening to a baby or child, so always seek medical advice.