Festive First Aid

Date published: 14 December 2015


Christmas is one of the most eagerly anticipated times of the year and, for many, is a time for parties, high spirits and excessive consumption of goodies.

Unfortunately, it’s also a time when a significant number of accidents and ailments occur within the home.

St John Ambulance, the nation’s leading first aid charity, has issued some simple but life saving first aid tips for the festive period.

The frenzied removal of difficult wrapping on presents with a sharp knife, or problems mastering the perfect technique of carving the Christmas turkey are just a couple of examples where it can all go horribly wrong.

To treat a minor bleed... 

  • Wash and dry your own hands, cover any cuts on your own hands and put on disposable gloves.
  • Clean the cut, if dirty, under running water and pat dry with a sterile dressing or clean, lint-free material.
  • If possible, raise the affected area above the heart.
  • Cover the cut temporarily while you clean the surrounding skin with soap and water and pat dry.
  • Cover the cut completely with a sterile dressing or plaster.

For a severe bleed... 

  • Wash and dry your own hands, cover any cuts on your own hands and put on disposable gloves.
  • Remove or cut clothing as necessary to expose the wound.
  • Apply direct pressure over the wound with a sterile dressing or clean, lint-free material.
  • If there is an object in the wound, apply pressure on either side of the object.
  • Maintain direct pressure on the wound and raise the injured limb above the level of the casualty’s heart to reduce blood loss.

Burns are also a common injury at this time. Minor burns can be treated at home effectively, but if you suspect the injury is severe it’s vital to advise the injured person to see a doctor... 

  • Flood the injured part with cold water for at least 10 minutes or until the pain is relieved.
  • Gently remove any jewellery, watches, belts or constricting clothing from the injured area before it begins to swell.
  • Cover the burn with kitchen film or place a clean plastic bag over an injured hand or foot.
    Apply the kitchen film lengthways over the burn, not around the limb as the tissue will swell. If you do not have kitchen film or a plastic bag, use a sterile dressing or non-fluffy pad, and bandage loosely in place. 
  • Do not apply ointments or fats, they may damage the tissue and increase the risk of infection.
  • Do not apply adhesive dressings or tape as removing them may tear the damaged skin.
  • Seek medical advice if the casualty is a child or if you are in any doubt about the casualty’s condition. If a minor burn is larger than a postage stamp it requires medical attention. All deep burns of any size require urgent hospital treatment.

New toys and gadgets where participants mimic the movements of an activity or sport in the comfort of their home are potential hazards during the Christmas period. Strains and sprains should be treated initially following the RICE procedure: Rest, Ice pack, Comfortable support, Elevation... 

  • Help the casualty to sit or lie down and support the injured part in a comfortable position, preferably raised.
  • Cool the injured area by applying a cold compress such as an ice pack.
  • With the cold compress in place, wrap the area in a layer of soft padding such as cotton wool.
  • Secure with a support bandage.
  • Support the injured part in a raised position and check circulation underneath the bandage every 10 minutes. If circulation is impaired, loosen the bandage.
  • If the pain is severe or the casualty cannot move or use the injured part, arrange to take or send them to hospital, otherwise advise the casualty to rest and to seek medical advice if necessary.

Settling around the table for Christmas lunch with the whole family, there’s always the risk of someone choking on their food... 

  • Ask the casualty ‘Are you choking?’ If the casualty is breathing encourage them to cough to try to remove the obstruction themselves. 
  • If they can’t speak, cough or breathe, bend them forward. Give up to five sharp blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand. Check their mouth, but do not do a finger sweep of the mouth.
  • If choking persists, stand behind the casualty. Put both arms around them and put one fist between the navel and the bottom of the breastbone. Grasp your fist with your other hand, and pull sharply inwards and upwards up to five times. Recheck the mouth.
  • Repeat the backslaps and thrusts until the obstruction clears. If after three cycles it still has not cleared, call 999/112 for emergency help. Continue the sequence until help arrives or the obstruction is cleared, or they lose consciousness. If they lose consciousness, open the airway and check breathing.

If the casualty is an infant, follow these steps...

  • Lay the baby face down on your thigh supporting their head.
  • Give up to five back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand, check the mouth for any obstruction and remove, but don’t stick your fingers down the throat.
  • If the obstruction hasn’t cleared, turn the baby on their back. Place two fingers on the centre of the infant’s chest and push inwards and upwards sharply against the breastbone. Check the mouth for any obstruction and remove. Repeat up to five times.
  • If the obstruction doesn’t clear, repeat the backslaps and thrusts until the obstruction clears. If after three cycles it still has not cleared, call 999/112 for emergency help. Continue the sequence until help arrives.

 

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