Topic 11 First Aid

Why should teenagers be encouraged to learn first aid?

Wherever there are people, there is a need for first aid. Children and teenagers who have received first aid training have better preparation and response capabilities when encountering emergencies. They can immediately assist the injured and injured and play an essential role in emergencies. In Hong Kong, many cardiac arrest cases occur outside hospitals every year. Suppose the people around you know how to use an automated external defibrillator and perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation. In that case, they can rescue the cardiac arrest victim before paramedical personnel arrive, thus increasing the chance for the victim to survive. Many countries have included first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation training in the school curricula. Hong Kong should consider further investing resources in providing first aid education for young people.

Main Concepts

Let teenagers understand basic first aid knowledge and attitudes, including seeking help from adults and the 999 Emergency Telephone System as soon as possible in an emergency, as well as knowing to ensure the safety of the rescuer in the first place in an emergency, and then protect the injured and bystanders; learn how to take precautionary measures when rescuing to prevent infection, know how to comfort the injured person, and check whether the injured person is unconscious and not breathing; know under what circumstances it is necessary to maintain the injured person in a recovery position while waiting for rescue; and get prepared to help others with their first aid knowledge whenever required.
Let teenagers understand the automatic external defibrillator (AED) and know it is safe to use AED correctly. It can automatically detect the patient's heart rhythm and will not perform shocks unless necessary. Teenagers should also recognise an AED sign, learn when to use an AED and attach its electrode pads to the correct location on the patient's body.
Through cooperation with organisations and professional training, young people can master cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills on a CPR manikin.
Let young people understand choking and know how to deal with it correctly: if the patient is conscious and able to cough, encourage them to keep coughing; if the patient cannot cough as the airway is completely obstructed, use abdominal thrusting to allow the foreign body to be dislodged from the throat.
Let teenagers learn about wounds and bleeding and how to deal with them correctly: clean wounds properly when water and antiseptics are available, apply dressings and bandages, and stop bleeding (including nosebleeds and bleeding in other body parts). Teenagers should learn that they need to seek medical help and emergency care if bleeding cannot be stopped or if there is excessive blood loss.
Let teenagers learn about muscle, bone and joint injuries and how to deal with them. Students should be aware of the common types of musculoskeletal system injuries, including sprains, dislocations, and tears/breaks and know that patients with extremely painful injuries should not be moved to avoid deteriorating potential fractures or dislocations.
Let young people learn about heat stroke and how to handle it properly.
Let teenagers understand the essential items in a typical first aid kit and the facilities in a school medical room. They can learn more about first aid techniques for handling other emergencies if they are interested.

Keywords

#Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation #AED #First Aid Training #Crisis Response