First aid skills aren’t just essential for paramedics and healthcare professionals—they’re crucial for caregivers, too. If you’re providing care for a senior loved one, knowing how to respond in emergencies can make all the difference. This blog explores the fundamental first aid skills every caregiver should master to ensure safety and wellbeing.
Assessing the Situation
The first step in any emergency is to assess the situation calmly and quickly. When accidents happen, it’s easy to panic, but staying composed is vital.
- Look for hazards – Before you rush to help, take a moment to survey the surroundings. Is there a fire? Could there be broken glass or leaking gas? Identifying hazards ensures you don’t become another victim needing assistance.
- Determine responsiveness – Once you’re sure the area is safe, check if your loved one is responsive. Gently shake your loved one’s shoulder and ask if he or she can hear you. If there’s no response, it’s time to move on to more critical actions.
- Call for help – If the situation is beyond your capability, don’t hesitate to call 911 or emergency services. While waiting for professional help, you can start administering basic first aid.
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Performing CPR
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a life-saving technique used when someone’s heart has stopped beating. It’s a crucial skill every caregiver should know.
- Check for breathing – Lay your loved one flat on his or her back and tilt his or her head back to open the airway. Check for breathing by looking at your loved one’s chest and feeling for breath on your cheek.
- Start chest compressions and rescue breaths – If your loved one isn’t breathing, start CPR. Place your hands in the center of your loved one’s chest and push down hard and fast, about two inches deep, at a rate of 100–120 compressions per minute. After 30 compressions, give two rescue breaths by pinching your loved one’s nose, sealing your mouth over his or hers, and exhaling.
- Continue until help arrives – Continue administering CPR until medical help arrives or your loved one starts breathing independently. Remember, your actions could mean the difference between life and death.
Treating Bleeding & Wounds
Minor cuts and scrapes are common, but knowing how to treat more severe wounds can prevent complications.
- Apply pressure – For a minor cut, cleaning the wound and covering it with a bandage is often sufficient. For more severe bleeding, apply direct pressure with a clean cloth or bandage to stop the bleeding.
- Elevate the wound – If possible, elevate the injured area above the level of the heart to slow down the bleeding. This is especially useful for injuries to the arms or legs.
- Clean and cover – Once the bleeding is under control, clean the wound with mild soap and water. Then cover it with a sterile bandage to prevent infection.
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Managing Burns
Burns can be extremely painful and potentially life-threatening if not treated correctly. Here’s how to handle different types of burns.
- Cool the burn – For minor burns, run cool (not cold) water over the area for at least 10 minutes. Avoid using ice, as it can cause more damage to the skin.
- Cover with a clean cloth – After cooling, cover the burn with a clean nonstick cloth or bandage to protect it from infection. Don’t apply creams or ointments unless advised by a healthcare professional.
- Seek medical attention – For more severe burns, particularly those that blister or affect a large area, seek medical attention immediately. Burns on the face, hands, groin, and feet should always be treated by a professional.
Handling Choking
Choking is a common emergency, especially for the elderly. Knowing how to perform the Heimlich maneuver can save a life.
- Identify choking signs – When choking, a person will typically grasp his or her throat. The individual may also be unable to speak or cough and may turn blue due to lack of air.
- Perform the Heimlich maneuver – Stand behind your loved one and wrap your arms around his or her waist. Make a fist with one hand and place it just above your loved one’s navel. Grab your fist with your other hand and thrust it inward and upward. Repeat until the object is dislodged.
Preparedness is an important part of your role as a family caregiver. It’s also vital to make sure you set aside time to recharge so you can provide better care for your loved one. In Milwaukee, respite care is a great help to many families. Caring for a senior loved one can be overwhelming at times, which puts family caregivers at risk for burnout. However, an in-home caregiver can take over your loved one’s care, allowing you the time you need to focus on your own health, maintain a full-time job, or care for other members of your family. We will work with you to create a customized home care plan that’s suited for your loved one’s unique needs. Call the Assisting Hands Home Care team today.