Errors Made in First Aid

Almost all of us have come across it; Do you think that the person who faints faints and slaps his head, who tries to awaken by sprinkling water? Or applying yoghurt and tomato paste to places with sunburn; Trying to take the person stuck in a traffic accident to a crow pump in good faith! However, the mistakes we make when we say 'let's save a life' in the first intervention in emergency situations often cause harm and cause permanent disability or even death! Here, the 2nd Saturday of September is celebrated as World First Aid Day every year to raise awareness of the importance of the correct application of first aid. Acıbadem Mobile Operations Director Dr. Behiç Berk Swan “Your first aid; It should not be forgotten that in all cases of illness or injury that may be experienced, there are drug-free practices performed with existing tools and equipment at the scene in order to save life or prevent the situation from getting worse, until the medical assistance of healthcare professionals or first aid training is provided. Acıbadem Mobile Operations Director Dr. Behiç Berk Kuğu, in his statement as part of the World First Aid Day, which falls on Saturday, September 12 this year, explained 10 correct mistakes in first aid and made important warnings and suggestions.

“Somehow someone called an ambulance”: WRONG!

ACTUALLY: Especially if the accident scene is crowded, it is often thought that someone at the scene is notified to the ambulance and everyone focuses on helping the victim with the thought that 'somehow someone else has already called'. However, an ambulance may not have been called! For this reason, make sure that the emergency service is called, if you are calling, you should definitely tell the incident briefly and what zamclearly report the moment and where it happened, how many people were affected, etc.

Sniffing onions in Sara's crises: WRONG!

ACTUALLY: Trying to open the mouth of a person suffering from epilepsy (Sara) crises or smelling sharp smells such as onions to sober up, trying to open their hands are among the most common mistakes. This kind of behavior should be avoided. Instead of these, the head area should be kept safe and the contractions should be expected to pass and zamAn ambulance should be called without losing a moment

Using yoghurt, tomato paste, and toothpaste on burns and sunburn: WRONG!

ACTUALLY: Sunburn is generally confronted as a first degree burn phenomenon. In such cases, it is necessary to cool the burnt area in cases of burns. On the other hand, substances such as yoghurt, tomato paste and toothpaste, which are widely used by the public to cool the burning area, can cause infections. Therefore, instead of applying such substances, keep the burning area under running tap water for at least 15 minutes. In case of second and third degree burns, never blow the water bubbles in the burning area and apply to the hospital.

Blood sucking in insect-snake bites: WRONG!

ACTUALLY: In insect and snake bites, it is not beneficial to cut and bleed the sting area, sucking the blood and spitting it, and it may cause infection to the person performing the application. Instead of; the area should be cleaned with soap and water, cold application should be applied, it should be taken below the heart level and a tight bandage should be applied to the bitten area and the hospital should be applied.

Not given head-chin position: WRONG!

ACTUALLY: Acıbadem Mobile Operations Director Dr. Behiç Berk Swan “In cases of respiratory distress, fainting and loss of consciousness, the oral cavity of the patients should be checked, if there is a foreign body in the mouth, it should be removed and the person should be given head-jaw position. Head-chin position; It is a position given by pressing one hand on the patient's forehead while pushing the chin from the bottom with two fingers of our other hand. It prevents the tongue from running back and obstructing the airway. However, usually in unconscious first aid practices, the patient may be more comfortable with a pillow or any other elevation, and situations that lead to the closure of the respiratory tract can be caused. 

Slapping to sober the fainted: WRONG!

ACTUALLY: Slapping a person in cases of fainting, sprinkling water on his face, lying on his back without giving any position are among the most common mistakes. However, after consciousness control for those who fainted, the feet should be raised at least 30 cm in the air and the patient should be kept with his head on his side. If necessary, an ambulance should be called.

Attempting to remove sinking objects: WRONG!

ACTUALLY: It is a very risky situation to remove foreign bodies stuck in the eye or body in an uncontrolled manner. In such cases, the sinking foreign objects should never be moved and an ambulance should be called immediately. Foreign bodies should be removed in the hospital environment. Otherwise, permanent disability or even death may occur.

Scrubbing with snow or ice in freezing: WRONG!

ACTUALLY: Rubbing the frozen area with snow or ice during freezing or cold burns is extremely wrong as it will adversely affect circulation in the freezing area! In freezing cases, it is necessary to take the person affected by the cold to a place at room temperature, remove them if the clothes are wet, put them on dry clothes and give warm drinks. If blisters (water collections) occur in the frozen area, never blow the formations, ensure that the person is transferred to the hospital.

Forcing to vomit in poisoning: WRONG!

ACTUALLY: Especially in case of chemical poisoning, forcing the person to vomit can damage the food or trachea, as it will expose the person to the chemical again. In such cases, the person should never be vomited or forced to vomit. In cases such as food poisoning; The substance or food that causes the poisoning should be questioned and make sure that it is safe to induce vomiting. If necessary, you should call an ambulance and get information by calling 114 Poison Information Hotline.

Trying to get the person stuck in the traffic accident: WRONG!

ACTUALLY: Acıbadem Mobile Operations Director Dr. Behiç Berk Swan “Especially if there are people stuck in the vehicle in a traffic accident, it is common for the injured people to be taken out of the vehicle without waiting for professional teams. However, such interventions can cause spinal cord damage and even permanent disabilities. Therefore, professional teams (ambulance-fire brigade) should be expected. In cases of non-vehicle accidents, the injured patient should move minimally and, if possible, should not be moved. Again, in such cases, if the injured person is moved to another place without professional teams, it is a situation that causes spinal cord damage. In case of accidents, it will be enough to prevent additional accidents by ensuring environmental safety and to control consciousness and breath at intervals of 5-7 minutes ”. - Hibya News Agency