First Aid at home, this is a life skill which can be crucial during an emergency. Anyone with simple knowledge, or even awareness can become a life-saver during an emergency.
Some of the common scenarios which one might face in our day to day encounters (there are many more depictions in TV dramas)
-Sprains and fractures
-Excessive bleeding
-Punctures and wounds
-Choking
-Fainting spell
-Heart Attack
Many of the dangers could be alleviated if First Aid is rendered promptly.
CPR
Applying CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and using an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) effectively can save lives. Any help rendered before an ambulance arrives might prevent a situation from deteriorating.
(In worse case scenario, a paramedic can guide you over the phone on how to react or perform CPR)
=== ===
During my First Aid course, we knew that someone with Cardiac Arrest (Heart attack) only has 10 minutes before he cannot be resuscitated.
If the heart is not pumping blood, brain will suffer permanent tissue damage after 4 to 6 minutes.
*CPR is crucial to keep the heart alive for blood circulation.
=== ===
SGSecure campaign
With the SGSecure campaign, many are aware of “Run, Hide and Tell”. My kids can tell me about sms 71999.
But not many know about “Press, Tie, Tell”.
In many scenarios, if blood is flowing out, we must apply Pressure to stop bleeding first. More details on SGSecure website.
First Aid at home, I invited a few models to refresh my skills.
AED
We have heard how AED can help shock a heart to pump again. But you need to know where to find an AED first.
I did notice there are more AEDs now, especially high traffic areas like MRT stations.
Useful Apps and Links, FirstAid courses
For additional tips, I can refer to SCDF’s mySCDF app or YouTube.
My little fire fighter at home. I hope we do not need to fight a fire at home one day, but it is crucial for my family to know how to evacuate during an emergency.
Pickup First Aid skills if you have not already done so. Checkout SCDF website for latest updates, click on CEPP (Community Emergency Preparedness Programme) link to register.
SCDF or commercial CPR courses duration can last from 4 hours to full 3 days (from basic to comprehensive with certification), but the basic awareness (CPR, AED, Bandaging hands on) course should be sufficient for most.
Some of the safety posts from our previous experiences are shared below.
-SCDF’s EPC (first hand experience on safety)
https://sengkangbabies.com/family-2/trip-emergency-preparedness-centre
-Learning First Aid with family (PA)
https://sengkangbabies.com/safety/drsabc-cpr-for-everyone/
-First Aid Kit and Fire evacuation
https://sengkangbabies.com/parenting/stay-prepared-in-an-emergency/
-SGSecure campaign (Hands on CPR and first aid tips)
https://sengkangbabies.com/safety/sgsecure-keep-singapore-safe/
-Saturday Fire Station open house
https://sengkangbabies.com/neighbourhood/fire-station-open-house/
-Blood Donation
https://sengkangbabies.com/health/blood-donation
Glossary:
CPR-Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
AED-Automated external defibrillator
Police-999
Ambulance and Fire-995
=== ===
* The tips above are only meant to raise awareness for First Aid
** We will never know whether we are ready to apply our skills, until we are faced with a situation. Actual incident scene might traumatised many First Aiders too ( imagine bloody wounds or amputations ). But if we do not act, a life might be lost.
*** Salute to all the paramedics out there!
If you see an ambulance coming up behind you, give way promptly. You do not need to wait till the ambulance is tailgating you!
**** If you have more tips, do share with us
